Happy Sunday!

Today I truly felt the spirit in church. Lisa Ann Poulsen taught Gospel Doctrine today which focused on 2 Corinthians and being of good cheer when faced with tribulations. As I took the time to read some more from 2 Corinthians, I found it to be a book full of hope focusing on the Atonement. 

Here is a General Conference talk and video from Elder Kent F. Richards from April 2011's General Conference. 

2 Corinthians 12:9

"And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

FHE - Modern Family

Happy Monday!
Here is a classic Modern Family clip to help you get excited for tonight!

August Birthdays

It's August, and the teacher in me is having a difficult time finding things to celebrate. Summer vacation is almost over, my daylight hours will soon be spent with second graders rather than at the pool or seven peaks.

So here are the lucky ones, the ones who have a celebration to look forward to this August:

August 14th: Kerri Russell
August 17th: Bennett Myres
August 19th: Steve Guynn
August 21st: Aubreigh Guynn
August 26th: BROOKE THEIS
August 30th: Preston Redd

Happy Birthday America!

In the month of July we celebrate the birth of our country, express gratitude for the freedoms we have a citizens of the USA, and recognize the men and women who sacrifice so much to preserve those rights! Happy Birthday America!
These are the choice ward members who share a birth month with our country...lucky:

July 9th: Laura Gilpin
July 12th: Danielle Julander
July 15th: Andrew Anderson
July 16th: Jordan Mann
July 20th: Alison Spencer
July 22nd: Kia Palmer
July 23rd: Chris Smith
July 29th: Hilary Davis


So when you see any of these folks wish them a very happy birthday.

Enjoy your 4th of July celebrations, check out the Freedom Festival, the Stadium of Fire fireworks, and be safe!!

June Birthdays!

The days of birth we celebrate in the month of June are as follows:

June 1st: Liz Hullinger
June 2nd: Kelsey Johansen
June 11th: Troy Jennings
June 12th: Kendrick Holyoak
June 13th: Amanda Miller
June 15th: Kelsey Foster
June 18th: Krista Ahlstrom
June 21st: Ben Haymond

Happiest of birthdays to you all!

Memorial Day

Ladies of the 177th Ward looking ready for summer!



A thrilling game of badminton played by some wardies!

For some Memorial Day is recognized as the kick off to summer, fire up the grill and enjoy the warm weather. For others it is a day to remember those who have served our nation and given their lives for the protection of its citizens. This weekend the web was flooded with searches about Memorial Day, how to observe it, and its history. For a quick read click here.

We had a great time up at the Potter's for Home Evening. A huge thanks to them for their hospitality, pictures will be posted soon. And if you didn't read the ward email from a few days ago they have offered their home for activities and dates. So look at you calendars, pick a date, and let them know.


Nothing says summer better than croquet.

Though a game of Polo with the likes of this guy may just take the cake...

Ward Chior

In our Relief Society Makinsey gave a great lesson on talents. We talked about how our talents can help to enrich and bless the lives of those around us. One way to do that is by participating in ward choir. Thank you to all those who joined us for today's special musical number. We appreciated the extra voices.

I will be the first to say that in the past ward choir has not always been my favorite thing to do. It was at the same time as a baseball or football game, may have cut into a Survivor season finale...but this semester I have come to appreciate what the ward choir does for our Sacrament Meetings. Elder Russell M. Nelson gave a CES Fireside address in 2008 entitled 'The Power and Protection of Worthy Music'. He shares how music facilitates reverence and invites the Spirit into our meetings. In quoting the preface to the hymnbook he says "Some of the greatest sermons are preached by the singing of hymns. Hymns move us to repentance and good works, build testimony and faith, comfort the weary, console the mourning, and inspire us to endure to the end...We encourage all members, whether musically inclined or not, to join with us in singing the hymns."


So what am I getting at? Our ward choir meets Sundays at 8:00 in the basement of the TAJ. We would love our ward members to come and sing, whether musically inclined or not, so that every choir number will be a facilitator of comfort, peace, and strength as it was today. I promise it'll be worth it! Next week Emma even promised cinnamon rolls!

May Birthdays!

I know its a bit late, but better late than never!

We'd like to wish those who, in the month of May, grow a year older and wiser too a very happy birthday!

May 2nd: Andrew Johnston
May 6th: Sean Thompson
May 12th: Gina Prows
May 23rd: Beth Ann Wells
and Kevin Harrison
May 25th: Lauren Rockwood
May 26th: Skyler Pine

Ward Opening Social

Gabby Fowler and Brooke Theis.

What better way to start off the summer than with a barbeque with food, friends, and tons of fun! There was a great showing at our first activity of the season. Thanks to the bishopric for manning the grill and serving up some great burgers.


Bennett Myers, Mack Drzayich, and Jordan Beasley enjoying each others company.

The athletic skills our ward possesses was evident in the games of frisbee, football, and kickball going on. I have no talent for frisbee, so I stuck with kickball, though slipping out of my shoes and missing the ball entirely may be a sign kickball isn't my thing either. We lost the kickball in a tree and it took a while to get it down, but thankfully we did and the game (which was not a close one in the slightest) could continue.


Kevin Harrison scales the tree to retrieve our Jamba kickball.


Even with all the activities there was still enough time to talk with friends. Brother Robinson commented that he was excited that people were content just sitting around socializing.

Thanks again to everyone who was involved in putting this activity together. It was a great success. I have a feeling this is a sign of great activities to come!

New Ward Blogger

Dearest Wardies,
I am your new official ward blogger. I will be at activities taking pictures, so make sure you are there to get your face on the blog! If you have any pictures of ward activities, or personal pictures of things you do during the spring and summer send them my way for our blog and a future ward slide show.Enjoy the warm weather, sitting poolside with a book and otter pops...and don't forget your camera!

Sincerely,

Kelsey Foster

My Final Post

As spring/summer is now here I am no longer the official ward blogger.  So I will put up a few pictures from our last few ward activities.  Hope everyone has a fabulous summer!

The home evening broom ball activity.

When I heard we were doing an activity with brooms I really hoped it would be quidditch...oh well!  It was still fun.

A little bit of competitive spirit.

The casualties.

Disclaimer:  I only had photos from the group I was in.  If you have more pictures from Wheres Maldo you are welcome to add them.

The cowboy.

The polygamist group.

Waldo himself.

Hippie Power!

The Indian.

It has been a great semester!

Happy Birthday Katie and Katie--April 20

Katheryn Obrien Golding is turning 20!!! and she is an music education major so she will be here forever. She responds to Kath Katsie and kaitlyn. She is the oldest of five girls. She has moved all over the place including Hawaii, Michigan, good old emery county utah, Colorado and that is just scratching the surface. the next move for her and her family is California. she is a wanderer. You can catch katsie in the spotlight dancing and singing she is a participant in womens chorus. She will most likely swoon over you if you bring her flowers. It's her own  Achilles Heel. She is a big fan of the wild life. 50 cent maceys ice cream small twist can hit the spot any time. Don't be deceived by the blond. she is not ditz. she is a dedicated journal writer. Her personality is vibrant, beautiful inside and out. Past time of choice? hot springs. As for her favorite color...well she can pull off wearing the color purple better than anyone i know. most importantly..she can kick anyone's trash at MARIO WII. bring it. embarrassing stories. well one day at church, her and trace struck up a conversation concerning their encounter on the track. They were talking about how they should jog together sometime. so naturally katie says. Of course we should run together.. you're our inspiration. awk. she turned tickle me pink and greg started laughing in the background. welp. trace in honor of you[i suppose] katie is a frequent visitor at the track. Thanks for the inspiration. she is on the market men! get her while she's hot!! and she's always hott! 


Today we also celebrate the birthday of Katie Lund.  She went on her mission to France.  (She is actually in France right now, pretty legit.)  Katie is from Salt Lake City and such a sweet girl.  (Unfortunately we don't have a picture of a ton of information on Katie, but I do know that she is AMAZING!)

Happy Birthday to Katie and Katie!  Hope you have a fabulous day.

Happy Birthday Zach--April 18

Happy Birthday to Zachary William Anderson. Las Vegas NV. Served in Boston MA. Going to orthopedic school in AS to specialize in foot and ankle surgery. Likes to fish. Multiple time All state tennis and volleyball champion. Likes to fish. Reads his scriptures and writes in his journal every night. Great cook. likes to fish. Gentleman. Remodel for children. Well versed in classic rock. Expert skills in driving snowmobiles. Likes to fish. Precision marksman. Gospel scholar. Model athlete. great paternal skills/instincts. Cute nieces and nephews (comes from good stock so guaranteed beautiful children). Accepted elaborate predestinational assignment. Entrepreneur. Loves to fish. Eats healthy. Scores high on logic sections of standardized tests and rated top in instinctual skills on similar tests. 

Happy Birthday Zach!

Happy Birthday Lauren--April 15

Today is Lauren Call's birthday.  Lauren is from Kaysville, shes a nursing major. (VERY SMART!), she plans to become a Nurse Practitioner. She loves to dance. She just got home from serving a Mission in Montana. Trained by Mellissa Engstrom. She misses her mission everyday! She is very disciplined and tidy. She is the best example and is always happy. She loves to go on dates! She wants to get married within the next year- but she still needs to find that lucky guy! Her Favorite Roomate is Meghan. 

Happy Birthday Lauren!

Happy Birthday Rebecca--April 10

Rebecca Blake is turning 23 today.  She grew up in Midland, Texas and is the 7th of 8 kids in her family.  She recently returned from her mission to Trujillo, Peru, and she loved being able to spend 18 great months there.  Rebecca loves music and is very talented at playing the piano and clarinet.  She also enjoys learning how to play other instruments.  She enjoys trying and cooking new recipes and foods, and she likes to talk and giggle with the best of 'em.  She can't imagine being at BYU without being in the Cougar Marching Band, 'cause she loves it so much (including the free access to BYU football games).  Rebecca's plans for the future include finishing her Elementary Music Education degree and TESOL K-12 Bilingual minor at BYU, all of which should only take a couple more years (can you believe it's the longest major on campus?).  She also desires to be a temple worker in the Provo Temple, marry the man of her dreams (she literally does dream about boys sometimes...), and to live life to its fullest.  Though her phone number is not currently listed in the ward directory, you boys are in luck -- her roommates all have it and would love to pass it on so you can ask her out!  

Happy Birthday Emma--April 6

Emma Lynn Webster is from Redondo Beach, California.  She turns 21 today!! WOOT WOOT!  She is currently a Public Health major, but is transferring starting MAY to Utah College of Dental Hygiene in Orem.  She was just accepted on Friday. YAY!  She plans on getting her Masters in Public Health and ridding the world of dirty teeth and cavities.  Look for her in the future for all of your teeth cleaning needs.  Emma LOVES sweet treats, and her current obsessions are cake balls and chocolate dipped cones.  On an average day, you can find Emma yelling our roommate's numbers out of our window or dancing for the Taj. (If anyone is interested this normally takes place nightly around 9pm).  Emma's favorite past time is prank calling and she loves the color purple.  Happy Birthday Emma!

Happy Birthday Brad--April 3

Today is Bradley Richard Glenn's birthday.  Brad is from Arizona and a mechanical engineering major.  He likes The Office golfing and his fiancee. Yes, he is taken...congratulations to him!  He will be a Nuclear Engineer for the U.S. Navy upon graduation.  His favorite treats are Costco food and a double-double from in-n-out. He served a mission in Costa Rica and he has 5 of the world's funniest jokes.

Hope you have a terrific birthday Brad!

Happy Birthday Kathryn--April 1

Kathryn Marie Seely turned turning 20 today. She hails from the great town of Provo. She is majoring in English with and editing minor. She currently keeps the honors program running by working at the advisement center. She loves to travel and has visited too many places to list, but she has lived for an extended period of time in London and her favorite city, Jerusalem. Her favorite treats are chips, she'll almost do anything for them. And her favorite color is red. Her family is the center of her life and it's a guarantee that she'll make your day brighter. If you want to ask her out I'm afraid you lost your chance as she is already taken.

Happy Birthday Kathryn!

Results

Congratulations to our top five in the dating survey!  You have won a date.  You will be receiving information about your service date soon.

Who won dates?

1. Tom Black and Hilary Thomas
2. Curtis Allen and Jocelyn Peck
3. Matt Hilbert and Angela Hutchinson
4. Robert Ruefenacht and Katie Tehrani
5. Chris Jacobson and Jessica Patchett

 I hope that you have enjoyed playing matchmaker for the past few weeks.  I hope these couples realize the true love that we as a ward decided they should have.

Now, just for pure entertainment sake I will post a list of all the couples that were voted as having a better than average chance of working out (i.e. they received an average score over 50).  I will also include the couples score.  Aside from entertainment, this also gives people an idea of who they should ask out...thus, more matches can be made!

With above an 80% chance of working out we had...

1. Tom Black and Hilary Thomas (83.43)
2. Curtis Allen and Jocelyn Peck (83.22)

A 70 % chance...

1. Matt Hilbert and Angela Hutchinson (72.00)

Above 60% chance the couple would work out...

1. Robert Ruefenacht and Katie Tehrani (69.00)
2. Chris Jacobson and Jessica Patchett (67.82)
3. Rob Mayfield and Jessie Carter (67.82)
4. Erik Hatch and Beth Duvall (66.62)
5. Curtis Allen and Makia Sharp (65.13)
6. Alec Myres and Carolyn Carter (63.96)
7. Trace Farmer and Gabby Fowler (63.74)
8. Spencer Barrus and Lindsey Muir (63.71)
9. Blake Bickmore and Gabby Fowler (63.71)
10. Tyler McArthur and Whitney Ricks (61.29)
11. Tyler McArthur and Lauren Rockwood (61.26)
12. Cameron Hanberg and Lauren King (61.22)
13. Jon-Michael Dreher and Meghan Fogg (60.94)
14. Daniel Barrick and Heidi Blake (60.91)
15. Steve Guynn and Jane Colton (60.57)
16. Brady Smith and Jordan Brock (60.38)

And several couples have a 50%-60% chance of working out.

1. Jared Hatch and Kelsey Johansen (59.60)
2. Kevin Turner and Tessa Farnsworth (59.48)
3. Trace Farmer and Alise Burgess (58.73)
4. Levi Gruwell and Liz Mullins (58.60)
5. Todd Wilde and Beth Duvall (57.48)
6. Pete Siggard and Carolyn Carter (57.09)
7. Blake Bickmore and Whitney Wing (56.78)
8. Jake Drzayich and Brooke Theis (56.19)
9. Trace Farmer and Allison Tanner (55.50)
10. Kendrick Holyoak and Tessa Farnsworth (55.46)
11. Spencer Ellis and Samantha Hill (54.43)
12. Dan McIntosh and Heidi Blake (54.33)
13. Zach Anderson and Jess Daniels (53.83)
14. Spencer Barrus and Whitney Ricks (53.00)
15. Kevin Turner and Nina Wallace (52.68)
16. Kendrick Holyoak and Gina Prows (52.65)
17. Kevin Turner and Kelsey Johansen (52.28)
18. David Egbert and Erin Schill (52.00)
19. Dallin Parkinson and Carolyn Carter (51.66)
20. Preston Redd and Nina Wallace (51.31)
21. Brady Smith and Tessa Farnsworth (51.21)
22. Coulson Huntington and Lauren Christiansen (50.55)
23. Chris Smith and Cassidy Budge (50.55)
24. Mach Drzayich and Kerri Russell (50.24)
25. Kendrick Holyoak and Katie Golding (50.07)

 Thanks for all who participated--we actually had 149 votes to determine these ratings.  That is pretty amazing!  Good luck to all our couples!

Happy Birthday Jake--March 30

Jake Drzayich turns 25...Hey! Get outta the way cuz the mad man's back in town. He's 6'3 185 from Eagle, Iowa, and he knows it (Yeah, I know it). Jake is graduating in April, coasting to the finish line. He loves the outdoors: biking, skiing, pretty much all non-technologies. There's a map of the world on the wall in his room, green pins where he wants to go, white pins where he's been, there isn't even ten, he's already feeling old. But he still looks good. He's dangerous from three-point land and can interest just about anyone by the means of a run to Dairy Queen (favorite blizzard: double fudge cookie dough). So this one's for folk, for the Lakers, for Jake. Happy Birthday chuvakcheek. You are one velikolepnyi potzsan.(znayesh?)

Happy Birthday Jake!

Last day to vote!

Today is the last day for voting on the dating survey.  Make sure you go vote so either you/your roommate/a perfect couple gets the service date of their dreams!  Click here to vote.

Happy Birthday Meghan--March 27

Meghan Fogg is a ball of energy wrapped up in an explosive personality--and it is her birthday!  If she wants to get to know you, she will, so watch out.  She's not afraid to ask personal questions, not because she's nosy, but because she has a heart of gold and truly wants to know and understand you.  She wakes up in the morning feeling like P-Diddy... well... she wakes up really early to clean the RB actually...  She's a really good singer, but she wont admit it.  She loves boys, even though she claims not to.  Guys- you're missing out if you don't go out with her, she's so funny, but hurry quick because this offer ends soon (she's going on a mission... but I bet she could be persuaded not to go if an awesome man stepped up the the plate *wink* *wink*).  

 

She's from Fresno, CA.  She is a twin.  She loves volleyball and is an awesome racquetball player--(Twice she has played guys from the ward and beat them bad).  She will be serving in the Equador Quito Mission and enters the MTC on April 20.

 

ooo... quick embarassing story... Rob Mayfield came over once and she heard him downstairs.  She proceeded to run down the stairs screaming "Rob!!! Did you come to see me?!?!?!"... Then she slipped and fell down on the stairs haha.  If was definitely one of the best moments in the life of Meghan.

Happy Birthday Meghan!

Happy Birthday Madi--March 26

Madison Claire Rodabough is turning 19 today.  She is from South Jordan, Utah and a psychology major.  She plans on going to law school--doing either environmental law or women's rights.  She is obsessed with cupcakes, diet Coke, Gilmore Girls, and naps.  She is quite often mistaken for a 12 year old. (ie she went to Diegos and Diego asked us if we were BYU students and we said yes. He looked at Madi and said "Even you? Don't you have to be like seventeen to go to BYU? You look like you're 12.) She loves all bows, she owns bow shirts, bow earrings, bow headbands, etc.  She works at Panda and coaches debate.

Happy Birthday Madi.

Happy Birthday Emily--March 25

Today is the birthday of Emily Gooch--soon to be Juengling (pronounced kind of like this: yoon-ling).  She is from Stayton, Oregon and a political science major with a minor in art education. She is graduating in April (hooray), moving home to Oregon, and marrying Kurt  on June 24, 2011 in the Portland Oregon Temple (double hooray).  Em loves pasta, frosting, waffles/pancakes, J Dawgs, and Texas Roadhouse --she can out eat any guy.  She collects pretty bottles and has a massive collection at her home. She also collects cow bells. She has a dog named Bo that she loves a lot a lot.  Her sister is her Irish twin (they are like 11 months apart).  She owns several seasons of "The Nanny."  She also knits like crazy, plays intramural wallyball, runs, and talks to Kurt on the phone (he's at BYU-I).

Happy Birthday Emily!

Happy Birthday Mack--March 24

Today we celebrate the birthday of Mack Drzayich.  He is 22 and from Eagle, Idaho.  He loves sports, stitching, music, defense, pottery, and Derek Fisher.  He also likes singing Russian war ballads, working for rush yards and avoiding real royal meltdowns.

Happy Birthday Mack!

Happy Birthday Nina--March 20

 Today we celebrate the birth of Nina Joy Wallace.    She is a French studies major and plans on finishing her teaching certificate.  She is currently teaching a class of second graders at Spring Creak Elementary.  Nina is starting a program in the fall to be a nurse practitioner--she will be at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, Maryland.  Other than that Nina wants to travel and travel and travel.  Nina loves to sing, dance, run, cook, write, and read.  Her favorite treat is dark chocolate and she doesn't enjoy milk chocolate. 

Story time.  While in the BYU gym, Nina was running on a treadmill.  She tripped and fell and was flung off the treadmill, scratching her knees and elbows.  She was pretty embarrassed.

Nina is the most wonderful girl in the whole world.  She extremely intelligent and hardworking.  She is one of the kindest and most considerate people you will ever meet.  She is beautiful inside and out.

Happy Birthday Nina!

Happy Birthday Sean--March 17

Born on the day of St Patrick, Sean Patrick Edwards is from Bloomington Indiana. A Hoosier in every way, SPE is studying political science at BYU. Sean's love of music is second to none. If political science doesn't work out, he could always get a job as a street musician. During his mission to Poland, Sean through a plate out the window and nearly crushed some Polish grandmas... If you would like to bond with him, food is your ticket. Sports are an integral part of Sean's life and those who have experienced a sporting event with SPE know his intensity. He apologizes to any one that watched the world cup last summer at Brother Burr's. If you swing by the TAJ, grab a chair, enjoy some food, and listen to the music--SPE will treat you well.

Happy Birthday Sean!

Ward Dating Survey Part 1

Part one of the ward dating survey is officially over and here are some of the results.  (As there were MANY--136--votes not all will be shown on the blog.  As such only some of the comments will be shown here. To see every couple that was nominated a second survey will be coming out very soon...)

So without further ado, some of the couples names with the reason why members of the ward think they would work:

• Chris Jacobson and Jessica Patchett--Just think of the musical contributions to society
• Robert Ruefenacht and Rachel Romeny---All aRRRR's...sexy.
• Alec Myers and Kelsey Johansen--Their fashion sense is flawless
• Kendrick Holyoak and Gina Prows--Really light blonde hair goes well together
• Tyler McArthur and Lauren Rockwood--looked great together in that FHE blog post
• Daniel Barrick and Heidi Blake--They got the whole sandy blond hair, nice smile, and great attitude thing going on.
• Freddie Hansen and Cassi Rindlisbacher--Because anyone would be really lucky to get either of those two, so why not put them together?
• Blake Bickmore and Whitney Wing-Because they are both super cool and hot and they secretly already LOVE each other!!
• Kendrick Holyoak and Tessa Farnsworth--Because of their cute blonde hair! And lovely laughs!!
• Tyler McArthur and Whitney Wing--They're both adorable nerds.
• Blake Bickmore and Whitney Wing--We think they are distantly related
• Rob Mayfield and Jessie Carter--because I stalk them at the basketball game
• Jake Drzayich and any girl in the ward--Can we count how many girl's have a crush on that cutie? Such a nice guy.
• Steve Guynn and Jane Colton--Their photo would  be cute on a wedding announcement
• Alec Myres and Carolyn Carter--Good friends make good boy/girlfriends
• Curtis Allen and Makia Sharp--hottness factor
• Preston Redd and Jessie Carter--Honestly this couple has "power" written all over them.  Preston is like one of the best people i've ever met. He's funny, sweet, and adventurous, and if I know Jessie like i think i do, that exactly the type of man that would be perfect for her. Trust me on this one and make it happen.
• Jordan Beasley and Jordan Brock--Jordan squared
• Ryan Deuel and Whitney Wing--She likes firemen.  He is a fireman.
• Travis Burk and Curtis Allen--They're both from a very liberal place where their love could probably be legal.
• Jon-Michael Dreher and any girl in the ward--He deserves some...
• Kendrick Holyoak and Robert Ruefenacht--They're cute together... plus I think they're just scared to admit their love...
• Preston Redd and Makinsey Eddy--cause they are both super hilarious!
• Chris Jacobson and Heidi Blake--Sometimes home teaching works out real well.
• Daniel Barrick and Whitney Ricks--Dimples.  Enough said.
• Kevin Turner and Tessa Farnsworth--They could travel the world together.
• Robert Ruefenacht and Katie Tehrani--They are already best friends and would be so great together!
• Freddie Hansen and Mallory Hart--Because they could watch the Bachelor together.
• Spencer Barrus and Kerri Russell--Because they are chemistry geniuses
• Todd Wilde and Beth Duvall--Cuz Beth is a WILDE thing.
• Alec Myres and Carolyn Carter--because their sense of style is the same, they are both deep thinkers, and they could get lost in conversation with one another.
• Jake Drzayich and Brooke Theis--They sit next to each other in church every week and seem to laugh a lot.
• Freddie Hansen and Todd Wilde--Freddie is insane and Todd is calm.  They compliment eachother very well and I think make a great match.
• Robert Ruefenacht and Meredith Beesley--He hasn't taken her out yet from the Valentine's Activity...dun dun dun.
• Blake Bickmore and Shayann Scoresby--The total amount of hotness would be unfathomable.
• Mack Drzayich and Kelsey Foster--The sheer baseball knowledge would create a child between them.

Happy Birthday Levi--March 13

Today we celebrate the birthday of Levi Gruwell.  He is from New Orleans and studying Environmental Biology.  His life plans include using that Environmental Biology to help save the animals.  He is a wrestler and pretty good at pinning others down. 


Have a fabulous day Levi.  Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday Jordan--March 6

Jordan Alma Beasley was born and raised in 1985 in Indiana. He is in the Masters of Accounting Program and will soon be moving to San Fran to work with Phil Mickelson at KPMG. Jordan is a die hard BYU fan. Golf is his passion. Jordan served a mission in Thailand and has developed a taste for all things Thai. While Jordan enjoys a wide variety of cuisine, he is often dining on veggie burgers and spinach. When Jordan isn't crunching numbers, he is playing basketball, golf, or tennis. Little known tidbit about Jordan: Jordan is an absolute neat freak. If you've ever visited the TAJ and it's been clean, it's because Jordan rules with an iron-fist, cleaning multiple times a week. Jordan's all time favorite character in all literature is the "eye of sore Ramone". If you ever need a good conversation, Jordan is your man.

Happy Birthday Jordan!

Happy Birthday Hilary--March 5

Hilary Grace Thomas is turning 21 today!  She is an Idaho native majoring in geography.  Her life plans include going to nursing school after graduating and being involved in humanitarian health stuff.  She loves buying movies, and she is in love with Anderson Cooper--especially his hair.  She enjoys skiing and was involved in speech and debate in high school.  Her little sister is her best friend.  Her favorite treat is brownie batter.

She talks in her sleep like crazy. One time she was asking someone for his telephone number in a very giggly voice, she asked for it three times. She occasionally sits up in her sleep for no reason and looks around the room wide-eyed and shocked. Then she lays back down and falls asleep. She never remembers doing that.

Happy Birthday Hilary!

Happy Birthday Samantha--February 28

Samantha Anne Hill is turning 19!  She is a Music Education major and wants to be a choir teacher in a middle school or high school.  She also wants to be a mom.  She loves to sit down and play crazy songs on the piano and she loves to sing. She also loves movies, especially Disney. And she loves to cook! (She's good at it too:) ) Her favorite treat is chocolate!  Sam is amazing. She is really fun to be around!

Happy Birthday Sam!

Happy Birthday Mallory--February 27

Mallory Hazel Hart is turning 20 today!  She is a Marriage and Family Studies major and plans on getting married and being the best mom ever.  She loves the U of U (seriously?), wake surfing, WILD LIFE, rollerblading, racquetball, Rascal Flatts, The Notebook, and Nielson's Custard. She absolutely loves ice cream and is currently keeping tabs on how many different ice cream places she has been to this semester.  Mallory makes brownies from heaven. 

Happy Birthday Mallory!

Happy Birthday Dan--February 26

Daniel Bryce McIntosh is turning 23 today.  He is majoring in Neuroscience and is a TA for Physical Science.  His life plans include getting married, having babies, and being an eye doctor.  He loves science, singing, the drink mate, Lost, playing Bang and Risk, dinosaurs, and bacon.  He is the Genetics Club President on campus and served his mission in Paraguay. 


Happy Birthday Dan!

Happy Birthday Brady--February 25

Today we celebrate the birthday of Brady Smith.  I honestly know nothing about Brady.  Usually I either get emails back from roommates or can come up with something based on facebook.  Brady has his facebook information blocked and his roommates didn't help much (or at all)... So here is what I can tell you: Brady is from Taylorsville, Utah and is an exercise science major.  

If you have more information about Brady feel free to leave a comment and tell us more.

If you want to get to know him better head over to S8.  I am sure he would be thrilled to tell you his life story.

Happy Birthday Brady!

Happy Birthday Whitney--February 23

Whitney Anne Wing is turning 21 today.  She is from La Jolla, CA and loves going to the beach.  Whitney is an economics major and plans to get her MBA and work for the Federal Reserve.  One of her favorite activities is skiing, she will be up at 7am on Saturdays when she finds out there is fresh powder up at Snowbird.  Whitney makes delicious salsa and their is always some to be found in her apartment.  She also loves to go grab fro yo anytime!

Whitney is going on a study abroad this spring to Spain!

Sundays after church when her roommates are all driving home from church they often yell Whitney's phone number out to random boys they see on the side of the road. It is always funny when the boys actually text her. This happened a few weeks ago. Also, she is the worlds best facebook stalker.

Whitney cares so much about her friends and will do anything for them. When someone is  having a bad day, she is there to cheer them up. She also leaves little presents for people just because she was thinking of them.

Happy Birthday Whitney!

Happy Birthday Courtney--February 20

Courtney Lyn Beesley is turning 23 today.  She is an English graduate student at BYU and teaches writing 150.  Her life plans include teaching, reading, having a family, writing, and traveling.  She loves music, good books, making blanket forts with friends, watching things on Netflix, making hair accessories, quoting the office, shoes, doing crossword puzzles, and cupcakes from sweet tooth fairy.

She has an infectious laugh and has classy style.  She has a wealth of random knowledge.  If you ask her a question, 99.9% of the time she'll know the answer.

Happy Birthday Courtney!

The ones that SHOULD be--Ward Valentine's Activity

After the last post teaching people how to flirt at a ward activity, the ward valentine's activity was the perfect place for people to test out their new moves.

They tried them out speed dating,

talking,

and even in the Dating Game. Some people won romantic dates with their potential true love! Look where you may end up just by going to a ward activity...

Preston and Joceyln may end up having a deep romantic walk on the beach.

Robert and Meredith will sit down for a candle lit dinner.

Spencer and Lauren will be taking a trip to France! Perhaps with dinner on the Champs-Elysées?

And it seems like Tom and Jessie are perhaps already engaged?!?!

So far these couples look like they could hit it off. We will have to be updated after the first date takes place.

Random thoughts: Last night as I was at the ward activity I looked around at the members of our ward.  I saw all of the amazing girls and all of the amazing guys.  The wheels in my head started spinning as I thought of people that would make perfect couples...what can I say, I am a fabulous match maker. Why should I keep this fun to myself?

Introducing, the ward matchmaking service. Click here if you would like to vote on couples in the ward that SHOULD be dating. Who knows, you could be influential in helping ward members find that special someone.

For all pictures from the ward activity click here.

Happy Birthday Tom--February 18

Thomas Black from Washington is turning 23 today!  He is currently studying Chinese, and also knows Hmong--pretty awesome.  He wants to use his language skills in a business profession.  Tom did a study abroad in China and was actually on a Chinese knockoff version of American Idol.  Yep, he sings and plays the guitar really well. 

Tom went on his mission to Wisconsin--the land of cheese and beer-brats. He drives a white ford ranger named Shadowfax (ala Lord of the Rings). 

Tom is a very diligent student and spends most of his time with Harold.  Some of his favorite places to study are the third floor "no sh zone" and in the second floor maps section.  Is stalking him acceptable?  That is up to you.

Tom once took an archery class and split an arrow--robin hood style!

Most of all, as his roommates say "he is a funny man!"

Happy Birthday Tom!

Happy Birthday Kara--February 15

Kara Wilkinson is turning 22 today.  She grew up in Oregon, went to high school in Utah, and her family now lives in Texas.  Currently, she goes to Utah College of Dental Hygiene.   She loves watching the Food Network, cooking really good food--especially using pesto, playing the violin, going to Lake Powell and storing things under the couch.  Most of all, she misses Center 2.  

She is engaged to Justin Grant Johansen--who is going to be a dentist... perfect couple!  Kara and Grant are getting married in the Oquirrh Mountain Temple on April 16th.  She is awfully excited and can still be seen twinkling her ring during church.

Happy Birthday Kara!