Baby Emily

What a wonderful month this has been!! Baby Emily was born on May 9th at 7:54 pm. These are her proud siblings and family. We have another Emily Gardner in the family!!!! What a beautiful baby!! Congratulations Dave and Lori! We love you!! And we love little Emily!

Limbo

I don't really know what to write about. I feel like a lot has happened, and yet nothing really has. I feel I've learned a lot, but I'm right where I started. I feel like I'm moving forward in life, but I can't really see any steps. Everything has changed, and nothing has changed. I feel frustrated and excited. I feel anxious and calm. I'm distracted and focused. I'm bored and busy. I guess I just feel like I'm in limbo right now. I have no idea where I'm going to be in the next few months. I don't know who I'm going to be with. I feel like I'm ready for something new. I've been feeling that for a long time now. Caitie, Nathaniel and I moved from our old apartment, but the feeling still remains. There are a lot big decisions to make in life. It's just hard to be patient enough with yourself to feel good about what you want. And.. like Ted always says, "you can't have your cake and eat it too." I pray the Lord will guide my steps. And I pray that I'll be ready for it when He does.

A good day!

Good news!!! I got two jobs, a car, a personal fitness trainer, and Caitie and I are the only girls in our apartment right now!!!!!!!! It's been a good day. Yay for good days. :)

P.S.

My Jury went really really really well!!!!!!!!!!!!

A Tender Mercy

Last night as I was reading my scriptures, my mind was full of small worries about my jury today. Don't worry... it's not a jury at a legal court. :) For a music major, a jury is where you go perform some songs for the department of your instrument. So for me, I will be singing for the vocal department. It's a little nerve-rattling. They give you a report on your progress. The people who judge you are mostly nice people. For some reason though, my legs go numb and I have to concentrate on not falling over and crawling under the piano. While consentrating on that, I have to sing my very best for them! It's scary stuff... I tell you what!

Anyway, while I was reading my scriptures I came across this verse in 2 Nephi 32:9. It reads:
"9 But behold, I say unto you that ye must pray always, and not faint; that ye must not perform any thing unto the Lord save in the first place ye shall pray unto the Father in the name of Christ, that he will consecrate thy performance unto thee, that thy performance may be for the welfare of thy soul."

The Lord is wonderful, isn't He?

A New Niece!!!

I have a new niece everyone!!!! Her name is Della Lucinda Gardner. She is Matt and Britt's baby. She weighs 5 lbs. and she's 19 inches long. What a beautiful little family!!!! Congrats you guys! I love you!

My Last Masterclass

Tonight I sang at my very last masterclass at BYU. Before I sang, I was so excited to be done!! I was ready to celebrate! Now that it's over, I think I will miss it. I won't miss singing once a month, but I do think I'll miss listening to all of the amazing musicians that I've grown to love at BYU.

I had to sing tonight because at the beginning of the semester, my family went to California, so I missed my first performance. Tonight, was a make-up masterclass. Who would have thought that it would be the masterclass full of graduate students majoring in vocal performance????? All of these phenomenal singers sang before I did. My teacher then had me get up. The first thing I said when I got to the front of the room was, "You guys are all amazing!" They all tried to help me feel comfortable by saying they were excited to hear me perform. (instant look of terror inserted here!) "My name is Emilie Gardner and I will be singing Du Bist Wie Eine Blume by Franz Liszt" I began. The piano began playing the introduction and immediately my legs were paralyzed. I was so nervous! After I finished singing, my teacher told them all to think back to when they were freshman and imagine singing in front of the graduate students. All of the students gasped when they realized how nervous I must be. One even said he didn't even feel comfortable enough to look at the graduate students, let alone sing in front of them! he he.... little do they ALL know that I am actually a senior. I didn't really want to correct my teacher right there. I figured, it was better to have them think I was a freshman. :)

Anyway, my days of masterclass are done. My days in the school of music are numbered. I will miss this place a lot. As much as I have griped about the late hours of school, I really have loved it. It's amazing how grateful we are for what we have right after it's gone.

Huh??

I think I have officially reached the 'auto-pilot' stage of finals week. Every assignment is being completed mechanically-without any real thought to what I'm saying. This morning, I had a voice lesson and when I got there... I could not remember what the words were to my German song I'm singing at Juries next week!! The next weird thing was that I left my coat in the library. If anyone knows me, they know that I get really cold, really fast! How did I forget my coat in the library on a day like today!?? I didn't notice it was gone until after Women's Chorus. Weird! As I sat down to do my homework just now... I couldn't remember if I ate today.

Hmm... I'm really excited to have my brain back. I hope it comes back soon!!

Womanhood

Then a little later she writes: I read this verse in the Book of Revelation: "And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars." (Rev 12:1) As I read that scripture that morning, the sun shining brilliantly upon the written page, I can truly say that suddenly the glory and beauty and blessings of womanhood were illuminated in my heart. In my mind's eye I literally saw a woman--a woman like you--clothed with the sun, the moon under her feet, wearing a crown of stars. And the glory around her from all these celestial sources was light. To my limited view I could see "woman" as a transmitter, a conveyer, a conduit of light and love. I could see that a woman can, if she lives for it and wants it and asks for it and seeks it, be the medium through which gospel light and truth can pass to or be conveyed from one person to another.

~Sister Holland

His Plan

"Recently I was anxiously pleading with the Lord that he would bless my oldest son in a special way. As I was pleading, asking the Lord to please bless him, these words came so resoundingly into my mind: 'I am blessing him. Be patient with my plan.'" I was stunned. I was moved to tears. I realized I was handing my views and my understanding and my determination to Heaven in a commanding voice, saying, "Lord, here is your work as I have outlined it. Please notify my when you have bestowed my blessings, pursued my plans, and carried out my will." In sweet reply comes the mild rebuke, "If you don't mind, Patricia, I prefer to bestow my blessings and to do it in my way." When we content ourselves that God has not forgotten us, nor will He ever, and that He is blessing us (albeit, and thank heaven for it!) in His own way, then the views of a better world come before our eyes. If we can be patient with His process--which simply means having faith--if we can commune personally and often with Him, we can spare ourselves the emptiness and frenzy. . . .We can keep our minds fixed enough on etenity to remember that "God's ways are not our ways" and that the mysteries of godliness lie in Him--in His mind and His heart and His love. Those mysteries and that fulness will be ours only as we strive to make His mind and His heart and His love our own."


~Sister Holland

Tomorrow is a New Day

"Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities have crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day. You shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense."


~Emerson

My First Arrangement

Ever sing Ted left in February, I have taken over the ward choir. I have come to absolutely love this calling. My ward choir is amazing!!! When we perform, about 1/3 of the ward comes up from the congregation to sing. It's the best feeling. We also have really great singers in our ward, which makes it possible to sing beautiful, and more difficult music than most ward choirs can.

This last Sunday, my friend Emily, and I, arranged a version of "That Easter Morn" for our ward choir. We wrote parts for cello, violin, and viola. It was performed yesterday and the choir sounded really amazing. During the last verse, the spirit was so strong, I had goosebumps! Several of the choir members came up to me after and told me how much the song meant to them. Wow!!! What an amazing feeling to have something I helped write, touch people's hearts in such a way!

The best part of the whole thing though, was having my Mom there to watch and listen to the piece. I felt pretty special that she could see the "premier" of the arrangement. :)

Easter was just wonderful!

Mr. Sparrow Comes to Call

Today as I was studying, I looked out my front window. This cute little sparrow was hopping up the stairs one at a time. I imagine he was going to visit a friend that lives upstairs.

I Love Roses!

This semester I have received more flowers than ever before in my life! I love it! My brother gave me a dozen roses for my birthday (along with a keyboard and surprise party!), Ted gave me a dozen roses just because, and since I've been really sick lately, my brother again bought me a rose last night. I didn't know how much I love roses until this semester. I really do love them though. I love their significance and I love the thought that goes into getting someone roses. I'm a very lucky girl!

Walmart article

 Here is a funny wal-mart story for you wal-mart lovers:

Mr. and Mrs. Fenton are retired. Mrs. Fenton insists that he go with
her to Walmart. He gets bored with all the shopping. He prefers to get
in and get out, but Mrs. Fenton loves to browse. Here's a letter sent
to her from the store.

Dear Mrs. Fenton:
Over the past six months, your husband has been causing quite a
commotion in our store. We cannot tolerate this behavior and may ban
both of you from our stores. We have documented all incidents on our
video surveillance equipment. All complaints against Mr Fenton are
listed below while his spouse was shopping in Walmart:



 1 July 2:        Set all the alarm clocks in Housewares to go off at
5-minute intervals.

2. July 7:         Made a trail of tomato juice on the floor leading
to the restrooms.
3. July 19:       Walked up to an employee and told her in an official
tone,  'Code 3' in housewares.. . and watched what happened.
4. Aug 4:         Went to the Service Desk and asked to put a bag of
M&M's on layaway.
5. Sept 14:      Moved a 'CAUTION - WET FLOOR' sign to a carpeted area.
6. Sept 15:     Set up a tent in the camping department and told other
shoppers he'd invite them in if they'll bring pillows from the
                    bedding department.
7. Sept 23:     When a clerk asks if they can help him , he begins to
cry and asks, 'Why can't you people just leave me alone?'
8. Oct 4:          Looked right into the security camera; used it as a
mirror, and picked his nose.
9. Nov 10:      While handling guns in the hunting department, asked
the clerk if he knows where to find the antidepressants.
10. Dec 3:      Darted around the store suspiciously loudly humming
the "Mission  Impossible" theme.
11. Dec 18:    Hid in a clothing rack and when people browse through,
yelled "PICK ME!" "PICK ME!"
12. Dec 21:   When an announcement came over the loud speaker, he
assumes the fetal position and screams

                       "NO! NO!  it's those voices again!!!!"


And last, but not least ....
13. Dec 23: Went into a fitting room, shut the door waited awhile,
then yelled very loudly, "There is no toilet paper in here !!!

O My Father

Women's Chorus is singing a gorgeous arrangement of this hymn. It is fast becoming one of my very favorites. I never realized how powerful the words are until Women's Chorus sang it this semester. I love the prayer of faith that is throughout the song that we will again dwell with our Heavenly Father.

1. O my Father, thou that dwellest
In the high and glorious place,
When shall I regain thy presence
And again behold thy face?
In thy holy habitation,
Did my spirit once reside?
In my first primeval childhood
Was I nurtured near thy side?

2. For a wise and glorious purpose
Thou hast placed me here on earth
And withheld the recollection
Of my former friends and birth;
Yet ofttimes a secret something
Whispered, “You’re a stranger here,”
And I felt that I had wandered
From a more exalted sphere.

3. I had learned to call thee Father,
Thru thy Spirit from on high,
But, until the key of knowledge
Was restored, I knew not why.
In the heav’ns are parents single?
No, the thought makes reason stare!
Truth is reason; truth eternal
Tells me I’ve a mother there.

4. When I leave this frail existence,
When I lay this mortal by,
Father, Mother, may I meet you
In your royal courts on high?
Then, at length, when I’ve completed
All you sent me forth to do,
With your mutual approbation
Let me come and dwell with you.

New Mormon Themed Restaurant Chain

New Mormon Themed Restaurant Chain

Get your franchise before they are all gone!

This is a sparkling new idea for a chain of non-pretentious Utah
restaurants.
The name of these restaurants: "The Steak Center" Each Steak
Center will have one enormous dining area with basketball hoops at
either end and folding metal chairs and long tables covered in
plastic tablecloths. The Steak Centers will not have hostesses, but
greeters, (men in their 70's who will meet you at the door and talk
like they have known you all your life).

The main menu items will be: Porterhouse Rockwell Steak, Primary
Rib, and the Poor Wayfaring Pan of Beef, garnished with Parsley P.
Pratt Funeral Potatoes. We will also have, when it's in season,
Eliza R. Snow crab. Let's not forget a whole line of "And It Came
to Pasta", including Kraft Moroni and Cheese.

Additionally, we'll have breakfast items, including Pearls of Great
Rice and Frosted Minivans, as well as Adam-ondi-Omelettes. The
house drink is "Apple Juice."

Also available, "In Our Lovely Desserts", including Fast Sundaes,
Gadianton Cobbler and the sinful Laman Meringue Pie and Lemuel ice
cream.

The waiters will be 12 and 13 year-old boys wearing white shirts and
their fathers' ties.
At the end of the night the customers will be asked to help fold up
the chairs and tables and vacuum the floor.
Franchises are selling fast...Get yours while they last!!

A Disclaimer

This blog is not meant to offend anyone. If, by any chance, you have been offended by something I have written, I apologize.

Anonymous

The bride, white of hair, is stooped over her cane.
Her footsteps, uncertain, need guiding.
While down the church isle, with a wan toothless smile,
The groom in his wheelchair comes riding.
And who is this elderly couple, thus wed?
You'll find, when you've closely explored it,
That this is that rare, most conservative pair,
Who waited till they could afford it.

From the famous author, Anonymous.

Faith, Determination, and Trust

"God expects you to have enough faith and determination and enough trust in Him
to keep moving, keep living, keep rejoicing.  In fact, He expects you not simply
to face the future(that sounds pretty grim and stoic); He expects you to embrace
and shape the future-to love it and rejoice in it and delight in your
opportunities.
"God is anxiously waiting for the chance to answer your prayers and fulfill
your dreams, just as He always has.  But he can't if you don't pray, and He
can't if you don't dream.  In short, He can't if you don't believe."

~Jeffrey R. Holland from his CES fireside called, "Terror, Triumph and the Wedding Feast."