Zion Day

The Holladay YSA Stake (my stake) has instituted Zion Day. Zion Day is every Tuesday and we have been asked to pray for members of our stake. I admit that I haven't been consistent with this responsibility. HOWEVER! I have been a recipient of Zion Day. I had a hard weekend last week. I was stressed about money for tuition and had no idea how to pay it. I was asking friends and family for assistance. None were financially able to help. I applied for a personal loan last Saturday, but was informed that I wouldn't find out if I got it until Tuesday morning (the day tuition was due) because of Labor Day weekend... It freaked me out. I tried not to think about it on Sunday and Monday. I trusted it would all work out.

Tuesday morning came and I called the credit union and waited on hold for what seemed like forever to find out the news. Well, disappointment hit hard. I needed a co signer to get the loan, something I couldn't provide in such short notice. It was the day of reckoning and I had 7 hours to come up with the money. Then my last chance - a deferral plan - wasn't working. The Internet site was crashing. I broke down. Not a little bit, a lot a bit. I threw myself on my knees and prayed/begged for my Heavenly Father's help. With tears flowing down my cheeks, I left for work. I work as a nanny from 10 to 4. Tuition was due at 4:45. I felt as though all was lost, but I couldn't give up. I just couldn't. So I text my boyfriend Anthony for support. He came through with a wonderful text telling me to keep a prayer in my heart and just have faith because it will all work out in the end. Then I text my roommate Alexis, it was random, but inspired. She knows how to handle money. She came to my rescue with loan options and different ideas. I was actually able to get on the Internet while the little boy I nanny, played on his own. The deferral plan website started working again and I was texting Anthony and Alexis for advice. Well I couldn't afford the upfront payment. So I was lead to drop one class. It was hard but turned out okay. An enormous weight was lifted from my shoulders and I knew everything happens for a reason. I felt SOO much better! I finished work happily and left for school. On my way to class I ran into two girls from my old LDS sorority and one good friend I haven't seen in a while. They gave me big hugs and were happy to see me. They asked many questions and gave much encouragement.

I headed to class shortly after talking to them and it was a good class where I got partnered up with a friend who is often in my classes. After class I went to the LDS Institute to wait for Anthony to get back from his man date with his friend. While at the institute, I sat with the same old friend I saw earlier and we talked and did homework. I saw Tyler, a friend whom always calls me Polly. Suddenly, a person appeared in the seat next to me. I quickly realized it was Julie from my ward! We talked for a half hour until I had to leave to take my car to another friend to help me fix the belts. On my way to my car, I saw a couple of girls STANDING on my car! I was about to freak out at them, but then I recognized them as my best friend, Allie, and sister, Helene. They were going to send me a picture of it.

While fixing my car, Nate took off my serpentine belt and inspected it. It was still in good shape, no need to replace it. So he put it back on and tightened the loose bearings that were making the squeaking noise.

I was in dire need of love on that day. I felt so alone as I faced this huge hurdle and the Lord put ten individuals on my path to inspire and uplift me. I know it was because I had all the prayers of the stake on my side.

God loves us individually. He helps us specifically.

There are no coincidences.

This College Thing

Ah school...

That thing that come every August and ruins all our lives!

Especially in college.

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE college! It's the best time of my life! Everything is so so fun! HOWEVER! Tuition sucks. This has been the first semester that I've had to pay tuition... I know "boo hoo Aubrey. It's your 5th year of college and you're just now worrying about this." And you're right! I'm very blessed! Although, now I know how the rest of my school feels. Thus, it suck!

I pretty much fell apart for a week because of school stuff... and other stuff... but it all stemmed from school issues... Anyway! Anthony helped me through it and all is good now.

Guess how many credits I'm taking!!!

Drum roll please.....................................

7.

Yep. Just 7! The lowest I've ever taken is 12 and now I'm just over half that.
Well, I guess this is my reward for only having to take 6 classes this year before I start my student teaching. Thus 3 classes this semester and 3 next semester. It all works out though because these classes are the hardest yet! Luckily, my teachers are awesome and they actually care about teaching us and helping us learn. Therefore, I want to do the work for them. I know it's not about the grade to them. It's about us.

That's the kind of teacher I want to be.

I think I can do this college thing.

Curly Sue... er I mean Aubrey

I have natural curly hair. I used to hate it and would flat iron it EVERYDAY. I know, it was so good for my hair right?

Well, through time, I began to understand how to style my curls through experimentation, how-to websites, and friends' advice. I am now proud to say that I can make my hair do almost anything and I rarely flat iron it. I've accepted that I have curly hair. I've discovered I have the best sort of curls: thin hair, ringlet curls, easily flat ironed, and it's all one color... Brown.

The Benefits of Curls

• Natural body and volume

• A simple hairstyle takes 3 minutes to do right out of the shower.

• Buns just STAY in place... So easy to do.

• TONS of different ways to style a bun.

• You always look like you put effort into your hair.

• Rain, snow, sleet, or shine your curls stay in tact. No need to be afraid of the weather.
• However, I always check the weather if I'm going to flat iron it.

• It hides grease better! I've gone 7 days without showering and NO ONE NOTICED. In fact, I was complemented on how good I smelled. Ta Da!!!
• Baby Powder is my best friend.

• Your hair actually looks styled after swimming.

• When you curl your hair with a curling iron it stays... For Days!! Little or no hairspray needed.

• Styling your curls doesn't ruin your hair.

• Hides how long it actually is! When you flat iron it, people WILL comment.

Tips for Those Natural Curls

~ things I've picked up along the way ~

• Use leave-in conditioner! I use Infusium 23*. You don't want those curls to dry out!

• Cut off at least a 1/2 inch every 3 months. Split ends will weigh down your curls!

• Use Herbal Essences Totally Twisted mousse*. It's purple. Follow the instructions on the container.

• Big spider clips are now your best friends! They will actually hold up your hair.

• After using the mousse, blow dry your roots on low. This ensures that they won't get weighed down and your hair won't resemble a triangle. 

• Use flexible hair stray and spray your hair upside down it adds added protection against frizz.
• I use Aussie*. It smells great!

• Sleep on a satin pillow case. This will keep your hair from getting all frizzy during the night. 
• Cotton fibers catch your hair and frizz it out.

• Use the said spider clip to hold your hair on top of your head while you sleep. It keeps the curls fresh for tomorrow and it is out of your face!!!

• When curls seem lacking, wet your hands and dampen your hair then set hair dryer on low and slightly dry it upside down. Do not use too much water or too much heat, you're kill your curls. We want to keep them fun!

• Too much of anything is a bad thing... meaning too much gel, mousse, heat, water, and touching. These will weigh your curls down or frizz them out.

• Let your hair slightly dry while it is clipped up. Curls will come out better and your hair will be out of your face while you do you make up. 
• Keep it pinned up for at least 5-10 minutes.
• Feel free to spray it with flexible hair spray.
• If you're in a hurry, clip it in the back so it looks like a messy bun! It will look cute until it's dry enough to really look cute!

• Use clips to pull your hair up instead of elastics. They won't leave a weird crease! 
• Great if you're hair has to be up for work, but you're going somewhere after work.

• When clipping up your hair, don't twist it, bunch it.

• Avoid brushing your hair when it's curly, it'll break it. Just get into the shower with your curly hair and get it wet and wash it as usual. After you apply conditioner (and the conditioner is still in your hair) use a wide tooth comb and start at the bottom and comb out the tangles. Then run a normal comb through it to ensure you got out all the tangles.

• Don't rub your hair dry with a towel. It promotes breakage. Squeeze the water out with your hand or towel and then comb it through with the wide tooth comb then normal comb... this is where you would use the leave-in conditioner.

I'm no expert. I'm still trying out new styles and strategies! So feel free to ask questions or give suggestions! I'd love to hear them, answer them, and/or test them out!

I plan on posting different hairstyles I've come up with... so stay tuned!!!

P.S. I'm SOOO excited that there is a new Disney princess who has curly hair!!! Totally going to see Brave!

* Items are owned by their respected companies. I am not getting any kind of compensation for suggesting these products.