The Haggard Herald

Hi folks, just in case you were wondering, I will be getting on a plane in approximately 26 hours to fly home. ALicia--I'll play with Sadie for you :) Sarah--same goes for you with Ethan! And do you need any more help with house stuff? Mike--will you teach me about computer programs and help me coordinate another picture night where we put up the sheet and projector? Ben--can we play Christmas songs on the piano (duet style) or with guitar? Kimmy--I love you Dad--can we go kayaking and go to see the sunset on the beach? Mom--I'll rub your neck for you and can we go on walks in the morning together? Joseph and Julie--so that you don't feel left out, know that I will miss you over Christmas and especially after Christmas. I'm excited for you though. Change is scary but it's exciting once its done. And somebody tell Gramma Meyers I am looking forward to playing tennis with her over the break too. And are we going to do another homerun derby? Love you and see yo...

Another noteworthy event yesterday is that I played viola in church. Two of my roommates and another friend played an arrangement for violin, viola, cello, and piano of "The First Noel" and "O holy night." My friend Trevor read Luke 2 while we played. Another friend in my ward arranged it for us. He is graduating soon in music composition. Viola is his favorite string instrument and consequently he wrote in a little solo in my part. I was very nervous; but on the bright side it's one more experience on my way to becoming comfortable playing in front of people.

Ben and Alicia this is for you-- Yesterday my roommate Jane brought a boy over to our apartment that she's gone on a number of dates with. She told me about him the other day so when he came over I wanted to meet him. I casually headed into the kitchen where they were talking after he'd been there for a few minutes. He was so nice--that was my impression of him. And Jane was enjoying his company which I liked to see. Anyways, as they were about to leave Jamie said, "Well it's been a pleasure to meet you Wade Hoover from Heber." Then this conversation ensued: me: "YOU'RE A HOOVER!?" "Are you related to any Johnsons or Harts?" Wade:"Yes! How do you know my family?" me: Ben married my sister Wade: woa [this part is a little jumbled but it covers the main topics] me: You've got a great family! The Johnsons and the Harts are so nice. Auntie Nancy and Uncle Richard let me stay at their house for a week when we came out for ...

The longer I'm in school the less patient I am to put in long hours for the sake of homework and studying for tests. I love to learn; I am just tired of exams and due dates. Here are some inspirational thoughts I found to help myself. Maybe they will be a help to you in your own challenges. Featured quote today* When you come to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on. ~Franklin D. Roosevelt MOTIVATION Consider the postage stamp: its usefulness consists in the ability to stick to one thing till it gets there. ~Josh Billings Look at a stone cutter hammering away at his rock, perhaps a hundred times without as much as a crack showing in it. Yet at the hundred-and-first blow it will split in two, and I know it was not the last blow that did it, but all that had gone before. ~Jacob A. Riis It's not that I'm so smart, it's just that I stay with problems longer. ~Albert Einstein OTHER PERSPECTIVES Vitality shows in not only the ability to persist but the abilit...

For the first time in my life I shoveled snow this morning. I imagined that it would be really difficult and tiring but it isn't as bad as I thought. Here are some reasons for continuing work at the temple grounds, at least for the time being: 1. it's beautiful (the grounds and the snow) 2. I like the time outside since I'm most often inside during the winter months 3. nothing beats good old work, and to go along with that 4. I sleep very soundly after working hard 5. it's nice have an income 6. it's a great location, there are few places I'd rather be than at the temple grounds 7. if I want alone time to be in my own thoughts (or just take a break from the mental exertion of school) I have that option at work On the other hand, I value my sleep and so I'm not sure how I'd handle going in to start clearing the snow at 3:30 or 4:00 in the morning. There's a lot of snow in the forecast for the next week, so wish me luck!

Thanks for coming to my concert the other night and mom and dad for calling to wish me good luck. I had fun, especially helping baby Joseph walk around the Harris Fine Arts Center before I had to start warming up. :)