Pumpkin Carving and Walk

Every year the Brisas community has a Pumpkin Walk. During school that day students bring a gutted pumpkin and sometime during school carve the pumpkin. In the front courtyard the pumpkins are on display and lit. There's also pizza, drinks, glow bracelets and necklaces, and a book fair preview. The Mallet Masters even perform a few songs. Students are allowed to wear their costumes that night. Since I am the student council sponsor I hung out at the tattoo booth that we were in charge of. You may be asking, did Beth dress up? Of course she did! Here are a few photos of the day:

Stephanie and Christian Nielson

At the breakfast table this morning my Dad asked about that one family I've been following. He said there was a little article in the front page. Little article? The small section on the front page leads you to two full pages about the Nielson family plus a really cute photo. Just I as was done with the first page Mom came in and I read the article out loud while she ate breakfast. The article was well done. It talks about the love of Stephanie's sisters and her husband. The AZ Republic will be highlighting their family this week.

I know for me my prayer list is getting pretty long these days but I would ask you to

1.) keep saying your prayers

2.) add this family to your list.

Hope you had a blessed Sunday. I know I did!

Smiling Dog

This made me and my students laugh! Enjoy!

General Conference

I love General Conference! I am not really sure how to describe my feelings or thoughts about General Conference so let me use a couple pictures and one of the many quotes which inspired me.

In his talk "Finding Joy in the Journey" President Thomas S. Monson said:
Our realization of what is most important in life goes hand in hand with
gratitude for our blessings. Said one well-known author: “Both abundance and
lack [of abundance] exist simultaneously in our lives, as parallel realities. It
is always our conscious choice which secret garden we will
tend . . . when we choose not to focus on what is missing
from our lives but are grateful for the abundance that’s present—love, health,
family, friends, work, the joys of nature, and personal pursuits that bring us
[happiness]—the wasteland of illusion falls away and we experience heaven on
earth.”

Fall Break

Monday
When with Elliot and hiked Camelback Mountain.



Tuesday
I was in my classroom all day organizing the library, filing papers, and planning for next week.

Wednesday
I went hiking with Geneva Goodbear. We went to South Mountain.


Thursday
I went on the Pioneer Trek for the Tempe South Stake. I was a Big Sister of the Orange group. On day one we treked 16 miles.



Friday and Saturday
On day two we hiked 8 miles. PLUS the woman's pull. Early in the morning on day three we quickly packed up because of a storm. It rained and the winds were up to 60 mph. We walked about one mile to our final destination in the mud. Overall it was a great experience and I am really glad I was able to go. While walking I had a phrase from Come Come Ye Saints in my head. The phrase was "gird up your loins; fresh courage take. Our God will never us forsake." The pioneers gave so much. They went through countless difficulties and heartaches yet they knew in whom they trusted. Heavenly Father never forsake them. My testimony was strenghten and my desire to have faith in every footstep increased.

Macaroni Grill

In keeping of family tradition we celebrated Mom and Anabelle's birthday at Macaroni Grill. One of my favorite places because 1.) you get to draw on the tablecloth (white butcher paper) and 2.) they have great food. Here are a few pictures of our evening together: