I love days like today. Usually these are the rare days that come between the rain in the fall and spring. At least here in Eugene. But today it was a gorgeous January day. The day started out really well anyway, but then I walked out the door and to my surprise…




I was disappointed to have to be at work while the sun was out. I would have loved to have been out with my camera and tripod working with the fluffy clouds in the sky. They made a beautiful backdrop for the sunset that came between 4:30 and 5:30. I didn’t get home fast enough to get good pictures of the sunset but, …



It was a great day. Even at work. Everyone seemed to be in a great mood. I love the rain with a passion, but today the sun was nice. I drove to work and back again with my country music blasting. I went to work with the window down even. It was beautiful. Heavenly Father loves us, and we are so lucky to have the world we live in.

I’m not usually a morning person, but today I made an exception. I got up at 6:45 and got dressed, made myself a lunch, put my hair in a French braid, packed up my stuff and was ready to go an hour later. It was just a normal drive until we got further into the mountains. My heart started pounding when the snow appeared like the remnants of white linen shredded over the tops of the pine trees. A few minutes later we were there. Finally I’d be able to try this crazy sport that I knew absolutely nothing about, other than that it looked like a lot of fun. We pulled on snow pants and boots and grabbed our boards. I knew it was going to be a lot harder than it looked the minute I strapped just one foot onto the board. I was slipping and sliding all over the place. You should just know that Snow and I are in a love/hate relationship. I like looking at it, but every time we get together the snow thinks it’d be fun to try and assassinate me. Today I came prepared with two pound weights on my feet called snow boots. They made me feel like an astronaut. The minute I strapped into the board one foot wanted to go one way and the other foot was hanging on for dear life. I almost decided right then and there that I would never be able to do this and it was time to go home. Lucky for me I didn’t want to seem like a chicken and despite my better judgment screaming “no” I hopped along the ice to a hill. It was a little hill so we went up to the top and then I was told to strap my other foot on the board. “Oh my gosh. Kill me now”. After giving the people already on the hill a show, I finally was able to slide a few feet before I ended up right back on the ground. Talk about frustrating. After my second time down the little hill, a group of beginners came and took over my little hill. So we decided to head to the bigger beginner’s hill. My first run down the hill I hit the ground quite a few times, mostly because I sat down when I started going too fast. The second time down the hill I had a better feel for what I was doing and then just as I got towards the end I tried to stop. I managed to do the first part right, but somehow I got flipped around and hit the ice hard on my rear end, and hand. I have no idea how I ended up on my back facing the wrong direction down the hill. I sat up and went right back to the top of the hill. I continued like that for a few more runs down and then decided it was time for a break. My muscles were so tired. After lunch we walked around in the snow a little and took pictures. By the time we left I was wet and could tell I was going to be sore for the next few days. I’d had the best time and for some crazy reason I can’t wait to go back and try snowboarding again.

Tonight my family and I went to a friend's wedding. It was really pretty. It was in a Catholic church downtown, and the reception was at Emerald Valley Resort (I think that's what it's called. I can't quite remember now) where we had my senior prom. It was neat to tell my family about the little details from prom. Where tables were set up, where we were dropped off and picked up, what the lighting was like and where the DJ was, where we took pictures.

The wedding reception was beautiful. Amber and I started talking about what our ideas for ours are. It was so fun to sit there with my sister and talk about these things. Sure we've talked about them before, but never really just the two of us. She's such a cutie. I love Amber so much. :)

The wedding also made me realize again the value of eternal marriages, and families. It makes me giddy. We have such a blessing in the Gospel.

For the past couple of semesters all of my roommates and I have been talking about dogs, and what kind we want. I've become a fan of the little toy dogs. I think they're adorable and as long as you teach them not to bark they're not too much to handle. I never knew exactly what kind of dog it was I wanted, but I'd seen one once. I always described it as the dog with the paws, because I loved the way the paws look. The fur is a little longer and it makes them look like they're jumping and prancing around. This semester I finally figured out what kind of dog I think I want. It's called a Havanese



They're absolutely adorable. I've looked at some Youtube videos and I just think they're just so cute. I'm not allowed to have a dog in our apartment, and I'm really not ready to have one yet. I've started doing some research though. These little dogs usually grow to be about 8-11 inches tall and between 7 and 13 pounds when they're adults. They're playful and energetic, but cuddly and sweet too. There were some health warnings but they don't occur in every dog. They're a little expensive as well.

I'm twitterpated. Last night when we went to get pizza there just so happened to be a little Havanese dog in a car outside. There was a line so we got to watch it for awhile. It was just TOO cute. I am in love. I want one SO bad. When I graduate, many years from now, a cute little Havanese puppy will be a first edition to my house.

Sometimes I Pretend I'm a Dancer

I'm taking a Modern Dance class this semester because the dance classes I really want to take all require a prerequisite that's always full. I've actually enjoyed Modern Dance very much. I want to have plenty of dance experience in case I end up working at a school that can't afford for me to hire a choreographer for a production.

I started thinking about this last semester when a good friend talked me into jumping into a Beginning Jazz class with her. I've found that I'm not fantastic at dance, but I get A's in the classes and I pick up on the choreography fairly quickly.

Today in Modern Dance we were getting ready for our final. We are all in groups and we have to choreograph a group dance to a hymn. My group picked Hark, the Herald Angels Sing in light of the Christmas season. We split it into eight counts to choreograph. It's turned out to be a very nice dance with a little bit of a modern twist. I'm excited about it.



I practiced today in my tiny little room trying to figure out exactly what the footwork is for some of the turns. Needless to say I ran into things a few times.

I was so blessed to be cast in Pioneer Song this semester. It was a powerful experience for me, and an amazing opportunity to grow as an actress.



I've learned a lot about the pioneers and what kind of hardships the women who crossed the plains went through.



My name is Elizabeth Fuller, and fourteen years ago I fell in love with and married Jack Fuller. We have four children. The oldest, Michael, is thirteen and just like his father. The next oldest, Stephanie, is eleven. She's very grown up and is following me around like a little lady. She's a great help with the two younger ones. Jenni is six and following in Stephanie's footsteps. Erik is barely six months old.

Jack and I decided to go with the wagon train to Oregon because we wanted an adventure. We want our kids to know what it's like to work hard and make their own way in life. We've been told of the dangers that will face us on this journey, but we have faith that we will be able to make it.

We set out dreaming of Oregon, and the things we are told we will find in Oregon. Jack rides, or walks along with the oxen and the wagon, encouraging the animals to keep going. I walk along with the children, or ride in the back with Erik. The women on this journey are wonderful. I've made friends with a wonderful woman named Trudy. We talk all the time. Her husband has been helping Jack with the harnesses. The children are enjoying running along with the children. Just as long as they stay away from the river, I don't worry about them.

The Kansas Crossing went well. All of the wagons made it across without a problem. We came to the Big Blue Crossing and the river was much higher. The oxen had difficulties getting the wagons through the river. The Johnson wagon was the last wagon to cross and tipped on the way. A chest filled with Mrs. Johnson's china fell into the river. Jacob Johnson jumped into the river with Jason, Sarah's wife to save the chest. They almost had the chest but suddenly both of the men and the chest were sucked into a whirlpool. Jason managed to swim out but Jacob... Minutes passed and Jacob didn't come up. His wife screamed. After such a wonderful beginning, this journey doesn't seem so wonderful anymore. That could have been anyone's husband. It could have been Jack! What if I lose him? I can't make it in Oregon by myself. Certainly not with our four children. We have to move on but there has been a layer of fear over the entire camp.

The forests are being left behind. The days are getting hotter and we are trudging on. Fort Kearney is coming soon and we are all hoping for a respite from this dreary plain.

We push on to Independence Rock. Fort Kearney was a great disappointment. We are hoping for a different scene at Independence Rock. It is our symbol of freedom and hope. It's the halfway point.

Independence Rock was everything we hoped it would be. Trudy and I scratched our name into the sides so that no one will forget that we weren't afraid to try something new. We continue on past Chimney Rock, Fallon's Bluff, and Devil's Gate. Many families have been split apart at different points. Some going on to Salt Lake City. There is some talk of families going to California to find gold and an easy life.

Jack, of all people, suggested that we should think about going to California to "strike it rich". After our dream of going to Oregon to teach our children the joy of building your own life. I can hardly think that California will be that dream. I am hoping he will reconsider. I refuse to put my children through that journey. We will stop in Oregon and either Jack will change his mind, or I will figure out a way to get to Oregon without him. Trudy's husband has brought it up to her as well, but she's talked him out of it. I hope Jack will not set his sights on California.

Jack did change his mind and we have moved on. The cholera is coming and I am so worried about my family. Jack, and little Erik are so tired and I'm afraid they will catch it. I don't know how to prevent it.

The cholera has stopped our camp. We cannot stop long because if we stop for too long, winter will come before we are ready. I'm so worried. Jack passed out yesterday by the river. I went looking for him and found him near the river. Some of the men helped bring him back up to the bed in the back of the wagon. He has a fever, and I'm so afraid. These are the symptoms others are having before they are struck down by the cholera. He woke up for about an hour a little while ago. He was so calm, and I was scared. He told me to leave. I had to keep going with or without him. I don't know what I'll do. I'm so scared to lose him. I can't be without him. He's my strength. Without him... I can't get to Oregon. I won't be able to make it. After telling me to go on to Oregon, he told me I had to leave the tent he's in so I wouldn't catch whatever he has. He called Trudy and she made me leave. I can't go on, but she is helping me. The children are all fine, so far. I will have faith. God cannot forget that we are here. Faith is the only hope any of us have left out here.

My husband has recovered but there has been so much loss. There is so much mourning and still we have to go on. We comfort each other and do what we can for those who have lost parents, husbands, and wives. We walk on as in a trance. Jack is still taking it easy. I can't help but to feel guilty because I haven't lost my family. Trudy and I are reaching out the best we can. She is a wonderful support to me.

Finally we have reached Oregon. It is beautiful. I can't believe my eyes. Everywhere I turn is green. We still have a few days before we reach the Willamette Valley where we'll claim land to farm. Even those who have lost so much on this journey are feeling their spirits lifted. This truly is the promised land. We've made it. We are safe.


That is my character's story. Elizabeth Fuller is not a real woman, but I love her for who she represents. She represents a real woman who's story maybe we don't hear all the time. Funny as it sounds, she has taught me more about who I want to be. Again I am grateful to have been cast in this original musical.

For the beauty of the earth,
For the beauty of the skies
For the love which from our birth
Over and around us lies
Lord of all to thee we raise
This our hymn of grateful praise



For the beauty of each hour
Of the day and of the night
Hill and vale, and tree and flow’r
Sun and moon and stars of light
Lord of all to thee we raise
This our hymn of grateful praise



For the joy of human love,
Brother, sister, parent, child,
Friends on earth and friends above
For all gentle thoughts and mild
Lord of all to thee we raise
This our hymn of grateful praise.