idaho - summer 2012

There is almost nothing I enjoy more than getting together with my best friends from college - Summer and Monica. They are my favorite people, and I always have the best time when I'm with them.

They are the kind of girls that I won't see for a year and then we get together and it's like we're all back at BYU again (plus the husbands & babies!!!). They have seen me at my best and worst and still love me - which is pretty rare to find in friends. It was so nice to be myself, relax, and catch up, and the days went way too fast! But we got to spend some quality time together, and I was SO sad to leave. I loved just chatting for hours - we can do that forever and never run out of things to say.

Also, I've already decided that I'm going to live near them when I grow up - it's happening. This means I will probably have to move to Boise :) but I am definitely okay with that!

We spent our time in Eagle, Idaho, at the Price's house, and had an awesome time! I love being in their home & seeing their family! I got there on Sunday, and left Wednesday night, so it was a good 4 days spent with great friends.

Sunday afternoon was spent at their house, catching up with the Price family (it was so great to see all of them!!!!), and when Monica got there Sunday night, I was even more excited!

We got pedicures and spent time at home on Monday, and then drove all the way out to Emmett to eat dinner with David who is doing an internship out there.

This was my first time seeing little baby Bennett (Summer & David's baby), and I think he liked spending time with his favorite adopted aunt Neelam :) I fell completely in love with him!

Tuesday we laid out by the pool, did a little shopping, and stopped at The Golden Wheel (I constantly dream about their "root beer spins" - they are SOOOO good!!!!).

 I could seriously stare at this little face all day!!!! And his little footie jammies were soooo cute :)

Monica & I found these super high wedges, and so of course we tried them on. Monica is already 5' 10" and the 5-inch heels made her an even bigger giant!!! Summer is 5' 4" and she and Monica make a really awkward-looking pair :)

Wednesday we laid by the pool again (I love Idaho summers!), and then went to visit another college friend, Laura. Laura has 10-month old twins who are just the cutest little kiddos ever, and it was awesome to see her! She has the most positive attitude about life, marriage, motherhood, and pregnancy, and I loved talking to her about all the exciting things going on in our lives. She really is just the nicest girl!

We enjoyed the last couple of hours together before we had to say goodbye. I cried at the airport like I always do :) but I had such a great time! I left feeling very happy and peaceful, and enjoyed every second of it!

 Spending time with Bennett before leaving

Love these girls!!!!! I miss the BYU days, but I'm so excited about each of our lives and all of the fun things we each have going on! Someday we'll live near each other - I promise!

xoxo, Neelam

e&d wedding

I have a billion things to catch up on...

I'm going to start with Liza & Dallyn's beautiful wedding!

Eliza and I have been friends over the past year, and it's been fun to watch her and Dallyn fall in love, get engaged, and plan their wedding. She did pink & gold for the colors, and everything turned out so beautifully! I sent her more than a few pictures whenever I saw something pink or gold - I need to get married so I can plan my own wedding :)

Also, I got to be in the temple for their sealing - it was my first time! It was really amazing to witness such a special event, and I felt very blessed to be a part of it.

It was pretty much an entire "wedding week," with a bridal shower, bachelorette party, rehearsal dinner, sealing, and reception - and everything was fabulous!!!!

Bachelorette Party at Culinary Dropout in Scottsdale. We tried to get Arie from The Bachelorette to come, but even though he didn't make it, we still had a great time!

 At the rehearsal dinner the night before - the bride-to-be is in the white dress :)

 I LOVED Sarah's shirt!!!!

The happy couple, just out of the temple! Her dress was g-o-r-g-e-o-u-s!!!! (there's a bow on the back that was amazing!)

 Love these girls! (plus D & E!)

This picture kills me! Liza & Dallyn painted this beautiful antique tub for iced drinks, and once the reception was over, people started putting their sore, tired, swollen feet in. The faces reacting to the cold are priceless!

I <3 weddings!!!!!

Congratulations, you two!!!! All the best wishes for an amazing eternity together! And thanks for letting me be a little part of it!

xoxo, Neelam

tender mercies

Back at the April 2005 General Conference, Elder Bednar gave a talk entitled:

"The Tender Mercies of the Lord." 

Here is the link to the entire talk:

http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2005/04/the-tender-mercies-of-the-lord?lang=eng&query=elder+tender+mercies+(name%3a%22David+A.+Bednar%22)

And this is a "Mormon Messages" video with clips from the talk:

I remember his talk making me think about the blessings I've been given even back then (7 years ago - holy cow!), but I've been thinking even more about it recently.

I wanted to share a couple of quotes from that talk:

"The Lord’s tender mercies are the very personal and individualized blessings, strength, protection, assurances, guidance, loving-kindnesses, consolation, support, and spiritual gifts which we receive from and because of and through the Lord Jesus Christ.

"The Lord’s tender mercies do not occur randomly or merely by coincidence. Faithfulness and obedience enable us to receive these important gifts and, frequently, the Lord’s timing helps us to recognize them."

What an amazing blessing?! He testified that God knows us, loves us, and is willing to bless us as we remain faithful and obedient to His commandments. He has the perfect timing, and knows what we need at exactly the right time. There have been times in my life where I wasn't sure if that was true or not, but lately I have felt like He is so aware of me and my individual needs, and I can't deny that these tender mercies are real, and very powerful.

For example, we all know that teachers don't go into the profession for the money (obviously), and receiving such a small paycheck can be a little bit stressful at times, especially over the summer while we're not "working" (let's be honest - teachers are always working!). I was overwhelmed at the thought of having to buy all the things for my new classroom on a shoe-string budget, AND pay for everything else. I am not given any money for school supplies nor provided any, so this was going to be especially difficult. The Lord obviously knew that this was important to me, and He made a way for me to meet all of my financial responsibilities. Things just went my way on several occasions, and I couldn't help but think that a greater power or influence was guiding my life.

Another is example is with getting a teaching job. After having such a poor experience with my first teaching job this past semester, I was concerned that first, I shouldn't even be a teacher anymore, and second, would anyone even hire me?!?! This was overwhelming and exhausting to worry about all day, every day. Things aligned once again for me to teach at my top choice school, and even though I had to "sweat it out" for about 6 weeks, I found that I'm exactly where I need to be at this moment in time. I don't think that it was only me that helped me get the job - I think Heavenly Father was instrumental in making that happen.

These are just two of the many examples I could talk about that have happened recently - I could probably go on for a while more :)

Elder Bednar mentioned in his talk that sometimes we feel like we don't deserve to receive Heavenly Father's blessings, for whatever reason. I've definitely been there too, but it was reassuring to know that Elder Bednar testifies that "the tender mercies of the Lord are real and that they do not occur randomly or merely by coincidence." We receive these tender mercies for a reason, even if we don't know why.

I just felt like I needed to get these thoughts down. Sometimes it's helpful to look back at a time when the Lord lifted me up, especially during tough times.

I know Heavenly Father loves me. I hope that everyone else can come to know that for themselves.

xoxo, Neelam 

oh beautiful for spacious skies

I <3 the 4th of July!!!!! 

I love celebrating America's founding with family, friends, fireworks, and food!

I did a study abroad in Israel a few years ago, and spent a 4th of July en route to Egypt. It was funny to me that I still felt pride and patriotism for my country, even though I was so far away. It made me even more grateful for this beautiful country, where I enjoy freedoms that are not found in many places. I love America, and I love celebrating all things American.

This 4th of July was a cloudy, overcast, humid day (super unusual for Arizona), but my mom and I spent the day preparing for our move and cleaning/organizing.

Later that evening, I went with friends to the AZ Diamondbacks baseball game, and enjoyed an All-American baseball game, fireworks, hot dogs, and red white and blue outfits.

Chase Field

Three Cheers for America!!! (and red, white & blue outfits!)

Luckily we took this one before the humidity got to my hair...blergh!!!

Some highlights I do not want to forget:

*ALWAYS use the bathroom at the stadium - don't attempt to find a bathroom once you leave...there are NONE! I was fortunate enough to find a kind police officer and some trusting doormen who let me into a swanky hotel to use the restroom, but I may not always be as lucky!

*Check beforehand where they will be projecting the fireworks from. It would be awful to be stuck on the side where the fireworks are hidden from the retractable roof. Cough, cough.

*Always be a lady when in crowded situations. Everyone else might be acting like crazy fools, but it never helps to join them (although sometimes it's easier!).

*Bring your own water bottle! $4 for a small water bottle is completely ridiculous. Enough said.

Until next Independence Day!

xoxo, Neelam