Leanna Update

To see a detailed update of my life, check out my blog...
http://leannaread.blogspot.com/

But, I just wanted to formally inform everyone (I announced it at Christmas, but still...) that I am working on my mission papers.
It's taking longer than I hoped, mostly because of my own laziness (I'm the Queen of procrastination, btw), but I haven't forgotten, or given up.
I'm still really excited and nervous.

I've suddenly had lots of amazing experiences that are helping me prepare.
As the Institute President, I have a lot of meetings on campus; they've helped me develop leadership and organizational skills.
I am taking a Mission Preparatory class.
I taught a RS lesson from Preach My Gospel...
and...
I made a contact with the missionaries!!!!!!!!
I went on campus with them to work at the missionary booth, and we were trying to talk to people, but most of them were only willing enough to take one of the Mormon.org cards. But I stopped one man and started talking to him, and he gave us his name and number and said he was interested in learning more.
It was my first legit missionary experience!

So, yep- that's me, that's my life.

Sorry its been so long...

It has been so long since I've seen so many of you I thought I'd give you a little update. I'm still loving life as a nanny in New Jersey. I've been here for over two years now. I watch three awesome girls ages 9, 7, and just barely 2. My family here is so terrific. I have some good friends up at the military school West Point which is about an hour away and we hang out a lot. No boyfriend though. I usually go up to the branch there for church because there are way more cool single people than the family ward I'm supposed to go to, where I never fit in. I has been an amazing experience.

This winter has been far more precipitous than the previous ones, we got two feet of snow on Thursday night and Friday morning, and the dad, Mike, was out of town so I had to help shovel. Something I've certainly never done before. Now I have a great appreciation for anyone who has. Once Mike got home he taught me how to use the snow plow which is also not easy.

Miss you all lots, but I'll see some of you at Easter!

Love,

Karen

Reunion Pictures

I posted some reunion pictures onto my Flickr account. Here is the link to see them.

It thought it would be easier to do that than to have to post them all onto the blog, because that takes forever.

So, with Flickr, you are able to view the pictures in any size, and you can download them to your computer if you want.

There are also 2 videos.

I highly recommend using Flickr(it's free) if you frequently have pictures that you want to be able to share with friends.

Enjoy!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nenana325/sets/72157622286698043/

Eric and Lora Wedding

My mom probably emailed this to you already, but check out my blog for a long summary of the wedding and pictures/videos.

http://leannaread.blogspot.com/

Elise Sings in Young Artist's Competition

Elise competed today in the Orchestra of Southern Utah's Young Artist's competition held at Southern Utah University. She was the only vocalist to compete. The winner gets to sing with full orchestra in April. She recorded her audition, which you can listen to:

http://members.cox.net/cv.read/EliseAudtion.mp3

She just found out that she was one of those accepted to sing with the orchestra!

Elise Sings Opera in Washington D.C.

Elise went to Washington D.C. with her SUU opera company to compete in the National Opera Association's 54th Annual Convention. Here is a PDF of the program for the convention. Elise's group is on page four, under College Scenes Competition. Here you see her before her performance.

While her school didn't win, the judges were impressed with their quality, especially because they were so young. Most of the other groups were from graduate schools and had much older performers.

Starburst Bracelets

They're official! Going on sale January 1st!!!

donations of wrappers are much appreciated

Starburst Bracelets