Almost Done!

School's almost out for the summer.....or christmas!! I cannot believe that this semester is basically over already! I think that this has been the fastest semester I have had here at school.  Just yesterday was September and the first day of school, which I was dreading.  I was excited to be back at school and to be in the college life again, but having to come back after two years was a little daunting in a way.  As much as I love school, I really did not want to come back and have to go through so many tests, papers, and presentations again.  I had to though and so I came back to the lovely Provo to live with my wonderful friends.  I thought that this semester would drag on because I would be bored, would not want to do homework, and would be overwhelmed with everything I had to do.  I must admit that in the beginning I was not very good at homework and struggled to really get into school because I did not want to be at school.  Through time though I overcame those feelings and became better at being a good student who studied hard.  Luckily, I enjoy most all of my classes which helped me get back into the swing of things as well.  I still think that it is crazy we are in finals week because this semester went by so quickly!! To define this semester is to say it was fun, crazy, tiring, stressful, enjoyable, and memorable.  I am grateful to be here at this great school and to learn so much, even when I am struggling to really focus on it.

ArG!!!

I had such a wonderful Thanksgiving break that was stress free, but once I came back to Provo all that changed.  I went to class yesterday morning and tried to hit the ground running.  I have so many papers, presentations, tests, and portfolios all due this week and next week.  Sometimes I just feel like I should laugh at how much I have to do in the little time that I have.  I am now feeling all of the stress that I did not have during the break.  I understand that since it is the end of the semester final projects and papers are due, but sometimes I feel like it is overkill.  For one class, I have my final and an extensive portfolio due on the same day with a huge paper due two days later.  Really?  And that is for just one class.  All of my classes have this similar story and as a result, I am dying.  These next two weeks are going to be horrible, long, and filled with stressful days trying to get everything done.  Following that week will be the wonderful week of finals where you stand in the testing center line forever. 

            I understand that I am in college which makes you work and demands the best of you, but sometimes it is downright exhausting.  Where are the days of snack time, recess, and not always having to worry about homework and jobs?  Lamenting about this makes me that much more grateful for the childhood I had.  Life moves quickly and I am learning again to seize the moment before it is gone.  We have one life to live filled with challenges, struggles, triumphs, and happiness.  No life is perfect, but it is perfect for us individually…to grow stronger.  We may become frustrated, overwhelmed, or stressed with life, but this is all part of the process of life.  These lessons teach us patience, endurance, strength, and even true grit at times.  So, even though I complain that I am overwhelmed and stressed with everything I have to do right now, I am strong and can get through this.  I am blessed in so many ways and have the privilege to attend a wonderful school that challenges and teaches me new lessons each day.

Wedding Time!!

This year for Thanksgiving, my roommates and I headed out to California together on a road trip!  Instead of going home, we all came out here since one roommate is getting married this weekend.  We love her so much and want to be here to support and help her during this exciting time!  She is the second of our little group to be married, and we are so happy for her.  She and her fiancé are so cute, wonderful, and strong together.  They have been a great example to me about what a couple can be and should be.  I have loved watching how they interact and treat each other because they have shown me what I like and don't like in a relationship.  I know the Lord truly has a specific plan for each one of us, knows exactly who we are, and knows the person we need to marry to help us become the best we can be.  

            Yesterday, we had Thanksgiving with family of the groom and it was really fun.  So many people were there, but they were all so nice and welcoming.  After we ate, they set up an inflatable slide that was really fun.  The best attraction though was a padded bar that we had to dodge.  In an inflatable arena, there were four spots that you stood on and as the bar came around you either had to jump over or under it.  We were so full that we could not jump very high, so it kept taking us out.  We had so much fun though!  I have never done anything like that before, so I am glad I was able to experience a new thing that was so fun!  So far, this week has been wonderful and I am loving it here.  The weather is hot and amazing, the food is never ending, and I am surrounded by some of my favorite people.  I am so grateful for all I have been given and the opportunity I have to be here for the wedding.  She is getting married in the morning!!! J

Football!

     This year I had the opportunity to work at the BYU football games as an event staff member.  I had a great time and really enjoyed my time working at the games.  I was the south stroller check member and made sure all the strollers were taken care of and safe during the game.  That was not the most exciting post that I wanted, but it was still really fun to be there.  I was able to talk to a lot of people since I was on the main level watching everyone come into the stadium.  Many people asked for my help and were grateful that I was there to help direct and guide them when they needed help.  My supervisor was really great and was always so nice.  He knew that I loved sports and wanted to see parts of the football games, so he would rotate me around with other workers to be in the portal and watch the game.  

     Yesterday, BYU played their last home game and won!  The downside of the game was that the weather was cold, windy, and rainy.  I was underneath the stands at the beginning of the game so I did not get caught in the first thunderstorm.  During the rest of the game, there was just mist and sprinkles coming down.  With about ten minutes left in the game though the heavens opened and we were caught in a downpour.  I had not brought a raincoat, so I stood there watching the game getting wetter and wetter.  Finally the game ended and the crowd started leaving.  My supervisor said we had to pick up all the stadium chairs in our section though since it was the last home game.  So, we went from the top of the bleachers to the bottom and picked up all the chairs.  This was quite the workout, but funny and super wet.  The chairs were so wet that by the time we were done, I was soaked all the way through.  I will always remember that experience though because it was so crazy but fun as well.  I loved working at the games and will miss it.

Last night, I attended a ward activity at Peaks Ice Arena to play broom ball.  I had only played broom ball once before, so I was excited to play again and see if I could improve my skills.  We got there and I immediately realized that I had worn completely wrong shoes to play the game.  I was wearing boots, but they had no traction on them at all.  When you are running around on ice trying to hit a ball, having no traction is a little bit of a problem!  I practiced sliding around to keep my footing and was doing okay, so I decided to just go for it and do what I could.  

         Unfortunately, I think I was a little ambitious because the first time I started running after the ball I fell.  I kept chasing after the ball and fighting for it with my stick, and always fell down.  The ice and I started to become good friends.  Sometimes I tried to see how graceful or cool I looked while falling to make it more fun.   Eventually I became goalie so I would not have to fall down as much.  That proved to be great and I made some great saves without falling.  I tried to make one last save at the end of the game and got really into the play.  I dropped down to stop the ball and landed hard on my knees to try and get the ball.  The ball went in and both my knees were numb because I hit them hard on the ice.  I lost in both ways.  Now, I have huge, colorful bruises on both my knees.  I can show off my battle scars now, while I limp around and try not to touch my knees.  Overall though, I would say broom ball was a success because I had so much fun and my team won!

Gratitude

   Today, we had a regional conference for church where 14 stakes met together in the Marriott Center to hear different leaders and an apostle of the Lord speak to us.  The meeting was amazing and taught me so much about the gospel, my Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ, and becoming the best I can be through different trials that come my way.  We are all going to have challenges and trials come because it is not if but when, but when they do come we can get through them with the help of our Savior.  He came to this earth and set the perfect example of how we should live our lives and learn and grow.  Then He felt all of our pains, weaknesses, sorrows, sickness, sadness, guilt, despair, and hopelessness.  He is the ONLY one who knows exactly how we feel and is there every step of the way for us.  He will lift us up, bring us hope and happiness, and will never stop loving us.  I loved learning more about how we are never alone, and that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are always there to get us through life.  I felt like the overall message was that life is going to be hard, but as we try to improve ourselves to be the best we can be then we will be ok.  We will receive the help that we need and be guided and protected throughout our lives.
   Being at the conference this morning was exactly what I needed!  There were so many answers to prayer, statements that were meant for me, and the knowledge that I can get through hard things.  The spirit there was so strong to me and helped me feel and realize more just how important I am to the Lord.  Even though things in life never seem to go how I want them too, it is going how the Lord needs them to go.  He knows exactly what I need to help stretch me, teach me, and make me become a better daughter of God.  Things are not placed in my path just for the fun of it, but because the Lord knows that I can handle getting through it and that I am strong enough to face another challenge.  He loves each of us so much and knows who we are individually.  We are so blessed to have a knowledge that He lives, loves us, and is there for us...always!!!  Today was a great day of teaching and remembering the importance of so many aspects of myself, this gospel, and the Lord!

I love school...

Let's be honest, school is hard sometimes!  This past week has been filled with assignments, presentations, papers, and quizzes that have tested me so much.  These next two weeks do not look much better either since I have more presentations, papers, and assignments coming up.  I feel like teachers just throw everything at you at the same time, and then you die because there is so much to do!  I love being able to learn new information and apply those teachings into my life.  My major classes are wonderful and have taught me so much about how I can truly help those around me.  I am grateful to know that I am in the major I need to be in because it all feels so right.  Having so many assignments due for all my classes at the same time is when I get frustrated with school.  I want to do well and do all I can to be the best I can be and receive good grades, but sometimes it just does not work out that way.  Even if I put in the effort and work, sometimes the result is not what you wanted.  College is wonderful though and I love the experiences I have been able to have.  You really have to come out of your comfort zone, and do things that you did not know you could do.  You are pushed to new limits, stretched, broken down, built up, and tired through the whole process.  Life can be tiring and hard, but I feel that you always come out of those experiences stronger with more knowledge.  I have learned through many lessons more about who I am, what I can handle and accomplish, and how I can get through challenges thrown my way.  Life is not always easy, but it is not supposed to be.  We would never grow and reach greater heights if we were not challenged and broken down sometimes.  I am grateful for the trials that I have and for being overwhelmed with school right now.  Not because I enjoy it or want it, but because I know the Lord knows I can handle it and that there are lessons for me to learn as I go through this time.  I just have to keep trying.

Rain, cold...go away!!

I have to admit that I have a love, hate relationship with winter.  Winter can be so fun to participate in lots of different activities.  But, I also hate it because it is cold, my car and myself slide all the time, and walking to class in the snow, wind, and cold is not the most appealing thing.  I was hoping that winter would not come till later on, so we could have a longer time without all of those frustrations.  But, from the looks of the weather, that seems unlikely.  I was very cold yesterday and annoyed that the wind was so strong when I had to be outside.  I was grateful that there was no snow or rain though.  I must have jinxed myself instead, because there was pouring rain when I woke up this morning.  That did not make me excited, but I tried to have a good outlook on the situation...until I walked outside.  The air was very cold and there was wind mixed altogether with the rain.  Needless to say, my roommates and I were not happy with the weather this morning.  On the bright side though, there was no snow on the ground!!  Snow might have been on the top of a mountain north of us, but I will take snow there instead of on the ground in front of me.  I am excited to go sledding, have snowball fights, and enjoy the snow, but I just wish that it would wait a little longer to come!  Every season has to come to an end, so I have to accept it and realize that I cannot control when the snow comes.  I can control how many coats I wear to keep myself warm though!! :)

Roommates!!

I wanted to give a little shout out to my roommates for being so wonderful and for teaching me so much!!  I feel so blessed to have these amazing girls in my life right now!  Three years ago I was going to live in a different apartment, but I just did not feel right about it.  I decided to move into a different apartment with girls that I did not know, but felt good about that decision.  The first day I moved in was a little hard because all of my new roommates were running around and I felt overwhelmed.  Sometimes when I meet people for the first time I become shy and do not talk as much.  I watch people and see how they act and try to see a little more about them, and then I become more comfortable and start talking more and being myself.  Once that first day past, I came out of my shell and the rest is history!!  We bonded so quickly and I felt so loved and accepted.  That school year was the best because we had so much fun together! Five of us decided to go on missions after that year, so we all parted ways to serve the Lord and learn so much for the next eighteen months.  I was the last of us to come home which was wonderful.  They all came to my homecoming which was the best!  I love them so much and am so grateful for them.  Here we are again, roommates and going through life's triumphs and struggles together.  I couldn't ask for anyone better to be my roommates and teach me so much!  The Lord knows exactly who we are and who needs to come into our lives to help us the most.

The Gum Story

   My professor challenged each one of us in my business writing class (MCOM) to buy something and give it to a random stranger this weekend.  We then had to write about that experience in our blogs.  I was worried when I heard that because I knew I would be leaving thursday night for a trip, so I had to act quickly.  I went to the store on thursday and finally decided to buy a pack of gum.  I love gum so I figured whoever the lucky someone was, would appreciate gum as well.  I had to go to the library after my classes to study, but I was on the lookout to give someone the gum so I could fulfill my assignment :)  A girl came up to the table I was studying at and asked if she could join me at the table to study.  She sat on the opposite side and we both started studying in silence.  Then very subtly the thought came that I should give this girl the pack of gum, and I knew that was the right thing to do.  Now I just needed to find the right time to give the gum to her.  The time came when she looked up and asked me a simple question that I can't even remember now.  I answered the question, pulled out the gum, and told her I had gone to the store and bought this gum.  I told her I wanted to give her the gum because I felt like she needed it.  She stared at me with a blank stare and wide eyes, and then started tearing up as she looked at me.  She told me that she loved gum but had just run out of her pack the day before.  Then she went on to say that her day had been horrible and she was so sad and frustrated with everything.  She had been feeling lonely all day and was hoping something would help her day be brighter...and then I came along with a pack of gum.  She was so grateful for me that I took time to buy gum and then give it to her.  She had a smile on her face and immediately put a piece in her mouth.  That was such a cool experience to have because I know the Lord watches out for each one of us and knows what we are going through.  He puts people in our paths to help us and lift us up.  I know the Lord used me to help cheer this girl up even though it was just giving her a pack of gum.  I am so grateful that we are always looked out for and taken care of!

Food, food, food...yum!

   My grandma lives in Germantown Village and she loves it here.  Basically, it is a nice apartment complex (very similar to a hotel) for individuals who live independently, but are still watched out for here.  Also, there is an assisted living section and skilled nursing section that residents can move into if needed.  The halls are all indoor and it is a very nice place.  Lots of activities go on around here like yoga, wii bowling, bingo, swimming, tai chi, field trips to the city, and so much more.  Things always seem to be something going on around here and I'm always surprised how active some of the residents are.  One of my personal favorite activities around here is the room with all the jigsaw puzzles.  I absolutely love jigsaw puzzles and would work on them for hours if I could!  Puzzles pull me in, are addicting, and make me want to keep working until I finish them! Usually someone is always down there as well, so I can talk to them and hear their interesting stories.  I love it!
   Food is in abundance here as well, and I always seem to gain some weight when I come.  I am on vacation though so it's ok right?! :P  Every sunday there is a huge brunch in the dining room that always fills me up so much!  Food ranges from fruit, salad, soup, waffles, eggs, vegetables, meats, and many different entrees that are all so tasty!  Today, I ate so much that I thought I was going to pop! I loved it though because it's variety from my normal staple foods back at school.  The people here are so nice and welcoming, and it is always so fun to watch and see how they interact together.  I'm grateful that my grandma has the opportunity to live here and be in a safe environment that she enjoys.  She has so much to do here and can meet many people, and I know she is being well taken care of here.  Love you grandma!

Tennessee!!

   I'm so glad when daddy comes home...I get to go to grandma's!!  My parent's are the best and bought me a ticket to fly out to Memphis, Tennessee to see my grandma! :D I have not seen her in almost three years and was so anxious to see her to catch up with her.  My mom flew out to Tennessee with me and we are having a great time so far!  We flew out early friday morning, so we didn't get much sleep but that was ok.  I was able to sleep on the flight from Denver to Memphis and got a good nap in.  Waking up, I was a little disoriented which my mom was amused by since she was trying to talk to me.  I absolutely love flying and wish I could fly more often because it is so fun!!  I always wish the flight would be longer so we can stay in the air longer :)  We arrived and I made sure to get a picture with our plane because it had a horse on it.  It's not often that there are animals on the wings of the plane you're on ;)  We rode in a taxi and finally made it to my grandma's apartment, and I got to give her a big hug!  She is the cutest and she makes me so happy!  I love her laugh, the way she talks, and her different mannerisms.  Best grandma ever!!  I love being here to talk with her, hear her stories, and enjoy the time together.
   

Sabbath Blessings!

   I am so incredibly grateful that today is Sunday!  Being able to go to church today, partake of the sacrament, and hearing things that were meant exactly for me, was such a blessing.  This past week was super rough because I had so much that I needed to accomplish for school.  I felt very overwhelmed, stressed, and felt so down because I felt that I could not accomplish everything that I needed too.  I worked really hard every day to get everything done on time and in the right manner.  I know I was not going through this week alone though.  I prayed to Heavenly Father to help and uplift me during this past week.  I knew that He would help me after I did all I could do, so I was trying hard to do my best to partake of that promise.  That promise is completely true!! I made it through this week with the Lord's help.  He truly did uplift me, give me strength, and helped me through all of   my assignments, papers, and tests.
   Going to church today I felt exhausted physically, emotionally, and spiritually and was seeking comfort.  Today was ward conference with all of our stake leaders and it was exactly what I needed.  A revelatory experience indeed.  The topic was all about whirlwinds and how we get through them, react to them, and overcome them.  We are all going to experience different challenges and trials in life that bring us down and try us in many ways.  The beauty about this life though is that the atonement of Jesus Christ is always there and encompasses everything about our lives.  No matter who we are, what we do, and the mistakes we make Christ has felt everything we've felt and knows how to help us.  He will never forget us, forsake us, or stop loving us.  Everything about this meeting was exactly what I needed to hear.  I know the Lord inspired the talks I heard and helped me to hear what would comfort me the most.  I know we all go through hard times, but I am so grateful to know there is a loving Heavenly Father who is there for us.  He has a wonderful plan for each one of us!!

General Conference!

Well, I am finally back to writing in my blog! It has been a crazy couple of weeks and I am now sick, but things are looking up :) This weekend was absolutely wonderful and I have looked forward to it for a long time. First, on friday, my beautiful friend and roommate was married for time and all eternity in the Bountiful Utah Temple. She looked absolutely beautiful and was glowing with happiness and excitement. It was so exciting for us as friends to be there with her and support her on that day. It seemed like time just flew and it was surreal to see her getting married. The first of our little group of friends is married now! Crazy!!
    The other best part of this weekend was that it was General Conference for the LDS Church!! I always love conference because it is a time to be with my family and to listen to our prophet and leaders give counsel from the Lord. I know that they are truly inspired and receive personal revelation from the Lord on what they need to specifically say to us. The Lord is aware of us, knows who we are, and knows what is going to tempt and try us in this life. I know that our leaders are always seeking to gain inspiration to know how to best teach us and help us, and I am so grateful for all that they do! I learned so much listening to general conference and received many answers to my prayers. I am so glad that I was able to take time this weekend and listen to our prophet's counsel. If you have any questions about our church please visit mormon.org. I know it will bless your life like it has mine :)

Hello blogging world!!

Well friends, I am finally starting a blog which is exciting! I have never been into blogging besides the fact that I do like reading my sister's blogs because of what they post about. Because I didn't really like the thought of starting my own blog I never thought about getting a blog. I returned home from my mission to the West Virginia Charleston Mission which was the best experience of my life! (maybe I should blog about that next week!) So, I am now starting on my first semester back at BYU and trying to get back into school. I am majoring in Therapeutic Recreation and absolutely love it! This is my first semester actually in the program taking the classes and they are so wonderful! I am also required to take a writing class, MCOM, which I'm excited about because I know I will definitely learn a lot from it. We went through the syllabus for class on thursday and as one of our assignments we have to make a blog and write in it each week for fall semester. I was not very thrilled with the aspect of having to keep a blog, but decided to just do it and learn what I can from it. It will be a good challenge and learning experience for me to have to write in a blog every week, but I know that it will be good for me to do it! I thought it would be cool to have a certain subject to write about each week, but that's not very likely to happen. I am sure that instead I will just write about whatever is happening that week and what was interesting! Bear with me and we will just have a dandy time this semester together! Thanks for reading! :D