Christmas Through Heaven's Eyes

My heart has been touched recently with love from God and with loving admiration for those around me. I have been blessed to feel a greater measure of the Spirit in my days. I have been blessed to see those around me through His eyes. I have been blessed to taste the love God has for my fellowmen, which has increased the love I have for them myself. In this season of Christmas, amid the business of finals and shopping and decorating and travel, I pray that I may be able to keep this love within my heart and to use it to guide my perspective and my everyday dealings with the loved ones that surround me. I do not want to sell that which is most important to me for a bowl of porridge; I do not want to overlook caring for and loving those around me for far lesser aspirations, such as doing good in school. People--not grades or goals or things--create the substance of life.

This Christmas season, I want to start looking at things a little more through Heaven's eyes.

Letters

Dear Eric, I'm glad we're best friends.

Dear Ems, Thanks for joining Jon and I the other night in eating pizza, watching LOTR, and getting yummy treats. I love super much when you're around and when we have fun together. Please--let's have so much lots of fun over the next couple of your last weeks here.

Dear Lindsey and Jamie, I am so blessed to have such awesome, caring, and supportive coworkers as you two. I know you always have my back and that on days when I'm not feelin' up to my A-game, that you'll be there. I consider being able to work with you two a tender mercy.

Dear Wardies, I've been super MIA lately! Super sorry. Please accept my apology. I'm going to try to do better.

Dear Dale, Thanks for coming to watch the game with us last night. You're pretty cool and I like having you around.

Dear Louisa, I like it when you talk in your sleep. It makes for laughs before going to bed.

Dear Jon, I had super fun with you yesterday, studying and eating M&Ms and making dinner. You're an awesome friend.

Dear Stephanie, I miss you. We should catch up sometime soon.

Dear Jessica, Abby, and Kate, I super DUPER miss you guys! I can't wait to see you and have lots of fun with you! Till then, I'm excited that I get to talk with you over the phone tonight.

Dear Shony and Melissa, You guys are such good, loving visiting teachers. Thank you for who you are and all you do.

Dear Mars, I was serious the other week when I came over and said we should have fun sometime. Let's do so soon?

Lauren!!!! I missed you when you came over this morning, so I'm glad we're going to get together to talk tonight. I need best friends like you in my life. Love you tons!!!

Dear Jacob, Lose the stache.

Dear Rebecca, Your wedding dress is SO beautiful! I'm so excited for you and Levi to tie the knot in a little over a month. 

Dear Homework Assignments, Especially you 3 papers: I wish you were done, but you're not. That's okay; I'm just going to attack you this week. Watch. Out.

Dear Sunshine, I can think of no good reason for you to leave. Really. Please stay?

Dear Church Music, You make for the perfect Sunday setting. Thank you for the spirit and peace you bring.

Dear Heavenly Father, Thanks for not giving up on me and for continually blessing me, even when I stop paying attention. I love you.

Benefiting from His Hands

Yesterday it was very easy for me to see the Lord's hand in my life.

This past week has been a hard one for me. I've felt very lonely and confused and frustrated and sad. Yesterday, however, that all turned around.

On her way to work, Ems stopped by to say hi.

Melissa and Shonay came over to visit teach me because they're awesome.

Joseph Scoville stopped by our place--randomly--to help us fix our internet.

I went over to Joseph's to bring him cookies to say thank you and talked to him and Evan and Ally and Charlotte. They invited me over to watch a movie and do homework. I accepted.

Before going to bed, Elora and Elicia talked to me about life.

Yesterday, I felt very loved by the people reaching out to me. They were being the Lord's hands here on earth.

"A story is told that during the bombing of a city in World War II, a large statue of Jesus Christ was severely damaged. When the townspeople found the statue among the rubble, they mourned because it had been a beloved symbol of their faith and of God’s presence in their lives.

Experts were able to repair most of the statue, but its hands had been damaged so severely that they could not be restored. Some suggested that they hire a sculptor to make new hands, but others wanted to leave it as it was—a permanent reminder of the tragedy of war. Ultimately, the statue remained without hands. However, the people of the city added on the base of the statue of Jesus Christ a sign with these words: 'You are my hands.'" -President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "You Are My Hands"

Counting Blessings

I've been MIA lately because of THIS project that I'm working on. But now, I'm back! (I know--I just made your day).

Even though my life's been a little crazy of late, I've been floored by how many blessings the Lord sends my way every single day.

For example, my sister Emily lives right upstairs from where I live and we can see each other whenever we want and even go on fun weekend adventures to our Aunt Martha's house to spend the weekend and go shoe shopping and do laundry for free.

For example, I got to go talk to the girls in the yellow house last night and they were so kind and friendly and super understanding and willing to talk about be best friends.

For example, I go to a school where I'm surrounded by tons of other really awesome people and many amazing professors who dedicate lots of time in helping me become a successful teacher.

For example, I work at an awesome office with awesome people who make me smile and laugh and are the best.

For example, the General Conference issue of the Ensign just came out and I get to read all the talks from our living prophets and apostles.

For example, Thanksgiving break is only 3 weeks away!

For example, snow is not permanently sticking to the ground yet.

For example, I got to go to the Utah Council of Teachers of English conference this past Friday.

For example, I have Halloween candy.

For example, I got free dinner on Monday night because the bishop hosted several FHE groups over for dinner.

For example, I have awesome roommates who give me hugs and leave me notes and smile and keep things positive.

For example, Christmas is only 49 days away.

For example, I know that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love me and are there for me. They've got my back.

This is a season of Thanksgiving. I'm going to celebrate it by trying harder to recognize the Lord's hand in my life every day, and being happy for it.

Jesus Christ

In between all the craziness of the day today, I took a moment to watch this video. I loved it. I can see myself in the man sitting at the water's edge: thinking that I know what I need to help and heal me when all I really need is Christ. That's what we as Christians believe, isn't it? In a world that seeks the answers to their problems in self-help books, better organized schedules, bigger paychecks, more friends, increased self-discipline, and valiant causes; we know that the ultimate remedy to any heartache, stress, problem, or fear is Jesus Christ. He will help us. He will heal us. He will save us.

General Conference Weekend

I am SO excited for this weekend because of this:

I love General Conference weekend! Not only is it an excuse to not do homework all weekend and to just relax and enjoy life, it's a time to hear the word of God from His living prophets and apostles. 

Since coming to college, I have tried to do things over Conference weekend to make it special. Here are just a few of the exciting things I have planned this weekend:

• Breakfast with the FHE family
• Making hand spiders (a fall bucket list item!)
• Having a girls night with all the girls in my ward while the guys are at Priesthood session (movie and ice cream included!)
• Having monkey bread for breakfast with Jon
• Driving the Alpine Loop
• Going to Uncle Dave and Aunt Martha's place for Sunday dinner

Pretty much, I'm just going to forget about all the craziness of life and have fun this weekend.

I've been thinking about the power in making Conference special. When I have a family of my own, I want to make sure that we have traditions that make the kids excited and looking forward to General Conference weekend. From having special food to doing special activities to just being excited about it--I want them to feel that there's something special and set apart about those two days. Because there is.

For now though, I'll just worry about helping those that are in my life to have as enjoyable a weekend as possible! 

Letters

Louisa, Ems & I at Guru's before the broadcast!

Dear Emily, I had so much fun with you this weekend! From going to the BYU choir concert to getting frozen yogurt to getting dinner at Guru's to watching the Relief Society broadcast to going to a Baptist church with me for a school assignment--it was so good to be with someone easy to talk to and have fun with. I'm glad we live so close to each other.

Dear Louisa, I'm super glad that you got to join Ems and I on Saturday night while we went to Guru's and then to watch the Relief Society broadcast. Those sweet potato fries are so good!!! It's good to live with family away from home, especially when that family is as awesome as you!

Dear Old FHE Family, I've run into so many of you over the past several days! It's fun to see those of you who have come back from your missions and to randomly run into you, Aubrey, at the baptist church because you were also doing an assignment (how random!) Let's get together and have a reunion soon. Deal?

Dear Beautiful Fall Weather, I'm so happy you've decided to come around. Please stay and keep the winter away!!!

Dear Miranda, It's been YEARS since we last ran into each other! It tickles me that I was able to find you on facebook and that you seem to be doing so well! Maybe when I come home for Christmas break we can get together--that would be a blast!

Dear Jon, Breakfast on Saturday morning was de. lic. ous. I haven't had french toast in such a long time and it's even one of my favorites! Thanks for giving me a fabulous beginning to a fabulous day!

Dear Ashley, As the boy's in N103's old FHE sister, it was fun to get to meet you and discover that we're in Mythology together (I can't believe you recognized me! You're so observant!) You seem super fun and are incredibly talented with singing and playing the guitar. Thank you for sharing your talents and your smiles. Hopefully, I'll see you in class today!

Dear Mythology Paper, Even though you were about Ella Enchanted, you took FOREVER to write, which made me slightly annoyed. My hand thanks you for finally being done!

Dear Sarah Armknecht, I'm so grateful for the chance I had to go hear your unofficial mission farewell yesterday. I learned so much about being converted unto the Lord, His love for us, and prayer. You are going to be such an amazing missionary because you live your life in such a way that the Spirit can be with you at all times. The people in Montana are very lucky to have you among them for the next year and a half.

Dear Testimony Bearers, Your words gave me a lot to contemplate about and gave me much comfort. Thank you.

Dear Mars, Thanks for sharing this

video yesterday in your Sunday School lesson. I think it touched us all.

Dear Hannah, I'm very grateful for the chance I have to get to serve with you. You seem really awesome and down to earth (which is so refreshing) and I hope we can become really good friends.

Dear Krista, I hope that you come over and hang out in the CP zone of the ward all the time so that we can have super fun with you and get to know you better because you just seem so super awesome and it would be so sad if we never really got to know you just because you live all the way over in the yellow house. In other words, I think you're really cool. Thanks for the chatting. I can't wait to chat again!

Dear Kylee, Please get feeling better soon. I love you!

Dear Grace, That cake was AMAZING! Thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing!

Dear Jessica, I hope you get feeling better. I love you so super much and am wishing I could be with you right now!

Dear Kate and Abby, I'm so glad and happy that you guys called me last night so that we could talk! I love talking to you two. Thanks for being the awesomest Abby and Kate sisters in the world!

Dear Reading Assignments, Really? This is overkill. Way too much, guys. Way too much.

Dear Wonderful Coworkers, You guys are the best and everyone that doesn't work with you should be jealous (that's a lot of people and I really shouldn't be encouraging un-Christ-like behavior such as being jealous, but you guys are just that cool!) Thanks.

Dear Melissa, You seem like an awesome friend and I'm very grateful to have you as my Visiting Teacher and can't wait to get to know you more!

Dear Shonay, I'm so glad that you're my Visiting Teacher. You are just so cool and kind and fun. And your words last night...I really needed to hear them. Thank you so much for saying what the Spirit prompted you to say. I love you!

Dear General Conference Weekend, I'm going to work really hard this week so that I can enjoy you to your fullest on Saturday and Sunday. I'm so excited!!!

Dear Today, Smiles, quiet moments, laughter, friends, work, class, exercising, homework, scriptures, talking, joy--these are just a few of the things I hope to run into during you today.

Letters

Dear Woman's Locker Room Gym, You are tiny. You are old. You have papers hanging on the walls announcing new policies starting October 2004. Your paint is pealing. Your machines are falling apart and make weird noises. But--I love working out with you more than any other place (almost--nothing beats running in the super green Washington wilderness). I'm excited to join you again today!

Dear Temple Thursdays, Thank you.

Dear Louisa, I'm so super duper glad that we decided to meet up at the temple last night and to then go shopping and then go to Guru's. The shopping was super fun (and Dave--the salesman we were talking to--with his British accent was so cute!) and the sweet potato fries were delicious! Thanks so much for giving me a fun evening. I needed it.

Dear Homework, You are so getting done this weekend. I can't wait to go to the library for hours and then to walk home in the late hours of the night, feeling completely productive and accomplished.

Dear Utah, Game tomorrow? You're on!

Dear President Uchtdorf, Your talks are my favorite and you always tell me exactly what I want/need to hear.

Dear Sunshine, You make me smile.

Letters

Dear Emily, Thank you so much for the wonderful note you left on my mirror last night! It made me so super happy when I woke up and was the bestest start to a day that I've had in a super long time!

Dear Louisa, I think it's hilarious how much you wanted ice cream last night and how excited you were when Adam brought some over. It was so funny because I knew exactly how you felt--I wanted ice cream last night too!!! I just had to settle for chocolate chip cookies. Six of them, to be exact. Let's just say that I will definitely be going to the gym today before our trip to the temple.

Dear Jamie, Lindsey and Rachel, Thank you so super extremely much for listening to me the other day at work. It helped me feel a whole lot better! It's nice to work somewhere good, but it's even more good to work with people who are nice.

Dear Dr. Thursby, You are such an awesome old lady. I want to be as blunt and lively and intelligent and cool as you when I get old.

Dear Colder Fall Weather, Disregard anything that Louisa and Betsy tell you. I'd rather continue enjoying my warm summer nights.

Dear Bro. & Sis. Hatfield, I'm so glad that you two help with institute because it means that I get to see you in the middle of the week every week and that makes me so super happy! You two really are some of my favorite people in the Prov/Orem area and I'm so grateful that I get to associate with you.

Dear Sleep, Life really does seem/feel better when you're around.

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for helping me survive my two hour evening class last night. I think it was equivalent to that the times when Christ blessed the loafs and fishes.

Dear Sarah, It was such a delight to see you at institute last night. Thanks for chatting and for being such an awesome friend.

Dear Bro. Day, Your institute lessons are absolutely wonderful, as are you! Thank you for making us laugh and seriously think about things that really matter all in the same moment.

Dear Elicia, Thanks for always being willing to take a couple of minutes to chat. It means a lot to me and lets me know that if I ever need someone to talk to, you will be there for me.

Dear Thursday, There has to be at least approximately 23 reasons why today is going to be much more splendid than yesterday. I'm not sure exactly what those 23 reasons are, but I'm sure they must be there. I can't wait to find out about all of them.

The Power of Music and the Love of God

This morning I have been reminded of the power of music. These songs where ones that particularly touched my heart:

The Lord loves us so much. I testify that He is invested in you. You. He cares so much about you and wants nothing more than to wrap you up in the warm embrace of His tender love. Be patient with yourself and love yourself the way He loves you. Don't give up. There is an end to the turmoil and sorrow in the world, but we do not have to wait for that end, for there is no beginning or end to the peace which comes from the Lord. His peace--His love--is always there for us. Always. Let us do better at seeking it out and accepting it as He would have us do. Let us more readily experience the love of God in our lives.

My Ideology

This is all that really matters:

The church is true and I love being an active member of it.

I'm a daughter of God who loves me dearly and I love Him.

I have a Savior who died for me so that I can have the power to do impossible tasks and overcome my weaknesses.

Temples are vital.

Joseph Smith restored the true church and was a living prophet.

Thomas S. Monson is today's prophet and leads and guides God's church.

The scriptures are the word of God.

I can and want to talk to God through prayer.

People are innately good.

There is right and wrong.

I love and care about those I associate with; especially family, roommates, coworkers and classmates.

I like working hard because it helps me feel purposeful.

I like doing hard things because I love the feeling of triumph and achievement.

I love to serve because it makes me happy.

I love being happy because it feels good and helps me to put things into perspective.

I love taking care of my body because it gives me energy.

Being an amazing wife and mother is very important to me even though neither of these roles have yet become realities.

I'm getting a degree in English Teaching, but ultimately I want to be a homemaker.

I believe there is value in getting an education especially because I'm going to be a mother someday.

I like to be successful so that I can give back to God.

When I fail, I rely on the Atonement to get me back on my feet.

My life is a gift, my life has a plan.

I want to give my whole life to serving God, following His commandments and forwarding His work.

I want God to trust me and to use me as an instrument in His hands.

"This life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors."

Everything else is secondary to these uncompromising principles.

Letters

Dear Washington, I miss you and your green! But more than anything, I miss the people. Seeing the people at home is always the best.

Dear 13 Hour Car Ride, Thanks for the stiff neck. You were long, long, long, looooonnnnngggg, but altogether not that bad (even though I was running on only 5 hours of sleep!) Thanks for giving me the opportunity to talk to Janet and Nancy, to listen to good music, and to have quiet time to reflect on life. I am glad, however, that the car ride this weekend is only 6 hours each way.

Dear Provo, It's so good to be home! I've quite missed you!

Dear Bishop Justice, Bro. Groesbeck, Bro. Anderson, and your wives, I'm glad I got to see you all at the BBQ last night so that I could give you one last goodbye. Thank you so much again for your hours and hours of dedicated, loving service. I was so blessed to have the opportunity of working closely alongside you for a year. I learned so much from you and my testimony was strengthened because of my association with you. Good luck with wherever the rest of life takes you, and I'll see ya' around!

Dear New Bishopric, Though I don't know any of you well at all yet, I felt a strong spirit in our meeting on Sunday when you were called to serve in our ward. I'm very excited for the chance to become friends and to continue making the 41st ward AWESOME!

Dear Shaun, Jacob and Poci, Feel free to sit in the back seat of my car and sing along with the music any time you want. It was rather entertaining.

Dear Sprinklers at Kiwanis Park, Maybe next time you could give us warning before asking Jon and I to relocate?

Dear New Office at Work, I can't believe we're FINALLY coming up on the big week! I am SO excited to get to start working in you in the JFSB next week and am ESPECIALLY excited for the HUGE window I will get to look out of every day. Much better than the dungeon that I've worked in in the basement of the SWKT over the past year and a half.

Dear Jon, I like getting texts from you in the middle of the day that make me smile or laugh. I like sharing things with you, like Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium. I like it when you tell me stories that make me laugh so hard that my stomach hurts. I like talking about schedules and making plans with you for the week or the next day. I like reading a General Conference article with you every day. I like having your example and influence in my life. Pretty much, I just like you.

Dear Charity, Thank you for never failing and for being so easily accessible. What a great deal, especially being that you're the best thing in the whole world!

Letters

Dear Four Hours of Sleep, It's so easy to fall asleep when you're all I have.

Dear Ems, Thanks for letting me go shopping with you yesterday and then for hanging out with Jon and I last night. Thanks especially for laughing really hard with me when everyone in the group (*cough* Jon *cough*) wasn't on the same page. That was fun.

Dear Jon, Thank you for running with me in the rain, for replying to my text even when you have no idea what I'm talking about, for smiling at me, for sitting patiently when Emily and I laugh and you don't quite understand why, for wanting to read a General Conference talk with me every night, for being patient when I'm dramatic and for everything else in between. I'm super going to miss seeing you every day when I go home to Washington for a week.

Dear Family, Yea for our annual backpacking trip!!! I'm so excited to see you all and to sweat and to play and to enjoy beautiful Washington and to make amazing memories. It's going to be SO MUCH FUN!!!!!!

Dear Hannah, Girl--I LOVE talking with you! Thanks so much for stopping by last night and just chatting up a storm while I failed at making tortillas. You and I are both awesome!

Dear Janell, It was so good to get to stop by last night to talk with you. Thanks for letting us come by and for taking the time to just chat about life. Good luck at work today!

Dear Tuesday, I'm quite determined to make you fantastic. Just thought you should know.

Link Fun

Why do I have the best life in the whole world?

I get to leave on Wednesday to go backpacking with the fam in Washington.

I got to go to church yesterday.

I spent the weekend having fun with my sister.

I have a job.

My home teacher came over yesterday.

I have kind, loving roommates.

I can pray to my loving Heavenly Father.

I can learn.

I can grow.

I'm dating the best boy I know.

I have, and can, overcome sin, mistakes and bad times.

I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

I can smile.

I got to laugh with Jason Frizzell yesterday.

I am part of a fantastic ward full of people who love me.

I have found this song which I love!

I am me!

I get to be ALIVE today! I get to triumph, act, do, serve, uplift, achieve, love and live. What a quite absolutely wonderful thing.

Things I'm Grateful For

These are just a few of the reasons why today I am feeling so grateful...

I got to read my scriptures this morning.

Aunt Martha and Uncle David invited Jon, Ems and I to their place yesterday evening for a Pioneer Day BBQ.

Yesterday afternoon I got to spend time cooking and playing games with Jon, Ems and Jacob.

Yesterday morning Sarah, Ems and I got to go hiking up past the Y. It was perfect weather. It was perfect scenery. It was perfect company.

Tuesday night I went up to South Fork Park and had a bonfire with a bunch of friends from the ward.

Before the bonfire on Tuesday I got to grab ice cream with Kathleena and then the two of us talked for a while. It was so good to catch-up with an old friend.

Last week I was blessed to be able to go down to California with Jon to spend the week at his house. His family was amazing and it was an absolute blast hanging out with his little brother, David, while his mom and sister were at girls camp.

In a couple of days I get to go home for a week to go backpacking with my family!

I am dating the best man I have ever met.

In the past 24 hours I have laughed, cried, pondered, been silly and felt immensely blessed and loved. In essence, I have felt human.

I have used and seen the power of the Atonement in my life more frequently this past month than I have in a long time.

These things and more leave me sitting here at the computer, thinking and writing about them all, with a feeling of deep inner peace.

The Past Few Weeks in Pictures

Dear Jon, Thank you for taking me to the Summer Fest in Orem a month ago. You should not stress over planning fun dates--you're really good at it! I love how easily amused you are by the carnival games. I love that you make me want to eat goingtokillyouscones because it means I get to share something with you. I love how sick you got on the one ride we went on and that you let me laugh at you when we got off and you tried to regain a grasp on reality. It's doing the small and simple things like this with you that make me love spending time together so much.

Dear Ward Groupies, The water kickball activity in June was the best. I was so exhausted when we started from having just run 12.7 miles with Jon, but the cold water and all of your cheery, fun countenances energized me and by the time the activity ended, I was running all over the place. Thank you for being nothing but smiles and laughter and everything sunshiny!

Dear Emily, Marissa, Gabbie and Jess, Going to Stadium of Fire with you four on the Fourth made for one of the most fun Fourth of July's I've ever had! The Kelly Clarkson, Carly Ray Jepsen and Cirque du Soleil were highly entertaining, but your company was even better. I cannot tell you how good it was to be among friends that I could just let go and be goofy with. You ladies rock!

Dear Jon, I was so happy that we got to sit together and watch the fireworks on the Fourth because you were in charge of cleaning the very area I was sitting in. Best. Coincidence. Ever.

Dear Tyson, Adam, Mike and Jon, Hiking Timp with you four on Saturday was one of my favoritest things I've done all summer! The scenery was absolutely gorgeous. Your commentary was absolutely hilarious. The view was absolutely breath-taking. I can imagine no better way to spend a Saturday than exhausting myself by trekking out into God's beautiful world to explore it with good people and the best of friends. 5 coworkers/friends, 12 hours, 13.6 miles and perfection all wrapped-up in the mountains of Utah Valley. It truly was the best.

Priesthood Blessings

“Brethren, young and old, do not be hesitant to ask for a priesthood blessing when you are in need of spiritual power. Fathers and other elders, cherish and magnify the privilege of blessing your children and the other children of our Heavenly Father. Be prepared to give priesthood blessings under the influence of the Holy Ghost whenever you are requested in sincerity and faith.”  -Elder Dallin H. Oaks

Yesterday in Sunday School was talked about the power of the Priesthood. One girl shared that since she's come to college, she sometimes really misses being able to receive father's blessings from her dad because they were very special to her. As I was sitting in class listening to her, a thought occurred to me. I realized that, as special as a father's blessing is, that ultimately every blessing is a father's blessing--a blessing from our Heavenly Father. Every priesthood blessing we receive--though it may be administered by different hands--originates from the same loving, caring, kind individual. The Father of us all is the one who gives us priesthood blessings and He has a very personal and concerned interest in our well-being and the affairs of our lives. The next time I receive a priesthood blessing I hope that I will be able to think beyond the hands on my head and remember what is at the heart of what is happening and being said. 

Thoughts on the Fourth

I am so grateful to live in a land with such a beautiful, rich heritage of brave men and women who sacrificed so that those who would come after them could enjoy the blessings of living in a free country. It has never been easy to stand in battle, to stand for truth, to go against the grain; yet so many have. For you. For me. Today, I am thankful for the Founders, the soldiers, the leaders, and the everyday men and women who have given their all so that we could have it all. We really are so extremely blessed.

"I reverence the Constitution of the United States as a sacred document. To me its words are akin to the revelations of God, for God has placed His stamp of approval on the Constitution of this land [D&C 101:76–80]. I testify that the God of Heaven sent some of His choicest spirits to lay the foundation of this government, and He has sent other choice spirits — even you who read my words — to preserve it."  -President Ezra Taft Benson, The Constitution--A Glorious Standard

Battle Creek Falls

I would actually consider this more of a walk than an actual hike. I've done this walk/hike twice this year already--once on a date and once for FHE. The hike is fairly easy to get to--it's just tucked away near the side of the mountains in Pleasant Grove. From Provo, the drive is about 25 minutes. Once there, the hike itself is only about half a mile. It goes uphill a little bit, but nothing too strenuous. Overall, this is a good place to go if you want a quick getaway, but nothing you'd commit your whole day to.

For more info about this hike: http://www.utah.com/hike/battle-creek-falls-trail

The Good Shepherd

Today I was studying why Christ has the title of "shepherd". In my searching, I came across this scripture:

"He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young."  -Isaiah 40:11

This scripture is so beautiful and tender to me. I cannot help but see a loving, compassionate Savior when I read these words. It is such a good reminder that at the root of everything Christ has done--and still does--for us is love. He loves us so much. He gave everything for us. And continually, day by day, He desires to hold us close and to lead us back to our heavenly home. He is patient. He is kind. He gives us the benefit of the doubt and sees us as who we truly are and can become. He is gentle. He is perfect. And above all, He is there for you and I. He did not give His life thousands of years ago on our behalf only to abandon us right now. I know that He lives and that He is just as invested in the daily dealings of your life right now as He was in the daily dealings of the people in Jerusalem two millennium ago. Come unto Him and He will lead you to still waters and there, with Him, you can find rest.

A Weekend with the Fam

This past weekend I was lucky enough to have my family stop by for a visit! They were traveling from Washington down to Arizona to visit my Grandma and stopped for the afternoon/evening in Provo to visit Ems and I. I thought that going on a picnic would be super fun, and so that's what we did! When they arrived we skedaddled our way over to Kiwanis park, laid out a blanket, and spent the next hour or so talking, eating, and enjoying the good weather. Jon also joined us, which was super awesome!

When people got bored of the park we drove home and enjoyed some Creamies. Then, we decided to go over to Rock Canyon Park so that my sisters could roll down the huge hill (I passed for the most part. Halfway down the first roll the Creamie in my stomach protested). We ended the night by hiking the Y and looking out at the city lights from up top. ("You mean," remarked Kate, "that they just found this huge rock shaped in the shape of a Y and painted it white?")

It was so good to get to see my family and share some of my life here in Provo with them. Plus, the ordeal helped me cross of summer bucket list item #10!

Provo Rooftop Concert Series

One of the best parts about summer in Provo is the Rooftop Concert Series. From May to October on the first Friday of each month, aspiring local artists gather together to perform their music on the top of a parking garage in downtown Provo. The best part about these events is that they are 100% FREE! I had gone to several of these concerts last year and was excited to go again this year to share the experience with Jon.

We decided to go to the second concert in the series on June 7th with Joshua James, Polytype and Jay William Henderson performing. Because the concerts are free there is open seating (people bring blankets and lawn chairs to sit on or choose to just stand and watch). Jon and I tried to arrive a little early to steal a good seat, but still ended up having to sit towards the side of the stage on a part of the parking garage that slanted down. That was a bit of a downer because it made it hard to find a comfortable position to sit in where you could still see the groups perform, but we still made it work. While waiting for the concert to start we ate the packed dinner we had brought along (hooray for PB&J!) and played a few card games. When the music started my cousin, Alex, and her fiance, Logan, joined us for a few rounds of Uno. When the magic of Draw 4 and Reverse cards dissipated, we decided to put the cards away and to just enjoy the music. Jon and I had some fun with the camera and Alex and Logan left to say hi to some of their other friends. We stayed there for the first two performers and then decided to move up to the main level of the parking garage to stand and watch the last performer--Joshua James--perform. Both Jon and I definitely preferred standing and listening to the music over trying to sit comfortably on the slanted pavement. Joshua James' music was also my favorite of the three performances.

The night ended beautifully. Day faded into dusk and eventually dissolved into night as people sat with their friends and families listening to the music echo through the streets of downtown Provo.

Bonfire up Provo Canyon

Having late night bonfires during the summer is always a good way to involve lots of people in some cheap fun. This was the first SBLI I did this summer. We piled a bunch of people into our respective cars, drove up Provo Canyon a couple of minutes, and stopped at the first park on our left--Canyon Glen Park. This place is free and has several different places to have a fire. Because we didn't bring our own firewood it took us a while to get anything going, being that there wasn't any good firewood in the area. Once we did get things started, however, it was a blast! Smores, pictures, talking and laughing with friends, guitar music, staying out past midnight, the smell of a campfire--good times.

Have a Bonfire
Where: Canyon Glen Park
When: Nighttime
What to Bring: Firewood, smores materials, blankets

Late Night Milkshake Run

Last week we the last week of Spring term, which means that it was also the last week for some of the students in my ward. To celebrate, a group of us went to Sonic and got milkshakes! The best things about going to Sonic to get milkshakes after 8pm is that they're half off and they have a zillion flavors and they're huge (as in a small is equivalent to most places' medium). Because I had already had my sugar fill for the day, I passed on getting a milkshake for myself that night. The next night, however, Jon and I went and bought a large Oreo cheesecake one to share. It was quite absolutely divine. I've also gotten their strawberry chocolate shake before and loved it. The only downsider about these shakes is that sometimes they can be a little runny. It's been hit and miss for me--sometimes they're thick (which is what I like) and sometimes they're not. For the price though, I think it's worth the risk.

Late Night Milkshake Run
Where: Sonic
When: After 8pm so that they're half-off!!! (Yea for a $2.50 large!)
Pros: Lots of flavors to pick from that you can milk and match, cheap, lots for your money
Cons: Sometimes the shakes are runny

Buffalo Peak Hike

Jon and I went on one of the most beautiful hikes I've ever been on the other day! It was called Buffalo Peak Trail. Jon's boss, Tyson, recommended that we give it a look--said that it was very pretty and had tons of wildflowers. His review didn't do the place justice. I felt like I'd fallen into the 2006 version of Pride and Prejudice! The colors were rich, the landscape was shapely and the view was awe-inspiring. The hike was fairly steep towards the end, but extremely short overall (about 1/2 a mile or so). Jon and I hiked to the top, looked over onto Provo, and then backtracked just a little bit to a place we liked that faced the backside of Squaw Peak to eat dinner. I feel like the pictures we took can do more at this point than any more words, so I'll let them do the rest of the talking. I'm just so grateful to live somewhere where a place this beautiful is practically in my backyard.

The Words of Christ

“If you pray for an angel to visit you, you know what he’ll do if he comes. He’ll just quote the scriptures to you—so you’re wasting your time waiting for what we already have.”  -Hugh Nibley 

"Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ. Wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do."  -2 Nephi 32:3

I love this quote from Bro. Nibley! The irony is biting. Sometimes I find myself pining for answers and wishing that the Lord would hand them to me on a silver platter. I stress over it, pray over it, think really hard over it. I wonder how much less stressful my life would be if my impulse instead was to turn to the scriptures, because though the platter may not be silver, the scriptures are definitely waiting for us, every answer we could wish for on the pages. We do not need the tongues of angels; we need the word of God, and we can access those more readily today than any other generation of God's children has been able to before. How grateful I am for the scriptures. I hope that I can make them a more dominate part of my life. 

The Lord Delighteth in Plainness

"For my soul delighteth in plainness; for after this manner doth the Lord God work among the children of men."  -2 Nephi 31:3

"And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake: And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice."  -1 Kings 19:11-12

Too often we spend our time seeking out grandiose occurrences and signs in order to find the hand of the Lord in our lives. It is important, however, in our quest to find the Lord to realize that He is in the small things. The majority of the Lord's work is not done with the wave of a flag or with a powerful clap of thunder in the skies. Rather, the Lord does His work in small and simple ways through ordinary people like you and I. We do not need to be the leader of nations to make a difference. Think of the men the Lord has called upon in the past to do His work--Moses who couldn't speak in public parted the Red Sea, Joseph who was sold into slavery spoke to Pharaoh and David was just a little boy when he took down Goliath. The majority of the work done in this world is done by people like you and I. Don't hold yourself back from believing that you can do great things. You are more capable than you think you are. You have more power for good than you think you do. When you fight for the right the Lord is on your side and He will not let you down. 

I challenge you today to look for the small and simple acts of the Lord in your life. Take time to slow down and recognize the multitude of significant, yet small, blessings in your life. I testify that if you take the time to slow down you will come to a greater realization that He is alive and active in your life. He is there and He cares about you. Then, take the confidence in His presence which you gain and use it to go out and do small and simple things for others. This pattern of living makes to-do lists manageable, long days bearable, and living more worthwhile. 

Missionary Work

“Now they were desirous that salvation should be declared to every creature, for they could not bear that any human soul should perish; yea, even the very thoughts that any soul should endure endless torment did cause them to quake and tremble. And thus did the Spirit of the Lord work upon them, for they were the very vilest of sinners. And the Lord saw fit in his infinite mercy to spare them; nevertheless they suffered much anguish of soul because of their iniquities, suffering much and fearing that they should be cast off forever.” –Mosiah 28:3-4

"Like the sons of Mosiah, they had felt the effects of sin in their own lives and the marvelous healing of the Atonement within the Church of God. Out of love and gratitude for the Savior’s gift to them, they wanted to help everyone they could to escape the sadness of sin, feel the joy of forgiveness, and gather with them to safety in the kingdom of God. It was the love of God and the love for their friends and neighbors that unified them to serve the people. They desired to take the gospel to everyone in their part of the world. And they prepared their children to be worthy to be called by the Lord to teach, to testify, and to serve in other parts of His vineyard." -President Henry B. Eyring, We Are One

One measure of our conversion is the degree to which we desire to share the gospel with others. When we love the Lord and truly want to follow Him, we will naturally want to share this love and joy with others. We will want those around us to experience the same love and peace in their lives which we receive in ours from following the commandments and from building a personal relationship with the Lord. Ultimately, the true disciple desires his neighbor's salvation as much--if not more--than his own. When charity becomes the motivator behind all our interactions with others we will desire nothing more than to offer them the best of that which we have--the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

Letters

Dear Alex, Logan and Jon, The rooftop concert on Friday evening was very enjoyable (even though the slanted seats weren't). Thanks for the fun evening!

Dear Jason, The food you made for us on Sunday was SO GOOD!!! You are a top-notch cook! Thank you so super very much for sharing your talents and your food.

Dear Jon, Hanging out at the pool after running 9 miles has to be one of my favoritest things you and I have done yet. It was absolutely divine. Thank you for humoring me by getting in the (not very, but I'll amuse you) "cold" (*cough, cough*) water. You're kinda' the best.

Dear Sunshine, Phew--you're sure staring to get hot! Bring it on!

Dear FHE Family, The hike on Monday night to Battle Creek Falls was fun, chill, and gorgeous. Thank you for the lovely evening.

Dear Ward Soccer Team, Watching you guys play Tuesday night was SO FUN! Thanks for playing a game that was worth cheering through and that got me to hold my breath more than once!

Dear New Car That Belongs to Me, Wait--what?! I own a car?!!! Oh. Yeah. Still getting used to that thought.

Dear Karianne, It made me so happy to see you Wednesday at work! Sounds like you're having quite the crazy adventure up in North Dakota. I'm sad that you have to leave and go back today, but hope you know that I've missed you like crazy and can't wait for you to come back in the Fall!

Dear Scott, You are such and absolutely AMAZING friend for taking me to pick-up my car and then for being willing to be late to work when things went slightly crazy. You are a top-notch guy and a superb friend.

Dear Rachel Smith, I loved talk with you on Tuesday while walking to my car. Let's talk more again soon, okay?

Dear Jon and Coworkers, I had so much fun joining you guys on Wednesday for lunch! It was quite the privilege to be able to sit with ya'll in your little shed and to participate in the vital conversation about Disney movie music. I'm glad that Jon has such happy, upbeat and awesome people to work with.

Dear Emily, Eating dinner with you on Wednesday and coloring with you last night was pretty much one of the bestest things I've done in a very long time! Please, please, please say you'll do it with me again!

Dear Jon, Sometimes I wonder why on earth you still want to spend so much time with me when, after a day like yesterday, I look back and realize how dramatic I can be. I mean, I was even starting to annoy myself! Whatever it is that keeps you around though--even with all my dramatics--I'm extremely grateful for because I really like being with you.

Dear Thursday Temple Visits, You're one of the best decisions I've made all summer. Thank you for the peace and clarity and calm which you bring into my life. I plan on keeping you up.

Dear General Conference Talks, Sometimes you hit it right on the spot. I love how easy you are to access and how wonderfully inspired you make me feel.

Dear Half-Marathon Training, You have not been the best of friends lately. Let's change that, yeah?

Dear Amelia, I really need to write you a letter. I promise, I'm working on it!

Dear Landan, WELCOME BACK HOME!!! I can't wait to hear your homecoming talk this coming Sunday!

Dear Wonderful and Amazing Coworkers, I'm so grateful and blessed to work with people as amazing as you guys. Thank you for providing me with a workplace where I know my needs are just as important as the needs of the office. Thank you for your kindness and for lifting me up when I feel down. I'm so lucky to get to work at such an amazing place.

Dear Heavenly Father, Only two more days until Father's Day! I hope that the way I live my life over those two days can be, in the smallest way, a gift to You. Thank you for giving me the most wonderfully blessed life in the whole world. I love you so very much.

Dear Friday, I'm so super very extremely much excited to make you the best day that I've lived of my life so far! Here's to productivity, living with purpose, looking out for and lifting-up others, feeling the Spirit, choosing to be happy, using my agency wisely and responsibly, keeping a prayer in my heart, loving unconditionally and being just plain all-around awesome!

Letters

Dear Bed, I really do very sincerely miss you. We have not been spending enough quality time together lately! As much as I miss you, however, I do have to admit that the things taking your place have been quite worth it. Maybe in a couple of years (or probably in the next life) I'll actually have enough time for you. For now though, hope you enjoy the little time that you do have with me!

Dear Hook (the movie), I haven't seen you in FOREVER! I forgot how fun/silly/good of a movie you are! I'm glad that I got to watch you on Saturday night with my friends.

Dear Lori, Thank you so much for letting us come over to your place to plant flowers! I miss having a yard and being able to work outside in the dirt. The black beneath my fingernails was a happy sight. Thank you even more for taking us out to eat afterwards at the Trolley Cafe. That salad was so good!

Dear Latino Ward Members (and their white friends/roommates), Sunday's break the fast was one of the best break the fasts I've ever been to! Thank you so, so much for spending all of Saturday evening and Sunday morning slaving over delicious enchiladas, rice, beans and horchata. My stomach and taste buds were quite appreciative!

Dear Kate, I'm sorry it took me so long to call you back! I'm super glad that we FINALLY got to talk on Sunday and that you got to tell me all about the awesome girls camp and school and life stuff you have going on and that I got to tell you all about the crazy stuff going on in my life. I love you super tons!!!

Dear Half-Marathon Training, I'm surprised--besides the waking up super early to go running (which sometimes makes me feel like I'm gonna DIE) you're actually not that bad! After running 9 miles on Thursday evening, running 13.1 isn't feeling quite as intimidating. I might actually be able to do this!

Dear Activities Committee, I love being part of a group of people as amazing as you. Every single one of you is so kind, loving, serving, outgoing and all-around stupendous! Thank you for being who you are--it inspires me to be a better person and to love and serve those around me more perfectly.

Dear Ems, I'm glad that we FINALLY decided on a time to hang out. It's been forever! Tomorrow evening is going to be the best.

Dear Day of Rest, You really are my favorite day of the week. Thanks for always getting me ready for the other six.

Dear Tale of Two Cities, Lets see if I can get you read in two weeks. That's the goal, at least!

Dear Jon, Water coloring and coloring outside the lines and endless french toast at Kneaders and planting flowers at Lori's and going to Jamie's wedding reception and running and shopping and making yummy pesto-based food and painting my nails and watching Hook and making banana bread and reading general conference talks and talking and talking and talking all with you at my side are, I think, some of my most favorite things ever. Thank you for being so good and for always leaving me with a desire to be a better person. You're quite the top-notch best friend, and we make quite the fantastic team.

Dear Heavenly Father, I would be selfish if I didn't acknowledge and thank you for all the good that is in my life right now. Thank you for answering my prayers and for knowing exactly what I need and when I need it, and then for giving it all to me even though I don't deserve more than (maybe) 0.9% of it. You are the best part of my life.

Amelia Hope Theobald

Pretty much I'm missing this girl:

 today like absolute crazy.

I'm just sitting here thinking to myself:

"Oh my gosh so much new and crazy stuff is going on in my life right now and I'm stuck between being super excited and freaked out of my mind and I really just want someone to talk to about it all who I know would totally listen to me gab on for hours and understand and know exactly what to say and what not to say and would be okay with me crying or laughing like a crazy person or being frustrated with myself and still love me and want to be with me and go and be awesome with me at the end of it all!"

And then I realize that what I really mean when I'm thinking all of this is:

"What I really want right now is Amelia."

And then it really isn't fun because she's halfway around the world right now which is totally awesome because she's where she needs to be serving a mission for the Lord but that means I can't just pick-up the phone and talk to her about all the craziness and that instead I have to write her a letter that takes 7 days to get to her. And goodness, I didn't realize how super much I really felt all of this until I started typing it up just now while I'm sitting at work and started fighting against the tears because I miss my best friend so bad. So. Yeah.

In other words, what I really mean to be saying right now is that I'm so thankful that Heavenly Father has blessed me with people incredible enough in my life (AMELIA) that I could miss them (HER) so incredibly much when they're (SHE'S) gone. I mean, I just spent nearly half-an-hour looking through all her facebook photos because I just missed looking at her face so darn much. I never look though people's facebook photos!

But really. Amelia Hope Theobald is one of the best people I have ever known and associated with. More than almost anyone in the whole world, she has loved and listened to and understood me better than anyone else. We definitely had our hard times, but all the profoundly good times that we had more than far outweigh the bad.

Amelia was someone that I could be my complete self with. I had to worry not a single wit when I was with her because I knew that she loved and accepted me no matter what. We could do crazy stuff together--like stay up till 2am making cupcakes or act like little kids or talk about boys or try to go workout at 6am in the morning or build awesome forts, and at the end of it all, she still thought I was a semi-sane person. I loved having that freedom of self.

Amelia was an amazing example to me of service--of making baked goods and always giving them away to people or of cleaning the apartment when she noticed I was stressed because she knew that would make it better or of taking time to talk to someone who needed a friend or of working so hard to make sure that everyone else was taken care of and having a good time before worrying about herself.

Amelia also stuck with me through the bad. She dealt with me when I was cranky and she would listen to me and love me when I needed to talk and cry or she would help me be happy when I was stressed and when I was Relief Society president she always asked if there was more that she could do to help me.

Amelia always follows the Lord and wants to do what is right. I know that my association with her drew me closer to Christ because she was always striving to follow and love Him. The decision to go on a mission was tough for her to make, but ultimately she chose to do it because her love for the Lord and His children is just that incredibly great. She always has the Spirit with her. She is always striving to be good. She is always an example of Christ.

I've managed to get the rant out of my system and hold back (mostly) the tears that were threatening to come. I just hope that halfway across the world right now in the Spain MTC, there's a sister missionary there who knows that she is loved and that she has a best friend back at home who's missing her like crazy. She has made an incredible impact and difference in my life, and I know that that's exactly what she's going to do for the people over there. They don't know how lucky they are.

Tough Love

"I remember vividly the dreadful circumstance into which a young lady had managed to fall several years ago. She was not a BYU student but was a Latter-day Saint, and yet her very life seemed to be disintegrating before our eyes. As a result of trying to play with the net down, trying to live without rules and without restraint, she was experiencing the moral and spiritual stupefaction of a broken marriage, illicit moral behavior, dark drug abuse, and finally physical violence. She was descending into a personal hell from which no one seemed to be able to retrieve her and from which she personally did not have the wish or the will to turn away.

Her mother and others who had great concern for her had been in contact with me. Her Church leaders had tried to help. All seemed to no avail. The weeks became months, and human life unraveled before our eyes.

Then something happened. A lifelong friend of this young woman contacted her and tried, with love, to open her eyes and touch her heart. When neither her eyes nor her heart seemed to be yielding, this friend, this sister in the family of God who understood Paul's reminder that when one member suffers all suffer with it, grabbed the lapels of her friend's heavy winter coat and shook it with all her might. She shook her with all the strength her 105 pounds could muster, and, sobbing, she said through her tears, "Look at yourself. Don't you see what you are becoming? Look at yourself! I can't stand it anymore. I love you, and you're breaking my heart." At that she let go of the lapels of the big heavy coat and with tears streaming from her eyes turned and ran away.

The young lady whose life was in such jeopardy later recalled for me her response to that encounter. She said, "I don't know exactly what happened in that moment. Perhaps I am not likely ever to know. I had been talked to by many people, and little of it had meant anything to me. But if I live to be a hundred, I will never forget what I saw with my eyes and heard with my ears as this my childhood friend looked at me with utter anguish and screamed into my soul, "I love you, and you are breaking my heart."

Today that girl is the beautiful, happy, safe, and productive young woman which she once had been and which surely God meant her to be. She has been remarkably successful in a graduate program at a very good university. She is fully active in the Church, and she is devoted to a life of responsibility and respectability—all because someone in her own way said at the right time and with the right intent that whatever disappointments there had been, these two were forever sisters and disciples of Christ. That stunning declaration not only changed a life, but it quite literally saved this one. We need such brothers and sisters nearby us."  -Jeffry R. Holland, The Demands of Discipleship

I have been thinking a lot lately about the different ways that we try to help those around us who are struggling. I have come to the conclusion that there are two main ways to approach help people: coddling and tough love. Often, because we don't want to hurt people, because we want them to like us and to not think we are attacking them, or because we're afraid of losing their friendship, we coddle. In many cases, however, I have noticed that while coddling is great at first, what lots of people need is a wake-up call. They don't need someone who will sit and dwell over all their problems with them all day long, they need someone who will tell them to knock it off and help them to fix their problems. Of course, it should be done with love. Of course we should try to understand and sympathize. But I believe that sometimes the best way to show that we love is to expect the best of our friends and to let them know when they're falling. Then, once they come to themselves, we can do everything within our power to lift them back up. Yes--I'm a firm believer in tough love.

My First Crush

When I was in third grade, I sat across from none other than the one and only Jared Vestal. He was super silly, sporty, and fun to be with. Halfway through the year, I also discovered that he was Mormon. From that point on, I officially had a crush on him. Naturally. We were pretty much destined for each other (how on earth could we not be?!!)

He was the reason that I got pulled out of class twice that year and had a talk with the teacher for being disruptive (the only two times a teacher has ever pulled me out to reprimand me!) He always invited me to play kickball with him and he always picked me for his team. I'm sure he even let me sit next to him at the lunch table, though I don't really remember. Obviously, we were a really serious item. 

Sadly, at the end of that year, his family decided to move. Our obvisoulymeanttobe relationship was being cut-off. Obliterated. Ended. The last time I saw him was at his house two days after school got out and he had a huge goodbye/birthday party. All I remember is a huge water fight and lots of boys. I felt pretty proud of the fact that I was one of only three girls that got invited. 

I was able to put Jared behind me. I was able to move on. But today, when I was looking-up random journal prompts to find something to write about, it made me think of Jared again and the very special and touching i'llpickyouformykickballteam relationship we had. Out of curiosity, I tried finding him on facebook (I know--creeper, right? But don't judge--you know you've done the same!) Lo and behold--I found him! It was the weirdest facebook creeper/stocker moment of my facebook creeper/stocker career (which I promise you, isn't that flourished of a career). He's on a mission right now in Guatemala, and he happens to be coming home from the MTC tomorrow--May 30th! Maybe I should be waiting in the airport for him with a big sign and a bouquet of flowers? 

Let's not even go into how big of an ohheavenspleaseno/i'mshudderingatthethought/ewe!!! idea that was, plus the few, minor (blaring) details that would make the whole thing extremely complicated. No, I think that dear Jared Vestal is cemented far back into the drawer of my 3rd grade memories, and that that is where he will be staying. 

My Life the Past Several Weeks in Pictures

Ems and I have been having dinner together twice a week. This was a DELICIOUS dish she made--pasta, sauce, tomatoes, spinach....pretty much amazing!

Eric, Jared and I drove down to Pocatello, Idaho the weekend of May 18th&19th for Ellen Lewis' farewell talk. She's headed off to North Carolina! We drove through a crazy storm on our way up, but even that was fun! Besides hanging out with Eric and Jared I got to spend the night at Aunt Christy's place! Ethan, Clancy and I watched "The Gods Must Be Crazy." It was so good to see them. I'm so grateful that Eric and Jared were kind enough to let me join them in this wonderful adventure.

Several weeks ago, Jon got to go to his boss' place and killed a chicken! On Sunday night, after I got back from Pocatello, we grilled it on the BBQ. It was tough meat, but super duper yummy! Scott and Stephen joined us too.

This past Tuesday, May 21st, my friend Steve and I went hiking. After driving around for a while, finding a place, we settled on hiking Stewart Falls. We got there at twilight and made it back to the car just as the darkness was settling in. It was beautiful!

Today, Jon and I woke-up super early to go hiking. We got on the trail around 7:30am and made it back to the truck around 3:30 (that's eight hours!!!) It was a pretty intense hike--steep trails and lots of snow (sometimes deeper than our knees)--but it was SO beautiful. Now, we're both extremely tired, though. We'll definitely have no problem falling asleep tonight.

When we got home, Jon and I quickly pulled out some hamburgers and hot dogs and hosted a Memorial Day BBQ! It was wonderful to spend time with ward members and friends and to eat yummy food.

In a nutshell: my life is crazily blessed right now. I have no doubt that Heavenly Father is looking out for and taking care of my every need. Just when things seemed to be getting pretty bleak, He sent amazing, supportive, loving, good people into my life, and they have made all the difference. To them, and to Him, I am forever grateful.

God's Love

"And I said unto him: I know that He loveth His children; nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things."  -1 Nephi 11:17

"Responding to true love is part of our very being. We innately desire to reconnect here with the love we felt there. Only as we feel God’s love and fill our hearts with His love can we be truly happy."  -Elder John H. Groberg

This is one of my most favorite scriptures. There are so many hard and confusing things in life and so many things in the gospel that we may not fully understand yet. However, these things do not have to stop us from growing and thriving in the gospel. We don't need to know all things. All we need to know is that God knows and loves us. That love will motivate and change us more effectively, quickly and with greater lasting effect than anything else in the world. When we truly begin to understand how dearly God loves us, change becomes natural and instinctive--we want to change for Him. His love will get us through anything. It is enough to sustain us. It is enough to get us through. It will never change, never falter, never fail. We should seek to not just remember, but to feel it every single day. It is real. I know it is.