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.