"Luck"

"He worked by day and toiled by night;
He gave up play and all delight.
Dry books he read, new things to learn,
And forged ahead, success to learn,
He plodded on with faith and pluck,
And when he won, men called it luck."

As I am preparing for my mission in the Independence Missouri Mission come February 20th, 2013, it has hit me that this is probably going to be the hardest 18 months of my life. Most rewarding as well but it is going to be hard work! I know I don't fully understand the work of a missionary quite yet, but I have been told by soooo many people these past couple months of the amazing and difficult journey it will be!

The poem above is from "Teach Ye Diligently" by Boyd K. Packer that my dad passed along to me. It talks about how throughout our lives, especially as members of the Church, we are continually teaching and it is designed to help us become better teachers, more like our Savior would teach. This poem in particular hit home to me that it is so possible to be that amazing teacher (or amazing missionary) that you envy or hear about. It requires hard work but it is so possible! Yeah, some people have been blessed with certain gifts that contribute to their success, but work is required. And to anyone that works, it can be given to them. It is not mere "luck" as we envy that "perfect person that just happens to be perfect without having to work a dime"..

Ironic

Member how on September 19th, 2012 (a little over a month ago) I posted
"And ever since I have been thinking a lot about serving a mission! It became so much more real to me since, and I can turn in my papers in about a year.. craaazy"

Well here's the thing.  A LOT can change in a month.  And for me it sure has.

I am going on a mission!  Nothing has ever been more clear to me.  My papers are in.  IN FOLKS.  I am waiting (ever so patiently HA) for my call.  And I could not be happier.  I am dedicating 18 months of my life to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with our brothers and sisters.  I know it won't be easy but I have no doubt in my mind that this is what Heavenly Father had in store for me.  I was sooo incredibly frustrated that nothing was working out for me for next semester. And then bam.  The Big Man Upstairs gave me an answer so strong I could never deny it.  It is the craziest feeling because guys in the church grow up with the mentality of serving a mission at 19.  For girls, at least for me, it was always a "well yeah if I'm not married or we will see where I'm at in school when I'm 21!" Yeah that always seemed so far into the future.  Well now, it is reality and it is here.

I am going on a mission. 

MIA

I can no longer call myself a blogger that's for sure!  When I lived in Hawaii it was such a rollercoaster with probably my highest highs and lowest lows, and I relied on my blog to vent and feel connected to people who were a bijillion miles away. (or so it seemed)  But now that that adventure is in my past, life has simmered down a bit.  Life is still crazy but I guess you could say I just don't crave to blog anymore as I have more of a set routine.

I am still living in Saint George, Utah in thee cutest little apartment which I love.  I love this city/townish vibe I feel here. Who knew I was so obsessed with this place.. So this Fall semester just started back up but I am just working. (still at the Golds Gym daycare and as a delivery driver at Jimmy John's. Stories to come) I lost my scholarship which was a very confusing ordeal, but I will skip those details and just claim that I will live here and work until I can get instate tuition or a scholarship, finish the prereqs for nursing, apply, get accepted, and live happily ever after. If only haha.

Can I just say I have been sooo very blessed with amazing friends and family. Seriously I love them all so much. Shoutout to my best friend Jamie. Yep I am probably tearing up right now. Holy cow she has been there for me through thick and thin and I owe her times a million. She is the one person I can turn to for anything and I think I've said this before but she basically knows more about my life than I can remember myself. Thing 1 just know I love you and could not be more grateful for a friend like you! I'm pretty sure Heavenly Father knew we were going to need each other when we became best friends again Junior Year.

King Casey deserves his own paragraph I just realized. So Jamie, Julie, and I were lucky enough to have the honor to drop King off at the MTC. Wow what an amazing experience! I could not be more proud of him. And in case you were wondering, his letters home have made me laugh just as hard as he does in person! If you have the privilege of knowing this stud, you know that he is the funniest person that has ever existed. And that humor is now entertaining the entire MTC. Speaking of, I honestly loved the experience of seeing the inside of the mysterious mtc gates. And ever since I have been thinking a lot about serving a mission! It became so much more real to me since, and I can turn in my papers in about a year.. craaazy

Here in st g I have met so many people and I love them dearly. My roommate since Spring, Lexi Copley, has become one of my very best friends! Wow I am so grateful for her and the freaking never ending awesome times we have. We are seriously hilarious and probably pee our paints laughing on the daily. Yep she's a keeper friend. From venting about boys and work, to being crazy and funny, to meeting new people, to getting our pina coloda avalanches from Swig, to roadtrips, to game nights, to ignoring people's calls and having anti social nights, to cooking, to gym nights, to singing our hearts out. She is the best.

Well hello there

It's been quite awhile! First off, happy Easter! Hope all of you had a fabulous sabbath.

I don't have much to say.. Maybe that is the reason for my absence? But anyways, the semester will be coming to a close shortly! And my mind is blown. Time goes by so freaking fast in college I swear. Basically, I still love it here. I go to school. I work at the childcare in Gold's Gym. (And love it. Get to see soo many munchkins) I played on two intramural volleyball teams, which just got over, sadly. I have been on some dates. I've met lots of people. Rekindled some friendships. I love my ward. Went to lots of homecomings and farewells this semester. I made a trip home to AZ. LOVED general conference last week. Overall, life is great and I am one happy girl. I will be staying here this summer, working, and am excited to continue my journey here in st g!

p.s. feeling a tad lazy for pictures.. until next time my friends!

Falling together

So today has been amazing so far and I am going to burst unless I blog. Church was seriously so great. I felt the Spirit so so strong today. I partook of the sacrament, I was uplifted by the speakers, I was reminded of how very blessed I am. Then I was taught by the greatest teacher ever! Brother Kings. He has made a huge impact on my life and I was once again prompted that I am meant to be here at Dixie in St. George, Utah. I was meant to hear that lesson today. And I was meant to have these roommates that I have and learn from each of them. I have grown so much this semester already!

I know that the gospel of Jesus Christ is true and that it was restored to the Earth by Joseph Smith, a prophet of God. I am so thankful that I was raised in this church. I love it with all of my heart! And that makes me want to share it with others because I know I am as happy as I am, because of it. I want others to know that they can be sealed to their families for eternity. That they can turn to Jesus Christ their Savior for anything and everything. I want them to be happy.

Funny story. For some reason I thought today was going to be stake conference.. So Friday I was freaking out because I promised myself I would finish the Book of Mormon in time for stake conference, like we were challenged. I stayed up for hours and hours reading it. Not only was it for the deadline, but I could not put it down. Read it and I promise you that it will bring a peace and a comfort into your life that wasn't there before. And then you can learn for yourself that it's true and inspired of God, an addition to the Bible. Another testament of Jesus Christ. Anyways, I found out stake conference is NEXT week. But I'm glad I was mistaken on the date because it was a very cool experience.. 

I believe that every church has some truth. There are so many amazing people that aren't LDS that do so many amazing things. But all I know, is that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has the fullness of the gospel. It is Christ's church restored. We have latter-day prophets who guide us, and the priesthood to bless us. It all makes too much sense. I love it so much! And I feel like all these pieces of my life are falling together. I am absolutely loving life.

Overwhelmed

Almost a month later, and I am still so overwhelmed that I love it so much here. I don't know if I have ever been happier. I feel proud of myself, accomplished, loved, happy, blessed, confident, and excited for my future. I keep having a conversation in my head wondering why I am so incredibly happy here. Sometimes I tell myself that it's just a "high and excitement being in a new place" that will eventually wear off. But in all honesty, I believe this is Heavenly Father's way in telling me this is where I am meant to be. Time for an update!

I'm taking a rock climbing class and I absolutely love it. I'm not good by any means, but it is such a blast every week and it's great trying something new and exciting.

Thursdays have become my favorite day.

My roommate's birthday was a hit. She was out with her fam all day but Danica and I made a 19 out of cupcakes for her to come home to. Then we hit up Menchies and came home, played dress up and danced our little hearts out.

One weekend I went with a group down to Cedar for a dance. Then afterwards we met Chanel's bro and he gave us free Krave!

We went with a group to a bonfire/ night hike adventure. It was great fun!

Now for the big ONE NINE. I celebrated with the parents and alisa in Vegas the weekend before my actual birthday!

 On the drive home, Lexi and I saw a bijillion rainbows it was insane!

On my actualy bday, I woke up to all of our apartment mirrors attacked by my roommates. Seriously love them.

Then I went to Denny's with the roomies for my free birthday breakfast. Had classes, napped, worked. Then I went to the vow with ash, lex, and julia! LOVED it. Then we got Menchies and stayed up chatting way too late. great, great birthday!

Once again, I love it here and as far as I'm concerned, I am here for good. Taking life a day at a time!

One of them days.

I just want to curl up in a blanket, catch up my blog, and maybe watch a movie. 

Member when I posted back when I was in Hawaii and I had five thousand decisions to choose from for this semester? Yeah that seems like ages ago. And thinking now that I considered going to India blows my mind. I could have been in Australia as well. But I chose St. George, Utah! Yeah call me crazy folks. I know without a doubt this is where Heavenly Father would have me be at this point in time. Don't ask me why. All I can tell you is that I am so extremely happy here in good ole st g. Let me introduce you to my apartment.

This right here is Danica Pickett. She is beyond awesome. I am pretty much always peeing my pants laughing when I'm with her.

Sharayah Willard. Head cheerleader here at Dixie and freaking hilarious. She also just cooked us this scrumptious dinner. Yeah we love her.

My actual roommate is Alexi Copley and she is a SWEETHEART. Weirdly we don't have any pictures of us yet but she is the one on my right. Oh and she loves tweeting! Seriously though. Lots.

Jayme Pickett for the grand finale. She is in the picture above on the top far right. She is the mother of E1. She is my busy busy bee and always on the go or running late! Haha we love her.

To say that I was blessed with good roommates would be an understatement. I was secretly really nervous to come to a new college in kind of a random place. But you know what? I have received multiple promptings to get myself here and I'm still not quite sure why.. but all I know is that I am happy and that is good enough for the time being!

Momma doc

My mom should make way more money than she does. Let me just say, she knew more than the doc and was a lot more helpful than he was. And I didn't have to pay her a $75 co-pay..


Moving on.
I went to Provo for the 3 day weekend! It was great fun. My roommate and I had a grand road trip and then went our separate ways to stay with our friends for the weekend. 

Jamie's bday din. Words do not describe how grateful I am for her.

Preston threw brynn in the fire. almost.

Oh just dancing like the good souls they are.

Warming up by the fire

We went to Julie's ward and the relief society room REEKED up a storm. Seriously though, mixture of dirty diaper and rotten egg.

"blind date" kinda.

There you have it! I love roadtrips. I love my roommate. I love my friends. I love Utah. And I love that I felt home when I returned to apartment E1.

ouch

My brain literally hurts.

This semester is going to be tough! And wait it's the 3rd day? awesome. Haha but I freaking love ST G!!! I love my apartment. I love my roommates. I love having my car. I love wearing wintery clothes. I love walking to school. I love my ward. I love it so far!

This weekend my roommate and I are driving down to Provo for the weekend! So that will be super fun and I'm sure it'll be post-worthy. Until then.

Hey guys

So I'm back for an update. On thee greatest Christmas break! Seriously though, I am SO blessed. 

Reunited with two of my best friends.

Dyed my hair dark. And got pedis with the mom and sisters! (Sadly, we didn't get a pic with all of us) Just look at my cute prego sis.

Became re-obsessed with my 2 nephews and 2 nieces. 

Yeah, I love them.

My brother Devin got married! It was way too fun to have all of the extended family from both sides gather together. Best feeling being home.

Love him so freaking much. We are the weirdest together and I love it. And I miss living at home together and being so ridiculous. He has always been a good example to me. Love you dev!

My entire fam went to bbucks and it was yummmy. I have missed working there!

Holy DELISH Christmas Eve dinner. (yes I have gained a thousand pounds over break, it's fine)

Christmas Eve is always my fave.

We went on a hayride, looked at Christmas lights, and sang too loud.

If you tell him to say "cheeez" this is the reaction every time. I love my Branson boy!

Brynlee with the speaker! Check out her cutest hat.

I couldn't snap a picture fast enough, but all four grandkids were tackling Braden over and over again at the same time. They were all screaming and dying laughing. Cutest sight I tell ya.

Christmas morning was a blast with all of the kids. And we also received the greatest news that my other sister Jennica is also pregnant:) 2 on the way! Being an aunt is the greaatest I swear.

Many many park trips. Love this picture and love my reesey girl.

We went to the train park in Scottsdale for Branson's bday! It was the cutest place and so much fun. I look up to both Jen and Mitch so much. They are such great examples of parents and hope for a good, fun marriage.

My gorgeous sister Camille. And Brynlee refusing to look at the camera because we couldn't get on her color of train car....

birthday boy!

cutest cousins.

This munchkin would not stop hiking her skirt up.

New Years Eve was spent with these two lovely ladies at the YSA iceskating thing. It was a lot of fun! Minus the fact that I still can not ice skate. Don't judge. Oh and wanna hear how embarrassing my friends are? I was completely reliable on them to get around the rink and they kept asking random boys to help me and I couldn't ever get away fast enough. So one kid literally dragged me around forever and they took off. cracking up. my friends rock..

Just yesterday I went snowboarding with Jules, Brade, and his friend Breanna. So much fun!

Like I said, thee greatest break ever! I had a blast. And the best part was being with my family constantly. I didn't capture some of my favorites with them but almost every night we played games and always stayed up late, laughing hysterically. I love them so much.

Now it is on to new adventures. I don't quite know what to expect at Dixie, but I do know that's where I am supposed to be at this point in my life. I leave Friday.. wish me luck!