For the Beauty of the Earth

I went for a drive up a canyon here in Cache Valley.

Whoever says that there isn't a God and that He didn't create the earth and has a special plan for His children obviously doesn't know what they are talking about.

Beautiful Life

I don't have facebook, but I do get on with someone else's account to just check up on friends from high school to see what is going on in their lives. It is amazing to see all of the girls that are getting married, what amazing achievements they are all making, the lives they are blessing, and the beautiful lives that they are leading. It is so crazy to think that I am in college. I still can't believe it. I love the college life and just life in general right now! Thinking about how fun it must be for those taking the next step in life if it be marriage, a career, adventures in other countries, and so many other things I begin to feel so excited and warm inside like my life is wonderful and I could be in any of their positions in the next few years. I haven't been this happy and just wanting to go and conquer the world in a long time :) It is such amazing feeling! I am so glad that this summer has been so eventful and active. The hermit has come out of its shell so watch out! Oh how blessed I am to be alive, living in Logan, have fantastic friends and family, have someone in my life that I care about so much more than I thought I ever could, and constantly trying to strengthen my testimony. I'm not going to movies or spending money on expensive vacations or doing really anything that the world would think you need to be happy and I am completely pleased at where I am at! Life isn't any easier than it was yesterday, last year, 5 years ago, or any easier than it will be 5 years from now, but I love it!

So I just thought I would share a tid bit of my sunshine with you all! Remember that you have a Father in Heaven that loves you and you can't go wrong :) AH! I love life! What a beautiful life I am living. :)

How I Love to See the Temple!

I've never felt so much like the temple was a place of refuge until today. Standing inside I couldn't help feel like I was being watched over and that there were others that I cannot physically see that are helping me along my journey of life. My testimony of making righteous decisions and remembering who I am has grown so much as well. Having the temple so close and striving to go often has been a tremendous blessing in my life. I can't imagine what it would be like to not be able to go inside! What extreme heartache that would bring. Oh how blessed we all are to know the truth and answers so many look for. Oh how I love to see the temple and be reminded of what great things are in store.

It Only Took a Sunset

I started writing this post with the intention to vent and vent about how awful I feel and how frustrated I am. I was at the end of my post when I looked to my right and saw a gold light coming from the window in the kitchen. Its not the typical light that the sun brings, but somehow the rainclouds, that had totally ruined a perfect day to be outside, were helping create a warm, gold color. Just outside was one of the most beautiful sunsets I have ever seen and all I had to do was step out the front door, no need to fly to Monterey, California or hike to the peaks of a mountain...it was just...there. And then I got to thinking, how blessed am I to even see?! I may not be able to hike for the next little while (hopefully just for a little while), but at least I have hiked! I've danced my whole life, a little break can't keep me down, and I'm lucky to have to legs that function!

So how funny is this? One moment I'm in the dumps, more than I have been in a long time, and then the next moment I see a light and all my woes are washed away. None of my problems have been solved, my foot hurts, I can't hike, I can't dance, I'm not even supposed to walk barefoot around my apartment, but looking out off the porch like I do everyday, my eyes were opened. I still feel bummed and a little blue, but I know that God loves me. He cares about me and wants me to be happy. And He knows me well enough to know that just a sunset would make me smile...one of His beautiful creations. How lucky am I?

 

"Its not the power of the curse, its the power you give the curse." -Penelope

11:06 p.m.

My grandmother was the sweetest lady you would ever know. I have never heard her ask for anything or ever complain. She always sent us cards on birthdays, Valentine's, Christmas, and any other special occasion you could think of. My grandma had a strong heart and worked hard to make everyone happy and know that they were loved. The first time I went to the temple she was there to walk me through and make sure I knew what came next and now the temple means even more to me.

When I wear my grandma's earrings today I will remember her and all that she did for me.

The last memory I have of her isn't a happy one, but I have many other memories to look back on and remember her beautiful smile.

I love you Grandma, I hope you knew that.

Dear Sister

Growing up with a bunch of older half brothers and some younger brothers was fun, but I always wanted a sister. I have a sister, a half sister to be technical, but we have always been in different stages in life growing up and she lives on the East coast so I don't get to see her very much. Now she's moving overseas because of an opportunity with her husband's job. I love Mindi and now that she is moving even further away I probably won't be able to see her for a few years. I just wish that I had been better at making sure that when I did get to see her that I was spending that time wisely. Instead of wishing for a sister that would be more convenient to be close to, I wish that I had tried harder to be close to the sister that I have.

I remember growing up and thinking how beautiful Mindi was. She is still beautiful! When I wanted to start wearing a lot of make-up to 'fit in' when I was in middle school, my mom reminded me of how pretty Mindi was even though she didn't wear tons of make-up. Mindi let her natural beauty show.

Mindi and her husband, Colby, have brought two sweet, sweet boys to this earth. Jack and Gavin are not only adorable, but so kind, sweet, and loving especially for being so young. Mindi has also become another role model of the type of mother that I would like to become once it is my time to marry and start a family.

This has been a huge lesson for me. Sometimes I get nervous when we have another addition to the family. I'm afraid that they won't like me because I'm just the obnoxious, chatty younger sister or that its hard to relate when we are in totally different stages of life. To be honest, one of the reasons I chose to go to school in Logan because most of my older siblings came to school here and I felt like maybe I could get closer to them somehow by going to school here. It didn't really work out the way I thought it would, but I love Logan anyways.

So don't let insecurity or assumptions get in the way of getting closer to the ones that you love. You'll regret it and although we will be able to see our loved ones after we die, that shouldn't give us the excuse not to use our time here on the earth to grow close to them as well.

Summer Adventure #1

I was home for about 5 days (it was weird, I won't lie) and came back "home" today. After work I went to my friend, Nate's, apartment because tomorrow is his birthday and I figured we would celebrate it tonight since he would be gone tomorrow. I took over cake mix I got from my grandmother's house. The cake turned out really well (complete surprise to me) and we played the most epic game of Parcheesi EVER!

Well in cleaning up our cake mess, well just cleaning the boys' apartment kitchen in general, I took Cameron, Nate's roommate, and Nate by surprise and splashed the them with water and then I ran to lock myself in the bathroom. I knew that I was in deep trouble and if I came out that I would be soaked in an instant, but I couldn't lose. The only way of escape was through the small window on the opposite side of the door. Cameron had already guessed that I would try and go out that way and had been previously sat outside the window staring at me like the biggest creep. Moments later it got a little quiet and I could tell that the boys were trying to figure out how to get into the bathroom so I had to think quick. There hadn't been a lot of noise outside the bathroom so I slid it open and listened. Nothing but the wind; it was time. I carefully popped the screen out and popped my head out as far as I could. The window was pretty high on the wall and the window well was very small. Looking out I figured it would be a miracle if I could pull myself up into the well let alone get out. I used my rock climbing skills to see different spots to place my feet to push myself higher into the well. It took me a minute, but I finally pulled myself out through the 18"-ish window and the window well not much larger.

I thought that was quite the adventure but writing it down doesn't make it seem quite as exciting. After getting out I just walked into the backyard and laid in the hammock waiting to see how long it took them to find me and discover that I was no longer in the bathroom.

Until the next adventure.