Nov. 4th and 5th

Friday I was grateful for being busy at work because it helped me to get through the long almost 9 hour work day. I was also grateful for my volleyball game, which was super fun, and helped to fix the small back pain that I was having this week.

Today, I am grateful for my slippers! They are keeping my little toesies warm while I do my homework in our starting to get freezing house. (the walls aren't insulated... ;( ). I am also grateful for old friends and new friends who help me to feel like a child inside when I need it. :)

November for Thankfulness

My sister Danielle is doing this on her blog, so I thought I would do it too. For my posterity, I would love them to know the things I am grateful for in my life up to this point. Each day I will post something I am grateful for, and a story or picture (or both!) that goes along with that.

Today, I am grateful for long hair. Yes, random, but for a good portion of my life, I have had shorter hair. The longest it was in high school was about to my clavicle. I always thought that this was an ideal length for my hair, but the last few years I have had longer hair, and I love it! I think that the longer look is good on me. Maybe when I get married and do all that jazz, I'll join the club and cut my hair. But for now, I am so grateful for long hair!

- It makes my face look thinner? (at least I think so?)

- I only have to wash it every 2-4 days. (don't judge me)

- I can put it up in a pony tail!

- My natural curl looks so much better

- I can do a lot with it!

- I can dye it! - love to do this. too much. Darn it being so expensive.

Yep. Love my hur.

Ah.... November

We did it!!! We made it through October, and with only a few scratches. I almost loved it even. This year I could not get over the beauty of the trees or the colors that I have been surrounded by. Unfortunately, all of the photos I have taken on my phone the last month, got erased when I got the update. :( However, Hannah took this of me as we were playing in the leaves a few Sundays ago.... Kind of a taste of fall with all the leaves.

I had a tough weekend last weekend. Some disappointments mixed with pretty intense feelings of loneliness and missing my parents pretty bad. However, I believe it is when we are most humbled that we receive the most direction.

Friday was the hard day, but then Saturday night things started to look up. We had the adult session of stake conference and I went with my roommate and two fairly attractive men in our ward. It was just a half-hour, but the topics were basically speaking to my soul. The second counselor in the relief society presidency talked about looking up, and the importance of doing that as we move forward with our lives. The 2nd counselor in the stake presidency talked about relationships, and how the men need to get on with dating girls... which they do ;) But even more than that, the spirit of the meeting touched me greatly. I just felt so strongly that my Father in Heaven was acutely aware of my needs, no matter how small and insignificant I felt they were. I gained a testimony that Heavenly Father almost always answers prayers through sending us experiences or people that help us to learn, grow, be stretched, and strengthened.

I know without a doubt that I could not have made it so positively through this weekend, or throughout my life, without my mother. She is amazing, and I love her unconditionally. I may have had some mishaps in other relationships in my life this last week, but I believe it strengthened my relationship I have with my mama, even though she seems to be so physically far away. After the conference, I went on a date that was so refreshing! He is a friend of mine from high school, but we talked about art and music and I just felt so happy to have that small blessing. Then sunday we had the general session of stake conference and that was also wonderful! My good friend Ali who just got her mission call, spoke, along with each member of the stake presidency. It was amazing. The rest of the day was full of socializing and enjoying my ward. I know that I was meant to be in this ward, in this house, with my roommates and the bishopbric that we have etc. How blessed I feel!

Our father in heaven answers our prayers, he is acutely aware of all of us, and of all of our needs, wether big or small. I love this gospel, my Savior, and my family. May we all go forward in faith, not fearing the future, or the past.

So...Life...

First of all. I miss these guys. I have been missing them a lot lately. Historically, October has been one of the hardest months of my life. I'd say, every year, this is when I have my brakedowns, when I just want to run away and cry, and just go to San Diego. I am seriously contemplating it. For lots of reasons. ;). Yesterday I talked to my dad, and man, he is just so wise. I find myself just really missing him, especially after I hang up the phone with him. They are doing amazing though!

I think back on my summer often, and just long for those amazing experiences again, and wonder... Why am I not still there?? I am currently in midterms, I have 2 more this week and one next week. I also have some silly personal stuff to take care of, and, I just have no motivation!!!

However, I have some awesome stuff going on, that I am very grateful for. First of all, my sweet sweet mom got me a pass to 24 hour fitness this summer, which I activated the second day I was back at school, and that place is my home away from home!!! I just love the gym. Lately I have really loved going to the classes that they hold at the gym. Some of my health friends have passes, as does my roommate Whitney and her fiance, so I get to see people that I know and like while I am in these classes. Mostly right now I am obsessed with yoga, and am so grateful that I get to go to these yoga classes! It is such a great time to reflect and just be grateful for the opportunity to breath, relax, and strengthen my body. I recommend it!!

The other thing is that I am in this Dinner group with like 15 people in it, so we get dinner made for us monday through thursday, with us having to make dinner just 3 days the whole semester! I can usually only go like 2 times a week, but still! to not have to worry about dinner is awesome.

Okay and the third little thing I have loved is my super comfy and cozy room and bed! Man, it is like sleeping on butter he he! I also have loved that I can sleep through the night, get enough sleep to be productive in the day, and don't have too many stressors that are out of my control in my life. I love that conference is on the internet, so i can listen to it before I go to bed, and while I get ready in the mornings. I love that my parents are mission presidents and are so good to me. I love that my siblings don't live too far away for me to escape to on the weekends when I feel like not socializing with provo people. I love that I can always get on my knees to pray and be comforted. I love that I go to a school where people have similar values to mine. I love that I am coaching already. I love that I get the chance to date and get to know people (even though these chances are very few and far between these days he he). I love that I have a healthy body. I love that I get to constantly improve, and that I have chosen a career that helps me to be better, while I get to help others be better. It is so awesome. I know that I have been lead to this place in my life, and I am grateful.

I am also grateful that these kids are all home and my buddies. I missed them all while they were away!!!!! Mike came home 3 weeks ago and completed the missing men. Now we just need Jenn back and of course I need Brandi back. All will be well! (Except Allie and McKell are leaving soon for their missions... Darn it... ;))

Don't worry, that's just me and my buddy Kylie in front of the Louvre, only one of my top 10 favorite places in the world.

And. Everything about this picture makes me happy. We even had a bomb.com meal after taking this picture. Man, I love Florence. Can I please go back? Anyone with me?

Alex Boye and the last few weeks

This man. He is da bomb. On Sunday I was able to go to a fireside where Alex Boye was the main event. He told us his conversion story, and helped us to understand that we need to ALWAYS be standing in holy places and look to the Lord in everything we do. His style of public speaking was so fun! He made us laugh with his jokes and his facial expressions, and he definitely helped me to understand that "white mormons" are a little too reserved. He enjoyed and loves the gospel so much, and he didn't hesitate to show it. When he sang he just had so much great energy and he sings with his heart.

I have had some crazy few weeks. I don't know how people do it all in college. It is just an overwhelming time of life. My job is changing how we do things a lot and it is causing us all to work a little more than any of us are really comfortable doing. I am trying to decide if I want to start coaching at UVU or not, I feel as if I could do it for a few hours every other day... It just seems crazy to take on more things when I am trying to simplify my life. I have been able to hang out and go on dates with some really good friends who I just missed so much while they were on their missions. I feel like I can be part of things now, and I am just so grateful for the life that I have.

I don't have much to say beyond this. Life is good! I am learning a lot and trying to stay up with assignments etc. in school, work, and life. I am so grateful for my testimony of the gospel, and for the power that is held in the words of the lord and our prophets. I CAN'T WAIT for conference this weekend. It is getting me through the craziness of life.

It's that time of year

Our cute and comfortable bedroom

Shady ish bathroom...

Very much shady downstairs where we do our laundry. I am scared to do down there...

Our kitchen... I love the cabnents

Our living room. I really like it here. It is cozy and quiet, and the UGLY couches are actually quite comfortable. Anyone know a good/ cheap place to buy couch covers?

ScHOOL. Again. And Work, again. Oh man, it has been so hard for me to get back into the mode! After a summer of so many wonderful opportunities and experiences, it has been hard for me to transition into studying for school and even sometimes attending class. It's only been 2 weeks!!! But I know it will all come back. The scheduling, the stress, staying up late to write papers I didn't remember I had due tomorrow till 11:00pm. the night before... and so much more.

So far, I like most things about my senior year. I have just education classes and health classes minus one class for my senior english class (and let me tell you, my professor is SO boring). I like that the people in my classes are basically the same from class to class, so I have friends in there and we feel comfortable doing group projects together etc. I like that I have a gym membership again so that I can go to my own little oaisis every day and have that hour or so to escape. I love this little house that we live in. It is so cute!! There are some things about it that freak me out like our shower and the small basement where our dryer is (pretty sure animals live down there...), and not having a dishwasher, but other than that it is perfect. It is quiet, open, inviting, and so far, so homey. I am happy to be back with my roommates, and living in a ward that is AWESOME. So far the best ward ever. And I got the best calling ever... I am a Relief Society teacher.

God has blessed me so much. And I am so grateful to him. It's that time of year for school and life to begin again... Bring it on.

The end of BYU Lacrosse

Well. I finally did it. I finally decided not to play lacrosse. After three years of many downs and a few ups, I decided that this my senior year, I would just be a faithful fan. I am so busy working 25 or so hours a week, 16 credit hours, and having hopes of a social life. ;) This decision wasn't easy for me to make, but I know that it was right.

Hard stuff:

Leaving the team that I have grown to love.

Knowing that I won't be a member of a college team anymore... Just a normal student ;)

Disappointing people... possibly.

Not traveling to go and play a sport that I love.

Just knowing that I am done... It is surreal. But nice?

Good stuff:

I have time to do well in school, stay ahead of my assignments, and keep up a normal stress level...

I have time to have a social life, something that many (even past boyfriends) can tell you I never had time for before.

I can coach full time with no interruptions.

I don't have to worry about whether or not I will play in a game, or start in a game.

No more fundraising!!!!!

The opportunity to really train for a race (like a marathon) and attend the gym classes that I want to like Yoga, Cycling, and Body Pump.

Having my weekends free to go and see mom and dad in San Diego.

Yes, for me, this is the end of playing... But it is not at all the end of Lacrosse. This sport runs in my blood now, and I hope it will be a part of me always. I will coach each year, and try and throw around with friends as much as I can. I will be a fan of Lacrosse and sports forever. So it is the end of my personal era, but in so many ways, I know that it is the beginning of so much more.

I am sad. But relieved.

3 week mission

Validia y Jose Manuel. Mi Dos Favouritas Hijos

I was lucky enough to serve a full time, 3 week mission. I was set apart and everything! It was one of the best experiences of my life. It helped to dissapate all of my fears of going on a mission, and helped me to realize, even more, that you can get along with anyone, and that it will only be for your good. I feel like that has been a lot of what this summer has been like for me. I have been able to learn about (and even be basically submersed in) 4 different cultures. Italian, English (it is a different culture, believe me...), French, and Spanish. It has all been so eye opening and incredible. I got called to be a Mormon Battalion sister at the Mormon Battalion Historic Site so we got to meet people from around the world (as far as Israel and as close to come as Sandy UT) and also I was paired up with an AMAZING spanish speaking sister, in a very spanish area (just 3 exits from the boarder of CA and Mexico). What a great adventure this summer has been for me. I am sad to see it ending all too soon. I just have about 1 week left! 

Las Tres Missionares 

I am so grateful that I got this opportunity. I am grateful that I can pray to my father in heaven in two languages, and I am grateful for the humbling experence that this mission has been. What a great cause we are involved in. This work is infinite, and we need to take it to the people we are surrounded by. Never be shy to share the message of the gospel with a friend. They can benifit more from your short disscusions with them about christ, than anything else you could ever talk with them about. I know that Jesus is my Savior. I know that he lived and died for me, and for you. We have the opportunity and ability to return again to live with him and all our loved ones because of his Atonement. We would all be lost without the message of Jesus Christ, both his earthly ministry, and the eternities to come. I know that the book of mormon is true. I know that it contains the message of the restored gospel, and of Jesus Christ. I know that it is THE thing that will help us to strengthen our faith, build up our hope, and bring us comfort in this life, and the life to come. I can't explain the powerful feelings of the spirit I have felt as I have testified of the truthfulness of this book both in the Battalion and in my proselyteing (sp?). I know that it is true, i know that god lives and loves us and that he wants us to be happy. He sent us faimilies and a prophet for that exact reason, and we need to take as much advantage of these blessings as possible. I love my Savior, and I am SOO grateful that I chose to serve (even though it is mini) this mission.