i wasn't exactly sure what to title this post but joy seemed to be fitting. I ended up not making it home for Thanksgiving because of "the storm of the century" that hit Utah and sure enough Provo only got a dusting of snow. I ended up going to Grandma's and seeing some extended family that I hadn't seen in a while. It wasn't quite the same but I am still grateful for the opportunity I had to see them. Later that week I went to my Grandpa's brother's funeral and I was really grateful that I could be there with him. The plan of salvation brings me so much joy and comfort. It was wonderful to remember his life and have comfort in knowing that the joy he brought to those who knew him now will continue in the next life.
The looming finals week have finally arrived and leading up to finals it sometimes is hard for me to really feel the Christmas spirit when I'm not home and focused on school. But this year I really have felt the love and spirit of the season each day. My roommate and I have put together two Christmas puzzles this year and just focused on sharing the bringing the spirit of the season. Yesterday being Sunday we had our Christmas program and it was such a wonderful feeling. We made treats and decided to visit people. We got busy and ended up not being able to visit the people we wanted but on the spur of the moment I decided to go and visit a friend of mine. As she answered the door she started to cry and was so happy I was there. I could not have felt more loved! It brought so much joy that I could be there for someone. After I got home my roommate and I had a friend come over and he was just so happy and filled with the spirit of the season. It was so uplifting to us for him to be so happy and visit us.
Not only was it wonderful to see all these people around me but my sister sent me a message on Facebook that said:
"I would like to publicly announce to the entire world that my sister is the most amazing wonderful steller kind and sweet girl I know and anyone who disagrees with me must not know her! I love you sissy!"
I cannot lie, it brought tears to my eyes. I love her so much! and am so grateful that I am blessed with her and she is such a joy in my life. I love the spirit of the season and I always try to feel and share it all year long! I am grateful for the season and to feel the joy and love the celebration of our Savior's birth brings to this time of year!
Monday, December 13, 2010
Sunday, November 21, 2010
21 and what have I done?
Today's the day and I'm on my way! I turned 21 this week and have been reflecting back on what direction my life is going. I've wondered where 21 years went. Yes there are a few that I just can't remember only for the reason that is was 19 years ago. I do have a few memories from being three but not too many. Overall, I don't think I've gone too far astray. I reflected and thought about how fast life has actually gone. There is one reoccurring strand in my life that started at day -1. I know I don't have any recollection of this night but it sure is a story that is told often and I am grateful. It was a Friday night when my parents decided it was time to head to the hospital to bring their very first baby girl into this world. It was the picturesque dark and stormy night. As they were headed up the canyon my parents saw a hitchhiker. She was out in the rain and needed to get to work or she would lose her job. My parents had sympathy on her and gave her a ride to work. This single act alone has been brought to my mind countless times. Sometimes I think that I must not have been that important if I could wait while they took a girl to work but then I think about the great love that my parents had for a stranger and how I'm sure they were thinking that years ago that girls parents were on their way to the hospital to have her. After a chastised myself for being selfish I think that maybe I cared for her too because I was patient enough to wait a little bit longer to come so we could get her to work. From that day service has been a part of my very being. I couldn't imagine a better way to spend my 21st birthday than doing. Most people for their 21st birthday do a little more crazy things that they can do now that they are 21 but I thought about where I wanted my life to go and I decided today was the day and I'm on my way to be a better disciple of Jesus Christ. I want to be worthy in his sight so when He needs someone to do His work I can be there ready and willing. There were so many things that I did that if I wasn't actively looking for things to do that I could serve people I would have never seen that opportunity to serve.
As I've reflected on these 21 years and how fast they have gone by I realized that each one of us should live for each day. Never put things off until you have more time to do them because that day will never come. We need to make time for those things that are important to us and to our future. Live everyday with no regret. Be the best you can each day and strive to be even better tomorrow. The Lord understands and we are doing better than we think we are. But we need to be doing better.
As I've reflected on these 21 years and how fast they have gone by I realized that each one of us should live for each day. Never put things off until you have more time to do them because that day will never come. We need to make time for those things that are important to us and to our future. Live everyday with no regret. Be the best you can each day and strive to be even better tomorrow. The Lord understands and we are doing better than we think we are. But we need to be doing better.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
My very own horror film..
Well first of all I hate scary movies! I don't like being scared and I am perfectly content with being happy and content when I go to be that someone is not going to kill me in my sleep. So on Saturday my roommates and I were at the mall having a great time. It was a perfect day and we were happy with out purchases and on our way home. I drove so we hopped in the car and was talking and then my roommate gets that look that you see in horror films when someone is behind you and she starts saying my name very slowly. After saying it a few times I turn around and see and very scary woman tapping on my window. My mom always taught me that if someone were to attack me or something that I should scream to alert people around me that I was not safe. So just like I've been taught I screamed bloody murder! I'm pretty sure the whole mall could have heard me. The woman was so drugged that she didn't even blink! After using all the air in my lungs about 3 times over and somehow, at some point, hit the door lock button but not the window button I asked he what she wanted. She responding that she wanted money I'm sure the look on my face should have scared her, and when I said No! a little more dramatically that I needed to, but remember the amounts of adrenaline running through my body were extremely high, she walked away.
Thinking about this all I remember is seeing the whole situation as if I were watching it in a movie. It was a very scary moment in my life yet I was able to at least scream loud enough that someone, obviously my roommates, could hear me and potentially save me. My mom would be so proud!
Thinking about this all I remember is seeing the whole situation as if I were watching it in a movie. It was a very scary moment in my life yet I was able to at least scream loud enough that someone, obviously my roommates, could hear me and potentially save me. My mom would be so proud!
General Authorities and Football!
Last weekend I had the opportunity to sit in the President's box for the BYU football game. President Samuelson, the President of BYU invited the Service Council and luckily I was able to pass the security clearance and was able to go. Not only do you have an amazing view of the field in the president's box and get fed food the ENTIRE time you are there and you are protected from the elements you also get to sit with other people to sit in the presidents box. Other people who is there are: Vice presidents of BYU senators, and...General Authorities! People who truly have dedicated everything they have to be an instrument for the Lord. Our greatest living examples of living Christlike lives. Those who are called my the Lord who are prophets, seers, and revelators to pass on messages from the Lord to us in this day. I had the opportunity to sit and watch a football game with them! I couldn't imagine a better or safer place to be!
During halftime we had the opportunity to meet and talk with Elder Bednar. He is a very sharp man. He is so kind and loving and loves his wife very much. He asked each of us where we were from and really cared to get to know each of us. He even remembered that he had been to Nyssa and spoken at our Stake Conference, even though he forgot what he spoke on I still think about his talk and being a modern day pioneer. One thing that I thought was a fun fact was he had the new iphone. He's very up to date with technology. He even told us a secret! Though it was only a secret that was to be kept for a few days it still was cool to be in on the workings of the twelve.
Elder Perry was also there. Now if you see him on TV he looks like any other old man but when you meet him in person you realize he HUGE!! He's 6'4" and just a big man! He is so happy and enjoyed meeting all of us. During halftime while I was talking to him he asked us why we were being so quite at a football game. I explained to him that we were told that we had to behave ourselves and we were trying out best. He informed us that it was a football game and he wanted to hear a little more cheering from us! So of course we were happy to obey! For that last bit of the game I got to sit next him and just sit and chat. I truly love getting to know them as individuals and feel the love they have. I also loved to see them in a more relaxed setting. Of course they were still in suits (they don't even go to the grocery store without a suit on) but it was good just to spend time a feel of the great spirits.
The most special moment of the whole day was when Elder Perry as we were talking to him said, "I just love your spirits, you all have such a great spirit about you." It was really touching and it made me think about all the things going on in my life and really if nothing else matters I want to have a life and spirit pleasing unto the Lord. I love my Savior and am grateful for the opportunity I had to be in the presence of those closest to Him on this earth. I can't wait until Women's Conference in the Spring when I will have this opportunity again!
During halftime we had the opportunity to meet and talk with Elder Bednar. He is a very sharp man. He is so kind and loving and loves his wife very much. He asked each of us where we were from and really cared to get to know each of us. He even remembered that he had been to Nyssa and spoken at our Stake Conference, even though he forgot what he spoke on I still think about his talk and being a modern day pioneer. One thing that I thought was a fun fact was he had the new iphone. He's very up to date with technology. He even told us a secret! Though it was only a secret that was to be kept for a few days it still was cool to be in on the workings of the twelve.
Elder Perry was also there. Now if you see him on TV he looks like any other old man but when you meet him in person you realize he HUGE!! He's 6'4" and just a big man! He is so happy and enjoyed meeting all of us. During halftime while I was talking to him he asked us why we were being so quite at a football game. I explained to him that we were told that we had to behave ourselves and we were trying out best. He informed us that it was a football game and he wanted to hear a little more cheering from us! So of course we were happy to obey! For that last bit of the game I got to sit next him and just sit and chat. I truly love getting to know them as individuals and feel the love they have. I also loved to see them in a more relaxed setting. Of course they were still in suits (they don't even go to the grocery store without a suit on) but it was good just to spend time a feel of the great spirits.
The most special moment of the whole day was when Elder Perry as we were talking to him said, "I just love your spirits, you all have such a great spirit about you." It was really touching and it made me think about all the things going on in my life and really if nothing else matters I want to have a life and spirit pleasing unto the Lord. I love my Savior and am grateful for the opportunity I had to be in the presence of those closest to Him on this earth. I can't wait until Women's Conference in the Spring when I will have this opportunity again!
Thursday, November 4, 2010
The MTC
Well the whole month of October went wayy too fast. The end came and before I knew it the time had come when Zac was headed to the MTC. I drove home the weekend before to hear him speak and for the party. I had to leave Sunday to be back to class and he came down with mom on Monday. We went out to eat at Good Wood BBQ for his last supper and then Wednesday morning we got everything ready at got him all dressed up. I was doing great until Dad called and asked mom how I was doing. I've never done anything without Zac and really hadn't adequately prepared to have him leave. I kept telling myself that I wouldn't want him anywhere else in the world! Which I don't. I'm so proud of him and know that he is making an incredible sacrifice and if he is that willing to serve the Lord and really go as far out of his comfort zone as he is than I can really make any sacrifice to serve the Lord. He is a great example to me and I am missing him greatly! He's only been gone a week and has already gotten 3 letters from me! But if that keeps us close and him a little more comfortable and safe I'll do anything for him. I'm not sure if it was harder from me or Mom dropping him off at the MTC. I was trying so hard to be strong but it really was hard. As I was standing there on the curb with him I just wanted to leave everything behind and go and serve the Lord and nothing else! But I do know the Lord has a plan for me and to be His servant where I can best be an instrument I need to be here. I love what I'm doing and I'm so grateful for the testimony that Zac has and his willingness to be obedient and serve the Lord.
General Relief Society Meeting
Being a part of Women's Conference I received a letter from the General Relief Society Presidency that invited me and guests to come to conference. I called and was only supposed to have two tickets but when I called they said that I could have up to four. So of course I took four!! I called my mom and she was able to come down as well as both my grandma's were able to come. One had never seen the prophet in person and it was a great experience for everyone. It was so amazing to sit so close! We were in the 9th row from the front! We were so close we could see everyone's facial expressions as they spoke. All of the talks were wonderful and very helpful in getting an idea in what the they feel is important for women of the church to hear.
General Conference
Zac came down this weekend and spent some time with friends from Morgan before he leaves. I had tickets to a Saturday session and Zac had never been before so we went before he left on his mission. It was a great experience to go with him. I'm excited for him to leave on his mission but I really want to go with him!
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Effects Pornography has on Women
On Thursday my roommate and I went to a fireside by Jeffery Stewart about the effects pornography has on women and marriages. It really was an informative fireside especially when one wife told her story of her recovery process. I never realized that there was a recovery process for wives when their spouses were addicted to pornography. If you would like more information on helping combat the plague of our day the churches website for combating pornography and help for everyone involved is:
http://combatingpornography.org/cp/eng/
http://combatingpornography.org/cp/eng/
Junioritis...
So it's now two weeks into school and I've barely done any homework! I just love being here and enjoy learning but not exactly the homework part. In all it honestly isn't too bad and there have been some good reasons not to do homework! Over Labor Day weekend my brother and sister came down and it was super fun! We went shopping for some missionary things and hand some good times. We aren't very good at taking pictures so we had to take one before the weekend was over.
It was also the first BYU football game of the season! I love BYU football! Here is our group who will be so excited the whole season. We are proud to not be distinguished as fair weather fans! Go BYU!!
The service center has also been super busy! I've never seen so many people in the offices. It makes me so excited to see how many people just come in because they want to serve! They truly love the Lord and are willing to be an instrument in His hand.
I have been to my Women's Conference meeting for a few weeks now and it is one of the most incredible things I have ever been a part of. The women that I associate with at this meeting are extraordinary. Most are on some kind of general axillary committee for the church. Each one of them are great examples to be and I'm not sure how I have been blessed with the opportunity to serve with these women. I am excited to continue on in this endeavor and to learn and grow closer to my Savior.
I am a junior now and as I realized at the beginning of this semester, I'm running out of classes to take. I know I have classes to take but they are not available with other classes. (For some reason someone thought it would be fun to schedule all the classes I need to take all at the same time!) I was really feeling uncomfortable about my schedule before the first day of school but I just thought it was nerves. I wasn't sure why because I've been going to school for a few years now and I think I got the hang of it. But as I went to the first few of my classes I realized that I couldn't have this schedule. One class was conflicting with my Women's Conference meeting and without that I wouldn't have enough credits to keep my scholarship. So I made a few changes, and a few changes again, and again. By Wednesday I had changed my schedule six different times. Finally on Wednesday I thought I should go about this the right way and pray about it. So I did, and surely I am grateful for how patient the Lord is with me. He already told me what I needed to do last week it just didn't register with me. Like He always is, He was patient and waited for me to learn my lesson but still kept me close. I'm grateful for the power of prayer and a loving Heavenly Father who allows us to have such a personal relationship with Him.
It was also the first BYU football game of the season! I love BYU football! Here is our group who will be so excited the whole season. We are proud to not be distinguished as fair weather fans! Go BYU!!
The service center has also been super busy! I've never seen so many people in the offices. It makes me so excited to see how many people just come in because they want to serve! They truly love the Lord and are willing to be an instrument in His hand.
I have been to my Women's Conference meeting for a few weeks now and it is one of the most incredible things I have ever been a part of. The women that I associate with at this meeting are extraordinary. Most are on some kind of general axillary committee for the church. Each one of them are great examples to be and I'm not sure how I have been blessed with the opportunity to serve with these women. I am excited to continue on in this endeavor and to learn and grow closer to my Savior.
I am a junior now and as I realized at the beginning of this semester, I'm running out of classes to take. I know I have classes to take but they are not available with other classes. (For some reason someone thought it would be fun to schedule all the classes I need to take all at the same time!) I was really feeling uncomfortable about my schedule before the first day of school but I just thought it was nerves. I wasn't sure why because I've been going to school for a few years now and I think I got the hang of it. But as I went to the first few of my classes I realized that I couldn't have this schedule. One class was conflicting with my Women's Conference meeting and without that I wouldn't have enough credits to keep my scholarship. So I made a few changes, and a few changes again, and again. By Wednesday I had changed my schedule six different times. Finally on Wednesday I thought I should go about this the right way and pray about it. So I did, and surely I am grateful for how patient the Lord is with me. He already told me what I needed to do last week it just didn't register with me. Like He always is, He was patient and waited for me to learn my lesson but still kept me close. I'm grateful for the power of prayer and a loving Heavenly Father who allows us to have such a personal relationship with Him.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Room Roommate
Growing up I always thought I would love having my own room. Those nights when my sister or I would read until 3 or 4 in the morning and keep the other awake. Or I was talking on the phone and wanted privacy but she could still be in there because "it was her room too!" In college I've always had a roommate but for the last few weeks I've had a room to myself. My old roommate moved out and my new one just moved it. Every night between now and then I have actually dreaded going to bed! I hate going to bed alone. I miss having someone to talk to. I miss someone being there if I have a bad dream just to be sure that I'm not alone and I'm okay. I even miss the noise of someone else in the room rustling or snoring. (The extra noise makes it difficult to hear the monsters.)
I As I thought about it the other night as I was laying there alone I was so grateful for the endless nights that my sister and I would lay awake at night talking. Or the nights that even when we were teenagers and we would have a bad dream and climb in bed with each other. I miss getting the giggles late at night with her and having my parents yell down the hall countless time to roll over and go to sleep. I love my sister dearly and even though we had our spats sharing a room or sharing a bed and I couldn't keep my feet on my side of the bed she really was a great roommate. I always am so grateful for her little act of service of clearing all her stuff off my bed when I come home and even turning the covers down for me when I get home late.
I'm excited to have a roommate again and look forward to not being alone with just the monsters under my bed. (Though my blanket made by my mom has protected me many a nights) c:
I As I thought about it the other night as I was laying there alone I was so grateful for the endless nights that my sister and I would lay awake at night talking. Or the nights that even when we were teenagers and we would have a bad dream and climb in bed with each other. I miss getting the giggles late at night with her and having my parents yell down the hall countless time to roll over and go to sleep. I love my sister dearly and even though we had our spats sharing a room or sharing a bed and I couldn't keep my feet on my side of the bed she really was a great roommate. I always am so grateful for her little act of service of clearing all her stuff off my bed when I come home and even turning the covers down for me when I get home late.
I'm excited to have a roommate again and look forward to not being alone with just the monsters under my bed. (Though my blanket made by my mom has protected me many a nights) c:
Monday, August 16, 2010
What I do Have
Living in Provo, Utah is an experience. It's a great experience but it does have its downfalls. It's hard not to get stuck in the bubble. Where everyone is young and getting married going to school and nothing has yet to jade us. However, for those of us who are single as well the pressure is on! It's a race to the alter! But there is a journey before that that sometimes gets us down. When you go to school at BYU most of us were at the top of our class, school was easy for us, we were loved, we were talented, had so much potential and were looked up to. We were going places. And we're here! This is a great place! It's a place that is filled with wonderful people that can help us grow and be better for the rest of our lives. But sometimes we get lost in comparing ourselves to others. I am guilty of it. I look at others who get better grades, who are better looking, who are farther along in school than I am, who have beautiful talents that I do not have, or those who just seem to have it all together all the time. I look at them and wish that I could just fill my cup a little more with some great blessing that they have. Those times when I get down on myself for little reasons like this I always come back to a quote that keeps me afloat is, "My relationship with my Heavenly Father does not depend on my sister." The Lord loves me for who I am and as long as I am doing my best that is all the Lord asks of me. As I think of the things that I do have I can not even imagine with the Lord blessing me more than I already have. So as I titled this post I want to write down what I do have. The things in my life that make me who I am and give me the opportunity to go and become a greater servant and instrument for the Lord.
I have an amazing family that loves me and would drop anything in the world if I needed them. They even miss me when I'm gone. They have shaped who I have become and let me grow as an individual. They have ingrained in me the desire to serve others.
I have the Center for Service and Learning. This is so broad. It gives me the opportunity to serve others at this time in my life.
I have the service council. I love the other members of the service council! Each one of them inspires me in a different way. They are all great people that have such a capacity to love and a great desire to serve not only the people around them but their Savior.
I have a healthy body. Though there have been minor rough patches I have been blessed with a strong healthy body that gives me the opportunity to feel good and carry out the thing the Lord would have me do and almost any capacity.
I have a job. At this time and in this economy I truly am grateful for a job. I love working at the country club an getting to know people. Though I have not taken advantage of the free golf Mondays I have learned a thing or two while spending countless hours watching people, and some attempting to, play golf.
I have be blessed with the opportunity to go to school, to a great school. And to top off going to a great school I have been blessed with someone who saw potential in me and decided to invest in me an education. Everyday I am thankful for the scholarship that I have received that has changed my life, in reality, forever.
I have great friends. Some are close and some are very far away. Some are in a very different part of their lives than I am but I learn so much from them and they help me to better prepare for that time in my life. I have friends that I see everyday that always keep a smile on my face. From laughs in the wee hours of the morning to heart to heart talks about our greatest dreams and goals and things we struggle with and how to become better.
I have incredible roommates that somewhere along the way we stopped being just roommates and truly became sisters. We have been a rock for each other. Through the hard times and through the the beautiful ones. We have always stood together and in the Lord. I love that we make our apartment a place where the Spirit can reside. A place that is truly filled with love and happiness. I will always love these girls and am grateful for the way we can become who we want to be someday, today. That we build each other up and are there when we fall. I can't imagine life without these girls who really are my sisters.
I have direction in my life. I know where I am going, I know what I want to do with my life, and I have a plan to get there. I want to work with cancer kids and I am well on my way. I love cancer camp. I have an opportunity every summer to let those kids change my life, and they do every time. I am so happy and can not wait to be with these kids every day instead of just a week in the summer.
I have so much LOVE to give! I ready and willing to love anyone who comes into my life. I have such a belief in the power that love has in a person's life. The power and confidence one has when they know they are loved and of the Lord's love for them. The Lord and given me a great gift that allows me to love at such a great capacity. I truly and genuinely love everyone around me.
I have the gospel in my life and a testimony of it. I cannot be more grateful than anything else in my life than my testimony and the blessing the gospel is in my life. I would have nothing without it. Finally, I have the Lord on my side. I am so happy living a life that He finds worthy to enter His temple. I have a temple so close to me and I love the peace I can find there.
There are so many more things that I do have that I can't even imagine being even more blessed in my life. Like is says in 3 Nephi The Lord of Hosts opens the windows of heaven and pour you out blessings that there shall not be room enough to receive it. My life is truly BLESSED and I am grateful for what I do have.
I have an amazing family that loves me and would drop anything in the world if I needed them. They even miss me when I'm gone. They have shaped who I have become and let me grow as an individual. They have ingrained in me the desire to serve others.
I have the Center for Service and Learning. This is so broad. It gives me the opportunity to serve others at this time in my life.
I have the service council. I love the other members of the service council! Each one of them inspires me in a different way. They are all great people that have such a capacity to love and a great desire to serve not only the people around them but their Savior.
I have a healthy body. Though there have been minor rough patches I have been blessed with a strong healthy body that gives me the opportunity to feel good and carry out the thing the Lord would have me do and almost any capacity.
I have a job. At this time and in this economy I truly am grateful for a job. I love working at the country club an getting to know people. Though I have not taken advantage of the free golf Mondays I have learned a thing or two while spending countless hours watching people, and some attempting to, play golf.
I have be blessed with the opportunity to go to school, to a great school. And to top off going to a great school I have been blessed with someone who saw potential in me and decided to invest in me an education. Everyday I am thankful for the scholarship that I have received that has changed my life, in reality, forever.
I have great friends. Some are close and some are very far away. Some are in a very different part of their lives than I am but I learn so much from them and they help me to better prepare for that time in my life. I have friends that I see everyday that always keep a smile on my face. From laughs in the wee hours of the morning to heart to heart talks about our greatest dreams and goals and things we struggle with and how to become better.
I have incredible roommates that somewhere along the way we stopped being just roommates and truly became sisters. We have been a rock for each other. Through the hard times and through the the beautiful ones. We have always stood together and in the Lord. I love that we make our apartment a place where the Spirit can reside. A place that is truly filled with love and happiness. I will always love these girls and am grateful for the way we can become who we want to be someday, today. That we build each other up and are there when we fall. I can't imagine life without these girls who really are my sisters.
I have direction in my life. I know where I am going, I know what I want to do with my life, and I have a plan to get there. I want to work with cancer kids and I am well on my way. I love cancer camp. I have an opportunity every summer to let those kids change my life, and they do every time. I am so happy and can not wait to be with these kids every day instead of just a week in the summer.
I have so much LOVE to give! I ready and willing to love anyone who comes into my life. I have such a belief in the power that love has in a person's life. The power and confidence one has when they know they are loved and of the Lord's love for them. The Lord and given me a great gift that allows me to love at such a great capacity. I truly and genuinely love everyone around me.
I have the gospel in my life and a testimony of it. I cannot be more grateful than anything else in my life than my testimony and the blessing the gospel is in my life. I would have nothing without it. Finally, I have the Lord on my side. I am so happy living a life that He finds worthy to enter His temple. I have a temple so close to me and I love the peace I can find there.
There are so many more things that I do have that I can't even imagine being even more blessed in my life. Like is says in 3 Nephi The Lord of Hosts opens the windows of heaven and pour you out blessings that there shall not be room enough to receive it. My life is truly BLESSED and I am grateful for what I do have.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Gratitude
As of late my mind has been on gratitude. Gratitude for everything, our country, our religious freedom, windshield wipers, toothbrushes, roommates, and the list goes on. I spoke in church a few weeks ago along with my roommate so we had a lot of discussion on gratitude. Why do we show gratitude? The Lord has given us so much and in the Coctrin and Covenants it teaches us to confess His hand in all things. My talk was focused more on being grateful for the little things that the Lord has blessed our lives with. I truely am grateful for little teaching moments that happen daily in my life where I know that the Lord is with me. It makes me so happy to have windshield wipers! I am so grateful for little things like being able to feel the sunshine. That isn't something that is necessary to help us reach eternal salvation but it is something that the Lord has given us to let us know He loves us.
I went to the Fiesta Days Rodeo on the 24th of July and the feeling of being proud to be an American and having gratitude for those who have a are currently fighting for the freedoms that we have. To know that we could pray before that rodeo and have the freedom to do so really touched me that night. I love rodeos and part of that is because I'm reminded so much of the love that I have for the country that I live in. Too often I forget about the outside world and really how blessed I am to be here. I love July for this reason and am sad to see it go, fortunately just because July is gone doesn't mean rodeos aren't and our freedom is here with us everyday!
I am grateful for my roommates and the people around me that help shape me into the person I am becoming. The gospel is so important in my life and I have been blessed with roommates that have the same goals as I do. We want to live in a place where the Spirit can reside. I love living with people where I learn and grow in the gospel as well. I'm grateful for their example and love that is in our apartment.
In my talk I challenged everyone that each night as they are brushing their teeth to think about the things that happened that day that they were grateful for. If it was something as simple as being grateful to be going to bed. Recognize the Lord's hand in our daily lives because he is there! He never leaves us and has promised that as long and we keep our promises to Him that He will be there to guide and protect us and for that and all these things, I am eternally grateful!
I went to the Fiesta Days Rodeo on the 24th of July and the feeling of being proud to be an American and having gratitude for those who have a are currently fighting for the freedoms that we have. To know that we could pray before that rodeo and have the freedom to do so really touched me that night. I love rodeos and part of that is because I'm reminded so much of the love that I have for the country that I live in. Too often I forget about the outside world and really how blessed I am to be here. I love July for this reason and am sad to see it go, fortunately just because July is gone doesn't mean rodeos aren't and our freedom is here with us everyday!
I am grateful for my roommates and the people around me that help shape me into the person I am becoming. The gospel is so important in my life and I have been blessed with roommates that have the same goals as I do. We want to live in a place where the Spirit can reside. I love living with people where I learn and grow in the gospel as well. I'm grateful for their example and love that is in our apartment.
In my talk I challenged everyone that each night as they are brushing their teeth to think about the things that happened that day that they were grateful for. If it was something as simple as being grateful to be going to bed. Recognize the Lord's hand in our daily lives because he is there! He never leaves us and has promised that as long and we keep our promises to Him that He will be there to guide and protect us and for that and all these things, I am eternally grateful!
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
The Lord's Hand
The month of July has been an incredibly spiritual time for me. So many things have happened and I've learned so much!
The beginning of the month my brother got his mission call. He is going to Bogota, Columbia! He opened it early Friday morning before we all met in Wyoming to go camping. I am so excited for him, quite possibly more excited than he is, though I don't think so. I am so proud of him and his decision to serve the Lord with everything he has. It is a little different for me because we have always done everything together and last week when he went through the temple I was a little bit sad that I wasn't there with him but at the same time I was so proud of him and his preparation and worthiness to receive his endowments and make new covenants with our Heavenly Father. I love my brother and I'm thankful for his example of faith and trust in the Lord through anything that comes in our lives.
The next thing that happened was such a special experience to me. I was having a terrible week and couldn't figure out why. I was living my life in accordance with what the Lord would have me be doing but I still had a constant flow of temptations and bad thoughts and things like that. I even came home one night physically sick because of all these temptations I was having. I talked to my roommate about it and we didn't really know what was going on. Finally on Friday when I was headed to work I stopped my to pick up the mail. There was a letter to me from the office of the President of BYU. Those kind of letters don't come around everyday and at the rate my week had been going I was worried that I might be losing my scholarship. I opened the letter and before I could even read it all I was so overcome by the spirit of the Lord and as clear as I had ever heard in my mind, I knew that the Lord had spent months preparing me for this calling. I was called to serve for the next year on the Women's Conference Committee. I have never received a calling like this and known so clearly in my mind that this calling was for me and the Lord had been preparing me and knew what things I needed in my life to prepare me for it. I still am not 100 percent sure what I am doing but I know it will be a great experience and it's only the beginning.
i have never had a week be so tempting and spiritually hard than that week and then when I got the calling. The more i reflect on it the more i can see the Lords hand that guided me through all of Satan's traps.i was in tears because i knew what had just happened and that Satan knew what was about to happen and when i was called i have never been so overcome by the spirit knowing that the Lord had called me specifically for this calling and that the call wasn't from the president of BYU but it was the Lord calling me. I learned even more so that relying on him He will take us through any challenge or trial and even the happy times. Staying close to our Savior will help us keep His perspective on our lives and help us from being torn down by the things of this world. I'm grateful for my faith in our Savior and knowledge of the gospel and the strength and power the Lord gives me everyday to not only make it through my day but to help someone else along their way.
The beginning of the month my brother got his mission call. He is going to Bogota, Columbia! He opened it early Friday morning before we all met in Wyoming to go camping. I am so excited for him, quite possibly more excited than he is, though I don't think so. I am so proud of him and his decision to serve the Lord with everything he has. It is a little different for me because we have always done everything together and last week when he went through the temple I was a little bit sad that I wasn't there with him but at the same time I was so proud of him and his preparation and worthiness to receive his endowments and make new covenants with our Heavenly Father. I love my brother and I'm thankful for his example of faith and trust in the Lord through anything that comes in our lives.
The next thing that happened was such a special experience to me. I was having a terrible week and couldn't figure out why. I was living my life in accordance with what the Lord would have me be doing but I still had a constant flow of temptations and bad thoughts and things like that. I even came home one night physically sick because of all these temptations I was having. I talked to my roommate about it and we didn't really know what was going on. Finally on Friday when I was headed to work I stopped my to pick up the mail. There was a letter to me from the office of the President of BYU. Those kind of letters don't come around everyday and at the rate my week had been going I was worried that I might be losing my scholarship. I opened the letter and before I could even read it all I was so overcome by the spirit of the Lord and as clear as I had ever heard in my mind, I knew that the Lord had spent months preparing me for this calling. I was called to serve for the next year on the Women's Conference Committee. I have never received a calling like this and known so clearly in my mind that this calling was for me and the Lord had been preparing me and knew what things I needed in my life to prepare me for it. I still am not 100 percent sure what I am doing but I know it will be a great experience and it's only the beginning.
i have never had a week be so tempting and spiritually hard than that week and then when I got the calling. The more i reflect on it the more i can see the Lords hand that guided me through all of Satan's traps.i was in tears because i knew what had just happened and that Satan knew what was about to happen and when i was called i have never been so overcome by the spirit knowing that the Lord had called me specifically for this calling and that the call wasn't from the president of BYU but it was the Lord calling me. I learned even more so that relying on him He will take us through any challenge or trial and even the happy times. Staying close to our Savior will help us keep His perspective on our lives and help us from being torn down by the things of this world. I'm grateful for my faith in our Savior and knowledge of the gospel and the strength and power the Lord gives me everyday to not only make it through my day but to help someone else along their way.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Cancer Camp!
I'm going into pediatric cancer therapy and last year through my major I learned about a camp for kids with cancer and their siblings. I went last year but was only 19 so I couldn't be a regular counselor so this year was my first year with my very own kids. I loved it! I was with the 6-7 year old girls which was so fun! I'm not a journaler so when each night I journaled about the day I was so impressed and so glad I did. There were little moments that I remembered that night but not through the rest of the week. so I thought it would be perfect to put my recordings on here! So there is a reflection of each day, some happy and some..not as happy but all from the heart.
DAY 1 Sunday
Today was a little stressful. It was raining so hard all day and freezing cold and we had our training outside. It was covered but still so so cold! It finally stopped raining by the end of the day and the sun even came out for a little bit. The training was good and now that the sun came out I'm getting really excited for camp to start! The campers get here tomorrow! I have 8 girls, 5 of them have have cancer. It's going to be a tough week but I know in the end I'm going to love the girls!
DAY 2
We made it through our first day of camp! One of our girls got sick over the weekend so she couldn't come but the others are here and so excited! They got here this morning and most of them this is their first time. You are allowed to come to camp during treatment and up to three years after your last treatment. I'm pretty sure all the girls I have that had cancer have been in remission for a while. There is one girl who is 7 and this is her third year at camp and she is so tiny. A lot of the medicine they take stunts their growth so she is pretty small. There was one girl I knew from last year who her dad is in a wheelchair is one of my campers this year. As I was talking to her mom I found out that she was adopted and 3 weeks ago they adopted a 2 day old baby. What an incredible family and woman they are!
It's only been one day and I've already lost track of the days. It's going to be an awesome week but by the end of it I am surely going to be worn out!
DAY 3
Today was day two witht he campers. The smallest girl today I found out she had liver cancer just after she turned 1. She has a scar across her belly that is about 15 inches long and various scars. When we were changing today for the pool she was really insecure about it. I told her that I had scars on my belly too and showed them to her. Today I was grateful for my scars and today my imperfection made her perfect, today our scars were beautiful. She is so wise, she has the wisdomof a 50 year old but the tiny life of a 7 year old.
Another girl was sick today. As I sat with her while the doctor checked her out. I felt the fear that she had of her caner coming back. She just finished treatment less than a year ago and it could easily come back at any time. When the doctor did everything she knew what to do like a pro. She is one, with so many doctor and check-ups. My heart went out to her and when she was even more sick tonight I could see how sad she was that she had to be sick especially at camp. She is doing better now and hopefully we will be better tomorrow.
Tonight was VIP night. This is where people who help make camp possible come for dinner and campfire. The ones that came were some of the highest donors. It really made me think that someday I wan to help make something like this happen. Maybe not exactly a camp but do something to help change people's lives. I'm not even a camper, this ccamp wasn't designed for me, but because some people made this camp possible my life and countless other will and are changed forever.
DAY 4
Not that I haven't felt like a mother all week but especially today that role is becoming more apparent. I have the youngest girls which mean everyone loves them because they are the cutest campers. Don't get me wrong they surely are but they don't see the whole side of them. We do everything for them from putting toothpaste on their toothbrushes to hold their plates and making sure they eat enough. We help them pick out and change their clothes. Don't get me wrong I do love this and I love them, I've just turned into a mom of seventuplets! My heart goes out to anyone who is! Everyone love the hugs and smile but we are the only ones around when they get to being grouchy and tired. Today is Wednesday and they are all starting to get tired and a little homesick but for the most part they are still having fun.
I becoming a pro at putting in hearing aids. Two of my girls have them and need help putting them in and taking them out. We have a lot of water activities so I've got a lot of practice!
Today was also Hobe' Forever. That is the remembering program where if the kids want to go they can go and plant a flower and remember the people who have been in our lives in some way or another and are no longer there. This year. like many, are extra emotional. One of the counselors that was here last year that two weeks before camp found out his cancer had relapsed, died this last year. Last year at Hobe' Forever he was remembering his brother who had died in December. That is two kids dying from cancer the same year, those parents must be so strong to overcome that. There were some siblings that died this past year too so some had an extra difficult time. It was sad to see brothers there crying and just hours before had been laughing and playing. Camp is such a great thing when everyone around you understand what you are going through. Tomorrow is the last full day of camp and is the carnival so hopefully that will keep spirits high.
DAY 5
Carnival day! Day four for camper starts to get a little long so they distract them with the carnival. I was at the "everyone's a winner at the duck pond"! It was actually pretty fun. I also LOVE cotton candy and since I'm not a kid I got to have a s much as I wanted until they ran out, which was not until I had three! Which was of course one of every color! The girls loved that and afterwords we threw them all in the shower since we hadn't showered them since Monday. Most of them swam between then but a good wash down hadn't happened so in honor of parents coming tomorrow we got them clean. It was a crazy wet party with 7 screaming girls but was fun and most importantly they are clean.
Tonight was the dance they have and that was where things started to fall apart. Four of the girls had break downs and got homesick and were crying. Then to top their night off we came in to go to bed and our mattresses were in the middle of the floor! They were sad and then stressing about who pranked our cabin, and they all started the day tired so it was a bit of a rough night. We didn't even read a story and at least 3 of them are snoring now. I'm sad to see tomorrow come because I love these girls! I've learned what the picky ones like, what makes the shy ones hiine, and the strength each one has inside that makes them who they are. However, I am in desperate need of a clean shower so I'm looking forward to tomorrow night!
DAY 6
The last day of camp is really only a half a day because after lunch is clean up and the parents come at 3pm. They all were pretty happy because they knew they were going home that night. Everyone is always happy to see the end but when it finally gets here no one wants to go, even me. I have loved these girls this week and they have been my everything. It's hard to care so much for someone like that and then maybe never see them again. As the girls met their parents one by one I really started tearing up and as our final staff meeting was over and I was driving home I was so sad to leave something so wonderful and happy.
I love going to cancer camp, it truly puts my life into perspective and when these little kids enjoy every single moment it make me remember how precious life really is and how quickly or sudden it can be over. So love those you love a make sure they know it. Enjoy the simplest pleasures of life even down the tiny moments and simple happiness, for each moment is a gift from God and of the many great gifts he has given us the gift to feel happiness is one that I treasure most.
**Sorry there are no pictures. Due to campers privacy we can't publish any pictures of them. **
DAY 1 Sunday
Today was a little stressful. It was raining so hard all day and freezing cold and we had our training outside. It was covered but still so so cold! It finally stopped raining by the end of the day and the sun even came out for a little bit. The training was good and now that the sun came out I'm getting really excited for camp to start! The campers get here tomorrow! I have 8 girls, 5 of them have have cancer. It's going to be a tough week but I know in the end I'm going to love the girls!
DAY 2
We made it through our first day of camp! One of our girls got sick over the weekend so she couldn't come but the others are here and so excited! They got here this morning and most of them this is their first time. You are allowed to come to camp during treatment and up to three years after your last treatment. I'm pretty sure all the girls I have that had cancer have been in remission for a while. There is one girl who is 7 and this is her third year at camp and she is so tiny. A lot of the medicine they take stunts their growth so she is pretty small. There was one girl I knew from last year who her dad is in a wheelchair is one of my campers this year. As I was talking to her mom I found out that she was adopted and 3 weeks ago they adopted a 2 day old baby. What an incredible family and woman they are!
It's only been one day and I've already lost track of the days. It's going to be an awesome week but by the end of it I am surely going to be worn out!
DAY 3
Today was day two witht he campers. The smallest girl today I found out she had liver cancer just after she turned 1. She has a scar across her belly that is about 15 inches long and various scars. When we were changing today for the pool she was really insecure about it. I told her that I had scars on my belly too and showed them to her. Today I was grateful for my scars and today my imperfection made her perfect, today our scars were beautiful. She is so wise, she has the wisdomof a 50 year old but the tiny life of a 7 year old.
Another girl was sick today. As I sat with her while the doctor checked her out. I felt the fear that she had of her caner coming back. She just finished treatment less than a year ago and it could easily come back at any time. When the doctor did everything she knew what to do like a pro. She is one, with so many doctor and check-ups. My heart went out to her and when she was even more sick tonight I could see how sad she was that she had to be sick especially at camp. She is doing better now and hopefully we will be better tomorrow.
Tonight was VIP night. This is where people who help make camp possible come for dinner and campfire. The ones that came were some of the highest donors. It really made me think that someday I wan to help make something like this happen. Maybe not exactly a camp but do something to help change people's lives. I'm not even a camper, this ccamp wasn't designed for me, but because some people made this camp possible my life and countless other will and are changed forever.
DAY 4
Not that I haven't felt like a mother all week but especially today that role is becoming more apparent. I have the youngest girls which mean everyone loves them because they are the cutest campers. Don't get me wrong they surely are but they don't see the whole side of them. We do everything for them from putting toothpaste on their toothbrushes to hold their plates and making sure they eat enough. We help them pick out and change their clothes. Don't get me wrong I do love this and I love them, I've just turned into a mom of seventuplets! My heart goes out to anyone who is! Everyone love the hugs and smile but we are the only ones around when they get to being grouchy and tired. Today is Wednesday and they are all starting to get tired and a little homesick but for the most part they are still having fun.
I becoming a pro at putting in hearing aids. Two of my girls have them and need help putting them in and taking them out. We have a lot of water activities so I've got a lot of practice!
Today was also Hobe' Forever. That is the remembering program where if the kids want to go they can go and plant a flower and remember the people who have been in our lives in some way or another and are no longer there. This year. like many, are extra emotional. One of the counselors that was here last year that two weeks before camp found out his cancer had relapsed, died this last year. Last year at Hobe' Forever he was remembering his brother who had died in December. That is two kids dying from cancer the same year, those parents must be so strong to overcome that. There were some siblings that died this past year too so some had an extra difficult time. It was sad to see brothers there crying and just hours before had been laughing and playing. Camp is such a great thing when everyone around you understand what you are going through. Tomorrow is the last full day of camp and is the carnival so hopefully that will keep spirits high.
DAY 5
Carnival day! Day four for camper starts to get a little long so they distract them with the carnival. I was at the "everyone's a winner at the duck pond"! It was actually pretty fun. I also LOVE cotton candy and since I'm not a kid I got to have a s much as I wanted until they ran out, which was not until I had three! Which was of course one of every color! The girls loved that and afterwords we threw them all in the shower since we hadn't showered them since Monday. Most of them swam between then but a good wash down hadn't happened so in honor of parents coming tomorrow we got them clean. It was a crazy wet party with 7 screaming girls but was fun and most importantly they are clean.
Tonight was the dance they have and that was where things started to fall apart. Four of the girls had break downs and got homesick and were crying. Then to top their night off we came in to go to bed and our mattresses were in the middle of the floor! They were sad and then stressing about who pranked our cabin, and they all started the day tired so it was a bit of a rough night. We didn't even read a story and at least 3 of them are snoring now. I'm sad to see tomorrow come because I love these girls! I've learned what the picky ones like, what makes the shy ones hiine, and the strength each one has inside that makes them who they are. However, I am in desperate need of a clean shower so I'm looking forward to tomorrow night!
DAY 6
The last day of camp is really only a half a day because after lunch is clean up and the parents come at 3pm. They all were pretty happy because they knew they were going home that night. Everyone is always happy to see the end but when it finally gets here no one wants to go, even me. I have loved these girls this week and they have been my everything. It's hard to care so much for someone like that and then maybe never see them again. As the girls met their parents one by one I really started tearing up and as our final staff meeting was over and I was driving home I was so sad to leave something so wonderful and happy.
I love going to cancer camp, it truly puts my life into perspective and when these little kids enjoy every single moment it make me remember how precious life really is and how quickly or sudden it can be over. So love those you love a make sure they know it. Enjoy the simplest pleasures of life even down the tiny moments and simple happiness, for each moment is a gift from God and of the many great gifts he has given us the gift to feel happiness is one that I treasure most.
**Sorry there are no pictures. Due to campers privacy we can't publish any pictures of them. **
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Grand Canyon HAVASUPI!
I have never been on a serious hike...until now! The first of May I went with the service council down to Arizona and hike the Grand Canyon and stayed at Havasupi, an Indian reservation at the bottom of the canyon and one of the most beautiful places on Earth! The night before we got to the Grand Canyon we stayed in Radiator Springs and if anyone has seen the Disney movie Cars, you will know what I'm talking about! Yes the whole crew was there! I'm not sure you could have got another group of college kids so excited about being in a tiny town where a Disney movie was based!
The next morning we got up early and headed to the Canyon. I can't explain the feeling when you are driving forever in a flat desert and then suddenly your view opens up and you see the Grand Canyon. It is a beautiful sight to see!
After getting all ready we were excited to hike the 15 miles in carrying everything we were going to use for the next few days. Everyone packed as much as they could and we were off! The first two miles were switch backs going down the canyon wall. It was very exciting but no one thought about it being the last two miles we were going to hike out! We took our time getting in, stopping for pictures, lunch, and to enjoy the beautiful view. We made it to the village and still had 3 miles to go. We were getting tired but still very excited to get there! Two mile past the village was the first waterfall! It was beautiful and we couldn't contain out excitement to get there!
We finally made it to our camp ground, set up our tents and were ready for the water. We went to the Havasupi falls and enjoyed playing in the beautiful turquoise water.
The picture can't even do it justice but it was so beautiful and warm! The water was so clear that you could see the bottom perfectly! The next day we hike down the river again for 14 miles and had a great time being in such a special and tranquil place. Being in a place like that you have to know the love the Lord has for us to make something so beautiful. We could have been just fine without it but He wants us to be happy and such a beautiful thing can't help but make you happy!
Even to the details of the little desert flowers made the whole trip amazing!
The hike out we were definitely on a destination trip and were ready to be clean again. We got up at 4am to pack up and hike out. We kept a steady pace the whole time and made it out 2 hours faster than hiking in. It was a little more difficult. Some had blisters on their feet making it hard to walk but together we helped out and overcame a great challenge together!
That night we stayed in Las Vegas and went to see the water show in front of the Billagio. It was fun and so wonderful to be together and clean!
The next morning we got up early and headed to the Canyon. I can't explain the feeling when you are driving forever in a flat desert and then suddenly your view opens up and you see the Grand Canyon. It is a beautiful sight to see!
After getting all ready we were excited to hike the 15 miles in carrying everything we were going to use for the next few days. Everyone packed as much as they could and we were off! The first two miles were switch backs going down the canyon wall. It was very exciting but no one thought about it being the last two miles we were going to hike out! We took our time getting in, stopping for pictures, lunch, and to enjoy the beautiful view. We made it to the village and still had 3 miles to go. We were getting tired but still very excited to get there! Two mile past the village was the first waterfall! It was beautiful and we couldn't contain out excitement to get there!
We finally made it to our camp ground, set up our tents and were ready for the water. We went to the Havasupi falls and enjoyed playing in the beautiful turquoise water.
The picture can't even do it justice but it was so beautiful and warm! The water was so clear that you could see the bottom perfectly! The next day we hike down the river again for 14 miles and had a great time being in such a special and tranquil place. Being in a place like that you have to know the love the Lord has for us to make something so beautiful. We could have been just fine without it but He wants us to be happy and such a beautiful thing can't help but make you happy!
Even to the details of the little desert flowers made the whole trip amazing!
The hike out we were definitely on a destination trip and were ready to be clean again. We got up at 4am to pack up and hike out. We kept a steady pace the whole time and made it out 2 hours faster than hiking in. It was a little more difficult. Some had blisters on their feet making it hard to walk but together we helped out and overcame a great challenge together!
That night we stayed in Las Vegas and went to see the water show in front of the Billagio. It was fun and so wonderful to be together and clean!
Women's Conference
Every year thousands of women come to BYU for Women's Conference. This year I had the opportunity to be involved with one of the service projects, fleece blankets. There is a need for over 14,000 fleece blankets all over Utah and Salt Lake county so we made 650 fleece blankets. My roommates and I were in charge of overseeing the ladies and helping them out if they had any questions. It was a great success and everyone enjoyed their time of service.
After they had all the pieces cut out for the blankets they had extra strips and didn't want them to go to waste. So they asked the women who were helping if they could help make scarves with them. I took all the leftovers and because I didn't have anything planned for the week made 86 fleece scarves. It was a lot of work but in the end it was a lot of fun!
I'm so glad I had the opportunity to be involved with this service project. It anyone has the chance the end of April take the time to come to Women's Conference to learn and grow!
After they had all the pieces cut out for the blankets they had extra strips and didn't want them to go to waste. So they asked the women who were helping if they could help make scarves with them. I took all the leftovers and because I didn't have anything planned for the week made 86 fleece scarves. It was a lot of work but in the end it was a lot of fun!
I'm so glad I had the opportunity to be involved with this service project. It anyone has the chance the end of April take the time to come to Women's Conference to learn and grow!
Cruising to MEXICO!
I went of my very first cruise this year! It was just a weekend trip out of San Diego to Ensenada Mexico. I went with my roommate and her aunt and her son. I loved it! The first night I wasn't so sure about it the first night. It was kind of difficult to get used to all the rocking but after being "rocked" to sleep I woke up the next morning and had the best night of sleep I had ever had I loved every second. It was nice to get out of Provo and even though it wasn't super hot it was nice to see the sun and play in the water. We went to the shows at night which was fun. Of course it was the family friendly version.
I learned that a weekend cruise on Carnival can be a little more eventful than you expect. On our ship two people died, one person went missing, and the FBI seized control of our ship when we came into port. Come to find out one man died of a heart attack and then another one died of alcohol poisoning. I am actually surprised that there was only one person that died. People bought so many drinks it was crazy! The person that went mission was on parole and if you are on parole you are not supposed to leave the country and taking a cruise to Mexico is not okay. I'm not sure what happened to him but the FBI coming on to the ship and being delayed over 3 hours and almost missing our flight distracted us from him.
This was everyone waiting in the hall while the FBI investigated the deaths. I guess all deaths that happen on international waters have to be investigated.
One of my favorite parts was DINNER! It's all you can eat until you can't eat anymore! It's not like the line buffet, it's like lobster tail and amazing things! My roommate and I were talking over dinner one night and decided to add up how much our food would have cost us if we were actually paying for it. Our bill combined would have been over $200! Good thing we weren't on dates!
Mexico was fun too! We just walked around and spent a few hours on the beach. I actually found real sand dollars which I thought was super cool too!
I learned that a weekend cruise on Carnival can be a little more eventful than you expect. On our ship two people died, one person went missing, and the FBI seized control of our ship when we came into port. Come to find out one man died of a heart attack and then another one died of alcohol poisoning. I am actually surprised that there was only one person that died. People bought so many drinks it was crazy! The person that went mission was on parole and if you are on parole you are not supposed to leave the country and taking a cruise to Mexico is not okay. I'm not sure what happened to him but the FBI coming on to the ship and being delayed over 3 hours and almost missing our flight distracted us from him.
This was everyone waiting in the hall while the FBI investigated the deaths. I guess all deaths that happen on international waters have to be investigated.
One of my favorite parts was DINNER! It's all you can eat until you can't eat anymore! It's not like the line buffet, it's like lobster tail and amazing things! My roommate and I were talking over dinner one night and decided to add up how much our food would have cost us if we were actually paying for it. Our bill combined would have been over $200! Good thing we weren't on dates!
Mexico was fun too! We just walked around and spent a few hours on the beach. I actually found real sand dollars which I thought was super cool too!
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Have I done any good in the world today...
Today I went to the temple to do baptisms and one of the many cute old men that work there told me when I ask myself tonight if I have done any good in the world today that I could say yes I have done good today. I love the temple and am so grateful to have one so close!
Sunday, April 4, 2010
When in the Service of our fellow being...
It’s been a while since I’ve had some free time to update my blog this semester. As always I’m spending most of my days at the library and have a little fun on the weekends. I’ve been skiing and on my first day of skiing this season I went on a black diamond run. I don’t usually go on blacks until the end of the season so I was feeling pretty accomplished this year. I guess living in Utah has paid off. I’ve been on lots of fun dates and learned a lot about many things in life. I love looking back at a semester and see where I was at the beginning and see how far I’ve come. The two things this semester that have helped me grow and learn the most this semester have been in the Center for Service and Learning and at the Utah State Mental Hospital.
My heart is so full of gratitude and feelings of inadequacy. I just got back from the 2010 service celebration where I was announced as a member of the service council for this upcoming year. I have never been happier in my life! I have never been more grateful for an opportunity to be an instrument in the Lord’s hand and serve his children. For those who don’t know service council is like student council except for it is over the service center that has over 50 service programs, more than 140 program directors, and over 23,000 volunteers every year! The service council works with all of this and the community partners and represents The Center for Service and Learning on and off campus. Monday morning we hiked to the Y, which was my first time, to see all that our stewardship covers and all the opportunity that we have to serve everything and everyone in the area we could see. We start by training our new program directors which I am most excited for the ones that are in my ward and my roommate that don’t really know what they are doing but know that they want to serve and are willing to take the time and do so.
This semester for one of my TR classes I had to volunteer 30 hours at a population that we had not ever worked with before or thought about working with. I want to work with cancer kids so I decided that I would try working at the Utah State Mental Hospital. I participate in the rec. therapy part of the Northwest unit. I volunteer twice a week. On Wednesdays we go on a field trip to do different things like bowling or the movies. One week I was on a trip and a patient was walking with me and just came out and told me all of her fears. At first I was taken back because I was just a volunteer and it wasn’t time for group. But she needed someone to talk to. I just let her talk and realized that this is what I am going to school for and I am so so excited! I loved that because I was her friend first and we could recreate together that she felt comfortable enough for her to share her feelings with me. We had a good talk that afternoon and I think even though she came looking for help from me, I too was helped that day.
Last Friday when I was at the hospital there was one man who is very low functioning and do not interact much with anyone. He usually just paces the halls and talks to himself. While I was there we didn’t have any scheduled activities so I was just visiting with the patients and playing cards. This man stopped walking and was standing in my direction. He moves his hands kind of like he was shooting a “water gun”. I jumped out of his way of the “water” and started squirting him back. He wasn’t sure what I was doing in the beginning but finally caught on. I ran around rolling on the floor just like any kids would play and slowly a smile came across his face. We starting running around like I was and hiding around the corners. We played our game for over an hour. Then after we were tired we sat down and tried to talk. However, he doesn’t speak much English so we drew pictures. When I was about to leave the employees that were watching us stopped me and told me that they had never seen him happier than he was that day. No one had been able to get him to respond to much on anything. They said that they had learned a lot from me that day. I love what I do and I love the opportunities that I have to learn and grow.
My heart is so full of gratitude and feelings of inadequacy. I just got back from the 2010 service celebration where I was announced as a member of the service council for this upcoming year. I have never been happier in my life! I have never been more grateful for an opportunity to be an instrument in the Lord’s hand and serve his children. For those who don’t know service council is like student council except for it is over the service center that has over 50 service programs, more than 140 program directors, and over 23,000 volunteers every year! The service council works with all of this and the community partners and represents The Center for Service and Learning on and off campus. Monday morning we hiked to the Y, which was my first time, to see all that our stewardship covers and all the opportunity that we have to serve everything and everyone in the area we could see. We start by training our new program directors which I am most excited for the ones that are in my ward and my roommate that don’t really know what they are doing but know that they want to serve and are willing to take the time and do so.
This semester for one of my TR classes I had to volunteer 30 hours at a population that we had not ever worked with before or thought about working with. I want to work with cancer kids so I decided that I would try working at the Utah State Mental Hospital. I participate in the rec. therapy part of the Northwest unit. I volunteer twice a week. On Wednesdays we go on a field trip to do different things like bowling or the movies. One week I was on a trip and a patient was walking with me and just came out and told me all of her fears. At first I was taken back because I was just a volunteer and it wasn’t time for group. But she needed someone to talk to. I just let her talk and realized that this is what I am going to school for and I am so so excited! I loved that because I was her friend first and we could recreate together that she felt comfortable enough for her to share her feelings with me. We had a good talk that afternoon and I think even though she came looking for help from me, I too was helped that day.
Last Friday when I was at the hospital there was one man who is very low functioning and do not interact much with anyone. He usually just paces the halls and talks to himself. While I was there we didn’t have any scheduled activities so I was just visiting with the patients and playing cards. This man stopped walking and was standing in my direction. He moves his hands kind of like he was shooting a “water gun”. I jumped out of his way of the “water” and started squirting him back. He wasn’t sure what I was doing in the beginning but finally caught on. I ran around rolling on the floor just like any kids would play and slowly a smile came across his face. We starting running around like I was and hiding around the corners. We played our game for over an hour. Then after we were tired we sat down and tried to talk. However, he doesn’t speak much English so we drew pictures. When I was about to leave the employees that were watching us stopped me and told me that they had never seen him happier than he was that day. No one had been able to get him to respond to much on anything. They said that they had learned a lot from me that day. I love what I do and I love the opportunities that I have to learn and grow.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)