JOY!

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!

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.

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!

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!

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!