Heavenly Father Loves Me

I don't know if anyone else felt it, but yesterday was such a wonderful day!

Here are a few reasons why I felt like this yesterday:

• The weather was positively gorgeous.
• Lisa and Linnea (the girls I work with) got back from practicum so we were able to see each other and talk to each other again. Oh I've missed these girls.
• My English class was enjoyable.
• We had the best rehearsal we've ever had in band. We get to play the band arrangement of this song which I was kind of irritated with (because it's difficult to play long, in-tune, quite tones on the bassoon and it kind of kills my mouth) until I heard the choral version. I've been listening to it on repeat at work because I love it so much now.
• I didn't need a jacket walking home from rehearsal.
• Britton and I went on a walk. We didn't worry about homework or anything and we walked up to the temple. The night was warm for March, and the temple was all lit up. . . And the Spirit was so strong. I felt so much peace, so much happiness, that I couldn't keep it all in. Some happy leaked out of my eyes.

Going to the temple was the perfect way to end a wonderful day. As I was thinking about my friends and family, I was overwhelmed with gratitude. My Heavenly Father is so good to me: He sends people and experiences in my life that help me grow the most and be the happiest. He created this world and all the universe for His children. He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to atone for each one of us. He wants us to be happy. He wants us to return to Him. He provided a way for both to happen.

He truly is in the details of our lives. His hand is always there. All we have to do is look a little closer at our lives to see it. Just look at the mountains, the sky, the oceans. . . everything here is for us. He gave us this world so we could become like Him. He gave us this world and all its beauties because He loves us. I sincerely believe that He knows each one of us personally. He knows my name, He knows who I am and who I can become. And He knows that about you too. I guarantee it. He knows us better than we know ourselves: He created us. He is our Father who loves us perfectly and completely. He is always there helping us. And if we look for it, we'll find how.

Who Knew?

I've never considered myself an artist. Ever. But I found an app that makes me feel so much more confident about my abilities!

So I found this because I was at a funeral with my family. My baby sister was being difficult and so I started looking online for apps that would entertain her. I found this finger painting one and she really liked it. It was fun watching her play with it, and then my other sisters wanted in on the game. . . I didn't have my phone on my person the entire funeral service.

But I sat down to figure it out later that day and had good times. And I made something I was actually proud of! So I'm sharing it here. :)

Ta-daaaaa! So it isn't that incredible, but I'm pretty pleased with my efforts. And that is the extent of my artistic ventures. Aren't you so glad I shared? ;)

Pieces #4

I love strawberry flavored anything! Skittles, ice cream, fruit snacks, cake, smoothies, you name it. If it's strawberry flavored, I'll probably love it :)

It's About Time

Sorry for my absence lately. . . A lot has been going on in my life and I've had to sit down and make some tough decisions. I didn't want to announce anything on here and then have it be the wrong thing to announce, you know? But I know for sure what Heavenly Father wants me to do here so I'm okay sharing it. Finally.

So you remember how I was going on a mission? Well I was resolved to do so. I wasn't particularly excited, and I was more than a little scared, but I was going. It's what I felt I was supposed to do.

Then I hit a roadblock.

And his name was/is Britton.

Britton waltzed into my life unannounced and kind of stuck around. He knew I was going on a mission, but that didn't scare him off. We started doing things a lot and then we kissed and then we were dating exclusively.  And, all of the sudden, I had to face the choice that lay before me: I could either stick to my guns and serve a mission, or I could stay here and get to know Britton better. Honestly, the second option was more appealing to me.

I was terrified, though, that I would allow my emotions make the decision for me. And it's not difficult to guess what that decision would be. I mean c'mon. If you were to choose between something big and terrifying that you'd never really planned on doing or something that you know was good and made you happy that you felt more prepared for, what would you want to choose?

Well in any case, I was kind of stressed. I don't really like making decisions like that, and I want to be obedient to my Heavenly Father so that made making the wrong decision even scarier.

I was telling Britton about all this one night (I was in tears, I was scared, and wanted someone else to counsel me in a way other than "I trust you to make the right decision. You're a good girl.") and he was way too good in his response. Rather than beg me to stay or shoo me away, he told me that he was praying for me, that he would support me in either decision, and that he didn't want to say anything that would sway me in either direction. You'd think that having a supportive guy would make things easier, but that made my choice that much harder (it made me realize just how lucky I've been to find him).

That night, after Britton left, I felt peace. And that was the first time I'd felt peace since October when the age change announcement was made and I felt like I was supposed to go.

About a week later, I'd made my decision to stay. I pondered the scriptures, I prayed fervently throughout the day, I talked out the possible outcomes with people I love and trust, I consulted my patriarchal blessing, and I prayed some more. I decided to stay.

I felt peace with my decision and I was happy with it, but a part of me still wondered if I'd let my heart guide my head. But I realized last night that I had chosen the right thing for me.

My best friend and roommate, Brittney, got her mission call (Virginia Richmond, English speaking. She's leaving July 3). I am ridiculously happy for her as this has always been her dream. And part of me wondered if I was supposed to follow in her footsteps. But as I looked at her mission call and booklet, a feeling that that wasn't my path washed over me. I have complete confidence that I am supposed to stay here and that Brittney is supposed to serve. Having that experience lifted an enormous burden off my shoulders and I can confidently pursue a relationship with Britton.

Part of me wonders why I felt so strongly that I needed to go, but I doubt I'll ever fully realize the answer to that question. I am so grateful for the experiences I've had preparing for a mission, though. I feel like I've become more of the person I want to be. And that's a good enough reason for me.

Pieces #3

I only like soda if it's flat. I will purposefully leave a glass of it out on the counter to let the carbonation out before I drink it.

Pieces #2

If I have to write with a pen (and they have admittedly grown on me to the point that I prefer them over pencils now) it has to be blue. I hate black pens. I mean, if black is the only option I'll use it, but I much prefer blue. Blue is so cheery in comparison. Hooray for blue pens!

Happy News

I FOUND THE CHARGER TO MY CAMERA!!!!

As you can tell, I am quite happy. And I wanted to share. There should be more pictures on here now :)

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Also, my mom is the best. I got a sinus infection yesterday and she told me all sorts of remedies to try. She texted me this morning and asked how I was feeling today. I told her that I was doing pretty well other than chronic exhaustion (I went to the temple at five this morning and had class until three this afternoon). She asked what she could do to help and I told her I should be fine because I was planning to take a nap.

She then asked if she could make me dinner so I would have time to sleep. Mom's cooking and rest? Uh. . .YES! 

So I was able to take a nap this afternoon and we still had a delicious dinner, and, because I was more rested, I was motivated enough to clean the apartment. It's not perfect, but it's much better than it used to be. Thank goodness for mothers.

Tell Me a Story

Have you ever noticed that people are made up of stories? I mean think about it; when we have a good conversation we're basically sharing stories, when we want to know something about someone we ask for a story, when you tell someone about a relationship you do it through stories. At least, that's how it is for me.

I've heard life compared to a book. I think the better comparison for life is a library of them. Some are better-written than others, others are obviously more loved than the rest. Some have bright illustrations, some mere sketches, others no pictures at all.


I think stories help us connect on a level that we can't reach through mere question and answer session. When someone tells you a story, they open their world to you. And that creates a fellowship. People are made up of stories. Stories are the basis for true connection between two people. So I suppose you could say stories make up our lives, and our lives give us more stories. All we have to do is share them.