Love

A very valuable lesson that I learned at BYU-Idaho is that we should always be seeking for truth. The Lord has placed truth everywhere in our lives it is our responsibility to search for it. I believe that truth is what makes us happy. The gospel of Jesus Christ is truth. That is the reason why it brings complete joy into my life. Truth is testified to our spirits by the Holy Ghost that is why it brings peace and comfort. 

Love: an act of work and courage.

Sister Twiggs, my substitute institute teacher, defined love as this. When she wrote this on the board I felt all of the peace and comfort and joy that accompanies truth. Love is work. True love is work. I have watched my sisters love their husbands and the dedication they devote to this relationship is inspiring. Watching them work so hard I have realized that this is not always easy, but I have seen them exercise faith and courage and reap the blessings of staying true to their covenants. There have been other couples and even other relationships that have taught me the same thing. 

Lately, I have felt overwhelming love from my Savior. I have felt such deep gratitude for the life that he has provided me. Learning this new definition of love has made me reflect on how much work the Lord has truly done and does for me to feel his love. He sacrificed all that he had for each individual human our Heavenly Father has created. At this time in my life I am planning. I am hoping and dreaming of all the things my life can hold. When I think about the courage that it would take for me to give up all of my dreams so others can live theirs I can just barely begin to understand the love that the Lord has for me. 

This is the truth that I have been taught. It has greatly added to my happiness. I hope that you seek for truth and experience the joy that it offers. Truth=knowledge=progression=happiness.  

 

Masterpiece

When I stop to think about the process of growing up I am amazed. It seems like one day you are a little girl dreaming about high school, college, prince charming, and happily ever after. Then all of the sudden you wake up and all of that is staring at you in the face. I just recently read a book. I must admit I am an LDS novel reader. I love them. Anyway, I went to the Library and found one called Growing Up Gracie. It was really good. In a weird way it shed some light on my life and gave me hope. There are many people in my life who I admire and look to for guidance and direction. I have found myself more than once wondering how they became to be such amazing people. Little by little I am finding out how the Lord helped them become all that they are. Thankfully he knows what he is doing because in the last year I have been clueless. The view from where I am at life seems to be a big mess, but I know that the Lord sees the masterpiece. 

At this point the Lord has led me to a variety of things. 

1. School. Summer school started this week. For some odd reason I graduated high school and fell in love with learning. It is empowering. It leads us to progress. Although not all my classes are that uplifting I am enjoying my Interpersonal Communications class and Beginning Tennis class. Also, I have the opportunity to take the Old Testament Institute class with my sweet mother. In two classes the spirit has unlocked loads of light into my life.

2. Work. I have returned to Pasta Factory to work and in the last couple of weeks Brad has allowed me to wait tables. I have had such a fun time. Eventually I will get the hang of it and be able to not get so stressed. Tuacahn also starts this week. I wouldn't say I am exactly jumping for joy that it's starting up again, but I am definitely grateful for the job.

3. Running. I love it. It is painful and tiring, but at the same time it is rewarding and rejuvenating. Since last fall after I had a few months to forget all the details about the Half Marathon I have been super excited to start training again. I signed up last week and in seven weeks I will be faced with 13.1 miles of fun! I can't wait.

4. Adriana. This girl had blessed my life in countless ways in the last two months. When she heard that I was running the Bryce half again she asked me if she could train with me and run. I was more than happy to help her and to gain a running partner. There are some people who are just good. This girl is everything I hope that I can be. We are taking the Beginning Tennis class together and by the end of the term I am going to have rock soild abs from laughing at ourselves. 

5. YSA. I am going to the Young Single Adult ward and I love it. I love being around people my own age. It is a very close ward also. It is easy to feel welcome and comfortable, something I missed when attending BYU-I. 

6. Jordan. I received Elder Wittwer's last letter yeasterday. Tommorrow is his two year mark. He officially has 12 days left in Portugal. Jordan has this talent of bearing a simple, sincere testimony that brings peace everytime I read it. I am excited and ready for whatever happens when he comes home. It is a little surreal that I will talk with him face to face in less than two weeks! :) 

I believe that is it. My life has been full. I am so thankful.

Yay!

29 Days Everybody!

I AM WAY EXCITED AS YOU CAN SEE IN THIS PICTURE!!

I miss my brother. He left this morning. How come he has to live in Provo? He is my best friend. We had such a great time this weekend. I'm so thankful for all that he teaches me. I feel so blessed to have such a great friend, example, and brother.

Oh, and Sister Beck said this,

"It's all about your heart and your hands."

This is my new motivation.

Love you all!

Good Day

John 16:33 - These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation; but be of good Cheer; I have overcome the world.

    At the moment that Christ completed the atonement he conquered all things. What is there to fear? I love my Savior. And I know he loves me.

 This weekend my roommate Savannah came down to visit me in St. George. We had a blast! We got free manicures, went out to lunch, toured Paul Mitchell, visited the temple, and talked and talked. I love her so much. I am thankful for her example and friendship. My brother also came down this weekend. Savannah and I helped him pick out some new clothes. That was also super fun. I miss my brother already and he hasn't even been gone a full day. I love him so much.

     This morning I ran 6 miles with my brother-in-law. It was a blast. I'm so thankful for family that is encouraging and loving.  I'm also thankful for a healthy body that I have been given. This evening I watched Pride and Prejudice (the A&E version) and went to the pond by my house and wrote in my journal. My friend Mckay and I would sit there for hours talking. I seem to find the most peace there. I am thankful for the earth and the rich colors that there are this time of year. I love St. George so much. It's been a good day.

Hopeless. Romantic.

Letters are the greatest things in the world. Without a doubt.

For all those girls that are writing a missionary, you know what I mean. I received a letter from Jordan yesterday. It was a good one. :) They are always good ones. I was taking a nap and in between the awake and not awake phase my sweet mother walked into my room and hung a letter over my head. I didn't realize how excited I was to hear from Jordan until I saw his letter. After ripping it open I devoured it like it was a pan of brownies. It was like an explosion of fireworks were set off in my chest--Grand finale style. Okay, so, maybe I have been fighting my feelings for a while. There are so many uncertainties about him coming home and I think to guard myself from any potential hurt I have convinced myself I don't care for him THAT much. BUT, every time someone asks about him, and that has been a lot lately, I get excited and happy, beaming, smile as wide as my face happy. How could I not? Right? Goodness, he has been a huge part of my life for the past 4 years. I finally sent his birthday package today. I hope he likes it. 

My favorite thing, well, one of my favorite things about Jordan is that he is just a big goofball. He makes me laugh all the time. It's the greatest when his letters are filled with things that are just him. Ya know? Two years is a long time and I have forgotten so many things. I went to the temple today. Tuesdays were the days that Jordan and I would go to the temple together. The temple workers are so sweet. Every time I go in there they ask about him and how he is doing and if I am still waiting. They asked how much time he has left and when I told them about two months they almost went crazy on me. Sometimes it's comforting to be around people who knew us. 

In his letter he said that his family is picking him up and staying for 10 days. So, it is really 58 days now. I am excited for them and hope that they have fun in Portugal!

One random memory:
 This one time, Jordan and I decided to play Guess Who. Well, after I won a few times he suggested that we played asking only questions on what the people's personalities looked like. I protested a little, thinking that there was no way we could possibly guess the right person based on our opinions. Well, after a few rounds of questions he only had one person up--mine. He was so happy. I accused him of cheating, but he laughed and promised he didn't. I was shocked for sure. How can you win like that? I don't know. You'll have to ask him. :) 

Maybe it's the hopeless romantic in me, but I have this idea in my head of how it will be when we see each other again. You'll probably laugh. It's okay. I laugh too. Right before Christmas, two years ago, Jordan and I broke up. We weren't very good at staying broken up for very long. Anyway, On Christmas day we agreed to see each other and exchange gifts. I heard a knock on the door and ran to open it. (This is the part where you'll laugh) When I opened the door we looked at each other and something happened. I don't know what it was, but it was comforting. I want to describe it as warm, not the weird luke warm, but like the sunshine that warms your soul warm. That kind of warm liquid spread through my body beginning at my heart. Tee Hee. That's such cheese. I guess love is cheese isn't it? Well, anyway, that's how I hope it happens. We'll see each other and know. Am I crazy? Oh yeah. 

But who wouldn't be for this guy?
  

P.S.

Oh and guess what? This stud......

Only has 53 days left! I'm not going to lie. I'm only freaking out a lot! I have to confess that I am the most horrible supporter. It was his brithday on April 6th and I didn't get his package sent. I still haven't sent it. I hope that he will forgive me. Life has been a little crazy. Anyway, can I just wonder out loud for a minute? Does every girl that has a best friend on a mission go through such crazy emotions? It seems like every other day I am feeling a different emotion concerning the whole situation. I feel like I don't know him. Honestly, most of the time I feel like it was all a dream. I feel like we never really met and I made it all up in my crazy head. I'm just trying to keep super busy so that I don't think about it. It's obviously not working. I am excited to get to know him again. That is if he wants anything to do with me when he comes home. Oh boy. It will definitely be an adventure. :) I'm looking forward to it.

Yeah Life!

Summer again? How is it summer again? I just can't believe it. I feel like I just left my parents house ready for an adventure and the start of a new life. Now I am back in my old room working at my same job. Haha! I love it! They say you don't know what you have until you lose it. Being the youngest I have watched all of my siblings move away and start their lives. I have always had this expectation for my life; that it would be exactly like my siblings basically. I am starting to realize that that is not what is in store for me. 

I started working at Pasta Factory again on Tuesday. I have missed that place a lot. They scheduled me to work an open and boy oh boy was I retarded. I couldn't remember anything. It's only been six months! 

Savannah is coming to visit me in 7 days not counting today! I AM SO EXCITED! She makes me laugh harder than anyone. I love it too because not only does she laugh at her own jokes, but she laughs just like me! When we start laughing together it is like an explosion. It's great. :) 

 This is Savannah, Hayley, and me making our amazing Ham Fried Rice, well, actually it kind of turned out to be peas with some rice, eggs, carrots, and ham. Thank you Savannah. :) Oh, I love this picture because it looks like Hayley is going to slice Savannah. Hehe.

Early this morning I went outside and ran 4 miles with my brother-in-law and his friends. I had a blast. I love running so much. I am really slow again, but it is great. We did 4 miles in 38 min. WooHoo! Bryce Half marathon here I come!

Today, I was riding in the car with my mom and I was thinking about Rexburg and my weird attachment to St. George. Since I came home for Jamie's homecoming I have been contemplating transferring to SUU. I love BYU-I. Everything about it is fantastic. Rexburg on the other hand is maybe not exactly what I expected. My "pro" list for SUU has been wighing heavy on my mind and has only increased since I have been home. Anyway, decisions, decisions. Not my favortie things.

A really big "con" of not going back to BYU-I is being 9 hours away from these amazing people.

This last year has been so fun because I have been so close to my sister and brother-in-law. And now this beautiful little girl. Jane is the most precious gift. I love her so much. I love the Bowman's so much. They have taught me so much. They have become my very best friends. I miss them so much.

Something that has been awesome is having Adell living with us. I love her so much. She is a talented beautiful and loving daighter of God. I am so blessed to have her as a sister. She saved me so many times this last year. The times when I was the most homesick she would call me and have some awesome plan to see each other and do something fun. Along with all the fun she would always teach me an invaluable life lesson. I love my family. They are the bombdiggity.

I am sad about one thing. Jamie moved to Provo the same day that I moved home. I was so looking forward to spending time with him and being able to be friends before he left for school, but he got a good job in Provo so I guess it's okay. It will just make it so I can plan a fun trip to come see him!

This Saturday I am helping with the Ivins Princess Pageant! I am so excited! Being on the 2009 Royalty was such a blast! I miss our royalty.

Blogging is fun. I am super random and my blogs always end up being super long because I don't do it consistantly, but I like it. :) Until next time. Peace and Blessings. Peace and Blessings.