"My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
  Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong." 2 Cor. 12:9-10

Be true to the Light within you!

Institute is the best! Happy Tuesday!



CurveBall

Sometimes the Lord feels like it's necessary to throw you a curveball. 



Angels

Oh look at this beautiful girl! Lucy and Jane came home last week and I got to be with this little angel for a whole week. I miss her so much! I don't know if I have ever seen a more beautiful little girl. It was so good to spend time with Lucy and talk to my sister. I miss her so much. Living in Rexburg was not my favorite, but I do miss being so close to Lucy and Cody. We were sad that Cody wasn't able to come too.

These are the other two angels that I have been blessed with. Before school started for Adriana and I we went and saw Grease and Tuacahn. We had such a fun night. 

Life has been super crazy lately. I have been busy with school and work. Trying to balance school and a job gets pretty crazy. I love it though. I love being in St. George and going to school at Dixie. I have been called to be the ward representative for Institute so I have been busy with that. It has been so fun and I have met so many great people. I love institute. I love being there with all the teachers that just love you and want everything that is good for you. Also, I tried out for Inspiration Choir and I made it! I was so happy and excited! We sang our first performance on the 9th. I love singing! 

My swimming class is the best thing in the world! I love it. It is super challenging, but that's what is so great about it. I love being there in the morning and learning how to swim. The sun is coming up and the water feels amazing and I'm breathing hard. I just love exercising! 

I am still little by little coping with the sudden change of plans in my life. Most of the time I am doing great, but there's just that small percentage of the time when I remember what I thought I was going to be doing at this time and it makes me a little sad, but I have learned so much about grace. The Lord truly loves us and he loves to fix broken things. His grace is made perfect in our imperfections. I LOVE the third verse in the Hymn Precious Savior, Dear Redeemer.

"Precious savior, dear redeemer, thou wilt bind the broken heart. Let not sorrow overwhelm us; dry the bitter tears that start. Curb the winds and calm the billows; bid the angry tempest cease. Precious savior, dear redeemer, grant us everlasting peace. "

Inspiration choir sang this song for our first performance at the Friday Forum. I don't have very much time, but I have been learning so many truths lately too! I can't even believe how much truth there is in this world! I love truth!

One last Angel....

I heard from Mckay! He leaves the MTC this week, but not to Brazil....He still didn't know where he was going. He was so excited to be getting a temporary reassignment. He sounded a little nervous, but who wouldn't be?? He said that Elder Holland came to the MTC to speak and he was so excited! Mckay wrote that Elder Holland told them "If you're struggling right now...welcome to life!" I thought that was awesome!

Just some awesome insights from Mckay that have helped me:

"A mission isn't just about good times, fun and games, we are doing the Father's business, and it's time to go to work! I really like your life motto: "Do Hard Things." I think that it is a great motto. I too have a life motto: "Do Work." 

"I am recommitting myself to be EXACTLY obedient. There is always room for improvement."

"Just because we know something in our heads doesn't mean we know it in our hearts. The gospel doesn't become real to us when we believe it. It becomes real to us when we live it. There is a difference between testimony and conversion."

He's the bomb-diggity. 

Thank goodness for Angels the Lord sends to bear us up! 

 

Spread some happiness

Lighting someone else's candle makes the world a brighter place!

Back to school!

I love school! Yay for learning!!

Yup, I did it.

I finally cut my hair! I donated 10 inches to Locks of Love. Although I miss my long hair and am excited for it to grow back, I am enjoying the lightness of it. Oh, this is Savannah and I at her birthday dinner! We had a fun weekend celbrating my mom's, Savannah's and Mark's (Brother-in-law) birthdays! I am looking forward to school and being busy again.

Just a little something I've been thinking about.

"It is your reaction to adversirty, not the adversity itself, that determines how your life's story will develop." - President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

If you haven't read this talk you should. It's super good. You can find it here.

Love life and stay positive! :)

Tender Mercies

I'm not going to lie, life has been a little challenging lately. I feel this space to grow and become better, but I don't exactly know how to fill that space, how to let myself grow. Well, my first problem is probably that I think that I have anything to do with it. :) I don't. I just need patience and faith in the Lord and HE will help me fill that space.

Anyway, I have decided this morning that I need to focus on the tender mercies of the Lord. I have seen so many of them in my life lately and I need to remember where they come from and what they mean. God loves me and he is blessing me. The greatest blessing of the gospel is that it is simple.

So, this morning Adriana and I went to Sand Hollow Aquatic Center and swam laps. We like to exercise together and it was the most amazing thing ever. First, I love Adriana so it doesn't matter what we're doing I am enjoying myself. Second, I only live a few blocks away from the Aquatic Center so I rode my bike and it was the most beautiful morning. It wasn't so hot. Third, swimming is the bomb diggity. It is such a good work out. Fourth, Adriana and I are going to do a beginners triathlon (which is something that I have wanted to do for a long time now! Finally!). :) I am so EXCITED!
   Earlier this week she asked me to go with her and hang out with the Sister Missionaries. This was an amazing experience. I was able to get a feel of what a mission would be like and meet some really great people.

Lately, I have had time to spend with my dear friend Savannah. It is her birthday this weekend and I am so excited to celebrate. She has this happy spirit that I love so much. We can laugh and be silly and it is such a blessing to me. Life is so much easier with good friends.

Which reminds me, my brother is moving to Provo next week. He got a job and they want him to start next week. While I'm thankful that he found a job, I am seriously disappointed that they are taking my best friend away for the last two weeks of summer. I will just have to go and visit him!

Sometimes life feels like it's crashing down on me so heavily, but really, it's not. I have so much to be thankful for. Each day is filled with tender mercies and personalized packages of love from my father in heaven. 

Have a great day and try to notice the tender mercies in your life!