Peace

Tonight, I'm just in awe at how wonderful my life is. I am blessed with the most amazing family. I have a great support system of friends and neighbors who truly care about me and my well-being. I live very comfortably and am pretty spoiled. I am surrounded by so many examples of complete faith and countless amounts of charity. It's been very humbling for me to take a step back from looking at my life and the challenges in it and seeing what others are currently going through right now. My mom and I drove around the cemetary today and looked at the grave sites of close friends who's lives ended too short. The memories flooded back into my heart along with all the emotions. I am amazed by all that has happened in the past couple years and how much I have grown from it. I have truly seen the Lord's hand in my life. He has constantly been on the look out for me. I know He loves me and is guiding me where I need to go. Although my future in the next year, let alone the next couple of months, is completely up in the air. I know He will guide me to where I need to be. I'm so grateful for the examples I have to remind me of what truly is important and what I should be striving for. I'm grateful for all the opportunities I have to grow and help those around me. Life can be hard at times, but the little rewards and the sweet reminders of pure joy make it all worth it. Life is wonderful.... :)

Still Alive

Hello Blogging World!
Yes I'm still alive. Just been busy, ya know... with GRADUATING COLLEGE and living it up in HAWAII!! Blog posts to come on those with pics, but just checking in.... This past week has been a little rough with adjusting back to real life. I've been frustrated with work, but then I realized it's motivating me to study for my test so I can get the heck out of there and get a new job. A blessing in disguise I guess. Anyways stay tuned. Updates are on their way. Love ya'll :)

Happy Valentines Day!

My mom used this in her relief society lesson the other week and I absolutely loved it! It truly makes you think about what this holiday is truly about; recognizing the good in ourselves and others and showing gratitude to those we love. Hope you enjoy! It's called...  

"The Parable of the Rose"

A certain man planted a rose and watered it faithfully, and before it blossomed he examined it. He saw the bud that would soon blossom-- and also the thorns. and he thought, "How can any beautiful flower come form a plant burdened with so many sharp thorns?" Saddened by this thought, he neglected to water the rose, and before it was able to bloom, it died...

So it is with many people. Within every soul there is a rose- the God like qualities planted in us at birth-- growing amid the thorns of our faults. Many of us look at ourselves and see only the thorns, the defects. We despair, thinking that nothing good can possibly come from us. We neglect to water the good within us, and eventually it dies. We never realize our potential.

Some people do not see the rose within themselves; someone else must show it to them. One of the Savior's greatest characteristics was that He was able to show people the kingdom of heaven within them. He was able to reach past their thorns and show them the rose.

This is the characteristic of love-- to look at a person, and, knowing his faults, recognizing the nobility in his soul, and help him realize that he can overcome his faults. If we show him the rose, he will conquer the thorns, then he will blossom, bringing forth thirty, sixty, or a hundred-fold as it is given to him.

Our duty in this world is to help our brothers and sisters by showing them their roses and not their thorns. Only then can we achieve the love the Savior wants us to feel for each other; only then can we become perfect as He wants us to be and blossom in the garden of His Father."

- Author Unknown

Adjust Your Sails

Why yes it is a Saturday night and I am blogging. Why do you ask? Well for one I am procrastinating writing a paper and two, I am home sick. BUMMER. Of course the weekend when it seems all the fun stuff is going on and I had all these awesome plans set is the one that my body decides to all of a sudden freak out and I'm sick as a dog. No I'm not dying, but man I hate feeling left out!! I like to be in the middle of all the partying hahaha oh well... hopefully I won't be confined to my home much longer or I might just go crazy!

I've been meaning to write a post for awhile, but just haven't found the right words to say that I felt were appropriate. But then I remembered the analogy that is totally applying to my life as of late..... "You can't control the sea, but you can adjust your sails."

The sea I've been riding in lately has sure seemed like a stormy one. There's been times I've thought I was gonna fall overboard. My ship has not been stable. But through it all, the one thing that has kept me going is keeping my eyes on my Savior. I've said many times that "I don't know what to think, but all I know is that I have the faith that my Savior will make everything right."

Life ISN'T fair. It never will be. You can choose to accept it and move forward or be unhappy. For me, I've had to look for the positive things because a lot of things happen that you can't control. What you can control is your reaction to them. People can try and tear you down, but if you are aware of who you truly are and who God knows you to be... nothing else matters. You may have to face situations and circumstances you don't like, but in the end, you will be a better person because of it.

I'm at a point in my life where it seems all the most important decisions are at my feet. And amidst all of that, I've had things that I felt very confident with fall through, which has made me question a lot of things I've desired. I had a friend comment today on a discussion we were having and how the advice I had given him was totally something he was not expecting me to say. It got me to thinking about how much I've changed. How much my perspective on life has not only changed since high school, but just in this past year or so. I want different things. I'm more aware of what's going on around me. I understand the reality, but I'm also hopeful of the best outcomes for each situation.

Lately I've realized how important it is to live in the moment. Look at what you have; what's in front of you. Take every chance that comes your way. Life is TOO short not to! I feel like honesty and communication are taken for granted so often and they are some of the things I so strongly strive for! I am so grateful for all the wonderful blessings I have in my life. Most importantly, this GOSPEL. For in it, I see the beauty of this life that surrounds me; I recognize the importance to my life each day. What a wonderful gift we all have to strive to lift others around us, to form beautiful relationships, to witness the tender mercies of our Lord and Savior, and to strive to become the Gods and Goddesses are Heavenly Father wishes us to be. These are the things that help me keep my ship steady when the sea seems to be relentlessly out of control. I'm grateful for all the many testimony builders that help me see what I am truly searching for and remind me that everything will work out according to God's will and timing.

BRF: Best Roomates FOREVER

Change is inevitable. People come and go. Good and bad things happen. As I look back on my life, I think about those moments where I've had rough times and the times I've been stretched to what feels like my limit. I think of all the heartache, fear, and despair.... but then, I remember the tender mercies which God sent my way to help me cope with all the changes and hard times. Most of the time those came in the form of angels and one of them is named Hailey Wankier.

Since Hailey is leaving on her mission tomorrow, I felt it was appropriate to write a post all about her because she is one of my bestest friends in the entire world! She is one of the most kind, fun-loving, hilarious people I have ever met. She has a heart of gold and a strong testimony of this gospel with with she constantly lives and acts upon. I am so sad I have to say goodbye, but the people of Washington D.C. are incredibly lucky to have her to rely on. She will do amazing work there and have an impact on everyone she comes in contact with.

I met Hailey my first year of college. We were set up to be roommates by a woman in my homeward who is related to her. I'm not gonna lie I was worried to move in with people I didn't know, but I was oh so glad I took that chance! From that risk I gained a best friend I will probably have for the rest of my life! We have been through so much together. Going into the college/adult was a big adjustment, but she made it so much better. We've laughed through the awkward and funny moments, had heart to hearts about our deepest desires, and gotten through the daily struggles together. We have so many memories that I cherish and have been reminiscing about this week. I look forward to many more to come. I cannot thank the Lord enough for giving me such a great friend I can rely on! I love you Hailey Wankier!! BRFTE!!!!!! <3

A Lot Has Changed....

WOW...... I mean wow. So much has been going on and I haven't been able to keep up my blog so I apologize.

So where to even begin? Summer ended way too quickly, but it was one I won't forget. I learned so much and gained a greater confidence in myself. I finally feel comfortable with where I'm at and think I've gotten the hang at the whole college thing. (Good thing I'm about to graduate right?) Change is inevitable so all you can do is roll with the punches.

I am now done with my third semester of nursing school!!!!!! It was definitely challenging. It wasn't as rough as my first semester, but I feel like it was the most time consuming. I was able to work on most of the  floors in the hospital and I started to feel like a nurse. I am still gaining knowledge and experience, but I feel like I was actually able to put my skills to use. I'm preparing to go into my last semester of college. I will have one class, an online project, my internship in the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit), and then just studying like crazy to prepare for the NCLEX (state exam to get my license). I am still in shock that I am already to this time in my life. I honestly thought it would never come, so it's been interesting to see how far I've come. Who knows what will happen within the next year.

In my ward, I served as a gospel doctrine teacher for 6 months. I feel like I learned more than I probably taught, but it was a real test to follow the promptings of the spirit and I felt like my testimony has grown a lot from the calling. I also feel it helped prepare me for my new calling; relief society president. I am still in shock and very humbled by this calling. I just was sustained last week and honestly still don't know what I'm doing. I'm trying to find a balance between fulfilling my calling and enjoying church and socializing. I just feel like there is so much pressure and everyone is watching me. I have to remember I'm not perfect and people have to make their own decisions. I just have to do the best I can and rely on the Lord for comfort and strength. I hope that I can make my Heavenly Father proud and do whatever I can to meet the needs of His church and those sisters I have stewardship over.

I am very blessed and happy. I pray that this Christmas, everyone will remain safe and healthy. After last Christmas, I have gained such a greater appreciation for the little things. I'm excited to spend time with my family and remember my Savior. I hope everyone has a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!

Life is like a roller coaster....

I swear I cannot stick with just one emotion and be happy with it. I guess being a girl doesn't help with that either. I feel like life can throw so much at you sometimes and to be honest, I don't always know the best way to handle it. Something I've struggled with lately is the frustration with thinking there is a reason something happens in my life that I think is an odd coincidence and must have a reason for. So of course I go for the opportunity and then it ends up leading me no where. It ends. Dies. Ceases. And I think to my self, "Why was this placed in my path if it didn't work out?" The situations may be based on a job, dating, school, or just simple things. I have a hard time with change and when I don't exactly know the reason for it, it makes it even harder so I've really had to see if I'm trying to line my life up with what the Lord wishes. Boy is it easier said than done!!!! Having to fully rely on your faith that things will happen. Some things you may be anxiously be waiting for, but you have to trust that when the timing is right, the Lord will grant you the things He/you so desires.

Sorry for my rambling, but this has been on my mind for the past little while. I'm sure we can all relate to this on one issue or another. It's life and we have to take it with our best foot forward, with hope in our eyes, and a smile on our face.

Until next time.... :)

Yes.... I am a slacker.

Wow time sure flies when you're having fun! I cannot believe I start school in a month. I am very nervous about this upcoming semester, but I'm excited to see what the change has to bring to me. But anywho.... SUMMER!!!! I have lots to update on....

I've been on a couple vacations with the fam. One to California (mainly Anaheim and San Diego) and then our annual camping trip to Bear Lake. Both were tons of fun! In Cali we went to Disneyland and SeaWorld, Seaport Village, La Jolla Cove, and did a bunch of site seeing. It was a lot of fun and I'm grateful I was able to go! Bear Lake also was a blast! It was fun to be lazy for a couple days, read, relax, good food, campfires, sun tanning, and we got to go on waverunners! I am lucky to be a part of such a wonderful family!

My brother and I also have had a lot of fun! We got season passes to LAGOON so we've been trying to take advantage of that. We also went to the Parachute Concert in Salt Lake City and were also on Channel 2 news!! Hanging with my bro is the greatest! He is too good to me and I love him lots!!

Since it is July, I've been to a bunch of fireworks and it has been a party! The Mendon Celebration is also this week for the 24th so that should be a good time as well! My birthday was also a couple of weeks ago so I am no longer a teenager anymore!!! It is such a great feeling and really weird at the same time. I'm getting soooo old ;) hahaha I ended up going to Bear Lake on my birthday with a couple of friends and then came home to a "surprise" party. I got to celebrate with tons of friends and just have a good time. I am one lucky girl!

I just love summer soooo much! I'm sad it is winding down, but I plan on taking in all that I can! I've been on a lot of fun dates and have met lots of new friends. What a fun summer this has turned out to be!