Maiden Voyage

So I know that it has been awhile, because I let myself get distracted and etc. All of them are really excuses. 

For the first time in my life I own a car. I have named her Penelope! She is a cutie and I love her. Lets just say that we have bonded a lot these last few days. First off, when she had a slow leak in her tire. So I took her to get it fixed at a tire service place, lets just say that they weren't as helpful as they could have been. They told me that my alignment was out of place and that I would have to get new tires, because it was rubbing my tires in the wrong spot. They said that they couldn't fix it because of liability issues. Inside I was thinking, 'you can't plug the hole??' I went in hoping to get it fixed, but found out that they just wanted to take advantage of me (you would have to have been there to understand their tactics). So I went to another place that told me that they could fix the leak in my tire no problem. Then I went to another more trusted mechanic, they said that the alignment was only a little out of place. Not enough to cause that problem. But that in fact it was my bearing that were loose and that I would need new ones. Got her all fixed up. Gassed her up; took her home and loaded her up for the maiden voyage. My first time driving by myself to school. It took two days to get here, but I made it. Luckily, alive and all in one piece. I have only to thank Heavenly Father and his angels, and all those who prayed for me to travel safely. I seriously could not have done it without them. I am not just saying that either. I mean it with my whole soul. I have said prayers of gratitude and thanks for the protection and safety. I also have prayed for those whom helped me on my way and made this all possible. My heart is brimming with happiness and gratitude. Also, my body hurts like the dickens cause it was a 21 (maybe more) hour drive over all, with little sleep because of the time change and stress. I am also torn between standing and wanting to sit. 

I am thankful to be able to start another school year. Hopefully, I will have great roommates and enjoy this semester. I really hope and pray that I can study hard and do well in my classes. I want to finish school as soon as possible. I will just have to work hard to do so. 

I also have a wonderful family. I will miss them terribly while I am away. I hope that they stay safe and have many blessings poured abundantly upon them. I can not express the depths of my love for them in words. It is something that you will have to feel.

A Month and A Half Later....

"Just because it's not happening right now, doesn't mean that it never will"

So it has been a while since I have written yet again. I must apologize. I have been busy with school and socializing. So far the semester is going great. I like my classes. I have a lot of new friends. I am improving myself in being able to be my true self. Which is always a great thing.

I enjoyed listening to General Conference. I learned so much. I am excited to hear from the new Apostles, who have been called. I will miss those who have passed on, but I know that the Lord needed them. Their testimonies and faithfulness have touched my life for the better.

I have been able to love so many more people this semester and I will always be thankful for that. Sometimes it can be challenging, but so worth it to learn how to open my heart to those around me. I love my new roommates and hope and pray that they will be able to achieve all that they wish to achieve and become. Seriously, the Lord has blessed me with so much. I know that I needed to be with these girls. They have taught me patience and have helped be to be able to learn how to control my feelings of frustration and anger. (This can be hard for me to do).

I have been able to go to the temple with them. That is even a greater blessing. I know that Heavenly Father wants me to go and He gave me people who would want to go to the temple. I am so thankful for the many blessings that make up my life. Sometimes when I think about my blessing and just how much the Lord has given me and still gives me, my heart swells with love and happiness. I know that this life would be so much more difficult without Him in it.

I know that I am suppose to be here in my life. Where I go after this, I don't know, but I do know that the Lord will never let me face it alone. Knowing that He is always with me, makes it easier to do what He asks of me.

The Start of My Junior Year

The direction in which education starts a man will determine his future in life.  

                                                                                            ~Plato

Wow! I am about to start my junior year of college. It doesn't feel like I am a junior already. But here I am. I am also diving into my major classes, which is fantastic and scary. I also get to move into my new apartment this weekend! It is newly renovated and it is the first time that the apartment complex will be boys and girls. This will be my first time living in such a complex. 

I am excited to be go back, probably because I will have a purpose (meaning school and homework, and a social life). I would rather have all the fun than the work. But then who doesn't? Speaking of a social life, last night this guy asked me out for next week. So sometime next week I will have a date. I am starting off the semester with a date. Look at me go! This has seriously never happened before. 

Well, I have had a great summer and I know that it is time for me to go back to school and I am so excited! Wish me luck, cause I am going to need it. 

The Summer Break

"Create a life that feels good on the inside, not one that just looks good on the outside."

So it is the third week of my summer break and it is great. I have been veggin' on the couch watching TV, reading books, sleeping (okay not that much sleep), eating (a lot of eating of ice cream especially). Just chillin' and it is so nice. I don't want it to end. I don't want to go back to school and have all that stress back on my shoulders. But I can do hard things! (At least that is what I tell myself.)

Of course the people that I am staying with do give me chores, so don't worry I haven't gotten that lazy. I go sweep the drive way, weed the garden beds and driveway, sweep the floors, mop, clean my room, and whatever else I am assigned.

Anyway, I have also hung out with friends who are still around for the summer break, we have gone bridge jumping, night climbing, gone to a drive in theatre, and I am going to hang out with them again tomorrow. It is nice and weird at the same time to hang out with people my own age since the break started. I am use to being around a family and it is weird for me to go be around people my age and I feel awkward around them. Not that the situation is awkward, that is just how I feel. So it will be interesting to see how the Fall semester goes.

Also there is this guy that started texting me today. He hasn't texted me for awhile, so..... The only reason that I say that is because He is interested in me apparently and is supposedly going to ask me out on a date. (Not that I am suppose to know that, but that is what I was told.) So I am suppose to be surprised when He asks me out. But it has been awhile since the he said that to his parents who told the parents that I am staying with. So we will see what happens. Either guys ask me out or they don't. And if they do ask me out, its only once. There is one exception though, one guy did ask me out twice, but the first time is was cause I was right there and He needed a date and the second time was because the mutual friend that we meet through was out of town and He asked me out a second time.

Anyways, life is good. I am enjoying myself and thought that it was time to update my blog. Till next time....

The End Comes Again

                  "If you are on the right path, it will always be uphill."                                                            ~Henry B Eyring  

Once again it is the end of another great semester. This is my fourth semester and I have had great roommates. I am doing well in my classes, I have bonded with great women and I will miss them. Two of my roommates got engaged over this semester. One is getting married later this week and the other later this year. I am going to be rooming again with a few of my roommates again this upcoming fall semester. So there will be seven weeks until we see each other  again.

I have had a lot of fun this semester. I have gone to a play on campus, called Steel Magnolias. They did a great job. I have gone to Utah with some friends for the Fourth of July. I have gone swimming, walking, running, to the temple, cooked, met new people, and a bunch of other things. I have learned much about planning a wedding and a lot of things that gone into making it happen. I have learned a lot about relationships. (Even though I am still single). I have learned a lot about myself. Of course there was school and classes where I learned much as well.

Heavenly Father has blessed me so much. With protection, with love, patience, comfort, and peace. He has given me wonderful roommates, who I have come to love, great friends, a fun FHE group, times of laughter, many memories that I will cherish. I am so glad that He is the one who guides me through my life. If He didn't, my life would be a big old mess. Well...a lot worse than it is. The only reason my life is a mess is cause I am human and still make mistakes. I have the means to make good food. I am so thankful that He protects me.

I am thankful to the wonderful friends who are taking me in for the seven week break of school. They are wonderful people and deserve the best. I am so lucky to know them. I bet that I will have a great time with them.

Happy Father's Day!!

"The best way to make children good is to make them happy."

                            ~Oscar Wild 

I love my Father!! I am so blessed that He is my Father and that he loves me. He is a great man who does His best to live a life that full of love and laughter. He does His best to emulate Heavenly Father and His example of fatherhood. My Father by doing so has helped me to develop a deeper love of Heavenly Father. I will always be grateful for Him for doing so. I hope that my Father has a great day being surround my family and loved ones.

I also want to express my gratitude for Heavenly Father, whom is a wonderful father. He has truly blessed my life so much and I can only show him my gratitude by obeying His commandments and Prophets. I know that He knows that I love Him, but I want to continue to show him what He truly means to me. So today I am going to do my best to keep the Sabbath holy and to be willing to put away worldly things especially for Him.

I am thankful that there is a day where we can celebrate Father's and all that they do. Also for all the men who have touched our lives to help us on the path of life. So put aside your own needs today to express to those men around you what they mean to you and how they have touched your life. Thank you men who have taken on the role of Fatherhood and are doing their best to raise their children with love, kindness, laughter, and respect. Thank you again and again for all that you have done.

It's Been Awhile....

"We don't meet people by accident. They are meant to cross our path." 

So, we all know how I was nervous about meeting and moving back to my apartment. But let me but those worries to rest. I love my new roommates! I am so lucky to have them in my life. They are really great women and they are really chill. I know that I am suppose to be here with them at this time. Really, as soon as I met them I had peace and it just got better and better the more I got to know them. I feel so blessed that I have a whole semester to get to know them.

So far this semester is going great. I have been doing well in my classes and in getting my homework done. I am really happy with that. I have also been making more friends in my class. Which is nice since that means I am branching out more. I am also making a ton of new friends in and out of school. 

I know that this will sound silly to some, but to me it is great strides in my life. I am so proud of myself. I feel more confident within myself and that just makes me so happy. I feel like I am become the person that I want to be. I just feel so blessed to have this happening to me. Also, my roommates are telling that they really like me and that the are so glad that they are able to know me and to get to know me. They are so uplifting and I feel so lucky to be with them.

My FHE brothers are really nice was well. They are a good group of boys. They really like to do sports or some kind of active game. They are really funny as well and....cute (if I am being honest). Last Saturday, they invited us to watch the Jurassic Park and I mean one though three. I have never really seen them all the way through. So I went and it was a lot of fun. I didn't get to finish the third one though, because of curfew. But that is okay. It was fun. 

I have also been going to the Temple and that just makes everything better. Seriously, though everyone there is so happy and nice and willing to serve. It is so nice to go there and to get away from the world and all the worries that go with it. To feel peace and joy, it is what I want. Also doing service as well is great. 

I just feel so blessed and I know that it is from Heavenly Father. I know that He loves me and is guiding me through this life and helping me to become a better person. The person He knows that I can become and I want to become. I love Heavenly Father so much and I want Him to know it by words and actions. I know that He knows my heart, but I want to prove myself to Him. 

It's about to Begin!!!!

"Life Stands before me like an eternal spring with new and brilliant clothes."                                                                                                                                        ~ Carl Friedrich Gauss 

I am officially moved into my apartment. I have met four of my new roommates and they all seem very nice. I have had a good feeling about my roommates and so that makes me feel comfortable to be in a new situation. I am still nervous though, so don't think that I am not. But everyone is super nice and funny. My room is all set up for school to begin and my room is a lot bigger than my previous semesters. My closet is bigger as well, which means that I have more space for clothes. But I feel like that the kitchen is smaller, which I don't like. The bathroom has great lighting and a lot of mirrors so that you can work at one mirror and someone else can work at another one. When you walk out of the bathroom area there is a full length mirror and sometimes I get surprised to see someone moving towards me and when I look at it, it is myself. I am such a silly goose.

Yesterday, I got to see my friend/former-roommate Lily. It was so good to see her. I have missed her so much. Lily had rented a car and we went to the town that is bigger than where we are at. We went to the theater and watch Cinderella!! I love Cinderella. It is just so clean and when I am finished watching it I feel like a princess and want to dance out of the room. It just makes me happy. It was well done. When the movie was over we went out and ate at Red Robin. Then she dropped me off at home. I had a great time with her.

I finally have a SCOTT STERLING shirt!!! I love it. A roommate from last semester got it for me. I am so excited.

Today, was another good day. I actually finished unpacking today. I have all my pictures and things hanging up that are from my family and friends. Then I went and picked up my books with my new roommates. We walked around campus finding classes for one of my roommates, who has not gone here before. Then she, E, took us out to lunch for showing her around. Which was very nice of E. We went to Jimmy John's. After that we went back to our apartment. We just hung out until 6ish, where we went to Soda Vine and then to the movies where we saw Home. It was a really good movie. I would recommend it to others. Then we came home and did what we needed to. Then to pass the time we watched another movie. During the movie I met the last roommate. I haven't really gotten to talk to her as she left soon after she got here.

Well that is all for now and I hope that this semester is great with these new girls. I have had fun with E and S. I have only met M twice so far, but she seems nice. Ke seems nice as well, but seems to keep to herself, but I think that it will change with her room-roommate back in town now. Then Ka I only met for a couple of minutes before she left as well. So I don't know about the K's or M, because I haven't been around them as much as E and S. But they seem nice.

Wish me the best of luck.

Back to School

"Don't worry about how INEXPERIENCED you are or think you are, but think about what, with the Lords help, you can become."

                                                                ~ Henry B Eyring 

So it is another Semester of school. I traveled all the way from home again and am staying with my second Family, until I can start moving into my apartment. Every time I leave my family and dropped off at the airport, I am always in tears. You think that it would be easier every time, but for me its the same, but I don't think that I would have it any other way. I sat by very nice people. Those that I sat by where either traveling with friends or too see friends. Which I thought was awesome.

When I left home it was spring time and starting to get warm and everything was blooming and trees where getting their leaves. As I was flying to DFW airport. It was raining, but warm. Then I get on a plane to SLC airport. Guess what the pilot said. That a cold front had moved in and it would be cold when we landed in Utah. I was not ready for that. I am just glad that I brought my coat and didn't take it out when my luggage was over weight. Waiting for my bus to take me the rest of the way, was cold. I found gloves in my pockets and put them on. I was so pleased with myself and that I was prepared. I slept as much as one can on the bus. At one stop this teenager backed up into the bus. I saw him backing up and was wondering why he didn't drive forward as there was no one in the parking space in front of him. But he didn't and so we had to wait for that to be dealt with and then we were finally on our way. But I didn't sleep the rest of the way, just in case I didn't let my second Family know that I was almost there. I got to my destination an hour later than they said I would. But I made it safely since it was snowing or slushing the whole way. It was so hard to be warm on the bus. My feet were freezing and there was only so much room to curl up under my coat.

But this semester will be a brand new start. I will be living in the same complex, but a different building and room than the last three semester. I will also be rooming with five other girls that I know nothing about and have never met before. I will also me in a new ward with people that I have not had before. So my nervous are acting up. One of my Former Roommate will be in town, but lives in another complex across campus. I will miss coming home to her and being room-roommates. But she needed to do what was best for herself. We do have plans for hanging out between my school and her work schedule. I can't wait to see her again. I will also know a few people from semesters before who will be in town. Maybe we can hang out sometime.

Well, that is pretty much my life changing news for now. Wish me luck on my new semester as I face the unknown or really just the change that comes with growing up. I hope I am brave enough to face it with courage and grace.

School is Over!!! Yes!

"It's not whats under the Christmas tree that matters its who around it..."

My Finals are official over and I am done until next spring. I am so glad to be done and have it over. I am also packed and ready to go, but it will be a couple of more days until I can go home. And soon I will be home with my family which is even more exciting. I can wait until I can leave. The only sad thing is that I don't want to leave my roommates. I am going to miss them so, so much! I just hope to be able to see them again soon.  They have blessed me in so many ways and I am a better person because of it. Heavenly Father is also watching out for me. He has surrounded me with wonderful people who love me and look out for me. They have done so much for me and I am so appreciative of them. I love them so much.

It's Finals Week Again!

                                        "Prayer is your personal key to heaven."                                                                                              ~Boyd K. Packer

So this is the last week of school! Yeah! I am so happy to be done with school. I hope that I do my best on my finals. Thankfully I have one done. I have four left to do. Yuck. I wish that I had no more. I also have to pack and clean my apartment, cause I wont be back for the winter semester, which makes me sad. I have to wait until next Monday before I can go home. I can't wait till I can see my family again. I will see my parents, siblings, cousins, Aunts, Uncles, and my Grandparents. I haven't seen them in nine months. It is about time. Like the song, "I'll be home for Christmas." I can't wait till next Monday!

There is one problem and it is kind of major. All the people here that I love, I wont see in the spring. I don't want to leave them. I am going to miss them so, so much. We have grown so close. They are apart of my family now and I don't know what I am going to do without them. Probably cry. I hope not, but that is what is probably going to happen. This last weekend, we went and took Roommate Pictures. It was a great time. I am so glad to have these memories, we could not stop laughing and having a great time. We also took pictures on the coldest day that week.

I am also afraid that I wont be able to get on the plane, because of whatever reason. I don't want to have anything that might stop me from getting home. Or that the weather will be bad and I will be stranded. I know that I am a goose and it is silly to worry now, but I can't help it. I have to tell myself that everything will work out in the end.

Wish me luck on my finals.

Thanksgiving Break

                  If you want to give light to others first you have to glow yourself.                                                                  ~ President Thomas S. Monson 

So this Tuesday was my last day of school for the week. Thankfully I can now rest so that when school ends in two weeks I am ready. I can't believe that it is that time all ready. Time has gone by so fast. I am ready to home though. To see my family and eat great food, spend time with my siblings. It will be great and I will be home for Christmas. It is also appropriate for me to now listen to as much Christmas music as I want too! Hope that I don't drive my roommates too crazy.

So my old roommate's parents asked me to house sit for them. Let me tell you most boring time this year so far. I feel like I am going to go crazy, because I feel like I don't see enough humans and you can only talk to the dog for so long before you feel too crazy. Yeah that's me. I have been talking to the dog. I can't wait till Sunday night. I am going back to civilization. Thankfully I have one faithful roommate who has come to see me everyday so far. Even though they don't stay long at least they are here for a little while. All this time does provide serious reflection of one's self. And time to day dream which is something that I haven't done in a while. I have also been watching a ton of TV show and movies. I am a little media out. Thankfully I have a book that I can start reading. I also got to talk to my family and my best friend on the phone.

 I also wished my many friends Happy Thanksgiving. My little brother, who is not so little any more, won in our Family Shoot-Out. That is where we have a competition to see who can shoot the most clay pigeons. I am proud of him. Wish that I could have been there. Then today is my little sister's birthday. I gave her a call and we talked for a little while. I also found out that my youngest brother was sick yesterday and today. Poor fellow. But isn't that what usually happens when you visit family. Someone gets sick and passes it along. I did two puzzles today, watched a ton of TV and did laundry. This is making for an exciting break.

Well that is my life story so far. Until next time.

Gratitude

"So much in life depends on our attitude. The way we choose to see things and respond to others makes all the difference."                                                                                                                                   ~President Thomas S. Monson 

My heart is full of gratitude today. I am thankful for my family. That I get to be with them for all time and eternity. I am thankful for their support as I went to college and make choices that will affect me in this life. I am thankful for their example of righteous living and love. I am thankful for their love that they freely give. I am thankful for my Grandparents and their example of going on a mission. I am thankful that my Grandma does work for our ancestors and lets me help. I am thankful for all those that have touched my life in little ways and in major ways as well.  I am thankful for my dearest friends and the laughter that we have shared. That I am  so lucky that I get to know them.

I am so lucky that I am able to go to college. That the Teacher's here are my teachers. That they teach me what they love. That I am able to incorporate the gospel into daily topics of conversations. That I am able to be so close to a temple of the Lord. I am thankful for uplifting music and movies. I am thankful for great food. I am grateful for learning how to cook. I am grateful to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I am grateful for the gospel and how it has blessed my life for better. My life would be empty and lack meaning if I didn't have the gospel in my life. I won't have this overflowing joy or love, at least it wouldn't be this strong or I would also be searching for more. With the gospel I can do all the simple things and be fulfilled.

There is so much in my life to be grateful for and I can't express all of it. Thank goodness that this month is a month of gratitude.

Swamped

"In great attempts, it is glorious even to fail."

                                    ~Vincent T. Lombardi

This is a really busy week for me. I have a ton of homework to do and I feel like so little time in the day to get it done. I have to go to these Gateway Seminars that are for my Foundation classes. I have two to go to and I went to one yesterday and I have another one today. Why do I cram so much into one week I will never know why.

So on October 19, I had to give a lesson in Relief Society. I got there early and was a little apprehensive about giving my first lesson. When the time was turned over to me, I said the first sentence and then started the second sentence. That's when it happened...I started crying. I could not stop crying the whole time. It was so mad at myself. I hate, HATE crying in public. With everyone looking at me. Everyone told me that it was a really good lesson and that the Spirit was there. I can testify that the Spirit was there! I know it. After that class, I went to the bathroom and make sure that my make-up wasn't running. My eyes were so red. I mean red. I didn't want to make eye contact with anyone. After that class, in every other class I wanted to cry as well.

Then this last week Meaning the days between October 20-25, on Monday for FHE we went to The Haunted Mill. Oh my goodness, it was so much fun. I did scream a little but I wasn't as bad as some others that where there. I also saw a friend there with her family. It was really nice. Luckily this week wasn't too bad. I had my half birthday this week. I made breakfast for myself and Brandi. It was really good. I made French toast, but it was a Nutella Sandwich and we had Bacon. I have missed bacon so much!

Well that is the last two weeks. Nothing much is going on, except is it Midterms, tests and homework. I hope that you all are doing good.

A Great Opportunities

"The time is now to rededicate our lives to eternal ideals and values, to make those changes that we need to make in our own lives and conduct to conform to the Savior's teachings."

                                                                                             ~David B. Haight

So I have made it through the second and third week of school. They weren't as long as the first week, thank goodness. Classes are going good. I got to hear from Jeffrey R. Holland on Tuesday September 23rd at devotional. It was a great talk about how we are in charge of our own happiness That we have to pursue after our own happiness.

Then that Saturday I got to go to the Temple. As I was walking with my roommate up to the Temple in the rain. There was a car who stopped and asked if we needed a ride. We took them up on their offer and didn't have to walk in the rain. Heavenly Father blessed me and my roommate for going to the Temple. Then later that night, I went to the General Woman's Broadcast. It was beautiful! I am so thankful that I went.

More beauty and joy has come my way. On October 4th and 5th, I have the opportunity to listen to living Prophets, whom serve God will all their might, mind, and strength. The counsels that they have given are beautiful and cause reflection of myself. I was spiritual edified and uplifted. My dedication to live and obey the laws was renewed. Questions were answered and ways provided for me to be able to achieve all that I wish to achieve. The wonderful thing is that its only the 4th. I haven't heard all the wonderful talks that will be given tomorrow and yet my soul rejoices in the truth of what has been spoke today. My testimony has grown and will continue to grow through out my life.

My thanks and gratitude fill my heart with joy and thanksgiving. That Heavenly Father has blessed His children with a living prophet who will lead and guide us to the truth of His Gospel. It is a truly glorious. I know that President Thomas S. Monson is a Prophet of God! That He holds the priesthood keys that have been restored to the earth. Listen to the call of the prophets voice, I beg you. Answer the call that will touch your soul and awaken it from sleep. They will bring you to the light and the way to be with Heavenly Father again for all time and eternity. The love of God is made manifest in the words they speak in reminding, pleading, chastening us to remember our Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. Again, please listen (https://www.lds.org/?lang=eng). They know the way!

The First Week of School

"Other people may not have high expectations for me...but I had high expectations for myself"
                                                                                            ~Shannon Miller

It was crazy busy here. So this past week was the first week of school and I am glad that it is over. Thank goodness for the weekends, right? I feel like it has been at least a month or something. Other than that the week has been really good. I am taking five classes and one class is online and that it new for me. I am taking Family Foundations, Math for the Real World, Advanced Writing and Critical Thinking, Science Foundations, and a beginning Piano class. I really like my classes so far. I am excited for this semester and hope to be able to do my best in all of my classes.

My goals for this semester is to make sure that I get all my homework done before the weekend if at all possible. Sadly I don't have all my homework done for the week so this Saturday will be a fun day getting that done. l also want to go to the Temple every week if possible, at least once a week. Like today, I went to the Temple and did some family names that my Grandma sent me. I am going to reread the Book of Mormon, I am actually about to start Alma tomorrow. So that is exciting. I am so excited for General Conference. I can't wait to hear what the prophets have to say!

More exciting news is that I have bought my bus and plane ticket so I can go home!!! I know that I have three months before I get to go home but I am still excited. Also great news is that I got a new computer!!! (I am using it right now to write this blog.) I am so thankful to my Father who loves me! I miss him and can't wait to see him! And everyone else who is back at home. Three moths will fly by before I know it.

Also I got a new ward this semester. The guys seem really nice and fun. I think that it will be a good semester. I also met my FHE brothers this Monday. FHE will be fun. I can't wait to get to know the people in my ward. The Bishop as well is really nice and he knows that it will be a transition but is confident that soon everyone will be comfortable and okay with it.

Well that's all I have for now. I'll write soon.

The Summer is Winding Down

"In order to be most effective in our service, we need to put our own lives in order. Then, as we live the gospel, our lives will reflect righteousness and virtue, and we will be a powerful influence for good in the lives of others."
                                                                                           ~O. Leslie Stone

 School is about to start in two weeks. I am a little sad, because I liked that I didn't have to do homework or stress about school. It was really nice just to be able to get up when I want and to eat when I want and watch a ton of movies and hang out with friends all day. But I am looking forward for people to be coming back into town. I will be able to meet new people and make new friends.

Exciting news is that I have finally finished reading Preach My Gospel!!! I am so thankful that I read it. I have learned so much. I am thankful that the father planted in my heart the desire to read Preach My Gospel. As I have read and studied it, I have learned more about the gospel, and ways to share the gospel. My testimony has grown and is stronger than before. Reading Preach My Gospel has improved my life in many ways. I have learned more about Jesus Christ and my Heavenly Father, and ways to feel the Holy Ghost. The love that Father has for all of his children can be seen when you learn how to share the gospel. I have improved my knowledge and study time. I hope that for whatever mission the Father has for me, that I can do my best and become my best. I say this in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

I have also finished reading a book called the The Infinite Atonement by Tad R. Callister. It was a great read. It was fantastic! It helped me to understand the Atonement better and to think about things in a different way. This book has also helped my testimony as well. I would recommend this book for those who want to learn more about the Atonement or who wish to understand what it really means. I am so thankful to have read it and hope that I will never forget the Savior's atoning sacrifice for me personally and personally for every individual who will take upon him His name and always remember him. I am thankful that Jesus Christ is the example that I have to follow to become like him. I am thankful for the love that he possess for every individual and that I have felt a portion of that love for his children.

I am thankful for the Temple and for being so close. I am thankful for the work that can be done in the Temple and that I am able to be apart of that work. Thank you Grandma for sending me names. Today, is a beautiful day! and it was made even more beautiful when I came out of the Temple with peace and joy in my soul. Thank you Heavenly Father for blessing me with peace and joy.

Livin' Up the Summer

"The most wasted of all days is one without laughter."
                                                      ~E. E. Cummings

Since I have last posted I have gone on vacation. I went with my roommate Jane Doe and her family to Bear Lake. Oh my goodness! It was beautiful! I was sad to leave. It has become one of my favorite places that I have been to so far. The water was a beautiful blue. If I could I would have bottle it up and brought it home. But when you bottle water it is clear, so I couldn't bring home the color that I wanted to.

This is a view of Bear Lake. You can see that it is beautiful. We spent hours down on the lake. I got to ride a wave runner for the first time was well. We also made sandcastles. They turned out great in my opinion. We also went on a hike. Me in my laziness wore flip flops and stepped on a cactus. The funny thing about that is that I didn't even know that I was stepping on a cactus until my roommate's dad told me. I only got a few stickers on the sides of my foot and got those out. From the top, the view was spectacular!!

This is me standing at the top (see flip flops) and below is the view of the little town.

Then one morning I woke up early and saw this beautiful sunrise.

So that was my vacation. I hope to be able to go back some day. I loved it there!

Then when I got back. I hung out with some friends. We did all kinds of things. We went bridge jumping, had a marshmallow roast, went on a hike, watched a movie. played volleyball. I met a ton of new people. I had a blast.

But then they went out of town. So another roommate and I were parked on the couch watching TV. When she is like I want to throw a party. I was like okay I am down for that. The truth of the matter was that I wanted to flirt with some cute guys. So the party was last night and let me tell you it was a blast. It was great. I am so glad that we threw a party. I did not know anyone who came. So I got to met a ton of new people. Also let me tell you that when a group of cute guys come walking into your apartment it feels great.  I got my wish!! It made for a great day, actually it was night. We played games that I have never played before. All I am going to say is that I liked these new games, can't wait to play them again. They also liked my cookies and brownies which would make anyone feel great. They didn't leave until curfew, which was midnight. I hope that they all had fun.

So that is a brief version of my summer so far. I hope that the last few weeks of my summer are just as fun.

Congrats to My Roommate!!

"Seek not to declare my word, but first seek to obtain my word, and then shall your tongue be loosed; then, if you desire, you shall have my Spirit and my word, yea, the power of God unto the convincing of men."
                                                                      Doctrine and Covenants 11:21

Yesterday, my roommate received exciting news! She is going to serve a Mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She received her call to serve in Spain. I am so excited for her. This is a great opportunity for her and also yesterday her older sister got home from serving her mission in Germany. I think that it is so exciting that her sister got to come home and be there to see her little sister open her mission call. I know that She will do great and will serve the Lord with all her might, mind, and strength, and endure to the end. I am so thankful that I was able to be there. I had a fun time with her family.

Part of me wonders where I would go if I went on a Mission. I wish that I could know before, but that is not how it works. Which is fine. A mission is not for the faint hearted. Even if I don't serve an official mission, I know that everyday I can have missionary opportunities. Like, yesterday my roommate's Grandpa asked me when I was going to get my call. I replied that I am on call every day. And it is true. Everyone was impressed with my reply.

I am going to miss rooming with her. She is great and puts up with my weird quirks. We had planned on taking five classes together, but she wont be able to take them now. It will be just me. I am a little bummed about that. I was excited to take these classes with her, but I will get over being bummed. I know that I can do it, because I have done it before, so it is nothing new.

Well that is all the exciting news for now.

My Summer Has Just Begun!!

"We must use time creatively, and forever realize that the time is always ripe to do right."
                                                             ~ Nelson Mandela

SO now that I am done with my first year of College, I feel great. Ready for my break that is for sure. I am spending it here with four of my roommates from the Spring semester. One is actually leaving tomorrow to go home, but will be back for the Fall semester, so that is okay. I will miss her while she is gone. Thankfully I will have the other two, or my life would be so boring.

So this last weekend. I went and floated the Warm River. It was fun, but the name is deceiving. It was freezing water! Especially when you had to sit in the water. Wow! It was so much fun! I put sunblock on before I got in the water. I have this one awkward sunburn on my thigh. It is just a little strip. It is pretty funny to see it. Then after that we went and got shakes. It was good. Oreo's are fantastic!! I just have to say that. I wish that I could eat Mint Oreo's all day, but I can't. Then when we got home, we got invited to go hang out with friends and when I say that I mean I only knew one person, besides my roommate. Everyone else seemed really nice though. We played games. We played Uno and Five Crowns (I think that is what it was called.). I won the first round of Five Crowns and at least a game of Uno. I got teased as well, the Stinker.

The next day was church and it was early and by that I mean at Ten in the morning. So I woke up an hour and half before church started. I didn't get to eat breakfast (sadness), so my stomach started growling really loud. Embarrassing! It was a lot fuller than I thought that it was going to be. So now I have to meet new people. Fun (I mean that for real and sarcastically).

Then Monday, I got to sleep in till nine. It was great! It makes me so happy!! It was an good day. That night we got invited to a friend's house. We played volley ball, and then Around the World Ping Pong, then we ate Raspberry shakes, and then played Murder in the Dark with creep music. It was creepy, but a fun game. After that we had to go. But it was a fun day.

Then today at an unreasonable time (it was nine o'clock in the morning by the way) I got woken up by a text. I got invited to go and play games in the park as well. So I was like, well I am up now so I might as well go, because I am not going to fall back to sleep. So I got up and got ready and studied Preach my Gospel. Then I left. I was a little nervous to go by myself, because my roommate who is the guy's friend was still sleeping and I didn't know if she would be okay with me going and hanging out with her friend. But I went and had a blast! I was with them for six and a half hours. Playing all kind of games, like ultimate Frisbee and a soccer like game (I have learned so many new games in the last few days), and now my poor body is going pay. I never knew that I had all these muscles. I got so hot and sweaty that I could smell myself and I felt bad for those around me. Then I got all clean and felt better. Now I am not so repulsive to myself and others. I am glad that I went. I made some new friends. It was a great day!

Well it is way past my bed time, but lets be honest I will be up even later after this post. Have a good night. Until my next post.