Tis' The Season for Learning and Giving

It's the final week of classes.

Tomorrow is the final day of classes.

Can you tell that I am excited?!

Because I am excited!

 

This week has already been a long one, but a great one! I've been trying more than ever before to read/study scriptures and pray before I study--because honestly, I need all the help I can get. My dad sent all my family a talk by Elder Bednar about prayer from the October 2008 General Conference. Here is the link:

http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2008/10/pray-always?lang=eng

 

Take time to re-read it if you can. It's worth it!

 

Yesterday I went to the planetarium, and it was SO cool. Sounds nerdy, right?! But seriously...I can't wait til I get married and can do something fun like this with my husband:

 

Star gazing sleepover in the bed of a truck! :)

 

I then spent a lot of hours studying--and my brain did not like that. Sadly, my attention span is about 10  minutes when it comes to things of that nature. So there were a lot of little breaks in that time.  When I got home from a review, around 10:15, (which is like an hour after my normal bed time. Don't judge me because I like my sleep!)I was overwhelmed, just a little.

 

So, I read some scriptures again, and still wasn't feeling so hot.  So I jumped up, got my patriarchal blessing, and this book:

 

 

 "Forget Me Not" by Dieter F. Uchtdorf, and spent some time reading it.  Holy cow. Pretty sure this is the best graduation gift I received! Every woman should own this book! And EVERYONE who has one, should read through their patriarchal blessing again. The personal revelation, promises and beautiful wording will help bring peace to any troubled soul. The last paragraph of mine always hits me! I love it!

Now, Fast forward to today. December 5, 2012

 

Today is a bittersweet day.  It marks 6 months since Jakelle's passing, which also means one month closer to getting to see her again!  Everyday I have moments that I spend remembering this beautiful and fun girl

 

 and her wonderful message to "stay strong"! I can not bring myself to NOT wear my bracelet, it seems to be that little extra bit of strength that I need almost every day to get me through!

Kelle is still having such a huge impact on the world and all of us in it today. 
If you are looking for a good way to provide service this Christmas season, here is a great opportunity to give service to those in need, and to keep the memory of Jakelle alive:

  http://www.mesaunitedway.org/special-holiday-project

(The Westergard family is also taking donations at their home, but would like to have them in by the 10th)

And here are even more ways to serve if you feel so inclined:
Another friend/mentor of mine, was in an accident with her fiance and  his younger sister only a few hours after they had been engaged.  His younger sister was killed on impact, and Bailee's fiance Taylor has had a lot of overwhelming medical expenses. There have been a lot of things created to help this cute couple out! If you have the means, every little thing helps!
1. If you're a music person, here is a song writen for the couple that you can download and leave a donation:
http://noisetrade.com/taysings

 2. If you're a food person and in Mesa/Gilbert area, there is a bake sale this Saturday the 8th

 

3. If you would just like to donate to them, or the Morris family, here is a link

http://www.payitsquare.com/collect-page/8802

 

The world really is full of wonderful people who can inspire us to do better.  These two people have done just that. Inspired me to become a better person, and believe in myself, and trust in the Lord.  I hope that each of us can find time in our busy lives to find someone, a friend, a stranger, a family memember who is in need of a helping hand, a little love, or just someone to talk to, and take the opportunity to give, just as our Heavenly Father gave His son for each of us!  Have a VERY Merry Christmas! And happy giving! :)



The Folded Napkin...A Truckers Story

This story is SO sweet. I read it on Facebook, and it brought me to tears. I love my brother, and I hope that when he starts working (probably pretty soon!!) people are this nice to him, and respect him! :) ENJOY! {I know it's kinda long, but it is a quick read}

 

 I try not to be biased, but I had my doubts about hiring Stevie. His placement counselor assured me that he would be a good, reliable busboy. But I had never had a mentally handicapped employee and w...

asn't sure I wanted one. I wasn't sure how my customers would react to Stevie. He was short, a little dumpy with the smooth facial features and thick-tongued speech of Downs Syndrome.

I wasn't worried about most of my trucker customers because truckers don't generally care who buses tables as long as the meatloaf platter is good and the pies are homemade. The four-wheeler drivers were the ones who concerned me; the mouthy college kids traveling to school; the yuppie snobs who secretly polish their silverware with their napkins for fear of catching some dreaded "truck stop germ" the pairs of white-shirted business men on expense accounts who think every truck stop waitress wants to be flirted with. I knew those people would be uncomfortable around Stevie so I closely watched him for the first few weeks.

I shouldn't have worried. After the first week, Stevie had my staff wrapped around his stubby little finger, and within a month my truck regulars had adopted him as their official truck stop mascot. After that, I really didn't care what the rest of the customers thought of him. He was like a 21-year-old in blue jeans and Nikes, eager to laugh and eager to please, but fierce in his attention to his duties. Every salt and pepper shaker was exactly in its place, not a bread crumb or coffee spill was visible when Stevie got done with the table.

Our only problem was persuading him to wait to clean a table until after the customers were finished. He would hover in the background, shifting his weight from one foot to the other, scanning the dining room until a table was empty. Then he would scurry to the empty table and carefully bus dishes and glasses onto cart and meticulously wipe the table up with a practiced flourish of his rag. If he thought a customer was watching, his brow would pucker with added concentration. He took pride in doing his job exactly right, and you had to love how hard he tried to please each and every person he met.

Over time, we learned that he lived with his mother, a widow who was disabled after repeated surgeries for cancer. They lived on their Social Security benefits in public housing two miles from the truck stop. Their social worker, who stopped to check on him every so often, admitted they had fallen between the cracks. Money was tight, and what I paid him was probably the difference between them being able to live together and Stevie being sent to a group home. That's why the restaurant was a gloomy place that morning last August, the first morning in three years that Stevie missed work.

He was at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester getting a new valve or something put in his heart. His social worker said that people with Downs Syndrome often have heart problems at an early age so this wasn't unexpected, and there was a good chance he would come through the surgery in good shape and be back at work in a few months.

A ripple of excitement ran through the staff later that morning when word came that he was out of surgery, in recovery, and doing fine. Frannie, the head waitress, let out a war hoop and did a little dance in the aisle when she heard the good news. Bell Ringer, one of our regular trucker customers, stared at the sight of this 50-year-old grandmother of four doing a victory shimmy beside his table. Frannie blushed, smoothed her apron and shot Belle Ringer a withering look.

He grinned. "OK, Frannie, what was that all about?" he asked.

"We just got word that Stevie is out of surgery and going to be okay."

"I was wondering where he was. I had a new joke to tell him. What was the surgery about?"

Frannie quickly told Bell Ringer and the other two drivers sitting at his booth about Stevie's surgery, then sighed: "Yeah, I'm glad he is going to be OK," she said. "But I don't know how he and his Mom are going to handle all the bills. From what I hear, they're barely getting by as it is." Belle Ringer nodded thoughtfully, and Frannie hurried off to wait on the rest of her tables.

Since I hadn't had time to round up a busboy to replace Stevie and really didn't want to replace him, the girls were busing their own tables that day until we decided what to do. After the morning rush, Frannie walked into my office. She had a couple of paper napkins in her hand and a funny look on her face.

"What's up?" I asked.

"I didn't get that table where Bell Ringer and his friends were sitting cleared off after they left, and Pony Pete and Tony Tipper were sitting there when I got back to clean it off," she said. "This was folded and tucked under a coffee cup."

She handed the napkin to me, and three $20 bills fell onto my desk when I opened it. On the outside, in big, bold letters, was printed "Something For Stevie.

Pony Pete asked me what that was all about," she said, "so I told him about Stevie and his Mom and everything, and Pete looked at Tony and Tony looked at Pete, and they ended up giving me this." She handed me another paper napkin that had "Something For Stevie" scrawled on its outside. Two $50 bills were tucked within its folds.

Frannie looked at me with wet, shiny eyes, shook her head and said simply: "truckers."

That was three months ago. Today is Thanksgiving, the first day Stevie is supposed to be back to work. His placement worker said he's been counting the days until the doctor said he could work, and it didn't matter at all that it was a holiday. He called 10 times in the past week, making sure we knew he was coming, fearful that we had forgotten him or that his job was in jeopardy.

I arranged to have his mother bring him to work. I then met them in the parking lot and invited them both to celebrate his day back. Stevie was thinner and paler, but couldn't stop grinning as he pushed through the doors and headed for the back room where his apron and busing cart were waiting.

"Hold up there, Stevie, not so fast," I said. I took him and his mother by their arms. "Work can wait for a minute. To celebrate you coming back, breakfast for you and your mother is on me!"

I led them toward a large corner booth at the rear of the room. I could feel and hear the rest of the staff following behind as we marched through the dining room. Glancing over my shoulder, I saw booth after booth of grinning truckers empty and join the procession. We stopped in front of the big table. Its surface was covered with coffee cups, saucers and dinner plates, all sitting slightly crooked on dozens of folded paper napkins.

"First thing you have to do, Stevie, is clean up this mess," I said. I tried to sound stern. Stevie looked at me, and then at his mother, then pulled out one of the napkins. It had "Something for Stevie" printed on the outside. As he picked it up, two $10 bills fell onto the table.

Stevie stared at the money, then at all the napkins peeking from beneath the tableware, each with his name printed or scrawled on it. I turned to his mother.

"There's more than $10,000 in cash and checks on table, all from truckers and trucking companies that heard about your problems. "Happy Thanksgiving,"

Well, it got real noisy about that time, with everybody hollering and shouting, and there were a few tears, as well. But you know what's funny? While everybody else was busy shaking hands and hugging each other, Stevie, with a big, big smile on his face, was busy clearing all the cups and dishes from the table. Best worker I ever hired. 

 

Here are some pics of MY sweet brother!

 

 Little baby Parks!

 At conference! :)

Isn't he just so handsome?! I really can't believe how big he is! But he's such a stud! :)

Love and Gratitude

 It snows in Utah. A lot. And it is cold.

I miss Arizona. And it's warmth, and its NOT dangerous sidewalks/roads, and its trees that don't dump snow on you.

Today was our last FHE before Thanksgiving, so we did a "thankful" activity.

I made one of these for everyone, and then started the chain with why I was thankful for each of them.  Then they all wrote why they were thankful for eachother and created the chains.  It was a fun activity, and it helped  me to look deeper into some of those "kids" I go to school with! 

 

 

And I have two real quick stories if you choose to continue reading.

 

Story #1 takes place yesterday, Sunday 11/11/12:

 It was cold. And snowy. And I woke up on the wrong side of the bed--I'm not really sure why, but I just wasn't feeling very happy.  So, I went to church, and saved two seats for Hanna and Sarah--but they didn't get my text, so they came in and sat in the back.  Well, everyone else filed in to the building (we meet in an auditorium in the JKB) and I ended up sitting in the 3rd row, basically alone. 5 empty seats on either side of me.  And at first it made me kinda sad, but then it was like. Whatever, I'm a big girl.  So I just paid attention to the talks.  And then after the first 2 talks, we had a congregational hymn (which I may add, are definitely my LEAST favorite things. Ever.) And all of a sudden, this awesome boy in my ward got up from his seat a few rows back, walked in front of the ward, and came and sat down right next to me.  Lemme tell ya--I got really choked up.  Because at that moment I felt Heavenly Father's love overwhelm me, and a feeling of belonging came over me.  At BYU it is SO easy to feel lost, and forgotten, and like no one cares about you because you are away from home, and your family, and everyone is looking out for themselves.  But in that moment I was reminded that I am never alone!

 

Story #2 takes place tonight, Monday 11/12/12:

FHE mom is a hard calling.  It feels like you can't please everyone, and it is a little {okay. a lot} stressful for me, because let's face it, I'm a people pleaser.  Anyway, today as I posted earlier, we did our gratitude chains, and some of the guys felt a little "jipped" on what I wrote on their papers--let me explain.  Writing to girls is easy, and it is okay to say how much you love them and appreciate them because, well, they are girls.  Writing to boys CAN be easy, if you know them well, or if you like them as more than a friend.  Well, these guys in my group are all outstanding and they all make me laugh, and they all have insanely awesome personalities, and they all have really positive attitudes, even when our activities are lame.  They come and make it fun.  And I really love that about all of them.  SO that's what I was thinking when I wrote on most of their papers--but I guess when they read it that it came off as a "cop-out" for having nothing else to say.   When in all reality, it was just the truth!  But I could tell they were a little upset, and that made me feel like I had ruined our whole FHE, and I was just feeling a little down, because I had spent a lot of time trying to make the papers cute--and I am just not crafty, and it was frustrating me, and I have been feeling super homesick, because I only have 8 days til I get to go home, and I just want to be there already!  Anyway, at the end of FHE I was cleaning up, and one of the boys in my group came up and said "Thanks mom for the awesome activity" and then gave me a hug.  He then called everyone over, and we ended up in this huge group hug.  {funny side-note, the quote "Get in tighter! I want her to throw up! It'll show how much we love her!" or something to that effect might have been used} Anyway, none of them would know that that was a nightly occurance at the Bradshaw home, and it again made me feel of the untainted, constant, and overwhelming love of my Heavenly Father.

 

The church is true. Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ live.  They hear our prayers, and they answer them.  They love us with a perfect love that is incomprehensible to us, but I love being able to have little glimpses of it in my life.  I am so thankful for the trials in my life that help me draw closer to my Savior, and I am thankful for the reminders that I am not alone, and that I am loved!

 

Happy November!



Registration, Workouts, Great Videos

 

Well. This has been me for the last 40 minutes trying to register for my classes for Winter Semester here at BYU.

 

Sometimes, I wonder who thinks through tasks like this---if anyone. Because, for real. It's ridiculous.

 

Not only does the Internet not work {or work VERY slowly} the entire week, but the system gets overloaded, and shuts you out of it!

 

And am I the only one who sees the fact that registration begins at midnight a very twisted stereotype? I mean, I go to bed at like 9 or 9:30 every night......

 

And so, the results:I got on the waiting list for 4/5 classes I was trying to register.  Thankfully two of them are low numbers, but one is FORTY! For real?!

 

And if you want to take zumba Monday nights? Too bad. You'll be 188th on the waiting list.

 

Anyway. Sorry for the venting. Looks like I'm a little stressed.

 

BUT, My beautiful and amazing roommate and I have decided to take the whole "WE WON'T GAIN THE FRESHMEN FIFTEEN" thing into our own hands, and we are on day three of this beautifully horrible workout video series:

 

We love Shaun T.

And being sore. Because neither of us can move. And it's great.

 

Oh. And here's a GREAT video, if you need to laugh! Thank you Hanna for posting it on Facebook! 

{my 2 personal favorites: T-Swift, and Kelley Pickler} 

 

Snow, Snow, Snow, SNOW!

 Yes, I have been singing the song from White Christmas in my head ALL day! :)

 Little AZ girls in their first ever (well, at college) snow fall--we were dying! It was so fun! And it hurt. But it was great! Oh, and in case you were wondering, it looked like Dippin' Dots. But no worries--we recorded ourselves. :) 

The wind was blowing the snow into our eyes. But it was SO pretty!



And to make today even greater--I got back an essay that I was SO stressed about for a long time (each little part that we turned in, I did TERRIBLE on, so I was REALLY nervous about the grade) AND I GOT A 47/50! :) :) :) :) :) :)

 

Oh, and then I went to the American Heritage lab to retake a quiz--that's a story all in itself--lets just say, don't try and balance a book on your lap top, and turn pages in another book, because your online quiz will be entered with only one of the 5 questions answered, and no way to go back--but anyway, I talked to the guy at the front desk, then looked at his name and saw his last name was "Gunnell".  Well, that's not really a common last name, and just in case you didn't already know this. I am an awkward person. So, here is our conversation:

Me: So, your last name is Gunnell.

Boy: {awkwardly looks at me like..okay where are you going with this?} yeah??

Me: That's awesome. That's my mom's maiden name! Who are your grandparents?

Boy: {still giving me the awkward look} Uhhh..I'm from Arizona.....

Me: Me too! That's cool!

Boy: {silence...probably thinking..who is this freak?!}

Me: My Grandpa is Darwin.....

Boy: Oh! Wait, what, really? Who are your parents?!

Me: My mom is Kay, what about you?

Boy: Oh! Darwin is my Great Grandpa. That's cool!

Me: So, who is your dad?

Boy: Brent, and that's my Grandpa too.

Me: Awesome! Well, good to meet you!

and with that I left.

 

Only at BYU, and in a big Mormon family do you meet someone who happens to be your second? cousin who you've never met before in your life. haha

 

Today is a great day!

One Red Paper Clip

Ever wonder what one red paper clip is worth?

 

I'll tell you--I for sure hadn't til I read this book: 

 

(It's an assigned reading for a class I'm taking this semester--I haven't finished it, but I have started it. :) I know, I'm a procrastinator..sue me.)

 

Anyway, This guy, Kyle MacDonald decided to see what one red paper clip was worth. So he put it on Craigslist, and started trading it.  He traded 14 times and ended up with a house. Mind you. HE SPENT NO MONEY!

 

So, my professor decided that this is now a REQUIRED group assignment. Exxcept we have to start with a rock.

 

We have 10 days to trade it until we get the greatest value we can, and then we have to "turn in" our final record sheet, and decide what to do with the product/the money.

 

Sounds cool right? WELL..only problem, we're in groups of 4-6 people. I know 3 people in my class. And {THANKFULLY} one of them allowed me to join his group!  But there are also a lot of random rules: For example, everyone MUST be present for EVERY exchange...

 

The winners last year got like $5,000 or something crazy like that. One other group kept working after the project, ended up getting a house, sold it, and it paid for all four of their 4 year degrees at BYU! CRAZY!

 

So, let the trading begin!

 

What would YOU trade for an 8 oz rock?!

Happy Day

 

(I shot this picture while running back to my hotel Sunday morning after conference, and I had to crop out all the cars, but I just love any picture of the temple. They all bring so much peace)

Happy Sunday! :) I love Sunday's and here is why.

 

 

I always learn something new.

 

I get to be with people I love.

 

The lessons/talks make me think,

which leads to making positive

changes in my life.

 

I always feel the spirit.

 

 

Here are some of the things I learned today in church:

 

1. Number the alphabet
2. Look at the word attitude
3. Add up the numbers, and what do you get?
100%

 

 So..Attitude is EVERYTHING

A beautiful girl in my ward shared with us something she had been taught growing up. Beware the "Three C's"
1. Compare
2. Compete
3. Categorize

As women in the world, we need to beware of doing any of those things, because they will only lead to unhappiness!

And then, Hanna shared this quote in her relief society lesson, and I decided to make a picture with it because I love it so much!

Have a great day! :)
 



If I could go back....

Sometimes, when I think about High School, I realize how much I want to go back and....

Get a beautiful dress, get my hair, nails, and make-up done. Get a beautiful flower, from a handsome date, and go to a dance with all my friends.

 

 

Put on my track/cross country uniform and run a killer race.  Where my lungs are burning, my heart is racing, and my adrenaline pushes me to new, better results.

 

 

Go to Mr. Hatch's anatomy class. And learn. And enjoy learning. And laughing. And the sarcasm that is CONSTANT in that classroom.

 

 

Have a crazy spirit day, and go ALL OUT!

 

 

Go to a Mesa High Football game!

 

 

Go to musical rehearsal and sing/dance my heart out with all my friends. And then stay late to help with the set/go to Applebees for a little pick-me-up.

 

 

HIKE CAMMELBACK

 

 

Go to midnight premiers with all my friends

 

 

PERFORM!! (but not audition)

 

 

Play "Just Dance" and "Wakee Six"

 

 

Watch a movie on a couch, in a HOME

 

 

These are just some of those little things I've been thinkin about lately.

 

 

 

 

 

 



As of late....

So, as you all know...I've had a rough start to college. It's probaly been the hardest thing I've ever had to face in my life so far--with moving away, starting HARD classes (school is NOTHING til you get to a University), finding friends, and finding myself. Anyway, I've found myself upset a lot. At everything. And I finally decided Saturday night, "I HAVE HAD ENOUGH." So I said a long, sincere prayer. I needed all the help I could get, and talking to Heavenly Father just helps me feel so much better. So, I woke up Sunday morning for early church, and I didn't complain. I went to church, sat by myself, and the cute girls in my hall came and sat down next to me. The executive secretary, the relief society advisor and the stake high council representative for our ward spoke that day. I'm not sure what everyone else got out of the talks, but I sure know exactly what I got! "FORGET YOURSELF AND GO TO WORK!" Then I went to Sunday school, where my adorable and hilarious roommate Tiffany taught. She taught about the Pride Cycle...and what came up? The only way to stay out of the "cycle" is to serve. Forget yourself and help other people. Then I went to Relief Society---that one is still hard to swallow. :) And what did they talk about? Divine worth. Finding yourself in the sea of people. Being happy. And then, Forget yourself and get to work. By that point it was like...okay. slap in the face. I've been such a self-centered brat. Anyway. Now to this picture. I went to a fireside Sunday night that this amazing man spoke at. I don't know about you, but this guy is one of my favorite people in the world! And what did I get from his talk? 1st, he related experiences that applied almost 100% parallel to my life, and 2nd he said, reach out to other people, live your religion, and serve. Hello. Answer to prayer? Yeah...I think so.

So. I woke up this mornring with a new attitude. Life is short, and it's not about me. It is about making other people happy. I made it a point, even though it was 7:45 in the morning, and 50 degrees, to smile at everyone on my way to class. Some smiled back, some looked away. But who cares? It made me feel good. I went through the day trying to maintain my positive attitude, and if I felt myslef slip, I'd quickly check it, and get back to the position that it IS NOT about me! Let me tell you. I had an AWESOME day.
On my way to American Heritage with Hanna, we saw a deer...and so we had to take pictures.

We walked in "late" but they hadn't started yet, so all was well.

Our friend Bambi on the campus...so random!

And the story draws near to the end. I had my first REAL Monday today...8 am- 6:30 pm classes. (with one break from 10-1) I went to my last class of the day--a stinking long class, and I was super super intimidated. It's a public speaking class, and everyone had already gone once; except for me. But I sat down, and two super cute girls came and sat next to me. We got to work in groups in class, and they were so welcoming, and so kind to me! Our teacher brought us snacks too. :) What a nice lady! And then, as I left, it started raining. Not too bad, just sprinkles, but the wind was blowing pretty hard also. Then it started picking up. (just so you can paint this in your mind, I was wearing a dress..and my backpack weighed about as much as I did) I thought, heck, who cares, I love rain. And then I thought again..."YOU HAVE YOUR LAPTOP IN YOUR BACKPACK IDIOT!" So, I started running. For those of you who know BYU campus, I was in the East side of the SWKT, and I had to go to the West side of campus to my dorm, and that includes a fairly steep decline from campus. So, as you can imagine, I looked like a fool. And I was getting DRENCHED. I finally made it to the Canon to eat dinner, dripping wet, with 20 minutes to spare before FHE started. So we ate FAST. Then, I just had a feeling to go check the mail..so I did, and what did I find?!

THIS GEM!!!! My first piece of mail! :) :) :) I LOVE LETTERS!!! And I love missionaries! And I especially love the two together! So, I ripped it open, trying not to get it wet, and read it as FAST as I could, so that I could run to FHE.

My calling for FHE is to be the "mom" of my group. So, tonight, I got to meet my family, and they are a little bit wild, but I already love them, and I can tell my calling will be fun! The "pa" of our group is awesome, and he seems like a super hard worker, and very down to Earth, and I'm excited to get to work with him!

Anyway, today was a great day! :) Happy Monday everyone!

Oh, and happy birthday to my mother! :)

Labs

So, I have this class called Physical Science....AKA Science for stupid people, and it is every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at EIGHT AM. Yes. Eight. It's a little bit of a struggle to stay awake. But my professor, well, he kinda looks like this little man...but he's taller, and he does LOTS of experiments, so it makes class interesting. Anyway. Wednesday's I have to go to the lab for this class. And it is taught by a TA. My TA's name is Alex. Alex is great. Every week Alex starts us off with some yoga. No, I am not joking. We literally clear everything out of our way, stand up, and do some yoga. Then we pump our fists in the air, and as loud as we can, with as much energy as we can muster, we yell "SCIENCE!". Then we sit down, and Alex proceeds to show us two things. 1--the shark of the week, and 2--the dinosaur of the day. Then we get our homework done. Needless to say, this may be my favorite hour spent on campus.

Happy hump day!

Today, I'm missin...

My family. And high school. Didn't realize how simple it was til now!
My Grant buddy, and the tire swing, and the cabin, and the smell of the forest!

My very handsome best friends! And the Mesa temple, and Sunday nights at the temple!

These crazy kiddos, and having Sunday dinners with them! (but I don't miss cleaning up after them! :))

My girls!

These lovely ladies! Their testimonies have bult me up so much, and it's so weird not having them around all the time!

These boys. Parker man especially! And going out to eat, and not worrying about school! HEAVEN. So excited for Thanksgiving!

Cross Country! I miss that training, that "I think I'm gunna cry, barf, and pass out, and that my lungs are going to explode, and all my limbs are going to pop off. All at the same time." haha I miss feeling in shape, and having that stress relief. Running without a team, and without competitions just isn't as fun!

All of these girls, especially that one on the end. Today in a testimony, someone shared something interesting. She said something that touched me, and got me thinking. I am homesick right now. I want to go home to my friends, my family, my home, the comfort that I know so well. But this girl said, "I am homesick to go home to my Heavenly Father. To have his arms wrapped around me." I had never thought of it in that way before. But I can only imagine how amazing it will be to run to him. To be in his arms. To cry. To laugh. To have him tell me I've done well. And, I have found myself imagining just that for Jakelle. As I sat and stared at the Christus at the temple on that Tuesday morning, I looked at the outstretched arms, and I imagined He and Jakelle running to eachother. I imagined Christ lifting her in his arms, and Kelle smiling, and crying, and loving every minute she has with Him. I imagined her dancing beautifully for Him, and bathing His feet with her tears. I imagined her thanking Him for everything, and for the time she was alotted on the Earth, and for the opportunity she had to touch so many. And I find myself, to this day, everyday, thinking the same things. Thanking the Lord for her, and her example, and that she was able to be in my life, even the small bit that she was. I find myself thinking of her EVERY single day. And thinking, if Kelle were here, what would she do? How would she get over the feelings of insecurity, and loneliness? How would she handle this or that situation? And I try and pattern my life more after hers, because hers was patterned so much after our Savior's. I am so thankful for her. I am so thankful for the Plan of Happiness, that literally is a plan for our eternal happiness, as long as we live worthy of it. I am so thankful for the opportunities that I am blessed with daily, and the ability that I have to start each day, each hour, each MINUTE new. Because of the Savior, and the atonement. I count myself blessed. Very very very blessed. And although I am missing so many, I know that they are always with me. No matter what.

Happy Sunday!

Wake Up Sleepy Head!

Well, here's the story of the day!

Please, feel free to laugh at me. Trust me, I've already laughed at myself. :)

We eat in a place called the Cannon Center. It is really close to my building--like right across the parking lot, which is great! So, I have early classes. M/W/F 8 am, T/Th 9 am. Anyway, you get the idea, I go to breakfast early, and I am a teenager, so I am ALWAYS tired. MWF with Sarah, T/TH with Hanna, (sometimes with a combination of the two, depending on how much they really wanna wake up early and go eat) And thankfully, especially today, not many people are there that early! SO. Here we go.

I got my food. Oatmeal, and some fruit, and I popped down a piece of toast, and went to the table to leave the rest of my food. As we were walking and getting food though, we saw a boy in our ward. (he's an awesome kid, and super chill/funny, so it wasn't as terribly life shatteringly embarassing) Anyway, we NEVER sit with boys. NEVER. We avoid boys here like the plague. Well, I guess a better way to put it is boys avoid ME like the plague! :) ANYWAY. Sorry. So, boy asks Hanna if he can sit with us, and he is all alone, so she says "of course!" and then walks up to me and says, "boy is sitting with us today". So I said alright, why not? it's a good way to warm up to eating meals with guys! haha So, I walk back over to get my toast, and bring it back to the table. And here's where it all begins.

I put the toast on the table, and pulled my chair out, preparing to sit down and enjoy my meal. Little did I know my chair looked about like this.....

Only difference being that the other people had no idea it looked like that either. Anyway, attempt to sit down, and, well, when you try and sit on a broken lge, what happens? The chair comes a-tumblin' down. But this time, with me in it. I tried to stay standing, putting lots of my weight on the side of the chair that was now facing up, and I almost made it, but at the last second, I'm not really sure what happened, but I ended up on the floor. My leg is a little scraped up, and my bum a little bruised because of all the pressure I was putting on the stupid chair trying not to fall. Anyway, I just laid on the ground, and laughed. and laguhed and laughed and laughed, because, what else can you do?!

Finally Hanna got me a new chair, and I got to sit and eat my food. But let me tell ya, I was definitely WIDE awake after that incident!

Maybe THIS better describes why I don't get asked out on dates very regularly! :) Just kidding. But really, gotta learn to love life for everyting it hands you, even the most embarassing moments!! Happy Thursday everyone! :) Take time to laugh! Laugh at anything and everything, including yourself! :)

Ps, on a total side note, BYU opening football game is TONIGHT!! :) And it's going to be on ESPN! :) GO COUGS!

First few days in the 84604

Welp, I'm here!

Freshman class entering 2012

BEAUTIFUL view! beautiful weather!

First birthday in the dorms! :) Happy birthday Sarah!

Most delicious ice cream I've had in a long time! Grahm cracker ice cream with chunks of chocolate covered grahm crackers!

Goals writen after being in N.S.O. for WAY too long!

My bed on the first day here! Many more pics up now! :) I have to jump to get up though!

My desk. It's a lot more full of pictures now! :)

It's been a crazy few days, and it's going to take a lot to get into the feel of things. It's been really stressful and emotional--and my face will show that. (I broke out like a little 12 year old going through puberty for the first time...pretty embarassing, especially when meeting ALL new people). The last few weeks of being home were NOT filled with restful sleep. It seemed like I was always just plain nervous. There have been lots of tears, but you know what? I'm learning to love NOW. You always hear "just take it a day at a time", and honestly, that is what I have to do!

Classes start on Monday, and I'm really nervous about getting lost on campus, but it's amazing how friendly everyone is, and how willing they are to help! It makes me feel a little more at home! :)

I went running this morning at the Smith Fieldhouse (indoor track) and it helped me soooo much to clear my mind, and to feel ready to take on the world today! There's a HUGE freshman dance tonight.......ohhhhh boyyyy! haha

Anyway, life's starting to feel a little better, It's fun being on my own, but it's made me SO appreciative for my mom, for my home, for AZ! For everything that is back at home that I don't have right now! I miss home a lot, but {hopefully} this will soon feel like home!

Have a great day! Breathe. Look Up. Stay Strong. and Carry On!

Change of Plans

Well, when I took this picture 77 days ago, I thought I wouldn't be back! Another reminder to me that I know only the smallest little bit of what is in store for me in my life!

I get to go back tomorrow to be Parker's "aid" until we know that he has one in place that knows him well enough that we all feel comfortable! I still can't believe he's going to high school! {or that I am going to college for that matter.} ANYWAY. It should be fun, but weird, but fun!

This year is going to be weird without this girl for so many people. But I am truly amazed at how people have handled this very trying time in all of our lives. I know that Jakelle will be there ever single step of the way, and I know that she's going to be helping everyone along. She is finally able to see. She knows and understands more than we ever will, until we are with her again. I am constantly in awe over the Plan of Salvation, and the Atonement. I understand maybe .00000000000000000000000000000001% of both of those amazing acts of love, and yet, I am overwhelmed. I know that we have a Heavenly Father and a Savior, Jesus Christ, and that they stand at the head of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. And I know that because of them, and their infinite love for each and every one of us, we know, and are able to feel peace that Jakelle is happy, healthy, and dancing again in heaven right now, watching over each of us. We are also so blessed to know that we WILL see her again, when our time to get off the train comes. She will be waiting for us! I am so thankful that I am able to have an angel friend to help me out daily. I feel her strength, and I know that she is constantly trying to help me understand my divine potential, and steer me in the right direction. I also feel of the love of our Heavenly Father daily. And I know that He hears and answers my prayers. I have learned to rely so much on Him, especially this last year. He is my best friend. I can't wait til I can see Him again, and bathe His feet with my tears, and tell Him that I love him and that I am so thankful for Him. Until that day, I want to live my life so that I CAN have that opportunity.

Sorry that a school post turned into a testimony.

"Stay Strong, and Carry On!"

First Post!

Well, here goes nothing! I'm going to BYU!!! School starts August 27, and I leave from good ol' Mesa AZ August 22.  I am scared out of my mind, and sometimes I get excited too. :) It's going to be a crazy learning experience though, and that'll be good for me.

So, to answer some commenly asked questions real quick.

• I am living in the dorms--Helaman Halls, specificall Hinckley Halls, the 3rd floor! (I'll need all the exercise I can get! ;))
• I am not going with anyone in particular--random roommate! But I have emailed her, and she sounds like an awesome girl, and I think we'll get along very well!
• I have some pretty stinky classes. Welcome to the life of a freshman.  But here they are so far
     1.The Book Of Mormon....Jeff Marsh
     2. Intro Speech/Lng Path & Aud.....Bonnie Brinton
     3. American Heritage.....Christopher Karpowitz 
     4. Organizational Effectiveness.....Troy Nielson
     5. Lit & Cultures of the American West....Dennis Ray Cutchins
     6. Intro to Entrepreneurship.....John Eric Richards
• I have ZERO classes on Friday. :)
• Like I said, I leave the 22, and I think the next time I'll be home is Thanksgiving!

Anyway, that's all I have for today! :) Oh, and just for fun, here's a little treat from my new laptop. I'm lovin it already! haha