[61] ...The New Year.

I'm thankful for the New Year.

New goals, new adventures, a new start.  I'm going to make this new year great.

~~~
This is my last post of thankfulness, but it has definitely opened my eyes to how blessed I really am. :)

[60] ...Sister Cornia.

I'm thankful for Sister Cornia.

:)  She was my Sunday School Teacher a couple years ago, and she is wonderful.  She is so funny!  I was talking to her today at church, and I forgot how much I loved her. :)

[59] ...Having a Small Room.

I'm thankful for having a small room.

It makes it so much easier to clean. :)  And it's nice and cozy, and I wouldn't want it any other way. :)

[58] ...Snow.

I'm thankful for snow.

I know I already had a snow thankful post... but this time there's a lot of snow.  And it's staying!  Woot! :)

[57] ...Killer Bunnies.

I'm thankful for Killer Bunnies.

That sounds... interesting. :P Haha.  It's a game that we got for Christmas that is super fun.  We've already played it like eight times!  It's that awesome. :)

[56] ...Les Miserables.

I'm thankful for Les Miserables.

We went and saw it last night.  And it was incredible.  See it.  I love emotional music.

[55] ...Christmas.

I'm thankful for Christmas.

Three Christmas posts in a row. :)  I just really love Christmas.  The giving and the receiving. Christmas. ♥

[54] ...Christmas Eve.

I'm thankful for Christmas Eve.

The movies, the joy, the food, the music, the stories.  Christmas. ♥

[53] ...Christmas Sunday.

I'm thankful for Christmas Sunday.

I love the music, the talks, and the all around feeling. Christmas. ♥

[52] ...My Family.

I'm thankful for my family.

Though at times I don't like them very much, they are my family, and I love them.  I don't know what I would do or where I would be without them.

This young man is so strong.

I don't know if I would ever be able to cope with a trial like that.

[51] ...Temple Lights.

I'm thankful for the temple lights.

[50] ...Half Days.

I'm thankful for half days.

Half days at school always feel like whole days... but then you get home from school at noon!  It's super great because you have the whole rest of the day to do things, and you don't even need to worry about going to school the next day either!

[49] ...Elves.

I'm thankful for elves.

 

This is me and my friend Max.

We were elf buddies.

Yes, we were dressed like this all day.

And yes, there is wire in my hair.

Our English class dressed like elves and delivered letters and presents to a third grade class at Bickel.  It was so great.  I wish I had the opportunity to do that every year!

[48] ...Steamers.

I'm thankful for steamers.

I love steamers.  They're delicious.  Especially the ones at Java.  And they're cheaper than those stupid Starbucks ones.  Java is the way to go.  Definitely.  And I'd get caramel.  But that's just my opinion.  Of course, that's the only flavor I've had.  It's just so good, I can't get myself to order anything else!

[47] ...Lasagna.

I'm thankful for lasagna.

Today we had our Jive white elephant class party.  I gave a frozen lasagna.  Yeah.  It was pretty much the best white elephant gift ever.

[46] ...Snow.

I'm thankful for snow.

It snowed last night!  Yay!  That is all.

[45] ...Not Having to Worry About Winter Ball.

I'm thankful for not having to worry about Winter Ball.

I thought I really wanted to go... but I'm actually glad I'm not going.  I'm glad I don't have to worry about anything to do with it.  And I'm  having a fun time at home anyway. :)

[44] ...Jive Parties.

I'm thankful for Jive parties.

I had a Jive party tonight, and it was pretty great.  So much fun!  I love everyone so much!  We played Just Dance, talked, ate food, played sardines... it was a total success.  And lots of people came, too!  Unlike last year. :P  I love my Jivvy friends so much. :)

[43] ...Quinnton.

I'm thankful for Quinnton.

He's pretty cool.  And I had a choir concert tonight that I invited him to, and  he actually came!  It was great!  I just wish he didn't live in Shoshone.  He should live in Twin.  He's a good friend. :)  Quinnnuhnuhnnuhnuhnuhnntonnn.

[42] ...Christmas Parties.

I'm thankful for Christmas parties.

We had our annual Young Women's Christmas Party tonight.  Ugly sweater/white elephant/yummy food.  It was great.  I love them every year.  And this was my last one. :(  It's so sad!  I'm going to miss all these cute little girls!  I'm excited to all the little beehives when they're more grown up!  They're all so strong!  And there are like 10 of them!  Just imagine what the Laurel class will be like in 4 years. :)

[41] ...Birthday Cake.

I'm thankful for birthday cake.

Today was Rachael Wilkinson's birthday, and she has been choreography the girls' number for Jive.  Today all the girls were planning on going to choreography an hour and a half early to learn it.  Beforehand, I went over to Emilee's house, and we made her a birthday cake.  It was great to surprise her. :) And after choreography we had a great time eating the cake. Yum. :)  The girls, that is.  No guys ate cake.  We wouldn't let them.  It was a girl thing.

[40] ...Quick Government Projects.

I'm thankful for quick government projects.

Today after Jive (yeah, Jive on a Monday is super weird, but whatever) I went over to Maddie's house because we needed to make a poster for a project.  We were sure I'd be at her house working on it into the wee hours of the night, but we got it done in like half an hour.  And it looks good.  No, more than good.  Fantastic. :)

[39] ...Cookies at Church.

I'm thankful for cookies at church.

Today I got no-bake cookies in Sunday School and chocolate dipped oreos in Young Women's.  Having cookies at church is probably the best idea anyone ever came up with.  Yup.

[38] ...Cologne.

I'm thankful for cologne.

Yes.  Cologne.  It just smells really good.  And I really like it.  That is all.

[37] ...Dessert Theater.

I'm thankful for Dessert Theater.

Tonight I had the opportunity to go to the first Dessert Theater I have ever been to.  And it was incredible.  Especially since there were a lot of people I knew it.  I laughed so hard.  People in the Twin Falls High School Drama Department are so flippin' talented.  I'm grateful for them!

[36] ...Sleep.

I'm thankful for sleep.

Today I skipped (well, I was excused) the first three periods to get extra sleep because I was super tired and sick-feeling from staying up all night doing homework.  I'm so thankful my mom was understanding and willing to excuse me. :)

[35] ...Christmas Candy.

I'm thankful for Christmas candy.

For mutual tonight we made toffee.  And it is super delicious.  I'm grateful for the Christmas season and all the yummy candy treats that it brings. :)

[34] ...Mike.

I'm thankful for Mike.

He's a really funny guy.  It is quite enjoyable to stand next to him in Jive choreography. :)  I'm gonna miss him next week. : /

[33] ...Being Busy but Productive.

I'm thankful for being busy but productive.

After school I went and delivered the product of our last week's mutual activity to the Valley and Jubilee houses.  It was so great.  I love doing service. :)  Then after that I went to Emilee's house for like 4 hours to do Danny Marona stuff.  And we still didn't get it done.  Then I went home and did some homework.  It was a busy day.  But it was wonderful.  ♥  Great day!

[32] ...Missionaries.

I am thankful for missionaries.

They are just so great.  On top of my siblings being/having been missionaries, I just love missionaries in general.  And there is this one missionary in my ward with a fake leg.  He has trouble walking, and it's amazing that he is willing and able to serve a mission!  Although, he was called very close to home.  He's from Burley.  And was called to the Boise, Idaho mission.  That seems like such a bummer, but he just looked on the bright side and thought "Hey, at least I get to serve a mission." :)  Way to be optimistic!  I look up to him. :)

[31] ...Parties.

I am thankful for parties.

What can I say?  I'm a party animal.  Tonight I had two parties.  Taylor Altom's 18th birthday Barbie party, and a slightly lacking in the Jive-ness Jive party.  They were both great, though. :)

[30] ...Christmas Lights.

I'm thankful for Christmas lights.

I love driving around town and seeing everyone's Christmas lights all hung up. :) And I love that our Christmas lights are up!  And they are so bright and beautiful!  I love Christmas time! :D

[29] ...Jive!

I'm thankful for Jive!

I had double the Jive time tonight. We practiced our girls' number before regular Jive practice.  I just love Jive so much.  I don't know where I would be without Jive; it is just so great.  It makes me feel loved and included, and it is just one thing that I actually enjoy about school. :)  And without it, I wouldn't be going to Twin.  I'd still be a Canyon Ridge.  And I wouldn't enjoy that.  At all.  Thank you Jive!

[28] ...Service.

I'm thankful for service.

Tonight at mutual we had our service scavenger hunt activity.  I love service. So much.  Though generally, I like to serve in the form of Family History Indexing.  It's simpler.  And not cold.  But this was still so great.  Next Monday we will deliver the items we got to the Valley and Jubilee Houses.  I am so excited.  I love seeing the looks on their faces when we bring them items. :)

[27] ...Emilee Gomske.

I'm thankful for Emilee Gomske.

She is just great.  Definitely one of my favorite people.  If not my favorite person.  There is no more else to say.  The end.

[26] ...My Cello.

I'm thankful for my cello.

I had a cello lesson today.  Well, I do every Monday, but that's not important.  I just really love cellos.  Especially my cello.  I am so grateful for the talent I possess of knowing how to play the cello, and I'm thankful that I own my own cello. :)

[25] ...My Mother, Again.

I am thankful for my mother, again.

I realize I already expressed my thankfulness for my mother on this blog, but it's her birthday, so I felt the need to express it again.  I LOVE MY MOTHER!  And she is better than your mother.  No matter what you say, you can't change my mind about that. :P :)

[24] ...Music.

I'm thankful for music.

Especially Christmas music.  Now that it's after Thanksgiving, I can listen to Christmas music without people judging me.  (Even though I have been listening to it for a couple weeks now.)  Music is so great. ♥

[23] ...Christmas Trees.

I'm thankful for Christmas trees.

Not very many people can say that their family drove up to the mountains and personally cut down a 15+ foot Christmas tree each year of their childhood.  But I can.  It's pretty great.Usually our trees our 17+ feet, but this year is the shortest one we've ever gotten.  :(  But it's still huge! :)

[22] ...Delicious Food.

I'm thankful for delicious food.

Yeah, this is a kinda lame thing to be thankful for.  But hey, I love food, all right?  And on Thanksgiving, I especially love food.  But really.  I'm so grateful for the delicious food I am able to eat.  And I am so thankful for those who helped make it. :)

[21] ...Game Nights.

I'm thankful for game nights.

Tonight I went over to Emilee's house and played "Spontuneous."  It was so flippin' fun.  I love game nights.  And I've just gotta say, Emilee, Kaylee, Brad, and I are quite the group.  We have some pretty freakin' awesome times.

[20] ...Actually Knowing People.

I'm thankful for actually knowing people.
...Or, I'm thankful to actual know people.
Yeah, that makes more sense.

Tonight was Mr. TFHS, and I actually knew most of the people in it!  Like, all but three or four people!  And by "know" I mean, I have actually had real conversations with them.  :)  It was great to actual cheer for people and care about what they were doing.  I feel like if I was at Mr. CRHS I wouldn't have cared or known the contestants very well other than the fact that they're just popular people.  AND the people who won things were people I knew!  Other than the second runner-up... who isn't really important anyway. :)

[19] ...Two Day School Weeks.

I'm thankful for two day school weeks.

It makes Mondays so much more bearable when you know that you only have one more day of thinking and caring in the week.  Huzzah for Thanksgiving weekend!

[18] ...Temples.

I'm thankful for temples.

I love temples.
Today was the Boise temple re-dedication.
'Nuff said.

[17] ...My Mother.

I'm thankful for my mother.

She is funny.  Weird.  But funny.  Today I had a movie date with my friend Quinnton.  My mom saw this kid once (before I even really knew him, I might add), and decided she wanted me to marry him because he has long eyelashes.

What?

Yeah, my mom is weird.  But I love her.  And am thankful for her.

When I asked if I could go see the movie with Quinnton I mentioned that two of my little siblings would come to (I assumed she would make me take them because she is completely against single dating in high school), but my mom looked puzzled and said I shouldn't take my siblings.  I took them anyway because my mom was freaking me out with all of her "marry Quinnton" stuff... I barely even know the guy!

But anywho, point being, my mom has been mentioning boys to me a lot lately, and it's super funny.  And I love her.  I am so thankful for my mother. :)

[16] ...Testimony Meetings.

I am thankful for testimony meetings.

Not only do I enjoy bearing my testimony (when I get up the courage to), but I love listening to people's testimonies and feeling the spirit.  I had two testimony meetings today.  One as a morningside for seminary, and another in our own individual seminary class.  And I bore my testimony in both.  I love the gospel.

[15] ...Long Talks.

I'm thankful for long talks.

Today after Jive I talked to this kid for almost an hour while we were sitting outside in the freezing cold.  It was crazy.  I don't even remember exactly what we were talking about, but I remember I liked it.  It was real talk.  We talked about nearly everything, but specifics are blurry.  He was telling me about how high school relationships suck, and how I should never get in one (although he is currently in one).  And then I told him about this boy that I'm falling for, and he told me to ask him out.  So... I'm somewhat confused... to date, or not to date?  But whatever.  This kid is funny.  I think we're going to be great friends. :)

[14] ...Crafts.

I'm thankful for crafts.

I forgot how much I love doing crafts.  Today at mutual we had a Pinterest craft night.  It was so fun!  Everyone was jealous of how great my crafts turned out.  I wish I had more time to do crafts; they are so fun!  And cute!  And actually useful!

[13] ...Boys.

I'm thankful for boys.

Explanation:  Until last year, attractive boys never payed much attention to me.  Sadface.  BUT last year they started to!  And this year there are even more attractive boys paying even more attention to me.  :D  It's pretty great.  There are two boys in particular that I'm extremely thankful for.  And there happens to be a certain one that I am thankful for the most. :)  They make me feel special, whether they know it and mean to or not.

[12] ...Maddie.

I'm thankful for Maddie.

Sometimes you just have an awful day, and you just want to cry.  So you do.  Thankfully, you have that one friend who will listen to you cry and comfort you for almost an hour after school.  I am so thankful for my great friend Maddie.

[11] ...Courage.

I'm thankful for courage.

I am so courageous.  I never really realized how courageous I am until today.  Our Young Women's lesson was on courage.  I have no problem with performing for people, when for most people that would take a lot of courage.  I'm so thankful for that.  Now I just need to work on gaining courage to talk to attractive boys... I've been getting better!

[10] ...Laundry.

I'm thankful for laundry.

So yeah, this is a super awkward thing to be thankful for.  But I pretty much just did laundry all day long today... and enjoyed it.  It was so calming!  Crap... I'm turning into a mother-type-figure who actually enjoys things like cleaning, gardening, and cooking.  No!  I'm still young!  I mustn't waste my youth!

[9] ...Schoolless Fridays.

I am thankful for schoolless fridays.
(Or as Hannah would say (as in her dinner prayer), "I'm thankful we could run out of school for today."  Like how someone would run out of milk.  Or run out of an item.  It was pretty great.)

Today a couple of my friends and I went to Boise for the temple open house.  We also wen tout for lunch and saw Skyfall in IMAX.  It was pretty great!  I'm also grateful Michael Kezele had a birthday, because that's the reason we went.  It was so fun!  And the temple was so beautiful. ♥

[8] ...My Talents.

I'm thankful for my talents.

Today and yesterday I had Choir Honor Clinic.  My last one. :'(  It's so sad!  I'll never go to an high school honor clinic again!  But I met some great people, and got to know other great people better. :)  Also, I was complimented quite a bit on my voice.  And that always makes a girl feel good. :)  I am so thankful for all of my musical abilities that I have been so greatly blessed with.

[7] ...Take Me Home.

I'm thankful for the new One Direction album Take Me Home.

I know it seems like a somewhat shallow thing to be particularly grateful for, but I am!  It is so good. :)  I love the more acoustic, slower sound this album has.  And since Ed Sheeran co-wrote some of the songs, the lyrics are phenomenal.  Nothing cures an iffy day as well as One Direction does.  Even though the album should technically not even be out until the 13th, I've been listening to it in my car.  It's wonderful; wonderful I tell you!

Album Faves:
-Little Things
-Over You
-Heart Attack

Happy Birthday. :)

I would like to wish a very happy birthday to my favorite apostle, Dieter F. Uchtdorf. :)

"Patience is a godly attribute that can heal souls, unlock treasures of knowledge and understanding, and transform ordinary men and women into saints and angels. Patience is truly a fruit of the Spirit.
Patience means staying with something until the end. It means delaying immediate gratification for future blessings. It means reining in anger and holding back the unkind word. It means resisting evil, even when it appears to be making others rich.
Patience means accepting that which cannot be changed and facing it with courage, grace, and faith. It means being “willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon [us], even as a child doth submit to his father.” Ultimately, patience means being “firm and steadfast, and immovable in keeping the commandments of the Lord” every hour of every day, even when it is hard to do so." - Dieter F. Uchtdorf

I just wish his grandchildren were older... I wouldn't mind dating a grandson of his.

Was that too creepy?

Okay, sorry.

I'll stop.

But seriously.

[6] ...America.

I'm thankful for America.  (Though not necessarily for all the voters in it.)

Yes, I'm upset about the election.  Yes, I'm scared about what will become of America in the next four years.  But is there anything I can do about it?  No.  Is there anything I could have done about it?  No.  It's entirely out of my hands.

But I'm not going to complain.  Especially over Facebook.  (Although I ma complain about the people complaining over Facebook, is that all right?)  I'm just happy to live in America, where I'm free to complain if I wanted to.  Honestly, Obama may not be who many people wanted, but he's not going to turn the U.S. into Communist Russia or Nazi Germany or anything.  It will remain America.  And I'm thankful for that.

Everything is in God's hands, and he knows what he's doing.  We just need to trust in him.  If things get worse, it's God's will.

[5] ...Emotions.

I am thankful for emotions.

Today I had a really bad day, but it gradually got better.  However, while my day was going awfully, I was able to show and share my emotions... and it was great.  A lot of the time I hold everything inside and don't show people how I truly feel.  Today was not one of those days.  Today I cried in seminary.  And in advisory.  And I was just really emotional.  And it was great.  I love being able to share my emotions with others.

[4] ...The Simple Things.

I am thankful for the simple things in life.

Like having arms and legs.
People (I included) take so much for granted.  Even just sitting here typing this I not only need arms, but fingers on them.  I had heard about this guy and his incredible story before, but I had never seen this video.  It is incredible.  Definitely worth 20  minutes of your time.

[3] ...Water Polo.

I am thankful for water polo.

Today was the Water Polo State Tournament.  It was so fun!  We won!  I love water polo so much. :)  Things did not play out in my favor, however.  My coach barely even played me at all, even in my very last game!  It was really disappointing, especially since it was my last year, and I'm the only girl who has played all four years.  And we didn't even get to play the one team that is actually a challenge for us to beat because they left the tournament early.  When I did play, however, I had so much fun.  This sport is the one sport that I thoroughly enjoy.  I am so thankful that there is a sport out there that I can have so much fun playing and that I can actually have some talent in.

[2] ...Honesty.

I am thankful for honesty.

Without honesty I would feel so guilty.  Yesterday I had a paper due in English... a paper that I didn't have time to type until after English.  So I typed it quickly during my seminary release (don't worry, I still went to seminary, I was just late), and I emailed it to my teacher.  My teacher, not being daft, noticed that the time on the email was after class, and so she emailed me back saying that she was confused because she thought I had had my paper typed in class and was wondering why I had emailed it to her after class.  She asked if I had typed it after class.  My first response was to say I had typed it before class, but I didn't have time to print it out and had forgotten to email it to her.  I was about to reply saying that, but I knew that'd be wrong.  Scared and not knowing what to do, I ignored her email.  Today I knew I had to do something about it, so I replied to her email.  I told her the truth about my typing it after class.  She said she appreciated my honesty but couldn't accept the paper for a grade.  I feel as if I gained so much respect from her.  She said she would still grade it so I would have feedback, but she wouldn't be able to put the grade in the grade book.  It is disappointing that I did the work of typing the paper and didn't get any credit for it, but I know that being honest was the best decision.  If I had lied, chances are she would have found out somehow, and I could have gotten in so much trouble.  I am so thankful that I was prompted to tell the truth to avoid bad consequences.

[1] ...Friends.

I'm thankful for my friends.

I know everyone says that, but I truly am.  I do however find myself feeling alone and friendless a lot of the time because I do not have one or two friends that are specifically my best friends.  I just find myself being friends with everyone, which at many times makes me feel as if I'm friends with no one.

But I find that being friends with everyone is great.  I am invited to hang out with people a lot, and through that I meet a lot of new people who are best friends of my friends.  And it is so great to meet new people.

Tonight after Jive, some of us went to Jamba Juice.  One of the girls who came was Jordyn Clark.  I don't really know Jordyn very well, but she always seems so sweet and nice, and I have been wanting to get to know her better.  At Jamba Juice we really bonded through pulling a joke on our friend Mike through texts and calls.  It was so great!  I had so much fun, and I got to know Jordyn better.  I'm so excited for this entire year.  Being at a new school provides me with so many opportunities to make new friends.  And I love my friends.  Every last one of them.

I'm Thankful for...

In honor of Thanksgiving... I'm going to make a post each day of something I am thankful for specific to that day for all of November.  And if it goes well, I might continue it through Christmas. :)

A Change in Desire... or Not?

In Sunday school today we were talking about desires and how you pray for your desires.  But then we were also talking about how if you have been praying for desires and they haven't been being fulfilled then you should pray to change your desires.

So... I thought about what I had been praying for quite a bit lately.

A boyfriend.

Lame huh?

I'm just a loser who has to pray for a boyfriend and still doesn't get one. :P

But in all honestly... lately I have been feeling desperate for a boyfriend.

Which isn't a good or pleasant feeling.

So in Sunday school I realized that maybe instead of praying for my desire to have a boyfriend to be fulfilled, that I should just change my prayers to not have that desire anymore!

At first it seemed like an answer to my problems!

And I was super excited to pray about it and not have these forever alone feelings overwhelming me.

Excited to feel normal again.

But I got this yucky feeling inside.

And even started to feel sick.

Which didn't make sense.

Was it just a coincidence?

Or was it the Spirit telling me that I can continue praying for a boyfriend and that I'll get one?

I'm thinking the former.

Because the latter doesn't sound all too plausible.

Why would the Holy Ghost prompt me to pray for a boyfriend when I'm technically not supposed to have a steady boyfriend until college?

It was just somewhat confusing.

But is doesn't seem like much of a coincidence, because as soon as my thought began to say "So, I should continue praying for a boyfriend?" the yucky sicky feeling stopped and I felt normal again.

I honestly don't know what this means.

But I guess I'll just continue praying as I was before.

And if an answer doesn't come soon, then I'll pray to change my desires.

Every time...

...I listen to President Uchtdorf speak I take notes.

But I always feel like I need to write down everything he says!

You determine your own happiness, so let yourself be happy! Life is not a race; it's a journey. Enjoy the moment. Happiness is available all the time, you just need to find it by looking not with your eyes but with your heart. Life is not meant to be appreciated only in retrospect. Resolve to be happy, regardless of your circumstances. :)

He is just too great.

I love him. :)

Oh How I Love Modern Day Revelation

General Conference.

I always enjoy it.

But this week I had been looking forward to it more than usual.

I assumed that meant I would be receiving answers.

But what answers?

I wasn't exactly sure I had questions...

So I started to think some up.

But the only one I got was, "Should I get my Patriarchal Blessing?"

Now, this has been a question for years with me...

But I've never really felt like I had received the answer yet.

So it's been my default question for forever.

...But the answer I received at General Conference was completely unexpected.

And it came in the first ten minutes of conference!

How nifty!

Well... the question that was answered for me was "Should I go on a mission?"

And the answer is, "DUH!"

I'll start at the beginning.

~~~

A year ago when both of my older siblings were on missions people would always ask me, "Are you going to serve a mission?"  And until the first time I got that question, I hadn't thought much of it!  So I just said "Well, if the time comes, and I'm 21, unmarried, and it feels right, then yes!"  But honestly I did want to go on one... but I moreso just wanted to get married.  The whole wedding, husband, children thing just appeals to me I guess!  So my honest thought was, "No.  I'm not going on one."  But I did leave the option just in case I wasn't married (although I would feel like a loser).

My options broadened when family visited Nauvoo... and there were missionaries there.  But they were 4-month performing missionaries.  You had to audition as well as apply to be one of those missionaries over the summer, and girls could go at 19.  So I told myself that if I was picked, then that would be just the mission for me.  And then if I still wasn't married at 21, I would serve a full-time mission as well (and still feel like an unmarried loser).

Just a couple weeks ago at my semi-annual Bishop's interview the Bishop asked me if I was going to serve a mission.  So I told him about my Nauvoo and then marriage/notmarriageandanothermission plan.  And he seemed to think that was nice, but also seemed to encourage me to more consider a full-time mission at age 21... so I have been.  But 21 has always just seemed so far away, so I figured I'd cross that bridge when I got there.

But since this was 4 years away, I didn't really consider it as a question as I went in to conference weekend. Little did I know it would be the question answered!

President Monson stands up at conference and announces that young women can now serve missions at age 19.  SAY WHAT?!??!?  Well, my question is answered.  I'm serving a mission.  The likelihood of me being married by then is very slim.  Plus, when I come back I"ll be 20.  So there is still the option of me being married before 21!  But 19 is also less than a year and a half away... which gives me not a whole lot of preparation time!  So I'm starting now to become as mission-prepared as I possibly can.  Starting with more blogging and journal writing.  Hopefully.

But along with this announcement was the announcement that young men can leave at age 18!  EVEN CRAZIER!  I have so many friends who could potentially be on their missions right now.  And now I have quite a few who are putting in their papers as soon as possible.  And even before this announcement I have recently been thinking about how in two years most of my guy friends will be out on missions... but now I need to consider that in one year almost all of them will be out on missions, and in two years I will probably be out on a mission.  It's all coming at me so fast now.  It feels almost as if the entire universe has shifted and I'm living in an alternate world or something.

~~~

Why is the Lord so good?

And why is serving him so great?

EFY (Again)

I went to EFY for a second time this summer.  And (believe it or not) out came another great, spiritual experience.

It started with me not even being sure whether I wanted to go again or not, but then I felt like I should go... so I did.

And then I really wanted to either get a solo in the musical program or make the variety show.  So I prayed that I would get one or the other.  And I had a feeling that I would.  So it just so happened that I was quite disappointed when I didn't. :(

But then my counselor came to me and said that they were looking for someone to sing the musical number at the last fireside of EFY.  It would be a duet of the song "Never Be the Same."  And I agreed to it.

An answer to my prayer?  I think yes.  It may not have been a variety show number, or a musical program solo, but it was even better.  In fact, I had always thought, "Man, I wish participants were able to sing the EFY musical numbers."  And I was able to.  It was fantastic.

And (not to be unhumble) we did an amazing job on the song.

So, in case I didn't feel like this incredible answer to my prayers was enough, after I sang, the girl I was sitting next to turned to me with tears in her eyes and said, "You will never know how much that changed my life."  I began to cry after that.  I have changed someone's life.  Through music.  And in so doing, I changed MY life.


It really is a gorgeous song.  And I am going to share it with you now.  (The original, not the one I sang.)

Waiting For Me -Julie Yardley

Here I am again

Seems like I’m standing still

Knowing that it’s finally time to start

There have been some things

Keeping me from moving forward

I can feel them holding back my heart

So I will face my fears.

I’ll give up my pride

The choice is mine,

That’s how it needs to be

Trusting in your love

I feel a change inside

And I can see,

You were just waiting for me

You've helped me believe

That I can move this mountain

That I can reach the other side

This is what I want,

And the road it won’t be easy

But with you there I know it’s worth the price

So I’ll face my fears

I’ll give up my pride

The choice is mine,

That’s how it needs to be

Trusting in your love

I feel a change inside

And I can see,

You were just waiting for me

You never gave up

You've always been there

Patiently waiting for me

So I’ll face my fears

I’ll give up my pride

The choice is mine,

That’s how it needs to be

Trusting in your love

I feel a change inside

And I can see,

You were just waiting for me

Come Thou Fount

I apologize for the not so great song I posted earlier.  Maybe this beautiful song by Allred will heal your ears.

Courageously- Jenny Phillips

I apologize about the horrible sound quality of the recording.
And the strange sound quality of my out-of-tune guitar.
And the annoying sound quality of my voice.

I only have a laptop to record with.
And I was too lazy to tune my guitar.
And I have been sick.

But I was really in the mood to sing.
And I wanted a purpose.
So you are stuck with this bad version of an incredible song.
Please enjoy!

I Need to be More Consistent.

In prayer, journaling, blogging, and scripture study.

I've been doing okay with prayer... but I can definitely do better.
At EFY a speaker mentioned that kneeling at your bedside for prayer helps you focus more on the spiritual nature of your prayer.  I never really thought of it that way.  I've always just been too tired/lazy and have always just prayed in bed.  But I'm going to try my hardest to actually get out of bed and kneel for my prayers.

Ever since I started blogging, my journal has suffered.  I've thought "Why journal when blogging is so much easier?"  Well... it is best to keep more than one record.  That's why.  Plus, I can't guarantee that blogger/the internet/my blog won't randomly someday crash and everything won't be lost.  Chances aren't likely, but keeping a journal as well is always good just to be safe.

Blogging... lately I've just not been blogging as much.  It's not that I don't have time.  It's just that I haven't been motivated!  But that needs to change.  I was thinking just yesterday about how I need to try harder to blog, and then today in sacrament meeting the speaker was talking about being a missionary through the internet and technology.  And I thought "That's for me.  To blog more.  I just know it."

I really try to read my scriptures, but I just don't like to.  I think it's boring.  But I want to want to read.  Does that make sense?  I have the desire to want to read and study my scriptures.  And that is enough.  But I need to try harder, even when I don't want to.  Yesterday I made a scripture reading log.  My goal is to read at least 15 minutes a week.  That may seem extremely easy for some (even most) people... but for me it is a challenge to pick up my scriptures even once a week for personal scripture study.  So I'm hoping that this small goal will be enough to make scripture study a habit and cause me to begin to enjoy it more.

~~~

I know that as long as I have

the desire to do these things

and try my hardest to do them,

the Lord will help with the rest.

EFY

I have always loved EFY... this was my fourth year and fifth time.  I have always loved both the spiritual and social aspects of it, but mostly the spiritual.  Each time I have felt somewhat socially ignored.  I never really made many friends, met any boys, or felt wanted.  I would always feel like an outcast.  You would think one of four times would be different, but no.  But finally this year was different.  Fifth times a charm, right?  :D  Haha.  But seriously!  I felt loved!  Our company was a family.  And it helped strengthen my testimony. So much!

You see... when my mom first signed me up for EFY I was planning on going with my cousin Lizzie.  But then she ended up not being able to go, so my mom started thinking of someone else who I could go with.  But I just had a feeling that I should go alone.  So that's what I did.  But I was scared.  Because I went alone my first year, and it was the worst experience of all of the years.  I was scared that my room mate would be some stuck-up chick who stays up late every night talking to her 21 year old boyfriend on the phone.  It would be someone who only went to EFY because her mom made her.  It would be someone who has to completely alter their wardrobe for EFY, someone who can't even remember my name.  Someone like the girl who was my roomate the first year.

I didn't want that again.

So I prayed.

I've always sorta been one of those people who only prays when they need something, but I've been trying to change.  Especially since I wanted this so bad.  I wanted a good room mate who I could laugh with, and with whom I would keep in touch.

And I wanted a great company.  Full of spiritual people who love the gospel.  Friendly people who love each other and the Lord. Is that too much to want?  Just for what my end up being my last time at EFY?  Could I have it please?  I prayed and pleaded... I wanted this so bad.

And it was given.

The Lord does answer your prayers.

I was given an amazing room mate.  RayLyn Bryant.  But she almost didn't even come to EFY.  Her dad had been put in the hospital the day before she left, so she really wanted to stay with him.  But she felt like she should go to EFY.  And then when her dad was released from the hospital the first day of EFY he was in a car accident and put back in the hospital, so RayLyn considered going home.  But she still stayed.  I know that it was the spirit telling her to stay at EFY.  Because her being my room mate was an answer to my prayers.

Youth Conference

At Youth Conference I didn't have a whole lot of spiritual experiences, so I was somewhat disappointed.  But we did have this one speaker who really touched me with his message.  I forget his name, sorry.

He spoke that the Lord will give you anything if you promise him something back.  A covenant.  I always thought covenants were just made at baptism and marriage and such, but you can make a covenant with the Lord anytime.  He shared an experience about his childhood.  He was adopted, and lost his temper with his parents often.  Once, his dad was yelling at him, so he punched his dad.  His dad punched him right back.  He cried and ran up to his room, but he wasn't crying because his dad hit him.  He mostly was just angry at himself for hitting his dad.  He felt so bad for losing his temper he never wanted to lose his temper ever again.  So he prayed that he wouldn't lose his temper anymore.  But that didn't help.  He felt that he needed to give something up or make a promise in return for the Lord's help.  So he prayed again and promised that he would never break the word of wisdom if the Lord would help him keep his temper.  He had never broken the word of wisdom before, nor did he have any struggle with it.  But he promised he never would.  And that was enough for the Lord.  The speaker said that he had never broken the word of wisdom, and that he hadn't lost his temper since that day.  And it had been 26 years.  He had gone 26 years, through marriage and children, without losing his temper once.  It's incredible.  The Lord wants to help you, and He will.

I know that if I make covenants with my Lord he will keep his promises as long as I keep mine.

Alma 37:17
-For he will fulfill all his promises which he shall make unto you, for he has fulfilled his promises which he has made unto our fathers.

Exodus 19:5

-Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people.

Be the Inspiration

Lately a lot of people have been mentioning that I'm inspiring.  But I have never though of myself as an inspiration!  A girl at Jive told me that I was her idol and inspiration.  And a few weeks in a row at church we were talking about being a good example and many girls used me in their examples of who has been a good example to them.

I never realized how much of an impact I have on the people around me.

It really is an eye-opener.

It reminds me that I need to always stay strong.

If I slip up, it will impact more than just me.

I will continue being an inspiration and positive influence on these girls.

I can. And I will.

~~~

Remember that you are also an inspiration.

To everyone around you.

Even if it may not seem like it.

Stay strong and make good choices.

People are watching you and admiring your righteous decisions.

Don't let them down.

Finding Joy

-Find Joy in Your Divinity.

You are a righteous daughter of God.

You are divine.

A princess.

Never forget that.

Find joy in who you are and how wonderful you are.

~~~

-Find Joy in the Journey.

There may be times when the journey gets hard.

But don't forget what your final destination is.

Know that the journey will be worth it.

The journey will be long,  but you can find ways to enjoy it.

Enjoy your trials.

They may seem hard during them.

But look back on them when they are through and realize how they have helped you.

Look for the positive in everything.

Bountiful Temple

He is Risen

It's Easter.

Forget about the bunnies and the eggs and the chocolate.

Let's think about Christ.

Think about how he suffered for us.

He suffered in Gethsemane.

He suffered at his crucifixion.

He suffered for our pain, grief, sorrow, regret, guilt, and more.

I can not even begin to fathom how much pain he went through for us.

He is my Savior and my Redeemer.

He is my older brother.

I love him.

And I know he loves me.

General Conference, Part 2

Highlights for me:

President Uchtdorf:
~Do not judge me because I sin differently than you.~This topic of judging can actually be taught in a two-word sermon... Stop it!
~As we open our hearts to the glowing dawn of the love of God, the darkness and cold of animosity and envy will eventually fade. 

President Monson:~Moments of clarity come to all of us at one time or another, although not always through dramatic circumstances. We see clearly what it is that really matters in our lives and how we should be living.

Elder Andersen:~"What think Christ of me?"~I testify that as you love him, trust him, believe him, and follow him, you will feel his love and approval.

General Conference, Part 1

Spiritual tidbits...

• Let us not live our lives in regret for what we did or did not do. ~Elder Hales
• Why should we be jealous because the Lord chooses to be kind? ~Elder Holland
• Tearing others down will not elevate your status. ~Elder Holland
• Trouble itself can be your way to gain unshakable faith. ~President Eyring
• Good health practices can increase our capacity to receive and understand revelation. ~Elder Scott

On a less spiritual note...

• I flippin' love singing missionaries.
• Someday I'm going to marry Elder David Archuleta. :)

Create

Stake Conference

Today I had Stake Conference.  And it kind of was a "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" experience.  You see... last night after the adult session, some idiot decided to vandalize the Stake Center.  They through a rock through the glass door to get in.  Then they did stupid stuff, and they even kicked in the Stake President's Office's door.  (And in doing so, they left a footprint.  Heh!)  President Holmstead (Stake President) was talking today in conference about it and said, "Maybe the person who did it will drive by to see how we took it, and see that we all still came, all still sang, and all still love the gospel.  It doesn't matter what happens to the building."  It really reminded me of the Grinch because he "stole" Christmas, but it didn't matter because the whos in Whoville knew that there was more to Christmas than the commercialism.  There is more to the gospel than a nice building to worship in.  All over the world, there are people meeting for church in dirt pits and huts.  We are blessed enough to have a nice building, and if someone decides to vandalize it, we will clean it up, but won't complain.

At Stake Conference, McKay Beard, a good friend of mine for almost ten years, spoke.  It was so inspirational, and yet it made me feel inadequate.  She did such a great job and had such a strong testimony.  I feel like if I were to be asked to speak in Stake Conference, I'd turn down the offer.  It'd be too big a task for me.  I have also always thought that maybe my testimony isn't as strong as I'd like because I'm a teenager, and most teenagers' testimonies are like mine... but her talk showed me that her testimony is so much stronger than mine has ever been.  It makes me feel inadequate, like I should try harder and do better.  But I know that I am not inadequate in the Lord's eyes, and that as long as I try my hardest, I will be blessed.

Deep Beauty

As long as you smile and have sparkly eyes, nobody's going to notice your bum or your waist or your feet.  (Sort of a quote by Cat Deeley, but not word for word.)  In other words... if you shine with the light of Christ, nothing else matters.

Shed Some Light

Today it snowed.  A lot.  Some people are happy, others aren't.  One of my friends posted this picture on Facebook.  It had the caption, "Took this standing outside the school... how dreary!"

When I saw that I immediately took it to photoshop.  And out came this... 

I posted it on her wall with the caption, "So... I took your 'dreary' picture and edited it!  Turns out all it needed to become a winter wonderland was the proper lighting!  :D  Kind of like an analogy to life, you know?  All you need in order to change a bad situation into a good one is the right attitude (proper lighting)!" :D

That is so true.  Whenever you think you're having a bad situation just "change the lighting."  Out of every bad situation you experience, something good will come.  You just need to change your outlook.  And if you feel like no matter what you do, you can't be positive, then pray.  God will help you.  Even if you can't necessarily be happy, optimism is all it takes to shed some light on a bad situation.

You are a Masterpiece

mas·ter·piece/ˈmastərˌpēs/ :noun

1. A work of outstanding artistry, skill, or workmanship.
2. An artist's or craftsman's best piece of work.

Think of an art museum... there are so many different pieces of artwork displayed.  Different people prefer some pieces to others.  Some are more plain, some are more exotic, but they are all beautiful in their own way.  No two famous masterpieces are alike.

Doesn't that sound like I'm describing people, not artwork?

You are artwork, created by God.  And we are all outstanding pieces of work.  Each of us is his best creation, and we are all unique.  The only difference is that the creation that is you is constantly changing, improving.  It will never be complete because it is always becoming better.

There are times we all feel unimportant.

There are times we feel we've nothing there to give.

That our lives are like the waves upon the ocean,

Tossing to and fro, no compass from within.

But our Lord, our Father,

We are the clay, He is the Potter.

We are the work of His hands.

We are clay in His hands,

Centered on the wheel,

And as the wheel spins, the Potter molds,

Creating something beautiful.

We are clay in His hands,

And all we can become is shaped by the Master.

That's where his finest work is done.

At times along the way they'll be refining.

As flaws appear that weaken from within,

If we are pliable and trust in the Master's hands,

They can disappear as though they'd never been.

Because out Lord, our Father,

We are the clay, he is the Potter.

We are the work of His hands.

We are clay in His hands,

Centered on the wheel,

And as the wheel spins, the Potter molds,

Creating something beautiful.

We are clay in His hands,

And all we can become is shaped by the Master.

That's where his finest work is done.

Holding strong even through fire,

All our strength it will require.

But as God's vessel we emerge

And lasting beauty will endure.

We are clay in His hands,

Centered on the wheel,

And as the wheel spins, the Potter molds,

Creating something beautiful.

We are clay in His hands,

And all we can become is shaped by the Master.

That's where his finest work is done.

We are clay in His hands,

We are clay in His hands,

We are clay in His hands.

Clay in His Hands - Jenny Jordan Frogley

"You are a child of God, His crowning creation." -Gordon B. Hinckley

I Cried.

Today my family watched this movie.

It was so sad. I knew these stories, but watching them makes you feel something else. It's almost like you experienced it yourself. It makes me think... would I have been strong enough to press on? Or would I have given up? I want to be able to say I would have kept going, but I honestly feel as if I would have not even started the journey in the first place. I yearn for a testimony like the ones these saints had. It is reachable, and it is one of my resolutions for the new year. Strengthen my testimony.