Collect Moments Not Things

So I had the opportunity to go to St. George with some really good friends of mine. We just wanted to take a day trip and go have fun. We had no plans other than the fact that we knew that we wanted to go to St. George..... Well needless to say it was such a good day!

We went shopping.. Of course we had to stop at target.. we then went out to eat.
Funny story for ya though. While we were at target I found a pair of shoes that I absolutely loved. So I tried them on. As I had them on a lady and her sister walked by and said oh my goodness those shoes look amazing on you! You need to buy them. My friends and I all laughed and I put the shoes back because I was not gonna buy them. The lady then said you seriously need to buy them. At that point my friend said, yea they are really cute but when your a college student food comes first before shoes. We all laughed. After that we started walking away and the lady said, no you buy the shoes skip a meal a cute boy will see the shoes and take you out to dinner. ....... I was laughing so hard. This lady really seemed to have her whole life figured out haha.

After dinner we went shopping some more and then we went to a place called Dixie Rock and watched the sun go down. Dixie rock is amazing. It was absolutely beautiful and I could have sat up there for hours on end. It is this giant rock that you walk up to that overlooks the whole city. Sitting up there with these amazing girls was a moment I do not want to forget. It was almost as if the world stopped for just a minute. These girls are so beautiful inside and out and always make me laugh. I am so grateful that we get to go through the next year together and see what kind of trouble we can get ourselves into next ;) . These girls are always there for me when I need them and always making me smile.

As you will notice the title of this blog is Collect Moments Not Things, I could go through life with a million dollars and getting every little thing my heart desires and it would never even come close to making me as happy as I am when I am making memories with the people I love. The moments that I get to spend with family and friends and all of the crazy memories I make along the way are priceless and are truly what this life is all about.

As I approach My last year of college in a few months I can't help but look back at all of the amazing opportunities and memories I have made along the way. This past school year was pretty dang great! I made so many wonderful friends some who I am lucky enough to go through classes with this next year. I also had amazing roommates who always brightened my day no matter how long it felt. I cannot help but be so incredibly thankful for how blessed I truly was. Also these past few weeks with summer I have been able to really learn a lot about myself and focus on just me and the person I want to become. However, it also has been a great time for me to collect all of my memories over this past year and really think about all the goodness that I have in my life. College has been hard, no doubt, however it has also been an experience of a lifetime. Everybody always says I am so crazy for picking a college that is 1700 miles from my amazing family. However, this is what I will say to that.. The friends and memories I have made while being here make each day beyond worth it. I know that I never would have gotten these opportunities or met these amazing people if I had not chose to come here for school. It was nerve wracking especially because it is such a small town and I am so used to living so close to large cities, however it has been amazing and I wouldn't trade it for anything!


There is still a few months before I start back into my crazy school schedule and until then I am going to soak up every single day and make as many memories as I possibly can! I am one lucky girl and I owe so many of these amazing memories and adventures to so many of you! Thank you for all of the things that you do for me each and every day and for all the times you were there to laugh with me. Have a great rest of your week!

To all the Mothers

I know it has been almost two months since I have written anything. I also know that this is being posted a day after mothers day however, I have been really under the weather and have been sick. However, I wanted to take a minute and write a letter to my mom.


Dear Mom,
             Thank you for always taking the time to love me and care for me. Thank you for always supporting me throughout all of my journeys in this life. You have been the greatest example to me of the wife and mother I hope to be someday. You have always put your husband and children before your own wants and have done everything to help those around you. You are the most selfless and beautiful women I know. I could not have become the person I am without you by my side all those years. I call you almost daily and it is because even on the gloomiest of days you are the one that puts a smile on my face and you smile with me through all of the good times. I cyannot even begin to put into words the strength and courage that you have. I have seen you go through more trials than I ever imagined. I want you to know that in my eyes there is no greater example of courage and strength. I thank you for teaching me as a young child the skills I will need to fulfill my calling as a wife and mother one day. I could not have learned from anyone better. I love you so much and thank god for you each and every day.

I also want to take a minute and tell my future mother in law whoever you are..... that when I meet your son, the one whom I will go throughout the eternities with. I will owe everything to you, for raising the man that will be my eternal companion. For teaching him to love and serve his family. For teaching him how he should treat his wife. For raising him to be the best father I could imagine for my future children. I owe so much to you, without you none of my future blessings as a wife and mother could be possible.

To all of my grandmothers that found it important to teach my parents the Gospel of Jesus Christ. For teaching them to love the lord with all of their heart and to put him first in all things. For showing them the kind of faith that they found it important to teach me. For raising my parents to be the best versions of themselves and always supporting them through their endeavors.


I owe everything to so many of you wonderful mothers out there. I am so thankful for each of you. I have a long time before I am a mother or wife, however, when that time comes I want you to know that I will be prepared and ready because of the amazing examples I have seen by each and every one of you ever since I was a little girl. I love all you mothers and thank you for your endless sacrifice and love and for your willingness to take on a 24/7 job just for your families. Here's to you!

Believe in Yourself

Wow what  a beautiful Sunday! I love the sunshine and this warm weather we have gotten lately.. maybe spring can finally get the memo it needs to be here and winter needs to leave!
So this post is something that is more for myself than anyone else to be honest.....


So if you have known me for a long time than you will most likely agree with everything I am about to tell you. I have always struggled with self image and with confidence in myself. I consider myself confident but at the same time I have always told myself why me?... people can do so much better! it is has not been easy to realize and my parents helped me to realize that. I just have always looked at myself as not good enough in a lot of ways! I am very proud of how far I have gone in life in such a short time frame but I am not always happy with the kind of person I am. I get so down on myself because I feel like I always need to be perfect and strong for everyone around me 100% of the time and so when I make a mistake it is not easy for me because I am so hard on myself about it for a very long time afterwards.

However, with all of that said I can tell you one thing that I am most confident in and that I can say with 100% surety that is true! I know without a doubt that I am a child of God. I know that I have a father in Heaven who loves me and is always listening to me. He knows me and loves me. He is always counting on me to be my best self so that I can bring other people unto him. I am so thankful for his constant hand and guidance in my life. I love this gospel more than life itself and it is the foundation that holds everything together. My life is often hectic and crazy but he is there to watch over me and listen. He does not expect me to be perfect but expects me to try my hardest to show my love for him and his gospel every single day. I am so thankful for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I can honestly say I would not be the person I am without it, and I would be very lost if I did not have its love around me. I want other people to know that outside the church the world seems black and white but within the church it gives life color. It gives us a purpose and a loving arm to lead us. I know that as I strive to strengthen my testimony and strengthen my relationship with the savior I will strengthen my relationship with those around me and life will not seem so confusing and hard at times.

I also just want to say Thank You! Thank you to all of you who have always been there for me and have on so many occasions dropped everything you were doing to come to my side. I have no idea why I was chosen to be so blessed with so many amazing and loving people in my life but I would not give it up for anything! I have so many adults in my life who I can honestly say are like another set of parents to me. I have felt on so many occasions the overwhelming sense of love from you guys. As I am writing this I am brought to tears because I know that All of You are angels that were sent to me. I could not go through this life without the amazing support that I have from so many people. The sacrifice that has been given on behalf of myself and my family throughout my life has been such a wonderful example to me of the kind of service and love I want to give back throughout my life. I love you all so much and could never fully put into words the amount of appreciation I have for you.

May you enjoy the rest of your Beautiful sabbath day and I hope you are spending it with all those that you love and make you happy. That is what truly matters. Have a wonderful week!

Temples

So it has been almost a full two months since you have heard from me. It has been a rough few weeks personally. I have personally been struggling with quite a few stuff and its hard to get out of my own head. However, I was asked to speak in church so here is my talk for those of you that would like to read it. Hope to talk to you all soon and I will try to write as soon as possible.

I am very excited because I was asked to speak on Temples. I could not be more excited to speak about temples because they definitely hold a very special place in my heart.

We live in a time of turmoil and confusion and heartache. This world can be a very tiring and hard place. Everything that we face on an everyday basis can be very hard to deal with. The faith and love you feel in the temple is what helps us to overcome all of the other things in our lives.  They provide a safe guard and give us a comfort we cannot find anywhere else.

“ The world can be a challenging and difficult place in which to live. We are often surrounded by that which would drag us down. As you and I go to the holy Houses of god, as we remember the covenants we make within, we will be more able to bear every trial and to overcome each temptation. In this sacred sanctuary we will find peace; we will be renewed and fortified.” Thomas S. Monson

So much of why the temple gives us so much peace and allows us to bear every trial is because of our Heavenly Father. He is the key to our eternal exaltation. That is why it is so important that we strengthen our relationship with him. No matter who we are or where we come from in the church we can always improve our relationship with the savior and strengthen ourselves to become more like him. One of my favorite places to draw closer to heavenly father and strengthen my testimony is in his Holy House. Rosemary Thackeray of BYU stated, “ Being strengthened by the lord is an individual experience. We qualify for it individually, and individually we receive strength.” One of the reasons I love the temple so much is because of how personal it is. Even though the ordinances and covenants we make there are the same, the revelation and the answers we receive in that holy place are so different. Each of us go through the temple and have our own personal experiences that we take with us.

President Thomas S. Monson said it so perfectly when he quoted, “I think there is no place in the world where I feel closer to the Lord than in one of His holy temples.”

The temple is such an amazing place. We are so lucky to live in a time and place where we have so many temples so readily accessible to us. The temple is such an amazing place where we are safe guarded from the everyday trials we face as individuals. And even when we are not faced with trials, temples provide us with a way to be strengthened by the hand of the lord. As we find in D& C it reads, “ thy servants may go forth from this house armed with thy power and that thy name may be upon them, and thy glory be round about them, and thine angels have charge over them.” I have felt this same blessing from the temple numerous times throughout my life.

I am very lucky because I have had many opportunities and trials in my life that most people will never have to dream about going through however, I could not consider myself luckier. I am so blessed to be able to have gone through all of the things that I have in my lifetime. And because of those trials I was able to choose to turn to the lord throughout my life. This has blessed me with the opportunity to use the power of the temple so many times throughout my life.

However, it all started when I was just 3 months old and my parents had just got in an argument. My dad put me in the car and drove him and me to the bountiful temple. When we got there my father picked me up in his arms and in front of the temple gave me a fathers blessing. I obviously do not remember that or any of the words that were shared in that blessing; however, I can tell you that ever since that moment I have shared a special relationship with both my earthly father and my heavenly father.  I love this gospel more than anything and I am so grateful for those two wonderful fathers I have in my life who are there for me each and every single day.  As I grew up and turned 12 my dad and me made it a goal to attend the temple at least once a month. Those monthly trips to the temple were amazing and hold a special place in my heart. And because of all those months of attending the temple I found it to be a habit as I grew up and am attending college. I try to attend at least once a month. It is in that house that I am able to feel the love from my heavenly father more than ever. I love everything about the temple and the special opportunities it provides to us to strengthen ourselves and draw ourselves closer to god. We are never lost when we can see the temple.

In the October 1976 general conference it was stated, “ Is not the greatest need in all of the world for every person to have a personal, ongoing, daily, continuing relationship with the savior? Nothing can make a greater difference in our lives as we come to know and understand our divine relationship with god.” When attending the temple we are allowing ourselves to come unto Christ and we are giving ourselves the opportunity to find knowledge, understanding, and joy. The first presidency quoted” The ordinances of the temple help us place the savior at the center of our lives. That eternal perspective gives us greater peace of mind, more purpose for life, and a powerful motivation to live the commandments.”

However, that closeness and peace we feel inside the temple will carry through with us even outside the temple. That is why the more often we can attend the more permanent that closeness and relationship will become outside the temple.  Every time we attend the temple we take new experiences with us when we leave.

A great example of this in my life was June 11^th 2011. It was one year after we had adopted my little brother and sister Carter and Kyree. They were only 3 and 1 at the time. I remember entering the temple and being taken to the children’s room with my brother and sister.   I was 13 at the time. I remember playing and watching my brother and sister while waiting for what felt like forever. Eventually my siblings and I got all dressed up in our temple outfits and were escorted to one of the sealing rooms. There in front of me were my parents and so many familiar faces including extended family and friends. There I was able to watch my sibling be sealed to my parents for time and all eternity. However, what happened next was truly unique and special. After they had been sealed to my parents and everyone was seated the sealer took me by the hand and led me to where I sat with him on the alter. He talked with me as if no one else was in the room and it was only us for probably a solid 10 minutes. While we were talking he asked me what my favorite temple was the Draper Utah temple. He then proceeded to ask me if I wanted to be married in the temple someday. He then told to find a picture of that temple and place it somewhere in my room where I would see it every single day to remind me to always live each day in a way that I would always be worthy to enter its sacred doors when the day came for me to be sealed with my eternal husband. That moment for me will always be very near and dear to my heart. I truly could feel the love from the savior and his desire for me to remain worthy to enter the temple just from speaking with this man I had never met before.  I could not be more grateful for that cherished moment in my life and several times I have been told that it was such a rare opportunity because people have never seen that happen in all there years of service in the temple.  That is why it makes it that much more amazing when I tell you how he was asked to be our sealer that day.  My parents had originally asked a longtime family friend to do the sealing. However, on the morning of the sealing as we were all in the temple my parents started worrying because the sealer had not shown up yet. My grandparents at the time were working at the temple. My grandma told my dad that she would call the sealer to see where he was. While on the phone the sealer he told my grandma that he had wrote down that it was the following week and that he was out of town and could not do the sealing. So at that moment my grandparents had to rush and try to find someone who would be able to do the sealing. At that exact moment a sealer who was not scheduled to work at the temple that day walked in and said that he had gotten a very strong prompting to come to the temple to do a sealing. I truly believe that everything happens for a reason and I am so thankful that he was worthy and willing to not only receive that prompting but to act on it and drive to temple so that he could seal my parents to my siblings and so that I could have the opportunity that I had.

As quoted by Thomas S. Monson, “ The all-important and crowning blessings of membership in the church are those blessings which we receive in the temples of god.” We have such a wonderful tool given to us in our life to link ourselves directly with our heavenly father and receive the blessings he has for us.

In April general conference of 2011 it was stated, “Temples are more than stone and mortar. They are filled with faith and fasting. They are built of trials and testimonies. They are sanctified by sacrifice and service.” If we attend the temple often and with a sincere and worthy heart we will be able to build our testimonies with the faith that surrounds those holy houses of the lord. We will be able to strengthen ourselves and draw ourselves closer to our loving heavenly father. May you make it your own personal goal to make yourself worthy to enter the temple as often as you can to gain the blessings the lord has waiting within those temple doors.

I just want to end with a section from a letter I was given when I was a little girl that is written as if from our heavenly father, “ You my faithful child are my hope. It is through you that my work must proceed. You haven’t much time there is so much to be done. I beg you to get started. Accomplish the mission I gave you before you left me. I’ll help you. I’m never too busy or too far away to come to you. I’m nearer to you always than you might suspect. I’d love to take you in my arms, but I too, must wait patiently, that time will come. Till then, I leave you with my peace, my blessing, my love, and never forget I am nearby If you need me. I love you and miss you very much, and oh, how I am looking forward to your joyous return again to me. All my Love, your Heavenly Father.”

May we all strive to attend the temple often to become the very best versions of ourselves and so that we will be able to become more like our savior. So that when that joyous reunion occurs we will be able to wrap our arms around our heavenly father and know that we have done all that we could. I know that the savior loves us. I know that as we draw closer to him and become perfected in him we will be able to draw closer to exaltation, which is our destiny. I know that he died for each and every one of us and that we have a prophet here on this earth today to lead us back to him. May we be diligent in keeping the commandments and serve the lord with all our heart, might, and minds. I know that the plan of salvation is real and everlasting. I am so thankful that I will be able to be reunited with 3 perfect brothers again. I love my heavenly father and these things I leave with you in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. 

Each Day Counts

As I lay here just 1 day before new years eve I can't help but reminisce. 2016 has been quite the year for me. It has been a year of reflection a year of trials and heartache and a year of celebration and happiness. A few of the milestones that happened this year have been becoming a sophomore in college. Moving between states. Getting a new job and then getting asked to be the one and only full time cook for them. I cannot believe how fast this year flew by. As the years go on I swear they get shorter and shorter as well. However, I have to say that I have ended this year on a fabulous note being able to be home for the holidays and filling each day with priceless memories that will last forever!

Im sure that you all have noticed that every time the new year rolls around everyone seems to be crossing their t's and dotting their I's to make sure everything is in order to gather their goals and ambitions for the new year and they usually last about a month and then it goes back to same old same old with life seeming to go by faster than you do. Now I'm not saying this is how it always is but more often than not this is what we see from all those hundreds of people we pass everyday of our lives. However, 2017 will truly be amazing and their is something so magical and special about the fact that each of these 375 days that we are about to go through will not be the same. Every single day will be unique in its own way and we will never get a day back. Each new day will continue to pass and we will never get it over again to do differently or say what we wanted to say.  I truly believe that 2017 will be a year to remember not because something extravagant or fancy will happen and not because something tragic will happen but because we will make memories in the simple every day things that we do that will be solely placed as a memory that took place in the year 2017.

I heard a quote from my beloved grandma who in a letter wrote " Life starts each time you wake up in the morning." We have 365 days to fix or change the things that we don't like about how we are living or the person we have become. Everyday we can be whoever we want to be and live however we want to live and we are the only ones that can make that decision.

So before I go I just want to say I hope all of you have the best 2017! Make each day count and make this year the year that you become who it is you really want to be!

Dependet

Hey guys i know it has been a while but wow life is crazy!!!

So I got  a job and I absolutely love it! I am working at a ranch for troubled girls and I seriously love the people I work for they are amazing which makes the job even more amazing!! I also am able to pay for all my bills and everything which is a huge bonus!

Also this week is fall break and so I am having the time of my life this week! Got to go home with one of my roommates and we went forwheeling and took like 8 side by sides up to a canyon and went on an adventure from 5-9 pm. It was so fun and we did get a little lost but it was such a fun adventure and I loved every minute of it! Also my roommates family is so amazing they welcomed me right into their home and were so amazing to spend the weekend with. Today I got on an airplane at 7:30 Am and headed to...... ORLANDO!!! I am so excited!!! I am meeting up with my family and spending the week with them in Florida! I could not be more excited! I bought all of my family a surprise and just can't wait to hug them and laugh and spend a whole week with my best friends (who also happen to be my parents).

So a little background I love airplanes and flying so much!!! I love everything about it! However, because I get so excited on an airplane and I love it so much, I have a very very very hard time falling asleep. This gives me much time to think about things. On today's flight I got to take a trip down memory lane! As I was looking out the window above the clouds I couldn't help but think about all the times my dad and me used to fly! I remember flying so many times in a little 4 seater plane with him and taking a big trip at least once a year and flying on a huge 747. I would constantly look out the window and ask him, "What's that?", "Why is that moving?", "Do you see how high we are and all those clouds?"! haha I probably would ask him about 50 questions every trip. The minute I was born was the moment it all began! The first man I would ever love and the one who I would look up to forever and ever. He will never quite understand how amazing he is and how much I love him!
As a child I was constantely looking up to him and I depended on him for everything, love, knowledge, fun, etc.

Most people as they grow up they grow away from this, however I still depend on my dad so much! Yes I live on my own and pay for my own bills and school and groceries. However, I still turn to my dad when I want advice, when I want someone to tell me everything is going to be ok, and tell me that he will love me no matter where I go in life, who i become, or what I look like. He may tease me or laugh or joke with me which just adds to the fun but I will forever have him in my heart and mind. He will forever have half of my heart.

Wow well now I am going to go try to find something to eat and relax for a minute before my next flight. Here I come the ones I love!!!!

Sheep Tunnels

Hey guys so here is my weekly update for this week.

Wow a lot has happened it has been a whirlwind of events and emotions.
Please pray on my behalf that I will be able to find a job.

Anyways so I had to give a talk on sunday and I am going to post it below if any of you are interested in reading it. It is definetly not word for word what I said but you will get the main idea of what I talked about by reading it.

In a world filled with so much sadness and heartache it is so important to understand who our Father in Heaven is and how we can communicate with him.

“We create images to find who we are, but who we are is found in the image of God. We need to know who Jesus was and who he is.”

Prayer is such an important and crucial lifeline to us and to so many other individuals in this earth. We have the power to directly talk with our eternal father.

Franklin D. Richards quoted “ With the knowledge that we can converse with God as one man converses with another, we also understand that we not only have a divine spark within us, but that we are actually spirit children of our father in heaven. Prayer, being the primary method of communication between god and man, plays an important part in practically every religion, whether Christian or otherwise.” End quote.

As we make a habit of approaching God in prayer, we will come to know him and draw ever nearer to him. Our Heavenly Father loves us and knows each and every one of us, and our needs as his children. He is waiting for us to communicate with Him. He wants to know all of the Highs and all of the lows.

In the true to the faith it states, “ If you do not feel like praying, pray until you do feel like praying.”

Heavenly Father hears our prayers no matter how small or insignificant they may feel. He will not always answer as we expect or desire. However, he does and always will answer. It will be in his own time and in his own will but he will be there to guide and direct us on our paths if we take the time to let him. In Psalm 46:1 it reads, “ God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

I have personally felt the blessings and relief that prayer brings in my own life.  Prayer has been a great blessing and a direct guide for my family and I on numerous occasions.

One occasion stuck out to me while preparing and thinking about this talk.

My parents were set up on a blind date and went out on a Saturday night. My mom was supposed to go to the singles ward the next day where my dad attended but she ended up going to her home ward that day instead. They then went out on a second date the next two days, which were Monday and Tuesday night. The very next day on Wednesday February 14^th my dad picked up my mom from work and and they went to Denny’s for Hot chocolate. Afterwards they ended up going to my dad’s house where they sat in the driveway and talked. In the middle of their conversation my dad preceded to ask, “What do you think about the idea of Marriage?”…… My mom then paused and after a minute of thinking she looked at my dad and smiled and said, “ Yes Let’s do It!”

Now you should know my dad had been praying for two years before this that he would find his wife. And after that had happened my mom prayed about it and felt a overwhelming sense of peace and comfort.

Needless to say my parents were married 3 months later.

Although our answers to our prayers may seem sudden or we may not understand right away why the lord would be directing us toward a certain path but he always can see the bigger details that we may not be able to see in that moment. The world may not agree or understand why we do the things we do but if we are asking with a sincere heart and real intent the lord will not lead us a stray. Although it may not be as drastic as being married after just three dates and three months, the lord will always provide and guide for those that seek his hand.

D&C 19:38 reads, “Pray always, and I will pour out my spirit upon you, and great shall be your blessing” The lord sure did bless my parents when he answered those prayers and as a result I have been blessed far more than I could ever put into words.  I cannot imagine what my life would be like without the ever present blessing of prayer.

This life can be closely related to a refiners fire. The lord puts us in the fire until he can see a reflection of himself  in us. Prayer is such an important and crucial part to keeping our lives in line with the saviors.

May we always strive to keep the lord close to us and strive to not lose our father in Heaven. In today’s world it can be very easy to stray and lose sight of where the savior is in our lives. Just like the young boys in the bishop’s office. However, if we keep that connection of communication open and constant than through the spirit we will be able to always keep our lights and our hearts hopeful for all of the amazing things ahead and not on all of the hard times that will come our way.

Jeffrey R. Holland wrote, “God is eagerly waiting for the chance to answer your prayers and fulfill your dreams, just as he always has. But he can’t if you don’t pray, and he can’t if you don’t dream. In short, he can’t if you don’t believe.” End quote.

In ending I just want to remind you of the words of one of my favorite primary songs, “ Pray he is there, Speak he is listening, You are his child, His love now surrounds you.”

Also last weekend me and some roommates went to these things called the sheep tunnels which are these underground tunnels that are covered in graffiti and peoples paintings. It was really fun except for the part where people jumped out at us at the end and scared me so bad I thought my heart stopped beating!