Practice What You Teach

I'm pretty excited about Easter tomorrow. Mostly because I get to FINALLY open the Easter package from my family that's been sitting in my closet since WEDNESDAY. The anticipation has been killing me. Just a little. Yeah I'm 19, but I still like presents! Jenn told me that she picked everything out and that one thing is CUTE and the other is AWESOME. I'm also supposed to call and thank her specifically for the package after I open it! Funny, funny girl. Anyways, I promise cute little presents aren't the real reason why I love Easter, just an added bonus! Yesterday morning, I woke up and got ready for work, which on Fridays since I have no classes which is literally the best and I highly recommend it, consists of throwing my hair in a ponytail, putting on yoga pants and a t-shirt, throwing my work uniform in a bag, eating breakfast, and walking out the door. Yesterday I woke up a little earlier than usual, so I had some extra time. I decided instead of doing what I...

I know this blog post is two days late, but I wished Matthew a happy birthday on his actual birthday I promise! I can't believe he's 20! Matthew turning 20 means that I only have a few more blissful months in my teens! I'm so lucky to have been blessed with a cousin who's more like a brother and best friend rolled into one amazing person! When we were little I was terrified of him, because he stole my toys and I was very protective of them apparently. Despite my apparent fear of him, even from a young age he always tried to play with me and be my friend. My mom has the most precious picture in one of her scrapbooks at home that I really wish I had on my computer, but sadly I don't. Matthew and I were probably 4 or 5 and we were at the beach. We are walking towards the ocean with our backs to the camera, and Matthew has his arm around me. No joke, it's the cutest thing! It didn't take TOO long for me to warm up to him, and our friendship has only become stren...

Everyone please read this talk. If the link doesn't work, it's called "For Times of Trouble," by Elder Holland. I found a link to it on Pinterest and it was just what I needed to read today. Enjoy! Happy Monday!

So I'm sitting here procrastinating homework, the usual, I really need a spring break, but anyhow, I was looking through some pictures and I found this. This is a picture of my sisters and I last Christmas break (Dec 2011) And this is a picture of me and my sisters from this past Christmas break one year later (Dec 2012): A lot is the same between these two pictures. We're the same four sisters. Other than Abby and I swapping places we're standing in the exact same order. Both were taken at my grandparents' house in Virginia while I was on break from BYU. And these three girls are still my three dearest friends in the world. At the same time, a lot has changed. We've grown a little bit, both as people and in height (well except for me). Amy got accepted to BYU (YES!), Abby started middle school, Jenn's become a little singing star! I decided what to do with my life and began pursuing a degree in Elementary Education. The biggest change between these pict...

For the past couple of weeks, I've been really trying to observe the tender mercies of the Lord in my life. I've had a few simple, but really meaningful experiences as I've done this! This semester I have gotten into the great habit of writing in my journal every day. I have recorded these experiences there, but I thought I'd share them here too! The first was last Monday. I was doing my reading assignment for New Testament in the hour break I had before class, procrastination at its finest. I was reading in Romans Chapter 8 in the New Testament. If you have a chance, please read it. It's amazing. The apostle Paul was an incredible person. The verse that hit me the hardest was verse 28 which reads, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purposes."My other favorite verse was the last two verses of the chapter (38-39) which read, "For I am persuaded, that neither death, ...

      So I work at the Scoreboard Grill in the Cougar Eat. Today in our store it was 90 degrees. Yes, 90 degrees. At one point, my awesome co-worker Brook goes,"I just opened the freezer and it changed my life." To which I replied, "It's the little things, right?" I realized that this week has been really great, not because of anything huge, just a bunch of little things! -The weather has been BEAUTIFUL. Like, it's been in the 60's and sunny all week long. -My ward went snow tubing at Soldier Hollow, which probably sounds crazy after that last sentence, but it was a blast! -I got to talk to both of my parents. -I did really well on three midterms, and got my first 100 on a test in all of college! It was the greatest moment of my life. -I got two e-mails from my cousin Matthew and a letter from my friend Aaron who are both serving missions! -I made the most delicious chicken and it changed my life. -I got to wear sundresses to school two days in a...

Tonight I'm just feeling so grateful for so many things. -I'm thankful for a Heavenly Father who loves me and answers my prayers. I am so humbled by how patient he is with me. I see his hand in my life each and every day. I know that he has a plan for me, and I am so thankful that I am constantly learning to trust him. -I'm thankful for the scriptures, and particularly the greater understanding and appreciation for them that I have gained through my religion classes at BYU. -I'm so thankful for my family. I know without a doubt that my family and I were meant to be together. My parents have taught me everything I needed to know to live on my own. They raised me to love the Lord and his Gospel. They love me and support me no matter what. Whenever I need them, they are always just a phone call away. My sisters are my best friends. They always put a smile on my face! I love that we can talk about anything and everything! They are always there for me, and I will alway...