Oh What a Week!

      So much has happened this week that I couldn't decide what to blog about, so I guess I'll just have to blog about a little of everything! My great aunt Colleen was diagnosed with cancer about five years ago, and two weeks ago she found out it had spread to her brain. My grandma had saved up frequent flyer miles to use when her sister would need her, so she flew out from Virginia to be with her. Last Saturday, she picked Amy and I up from Provo and took us to see her. We had the most amazing time talking, laughing, and sharing stories and memories. We've shared so many memories with Aunt Colleen during her almost yearly visits to Virginia while we were growing up, and getting to see her even more as we each moved to Utah to come to BYU. The whole time we visited with her, she didn't once complain about her condition or the pain she was in. I finally asked her, "Colleen, how do you stay so positive when it would be so easy for you to be negative and no one would blame you?" She answered with a final piece of advice that Amy and I won't soon forget, "I think it's easier to be happy." I am so grateful to be related to such an incredible woman and example to all who've had the privilege of knowing her.
   
        Then Friday night was our final Women's Chorus concert of the school year. Our set list was a perfect mixture of gorgeous and fun music. I absolutely love performing, and music brings me joy in a way that nothing else can! I'm so grateful that I was able to sing with my sister, and some incredible girls. I became especially close friends with the girls in my row. I'm so glad we're all super short so that we got to stand next to each other in the front row. Singing in Women's Chorus was an amazing part of my junior year!

             My lovely front row Soprano 2 friends Hannah, Holly, and Katie!

                                           Shoutout to my wonderful friends for coming and supporting me!

       My roommate Alyssa and I were able to get tickets to both Saturday sessions of General Conference (shoutout to Bishop Buhler and Alyssa's dad), so we spent the day in Salt Lake yesterday. I absolutely loved hearing the incredible messages, but my favorite part of attending Conference in the Conference Center is when the prophet and his counselors walk in. Everyone immediately stops talking and stands up. His eyes are full of so much love as he waves to the congregation and his smile couldn't possibly be any bigger. When he enters a room, there's no possible way to deny that he is a prophet of a Heavenly Father who loves us more than we could possibly know. I just love Conference! Plus as an added bonus, a visit to Salt Lake always equals a visit to Nauvoo Cafe in the former Hotel Utah which is now the beautiful Joseph Smith Building just outside Temple Square. If you're ever in Salt Lake, go eat there and you're welcome in advance.

          Last but not least, every year my mom always makes a special breakfast before the Sunday morning session of Conference. I decided to carry on the tradition and made my favorite breakfast casserole that my mom always makes on my birthday and Christmas, and invited some friends and Amy and her roommate over for breakfast and to watch Conference. My friend also made an amazing coffee cake and Alyssa made some gourmet smoothies (no seriously they were amazing) and we all watched one of the most incredible sessions of Conference I've ever watched. I learned so much in that two hours. I love how Conference helps strengthen my testimony of the Gospel while teaching me how I can improve and become a better person and disciple of Jesus Christ. I can't wait for the last session and to re-read all of the messages! The Church is true and it's the source of all the joy and happiness in my life! If anyone reading this wants to know more, visit www.lds.org or just ask me!