Insight

Today is a day that I have had a lot of time and opportunity to really internally analyze who I am and what I am doing here on this earth. I have become even more aware of my weaknesses and at the same time more determined to overcome them. I have a goal this year to read the Book of Mormon 3 times through, and so far I have been slowly going through. Today, I read about 5 or 6 chapters in Nephi, and can I just say how much I love the scriptures? They bring peace to my heart and joy to my soul. Today has not been the easiest day, but having that spirit from the scriptures allowed me to have the opportunity to feel the Lord's love in my life, despite the challenges that come my way.

Life is not easy, and I don't know about you, but I often times make it much harder than it needs to be without realizing it. Sometimes we just need to get out of our own ways and our own heads. I over analyze everything aaaallllll the time.

Yesterday at church, there was a comment made in Relief Society that has really stuck with me: "Progress. That is what distinguishes us from others without religion. Our church is all about progression." I forget this far more often than I should. I want to be perfect now, I want to have answers now, but sadly, that's not how it works.

A wise friend of mine said today, "you've got to put in a lot of necessary work before the answer comes". Makes sense right? "The Lord can't move a parked car", we have to first study and work for the answers before they are given. I am grateful that we even have the opportunity to receive personal revelation, even if it does take lots of work to earn that blessing. 1 Ne 10:19 "For he that diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them."

This is kind of an all-over-the-place post, but it's just some thoughts that I have had today that I wanted to put out into the universe. It has been a very enlightening and gratitude for the gospel day.

Bleh

Today has been one of those days at work where all I want to do is cut off my nose so it stops running and being stuffy, suck out my sinuses, and go home to put on my sweats, eat soup, and watch a great movie like Sleepless in Seattle. Stupid winter colds, they sneak up on ya and BAM! You have zero motivation and social skills. And yes, when I am sick I am extremely dull and not fun to be around, I don't know about you.

2011 in Review

Lots of people have been doing this on their blogs and I decided it was a fantastic idea. So here is my year 2011:

JANUARY

Bought a MacBook Pro



Started on a bowling league team at BYU called the Kool Kidz with Splendor, Pleasure, and Danger. I was Butter, and we dominated the dancing of the bowling league. You heard me.





Yes- these are our trophies made by Nostradamus for us because we were the best dancers of the season. Very prestigious award.

FEBRUARY

We had a sweet Superbowl party at our apartment



Went to a Justin Beiber party dressed like him



The peak of Jimmermania



MARCH

Festival of Colors with Mallory and Jeff



APRIL

Turned 22! Had a sweet Price is Right themed party. The Plinko board almost didn't make it, but luckily I had lots of help.



Sang in the Women at the Well for my Stake - Foolish or Wise



Had my last classes on BYU campus



Cassie and Chris were my ComD study crew for the last 2 years of college. Love them :)

MAY-AUGUST

Moved back to Sandy

Was a BC at EFY (that was pretty much my summer)with the best team ever: Dan, Brooke, Tia, Maggie, Brad, Kendall, Cesar, Kellie, Andrew, Alex



Highlights: Send it On
White pant Wednesday
Hats at Game Night
Tia and I eating a piece of pizza after the counselor didn't have
enough money for the pizza place

Boy band singing at dances
Having walkie talkies
Jamba runs
The dances

Singing The One with Kellie
Buying my beautiful new Nikon camera


AUGUST

EFC Disneyland trip!









Graduated from BYU



My best friend Vanessa died in a car accident on her mission



SEPTEMBER

Really started working at Senator Hatch's office

Was called as the choir director for my Ward

OCTOBER

Tried out for Li'l Abner and got the part of Daisy Mae at Draper Historic Theatre

NOVEMBER

Thanksgiving with the parents, Jeff, Jim and Sarah's family, and Megan and Bailey Bradshaw



DECEMBER

Performing in Li'l Abner - it ran for 3 weeks and was so much fun



Saw the Blue Man group with the fam at Kingsbury Hall



Went to Tyson's cabin with Sam and Dallin and some friends for New Years




2011 was a really crazy, sometimes super difficult year, but I had a lot of good experiences and definitely grew in ways that I was not expecting. Here's to another year of surprises, good and bad, and lessons that need to be learned as well as experiences to enjoy!

The Travel Itch

Anyone who knows me, knows that I am dying to travel the whole world multiple times over. I have been lucky enough to travel a few times, but I have a whole list of places that I am still dying to go, and I would also gladly go and revisit the places I have already been. Today, I am having one of those days that I wish I could win the lottery so that I would have money to go and travel wherever I wanted.

Here is my list of places I am currently wanting to go (in no particular order):

MOZAMBIQUE



I have wanted to go and do humanitarian aid in Africa for years, and this week the urge is even greater!! There is a great organization called Care for Life, and if everything plays out the way I would like it to, I will be going to Mozambique with them next summer for 3 weeks :)

THAILAND



I think Thailand sounds beautiful and fascinating. It is a culture soooo different from the United States and I think it would be an awesome adventure to go. I also have a dream to ride an elephant, which could be accomplished here! It could also be accomplished in the next place on my list.

INDIA



Maybe I have watched too many Bollywood movies, but I think India would be the coolest place to visit!!! I love Indian food, I think that their culture is beautiful, and I think I would definitely buy an authentic Indian outfit there because I think they are so beautiful.

IRELAND



Why? Have you ever seen PS I Love You? It makes Ireland look so romantic and beautiful. I think it would be a fun place to stay for a few days, get to know the people, go to a pub (not to drink of course, sheesh) and soak in the culture!

GREECE



After seeing this picture, do I really need to say anymore? My dream is actually a Mediterranean Cruise because it would hit so many beautiful places.

FLORENCE, ITALY



I have been to Venice, and I loved it so much. I have always had a fascination with Italy in general, but I think that I would love to go to Florence most of all. It used to be that Pompeii was my number one spot, but honestly, as awesome as it sounds, I would rather see the beauty of Florence.



*sigh....well, maybe one day my dreams will come true