December 21, 2014

final days of fall

Wahoo! The semester is over! I can't tell you how happy that makes me. It was a good and different semester. I learned so much and developed new skills. I love my friends and all the fun things I got to do this semester. Here are some of finals things I did to top off the semester:

-half birthday party with tuck
-sodavine duh
-lots of rook
-painting
-ceramics
-final portfolio
-camels
-christmas parties after christmas parties
-gingerbread houses
-christmas movies
-white elephant exchange
-ugly sweaters
-camerons burgers
-temple lights with the favs
MERRY CHRISTMAS

December 1, 2014

#blessed2k14

Things I am grateful for:

1. MY BODY. I came to this earth for my body and what a blessing that is. I am so grateful for my health and all the things I get to do with my body. Exercise is super important to me. Our bodies are amazing. I love my new hobby, yoga, I look forward to it every week!

2. MY EDUCATION. I love learning yes I do. Even though school sucks sometimes I cannot take it for granted. I love my major, photography. I love getting better and getting that perfect photo that is just breathe taking.

3. THE GOSPEL. The gospel is what makes me happiest.  Heavenly Father has blessed me so much in this life and I am forever grateful for the atonement. I am grateful for all Christ has done for me personally.

4. MY FAMILY. Duh cause my family is the best. My family is the craziest and I mean it. I wouldn't trade them for anything. They do so much for me. There is a never dull moment in my home. I miss them already.

5. MY FRIENDS. aka maddi and the boys because let's get real they are pretty much my only friends right now besides my missionaries. I really don't know what I would do without them! Also shout out to my missionaries for serving the Lord, so proud so proud.

6. SODAVINE. Because who doesn't love a dirty diet coke? or a laui laui. I mean I can never decide what I want when I get there. and those swig cookies are to die for.

7. MY CAR. Even though I'm forever in debt because of it I am so lucky to drive my little angus. She is the best and I would have to walk in the cold without her...

8. CONTIGO. My waterbottle is the best. I am so grateful for it cause it keeps my water cold and my ice never melts! It's simple but necessary. {also my fridge in my apt has a ice machine and filtered #blessed}

9. JERUSALEM. For real though, best experience ever. I am forever grateful for my experience there and to grow closer to my Heavenly Father and brother, Jesus Christ. Being able to live where he lived is unforgettable. Also the people I met there are truly my best friends.

10. WOOL SOCKS. Rexburg is awfully cold and I grateful for costco wool socks that keeps my toesies warm(er). 

10 1/4. CHICK-FIL-A. I know I'm a fatty. But the fact that chick-fil-a is on campus is a #blessing. Maybe not to my body but to my mouth and heart. What's better than coming from the freezing cold outside tundra to eating warm fries and chicken? oh and that chick-fil-a sauce...to die for.

10 1/2. GOSSIP GIRL. If I am sad or bored, gossip girl always cheers me up. I am rewatching it and it is so so good. 

Here's my week home if anyone cares:

W e d n e s d a y : It was a day of relaxation. We didn't do anything and it was great. I went for a run and I forgot how much I love running. Because in rexburg it is awful running weather. It was so warm in washington and I love the fresh air. We went to a movie/dinner thing in Issaquah. It was really cool but weird at the same time. We watched the theory of everything it was really good! The food was okay.
T h u r s d a y : Thanksgiving started out with some pickle ball because dad is obsessed and made us go. I then went on a run after. A bunch of people came over. We had 25 people! I think this is the most we have had. Some friends, family, and missionaries came over. The food was so good. I love thanksgiving and hanging with family. We played lots of rook and games. 
F r i d a y : We drove to Yakima to visit grandma. She is in a rehab center. It was so good to visit her. We taught her rook and ate some food with her. She was doing really well actually. She had a hip replacement last week. I love my grandma she is probably the funniest person I know. 
S a t u r d a y : I took the Bermans family pictures in the morning. It was so fun. We then went to Pikes Place and then us girls went shopping. It was pretty cold but blue skies. It was pretty gorgeous. I love Seattle. We then went rock climbing. I really like climbing. I'm not necessarily good but I want to get better. We then watched a movie as a family. My mom made the best lava cake!! My family is so funny and I love when we all get together. I can't wait to go back in 2.5 weeks!

November 13, 2014

why do bad things happen to good people?

We all face trials, some larger than others. They are our personal trials, meant for us. They are to teach us something. Sometimes I have no idea what I am supposed to learn from my trials. I know that we grow through our trials. 2014 has been a weird year for me. It has been so great. But also so hard. Heavenly Father has tested my patience. Some little dumb things have happened, mainly bad luck and me being dumb. Others are larger. No matter what it is, these things happen to us for a reason. This past devotional was great and I felt like was meant for me. Brent H. Neilson spoke about learning from our trials. Here are some notes I took from Tuesday that I would like to share:

"your happiness comes from freeing your past sins"
"He is standing at the door knocking"
"the savior has paid the price"
"embrace your trials"
"move forward with faith not fear"
"be patient and cheerful"
"you do not need to carry your load alone"

I feel like a lot of the devotionals this semester have been about being happy, repenting, and forgiveness. I really like what Brother Neilson had to say. During our trials it can seem very hard but we need to be "patient and cheerful". When someone treats you poorly all you can do is move on and forget about them. Be the bigger person and forgive. I found this quote I liked, "Forgiveness doesn't excuse their behavior. Forgiveness prevents their behavior from destroying your heart." Move forward with peace.

"Brothers and sisters, there is enough heartache and sorrow in this life without our adding to it through our own stubbornness, bitterness, and resentment.

We are not perfect.

The people around us are not perfect. People do things that annoy, disappoint and anger. In this mortal life it will always be that way. Nevertheless, we must let go of our grievances. Part of the purpose of mortality is to lean how to let go of such things. That is the Lord’s way."

-Dieter F. Uchtdorf

I love this. Keep your heads up and listen to christmas music.

Okay one last quote:

"Blame keeps wounds open. Only forgiveness heals." -Thomas S. Monson

And if you know me I like pictures more than words so here is a random picture that makes me happy :)


November 3, 2014

falling for fall

I can't believe this semester is already halfway over. It definitely has been a different semester. All my friends are pretty much gone but I love hanging out with the boys and maddi. I feel like I have learned a lot this semester. I learned I only need two more semesters after this one to graduate! So crazy! I don't feel old enough. I have no idea what I will do after I'm done. But I have a while to decide. Lately I have been thinking about what it means to be happy. Honestly I never think about this because luckily I'm normally always happy. I know what makes me happy. It is the gospel of Jesus Christ. I'm a person who likes to go out and do things. When I don't have anyone to go out and do things with I go crazy bored and get lonely. We are never alone though. I'm so glad I have my Heavenly Father. He has taught me so much and I am so grateful for the people he puts in my life. It is the simple things we do everyday that makes us happy. We can't wait around to be happy. Decide to be happy and be positive. If someone screws you over, forget about them. They aren't worth it. Put your head up and move on. I'm so lucky to have great roommates and friends. Hopefully a man will fall into my life soon but for now I am happy. We can't rely on someone else to make us happy. Choose what makes you happy. I love fall so much. I love the yellow leaves, pumpkin carving, sweater weather, hot chocolate, and scary movies. To sum up my semester so far...

-Scoops Ice Cream
-Civil Defense Caves
-Slack Lining
-D.I.
-Taco Bell
-Jeru Crew
-Weddings
-Pumpkin Patch
-Pumpkin Carving
-Soccer Games
-R Mountain
-Hot Springs
-Sammy's
-Kelly Canyon
-Apple Picking
-Greasers
-Halloween Parties
-Hocus Pocus
-Caramel Apples
-Karaoke
-G's Dairy
-Walking Dead
-Soda Vine
-Mcdonalds Sunday Nights (after midnight)