winter break || 2015

Okay can I just say winter break was so nice. Free food, family and relaxing. We went to leavenworth for two days and it was basically the north pole. So christmasy. It was fun shopping, going out to eat and adventuring in the snow. We played a lot of rook while I was home. oh and ate A LOT. christmas was great. My mom got us matching pjs. So we had to take pictures. It was sad Brittany and Brian weren't there and Grandma Udell and Susie didn't come cause she is still recovering. We went to G+G Fishers for Christmas and ate yummy food. I saw unbroken and interstellar. both really good movies. New Years Eve was the BEST. We went on a hike to wallace falls during the day. It was so sunny and beautiful. My parents took my friends and then we went out to thai food. We then went to Seattle. We went to gasworks, dicks burger, and the waterfront. We spontaneously rode the merry go round. We then went to tuckers uncle work building and watched the fireworks from there. It was probably the best new years ive had. The next day we went to the family fun center. That was tons of fun. On friday I went skiing. oh and I got skis for christmas! Hopefully I ski a lot this semester.

2014 was a great year. I learned a lot. Traveled a lot. I'm so glad I went to Jerusalem when I did. I met some awesome people and some of my best friends. I have a good feeling that 2015 will be a good one. I have no idea what to expect. I'm ready for this semester. I think it will be better than last semester. I'm living with maddi and it's always better living with friends. I'm going to look for a job because I need money.

Here are some goals for 2015 or at least winter semester

- Get more involved with the ward/ relief society/ neighbors. I feel like I suck at making friends and I want to be close with my ward. 

- Appreciate my classes more and put more effort into them. Sometimes I take my education for granted and don't give my all to my classes or zone out during class.

- Exercise more/Eat better. It's typical but really needed. I know I love exercising it is just sometimes hard with a busy schedule.

- Develop talents. I want to learn more and I know we all have different talents and we need to act upon them to help others. I really want to improve my photography for one. 

- Serve more. I want to be less selfish and give more. Be kinder and loving. Service brings you closer to Heavenly Father and brings great blessings.

- Read scriptures and pray everyday. I'm not the best at this somedays. I know how important it is and I need to get a better habit of it.

- Experience more and adventure more. I love exploring and traveling. Hopefully I get to do more this year!

- Date more. I suck at dating apparently or guys don't want to date me but yeah that needs to happen because uh eternal marriage.

- Get out of my comfort zone. I need to try new things!

Well I am excited for a new semester and new year. I really needed a new start. I'm grateful for the time I had at home with my family this break but unto another semester!

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

#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!

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 :)