Currant Bush

I recently had a friend get baptized. Her name is Emily and we have grown together a lot in these few weeks after her baptism. Our dream is to both be accepted to BYU, where we will then room together in a B-Room apartment in Heritage Halls. Dreaming. But anyway, today I had the chance to go with her to one of her missionary lessons. It was a really cool experience, because I have never actually been to a missionary lesson before. The Spirit was tangible. The elders spoke about enduring to the end. I shared this story with Emily and I thought I would share it with the Internet blogging society as well. It is the classic Hugh B. Brown story of the Currant Bush. If you want a little pick-me-up today, read this talk.


http://www.lds.org/new-era/1973/01/the-currant-bush?lang=eng&query=currant+bush


In other news, I put in my first job applications this week to Gene Juarez, Spazzo, and Staples :) I plan to do some more after finals! Exciting!

Best of EFY

Last night was the Best of EFY! Best of EFY has an inspired name because it truly is the best. It was especially cool for me because two of the speakers, Brother McDonald and Brother Stonehocker were at my session of EFY this summer. Brother McDonald was my Session Director and Brother Stonehocker was my favorite teacher. It is always so uplifting to attend a meeting like this and be with hundreds of other youth. Living in a place like Washington where I am surrounded by people who are not LDS it is refreshing and encouraging to see people who hold my same values.

All of the speakers were absolutely fantastic. Brother McDonald spoke about being SUPERmen and WONDERwomen. Brother Martin spoke about Joseph Smith and Brother Stonehocker spoke about the atonement and repentance. I think the talk that most stood out to me was Brother Martins. I feel like I have not actually "learned" about Joseph Smith since I was in Primary, so, I really enjoyed a talk completely dedicated to him. The most powerful thing Brother Martin said, however, did not directly have to do with Joseph. He talked about how we should care more about what Heavenly Father thinks about us than what our peers think about us. Then, he gave us this little motto that has become my second resolution of the New Year:

 "Look vertically instead of horizontally!"

This upcoming year is going to be full of a lot of changes for me--college, work, a new home, a new life and I have never felt more certain that this is going to be the motto that gets me through those new decisions. I do not know what is in store for me this year, but I do know that as I trust in the Lord and His plan for me, I will always be safe, confident, and in the best place for me. As I look vertically at His plan and what He wants me to do, instead of horizontally at what others might think about my choices, all will be for the best in the long run. So, I challenge you to do the same! Look vertically instead of horizontally!

And of course, the dance was fun. Even though I was on crutches...okay so maybe it wasn't that fun...

Snow Day

I am not graduated quite yet. This means that a snow day is, in fact, a huge deal. I cannot help but feel like snow is the most beautiful thing on the earth, for two reasons. First, it is so pure. It is white and clean--unblemished. It brings a sense of renewal each time it snows. I love to just sit and watch the snow fall. It is graceful--reminds me of my sister Lindsey dancing. Absolutely gorgeous. Second, it means I can sleep in, drink hot chocolate, and not go to school--that is a beautiful thing.

However with snow comes the desire to go outside. A few weeks ago I had surgery on both my knees. Injuries+Snow=more injuries. Lets just say I'm back on crutches. Blast. We did catch a few pictures before it got hurt though!

Welcome to Blog

After pestering my sisters to update their blogs more often, my sister made me a blog and said "See how well you do updating this everyday." I think I posted a total of 10 times in that blog....and I had it for somewhere near 5 years. One of my New Years Resolutions is to keep this NEW blog updated. We will see how that goes. But I am going to try. I thought a blog would be a good way to keep myself busy after graduation. Also, since I am heading to college soon, I know my parents will need some sort of way to keep up with my "soon to be" exciting life (at least I like to think that is what will happen). So Enjoy :)