Girls Just Wanna Have Fun!

I have the most amazing friends ever!!! It is so nice to be able to spend time with these lovely ladies (and Janae, who could not make it. Sad Day.)



I went to Elementary school with two of these girls. I met two of the others in Junior High, and the other one in High School. We all became pretty great friends! Anyway, we got together one Saturday afternoon for food, games and, of course, catching up. This is something that we have done a couple other times. This time we did it in Logan. It was so nice to spend some time with these fabulous ladies. I didn't take many photos, so I thought I would tell something about each of these girls that is amazing!

~ Jenny is like a sister to me. She is such a good friend and listener. She cares about everyone and wants the best for all those around her.

~ Lisa is so much fun to talk to. She has a great memory and fun stories. She always brings a smile to my face when she is around.

~ Janae is so full of love for her family and others. She has the biggest heart and is probably one of the sweetest people ever.

~ Lynae is hilarious and thoughtful. She is so much fun to be around and is truly an example to me of being yourself and loving life.

~ Amie is Amie! Ha Ha. Her energy and smile brighten a room and make life fun and random. She is also a rock that I can lean on when I need her.

My friends are the best and this girl's day was GREAT!!!

Convetional vs. YSA

Ladies and Gentleman, welcome to the main event!
In one corner we have the conventional ward.
In the other corner, we the YSA ward.
Who will win???

This really isn't a wrestling match with crazy fans, lights and hard hits. It is more of an internal wrestling match that has been going on with myself for quite some time. It may seem random that someone who is still eligible for a YSA ward to be considering this type of change, but truthfully, it could be a good thing.

Case and point, a girl I know started attending a conventional ward, was put into a wonderful calling and no longer than six months later, was engaged. It is possible without being in a ward full of single people. In fact, I wonder if it is easier that way, because then you are not battling with hundreds of other singles for the same person (to your own knowledge).

Today, I decided to try it out and went to both wards. There are positives and negatives about both. I started in a conventional ward setting. There were quite a few younger couples and younger children. However, the talks were applicable to those in whatever stage of life. In fact, a member of the bishopric spoke a little and I felt as if he were talking right to me. The people were curious, courteous and helpful. They seemed happy and were there for the right reasons. I was able to get a lot out of the lessons. I did keep finding myself asking if I would get discouraged in a place where everyone was couples and families.

After that ward, I went to Sacrament Meeting in my YSA ward. Upon arrival, I met with the Relief Society president and then was able to help the ward choir (because my calling in life for that is to be the official page-turner, even though it is not a calling or anything of that nature). There are so many amazing people who come from different walks of life, but are all in somewhat similar circumstances at this point. It is easy to relate to them and receive/prepare messages for a specific audience. However, there is a lot of pressure going to the ward about doing and saying the right thing for fear that you are constantly being judged and looked at as a potential eternal companion or competition.

This is the battle! At this point, the answer is unclear. My hope is to make a decision and take it to the temple this week and decide where I am truly and honestly needed and wanted, or more so, what the Lord wants me to do.

Basically, I am still in the decision-making process and any help would be fabulous! Any thoughts or input? Who should win? What are some of your thoughts and opinions? Is there anything that I am overlooking or forgetting?

Decisions, Decisions

I am terrible at making decisions, especially big ones. When I was making the decision whether or not to go on a mission, I struggled with receiving an answer on my own. It was when I fasted, prayed, pondered, and spoke with my Bishop, that I knew that I was supposed to serve a mission. What a marvelous experience that was in my life!

Moving was another decision that was hard for me. However, after visiting here a couple of times and always feeling like this was home and where I needed to be, the decision was made and I was at peace with that. It was an amazing blessing to move here and has helped to mold me to who I am today.

I won't share all the decisions I have ever made, because that would take too long. However, I will say that whenever there has been a decision (especially in the past year or two) I have learned how important it is to turn to the Lord.
On Sunday, I realized that I am going to possibly have some big decisions to make in the future. Since then, it has been a constant stressing of what should happen.

Then, as I was reading in the scriptures, I came across these verses in Alma 7.

23 And now I would that ye should be humble, and be submissive and gentle; easy to be entreated; full of patience and long-suffering; being temperate in all things; being diligent in keeping the commandments of God at all times; asking for whatsoever things ye stand in need, both spiritual and temporal; always returning thanks unto God for whatsoever things ye do receive.

24 And see that ye have faith, hope, and charity, and then ye will always abound in good works.
Though that is not a specific answer, it is answer enough to know that he will take care of me if I am doing my part by applying the qualities and attributes in these verses (which is easier said than done) and trusting in him to lead and guide me to what needs to happen. I still may be terrible at making decisions, but He will help me!

Bunches of Birthday Fun!

This year was one of those years where I was not looking forward to celebrating my birthday at all. Whenever people would ask me what I wanted for my birthday, I would usually respond "A job, a new car, and a man.". Ha Ha. I tried to avoid the idea of having a party or celebrating. However, about a week before my birthday, I got a phone call and ended up getting a job interview. The date they requested was my birthday!!! It was at that point that my birthday, all of the sudden, became more exciting and I could not wait for it to come.

WEDNESDAY ~ My parents came down. They brought me some presents that were basically amazing and took me to dinner at the Olive Garden! I left there with enough food for two more meals! After dinner, we came back to my place and ate cheesecake. Then they were off to SLC where they flew out the next day for Hawaii. That night ended with a haircut/trim and layers and a movie.

THURSDAY ~ The main focus was the job interview. It was sooooo much fun! It may sound really odd but it the truth. The people interviewing me were so nice and it was a very comfortable and happy environment. I am not sure if I will get the job or not, but it was a fun experience. After that, I got to spend some time with a friend for a while. My roommate and I had some amazing cheesy breadsticks for dinner. We had a mini birthday thing where I opened their gifts and they sang to me. I have the best roommates ever!

FRIDAY ~ This was the party day. My neighbor made some awesome chocolate cake (with pudding in the middle) and some cupcakes with peach cheesecake frosting. DELICIOUS!!! I really wasn't sure what to expect. It was a blast. A lot of friends came and there was a ton of food, games, music, randomness, and fun. I realized how blessed I am to have such amazing friends here. They accept me for who I am and are so much fun to be around. I am not sure what I have done to deserve these friends, but they are GREAT! Needless to say, after all the excitement sleep was hard to come by that night.

SATURDAY ~ So, this is not directly related to birthday coolness, but it was fun so it has earned a spot in this epic post! This evening I attended The Magic Flute, which is an opera by Mozart. It was super-good and I thoroughly enjoyed the storyline and the performance.

I found myself wondering today why I was so worn out. Then, I thought about everything that had happened this week and realized why. It has been a week full of lots of fun!!! Thanks to everyone involved directly or indirectly! :D

What a Week!!!

Phew! I survived this week and got some good stuff accomplished and had some fun. Here is what it consisted of.

~ Institute with a friend
~ Stake Italian Dinner
~ Cookie, ice cream, and interpretive dance party
~ Taxes
~ Meeting
~ Lunch & a Movie
~ Root Beer Floats and Tangled
~ Temple
~ Impromptu trip home
~ Time with the family
~ Birthday party for roommate
~ General Conference
~ Ladies Night
~ Pot Luck
~ Made cookie brownies

Yup, it has been a good week and this next week promises to be great too. My parents are coming down on Wednesday, Thursday I have a job interview and there is more fun and excitement planned and to be planned. Wish me luck!