Peace

Today I am grateful for peace.

Quentin L. Cook's April General Conference Talk talks specifically about peace. It is really an amazing talk. I suggest reading and re-reading it!

My roommate Brooke and I were talking about the truth that we can be in a really bad circumstance and be happy or be in really great circumstances and be unhappy. I think that this is parallel to this idea of being able to find peace even amidst the most difficult trials through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

Then there is all of the scary and terrible things that are happening in our world today. These inspire feelings of fear and despair. This talk really puts these things into perspective by reminding us that we can have personal peace while the world may be extremely un-peaceful.


A couple of things that stuck out to me from this talk today are:

"Peace is not found by attaining great wealth, power, or prominence. Peace is not found in the pursuit of pleasure, entertainment, or leisure. None of these can, even when attained in abundance, create any lasting happiness or peace.

The Savior is the source of true peace. Even with the trials of life, because of the Savior’s Atonement and His grace, righteous living will be rewarded with personal peace."


I know that these things are true! I am grateful for the Atonement that allows us to have peace despite trial or turmoil. I hope that you can find peace today. :)

Much Love!!

Universal Qualities

I'm taking a World Religions class.

And I LOVE it. (Understatement.)

This just made me happy. Some things like smiles and dancing are just universal! :) Enjoy!

Awesome Video!!!

Much Love!!

No dis. All en. Courage.

I have a favorite quote (One of many) to share today.

If you ever hear something from within telling you that you are not good enough, tell it to go to Hell, because that is exactly where it came from.

This week I had one of those days where I was just feeling super down on myself. I knew in the logical part of my brain that I have worth and that I am loved, but I was just feeling super oppressed by feelings of inadequacy.

I prayed that I would be able to feel my worth. Long story short: Heavenly Father answers fervent prayers. He does not want us to feel discouraged. No matter how many mistakes we make, discouragement is NEVER His plan. Hope and encouragement are the messages of the gospel.

We can do this, guys! We really can. All it takes is a little courage and a lot of prayer.

"Life is to be enjoyed, not just endured." - Gordon B. Hinkley.

I am grateful for the many raisins present to help me enjoy my life. I have so much to enjoy! I even have a bag of sour cream and onion chips sitting on my fridge and calling my name right now.

Yeah. I'm pretty blessed. :)

Also. President Packer's recent General conference talk has a really great poem about enjoying the journey. I want to be like him. 

I particularly loved this stanza:

You ask, “What will the future bring?

Just what will be my fate?”

I’ll go along and not complain.

Ask when I’m 88!

I want to take it as it comes, to "go along and not complain," to look at the trials of life with a chuckle and remember that it is all a part of the journey. (So if you see me chuckling, just keep in mind that I am trying to be more like President Packer.)

I love you guys. Thank you for being a significant part of my happiness. I hope it's sunny where you are today... Unless you like rain. :)

Much Love!!

Crowd Pleaser

I feel inclined to share some happy pictures. :) Because despite my need for a slight attitude adjustment, my life really is wonderful.

And pictures are always a "crowd pleaser." ... I have such a crowd on this blog... Better please 'em!

The joy of shin splints. [I can't even tell you how happy I am to run again. I'm a little obsessed.]

 This is after run # 10. I finally ran over a mile! Woo hoo!!! Can you believe it??

This one is just a gem. I had to share it. Love these girls.

My first BYUI hoodie! [Totally on sale. Try not to be too jealous.]

Our latest prank.
Phase 1: Tape dummy.

Phase 2: Add gorilla suit. [The sign says: Hope you're thirsty! Love, You know who ... Not to be confused with You Know Who...]

Phase 3: Show the gorilla some love?? What? Who does that?

Oh yeah. We do.

Phase 4: Water. :)

P.S. This is way harder to do than it looks.

Yes. We went there.
They stole our couches for a weekend. How else were we supposed to react? :)

Much Love!!

A [Not] So Gentle Reminder

I am so grateful for the experiences I have had on this journey of medical fun that have taught me how to deal with pain everyday and how to continue on with my daily life through it.

However, the last several days have been a reminder that pain hurts.

Unfortunately, I have become very frustrated with my pain in the last week or so. The last few days especially have been particularly trying, physically. Pain levels have been particularly high.

Here's the cycle of the last few days:
I get frustrated with the pain... then I get more frustrated for being frustrated... And then I just want to go for a run. ... So I get more frustrated because I can't...
You get the point. :)

This has been a wake-up call for me because I was certain that I was "over" the pain. And it is true that I am much better at dealing with it now than I used to be.

But I have been reminded that pain hurts. That disappointments come. That I need to constantly rely on the Lord for strength and for courage to get me through every single day. Attempting to be strong on my own is foolishness. I needed this reminder.

Another reminder I receive everyday is that I am so blessed. I walk in pain, but I can walk. I have so many amazing blessings that I take for granted. [I have been counting some of them. I've been able to go for 11 runs since I started again. :) THAT is a miracle to me.]
Unfortunately, this week I have been more focused on the pain and the negative. That is bad news because then so many blessings are overlooked and opportunities to smile are wasted. I think I forgot to live every day on purpose! What was I thinking?!?

So this is me, writing this in one of my favorite places ever so that hopefully I will pull myself out of this pity fest and continue to enjoy my life and share my smile.

That's it! :)

Much Love!!

Adventures and Nonesense

You can call me butter. Because apparently I am on a roll with this blogging thing.

I just need to count some raisins and share some adventures. Picture style.

I'm grateful for my sweet roommates. :)

Aren't we gems? It's a miracle that none of us have been snatched up yet.

I love each one. And hey, they love me too!

Living room naps never get old!

Neither do unflattering laughing pictures...

The boys. They bless our lives. Sometimes they bless them by cramming 7 people into a little Kia. (Which is actually legal in Idaho, in case you were wondering.) And sometimes they bless them by taking pictures that give everyone amazing double chins. :)

[Front seat: Me, Cameron, James. Back seat: Justin, Sara, Becky, Seth.]

I have a wonderful ward. My sweet visiting teacher brought me a little care package because she knew I was sick. :) 

I'm grateful for Elsa who always saves her poptart crusts for me. [She only likes the middle and I only like the crust.]

I'm grateful for a little healthy competition. [And for James and Cameron's awkward engagement picture.... Super cute...]

 I'm grateful for snapchat wars.

 Hahaha!

I'm grateful for awkward FHE relationships. This picture basically defines a huge part of our lives. Yes, this is normal.

 I'm grateful for pranks.

For pranking early in the morning.

And mostly I am grateful for that burning in my muscles that tells me that I did, in fact, run a mile yesterday for the first time in over a year and a half.

Life is good, folks! It just is! :)

Much Love!!

The Hardest Mile that Made Me Smile

Miracles. Happen.

I have a cold.

Check out my Rudolph nose.  Imagine my man voice.

But I did something wonderful today.

Run # 5. I ran my first mile. [since the whole foot ordeal, that is]

And it was the hardest mile I have ever run.

[Partly because I have a cold, partly because I am out of shape, and partly because of pain.]

But it was also the most worthwhile and meaningful mile I have ever run.


I know it doesn't seem like much, but this is a really big deal for me. I actually cried when I told my room mates and the boys.

Just for fun, here are a couple of my favorite running scriptures:
Isaiah 40:31 and Hebrews 12:1

Here is to doing hard things. Here is to saying "NO" to discouragement. And here is to the raisins in my life. I am so blessed.


Much Love!!