Blessings

So this post is long but about the blessings I've seen in my life lately. Plus, I made a comment towards some of my roommates and I feel terrible about it; I owe it to them. I've been realizing how I should and shouldn't act towards people and my roommates have helped me see that as well; I'm grateful!!

My roommates :)

(In no particular order)

 

This is Whitney :) She is my room, roommate. I love her to death. It's been one heck of a ride living wit her, but I've enjoyed it. She keeps me sane. I'm so lucky to know her and to have her as my roommate. She's a beautiful girl and such a wonderful friend. We've gotten to know each other pretty well, but we've also taken care of each other too. I'm so blessed to have had her as my roommate and learn from her as well! She's pretty close with her family, and values them highly. She's always laughing and reminding us all to be positive, even if she's having a rough day. Whitney LOVES to sing. And when I say love, I mean, LOVES to sing. She'll sing anything, out loud or quietly; she's gonna sing it. Hahaha and it's usually always Disney ;)

Well Jade, our picture is a little blurry because I had to crop it. But it works :) Haha, so this is my other roommate Jade. She's such a great person :) She's been through a lot, but I've seen the biggest change in her. We're actually both from the same town up north, and I've never known her till now. Our high schools were rivalries :p She's such a sweet and caring person. She's strong and knows what's best for her. I'm so proud of all the changes she's made, and is currently making. She's becoming a better person, and I can see that it makes her happy. Her family is very supportive and loves her to death! I love that she's close to her family! She's moving back home this weekend and I'm going to miss her. It seriously just won't be the same without her, but I hope we'll all stay in touch!!

This is Katie, she is a very funny girl. She's always laughing and smiling and we're always joking around. She loves music and loves to sing (but not as much as Whitney ;)...) She's a smart girl and knows what she wants in life. She tries really hard to do really good at everything, and succeeds. She's a positive girl and a very caring friend. She's helped me grow up while I've been here at Snow, through her example. She was able to receive her patriarchal blessing this semester and I'm so proud of her :) It can be a huge deal for some people, and most aren't prepared. But this was something Katie wanted, and she got it. The Lord knew she was prepared :) I'm so lucky to have her as my roommate!

This is Lexika! She'll be moving in next semester :) She currently lives well.. at our apartment. Ha! She first lived at Park Place Apartments but then became good friends with all my roommates and now she basically just lives here. She bought Jade's contract and will be moving in this weekend. I've known Lexi since the 10th grade. We've always been pretty good friends :) We've got wicked sweet memories and connect on so many levels! I'm really excited to have her as one of my roommates next semester! She's been through a lot this year but has pulled out stronger than ever. She's so funny and loves music as well.

This is Mariela :) She's hilarious. And when I say hilarious, I mean it. I remember first meeting her and just laughing my head off ALL the time because of how funny she was. She's strong and bold, and knows what's best for her. She has been dedicated to school work lately, and I'm so grateful for that example. She works out a lot, and I wish I was more like that. I guess next semester is a new year, maybe that should be my resolution? Anyway, Mars is beautiful and a wonderful friend :) She's leaving this weekend as well and I'm gonna miss her too!! It's been so fun just having good times, staying up late, eating, talking, taking pictures, making music videos, jammin' out to music early in the mornings. I've loved getting to know her!

And last, but certainly not least, meet Kiera :) She's our newest roommate! She moved in about 3/4th's of the semester being over. She's such a beautiful girl and a great friend to have :) She's really strong, and confident. She's a very smart girl, and I wish I knew as much as she did. She made a huge turnaround in her life and for that, I'm so proud. She's stuck to it and I know it means a lot to her. She and my other roommates have all gone through something huge this semester, so I'm glad she was able to join us in moving on even if our situations were different. I'm so excited to get to know her better next semester! It's been great having her around! :)


Well roommies, I love you all. And I want to publicly apologize for any hurt I've caused. Especially the comment I made to some of you yesterday. I've realized sometimes my sarcasm can go a little farther than I'd like it to, and you've all helped me understand that I need to change my ways. I really am grateful for being able to live here with all of you. We've all been through SO much this semester but we've always gotten each other through with the help from everyone. I'm going to miss those that are leaving, but the memories we've made will always stick with me. I love each and everyone of you so very much. You're all such beautiful Daughters of God and I know our Heavenly Father is so proud of you for pulling through everything that has happened this semester. I love you!!

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Well, this morning I was able to do baptisms for the dead with my YSA ward at the Manti Temple :) It was my first time doing baptisms there and I was a little nervous to be honest. I know the work is the same, the prayers are the same but the directions and rooms and such are completely different. It was beautiful though. The colors inside were magnificent and the benches they had you sit on were very old looking but so Manti Temple-like. hahaha The baptistery though, just absolutely STUNNING. It was in such a separate room, I almost had no idea it was there until they opened the doors. It's BEAUTIFUL. It's right in the center of the room. There are murals everywhere. They had one of Christ walking out of the water after being baptized and the one next to it was of Joseph Smith baptizing someone else. They were very pretty. The ceiling in the room was awesome. Right above the font they had it painted with gold stars and there was a "white dove in the blue sky"; it was just pretty. They painted their oxen brown. The only other Temple besides Salt Lake that I've actually seen them a color other than white.

It was wonderful. I confirmed ten people and baptized ten people. I always close my eyes during the baptism and picture what it must be like for the person waiting in Heaven after all these years, to be baptized; same with confirmations. The Temple is such a Holy place and I could feel the Spirit while inside. The smell is the same, everywhere. But I love it. It's the Temple smell and it just gets me every time. I knew that was where I needed to be this morning and I'm so glad I got up early to go, even when I didn't have to. I miss the Temple so much and I'm really going to try and make it a priority to at least go once a week, or once every two weeks (since I don't have a car in Ephraim). The Temple is a sacred place and I'm so grateful for the blessings that come from attending and doing the work. The work will always be going on in the Temple. I don't think it'll ever stop; nor will we ever get it all done. Which I'm grateful for because then I can keep on going to the Temple. :) I cannot wait to be sealed for time and all eternity to my returned missionary in the Temple someday :) I'm just positive it'll be the next best thing :) I know that families are forever and that Temples is where that takes place. I'm grateful for the power of the priesthood and the authority they have to perform such ordinances :)