Happy Birthday Andy! :)

Andy & I - EFY 2009 - Rexburg, Idaho

Well today, is my sweet Andy's 18th birthday! (December 26th).  The picture of him & I that I've posted, has to be my favorite of us to; and unfortunately, it's 1 of the only 3 pictures I have with him :( So I cherish those three pictures, big time.

Anyway, I don't think I'll ever be able to forget Andy's birthday. It is the day after Christmas. I wanted to go visit his grave today, since I did last year on his birthday, because it's his birthday, and because I haven't been since May. It started to snow and I was getting bummed out that I might not be able to drive, because his grave is in Kaysville. My mother finally let me go, and I told her that if the weather got worse that I would turn around and come home. Well, it wasn't bad at all; maybe some slush, and wet roads, mist and a little rain. But I made it safely :)

The graveyard was quiet. I was the only one there. Which was nice. I like going by myself, because then it's just Andy & Me time :) I've only brought one person before and I felt bad having them sit in the car, so I decided from now on I'm going by myself! It was really nice, I brought a towel so I could sit down next to his grave and not get a wet butt from the snow! I won't go into details about anything I talked about or did, but it was really good for me to be there. Especially by myself; I felt peace and at first I got a feeling, that my Andy wasn't there anymore, and that he'd left Earth and gone to Heaven already, but after staying for a while, I could feel that he was there again. I wonder if he left Heaven to visit with me in spirit :) I cried a lot, but I've also got a lot to cry about, and feeling a little more emotional this week than  normal. But I'm really glad I went, and I'm so grateful my parents let me go today ♥

One thing I did when I visited his grave in May, was visit the Bountiful, Utah Temple on the way home, and I decided to make that a tradition, so I stopped by again today on my way home :) It was beautiful, and the sun came out just as I was leaving. I loved that I was able to go to the Temple, even just to stand outside the gate was a blessing. Families Are Forever. I know that Andy will be with his family again, especially his little girl. I know that Heavenly Father is with him, and keeping him safe and helping him become happier and healthier, and teaching him more than I could imagine. Some days its hard to accept the absence of someone forever, but my work here still isn't done, and Andy's work needed to be so I could learn from his work, to press forward with mine. I love my sweet Andy so very much, and I always will.

I love you Andy :)

His daughter, isn't she beautiful?

I wrote a message for him in the snow :p

Quick story, my friend Sam (who also went to EFY with Andy & I and was a good friend to Andy & I) is serving a mission in Denver, Colorado. He left the day we both found out Andy passed away last year. And I remember just thinking, 'How am I going to do it without Sam? He's the only who truly knows what I'm going through, and the only one I can go to about Andy.' When I last talked to Sam on the phone, I cried a little I'll admit, but it was hard because the only part of Andy I had left was leaving with Sam. Nobody else in this world (besides Andy's family) was connected to the situation with me. But my friend Lexi told me this, "Just think of this as Sam and Andy's mission." - I actually thought that was cool, and we both got chills when she said that. It was even more insane when I got my first letter from Sam and he told me he felt the Spirit so strongly when he was being ordained to a District Leader and he said he just knew that Andy was there with him. He wrote me again telling me of a young lady they're teaching, whose uncle just passed away (who took his own life too) and asked to send a poem Andy's family found in his backpack, and a couple talks on the topic. I felt truly grateful to have this opportunity to help someone else go through the loss of someone when they take their own life, through Sam. It's amazing. I felt really happy to send Sam those things, and even gave him an extra notes and book ideas and quotes to give to her, just because I know how hard it is. It was great doing service through a missionary.

Overall, (if his family reads this too) I'm grateful for Andy, and the blessing he was in my life. I'm grateful he went to EFY the same week I did in Idaho. I'm so grateful to have gotten to know him in the two months that I did. I'm grateful for the memories I cherish and hold dear to my heart, that help remind me of the wonderful person he was. I'm grateful for the help and support I've had through this loss, and especially his family for thinking of me every now and then. Even though I never got to know his family, I'm grateful for them too. I say these things, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

My Christmas Day

What a day it has been, can I just tell you that right now!? :/

 So for Christmas Eve we went bowling with my Aunt, Uncle, and cousins! It was super fun! Then we had them come over for our annual (which we usually only do with our immediate family) Christmas Eve buffet! My sister came with Mitch, my brother with Crystal, and Crystal's sister and her sisters husband, and also my aunt and uncle and cousins! I am so glad they all came! :) We just talked and watched Brian Reagen! He is funny!

Then when everyone went home, we opened pajamas as our annual Christmas tradition. I got green pajamas, my sister got purple. My older sister bought herself Ute pajamas and Mitch red/black pajamas! 

Here are some photos :)

Scooter & I

Mommy & I

Jessica

My mom

My dad

Jess & I giving thumbs up to Christmas pajamas :)

Ma decided to join us and send her gangster style our way :)

These are my Christmas slippers!

 

This morning we woke up and opened presents!

Here are some pictures of things I received :)

Perfume from American Eagle :)

I got a LDS Temple calendar! (Not this exact one)

Blue sweater from Aeropostale

White/Tan Hoodie from Aeropostale

iHome, and yes I got an iTouch! :)

iTunes Gift Card

I received a gift card to DB!

This beautiful jewelry hanger!
I'm so happy I got one because I'm ALWAYS losing my jewelry!

I also got some luggage, and received money from my grandparents, their old printer (so I can use it for college). I received candy, and lots of hugs!!

I read the email Brady sent me today :) He is so sweet and grown up!! I can't wait to hear from him again!

We then had my dads side of the family come over around noon for lunch, and gift exchange! It was really fun! I got to see my grandparents (who are full-time travelers), I got to see my cousins and my aunts and uncles that I don't get to see all the time! :)

Well, as most of you know, I have a missionary out in England right now. And I've been DYING to hear from him ALL day. I just kept checking my phone, and had it on loud so I could hear if his mom called. Well, Brady is seven hours ahead of us and 3 o'clock was coming up, which means it was night time there. So then I started to panic like maybe he didn't call, or she forgot to call me. Well, about a half-hour to an hour later, she called me. She told me that she couldn't invite me to the phone call. My heart shattered. I immediately started to cry. But I held it in and finished the phone call with her. She told me she wasn't sure if she should invite me anyway, but then received an email from Brady's mission president telling them, only family was allowed to be apart of this phone call. She told me he's getting home sick, but he's doing really well. She told me what they've been up to lately, and that she'd forward me emails. I'm glad he's doing well, I truly am!! I just bawled after I hung up the phone. I am going to admit, I cried and I was really sad.

I know its "for the best" but it's still super hard. Brady told his family that my letters were the only ones he cared for. And yeah, that made me happy a little, but it doesn't cure my sadness. It just is super hard, when he tells you he misses you, tells his family that your letters are the only ones he cares about, he can't email you, and now can't talk to you on EITHER Christmas' OR mother's day (not that I would expect to talk on the phone that day), and the ONLY communication we have anymore, is letters, yeah, I'm sure you'd be just as crushed as I am at this point. I miss him terribly and I love him so much. It's harder knowing that he misses me and I can't do anything, I can't talk to him, email him, nothing. It's been 

such a hard day since then.

We went to my moms' parents house and visited them;

So I have wanted this book since it came out. No lie. And I actually have a pretty good connection with the guy talked about in this book. Wondering how!? Well, my grandma worked as his secretary, and for President Hinckley a bit as well, a long time ago. He loves my Grandma. She visits him a lot, and she received a copy of this book and told her he'd sign it for her. Well, my mom didn't know they already had it, and she got them this book. But my grandma told her they'd keep it as a special edition, and have it be the one he'll sign! I just seriously couldn't believe he was going to sign her book! So I told her she should have him sign one for me too and she said she would :) :) We're having my mom's side of the family get together on Thursday, so I'll bring my copy of this amazing book to her on Thursday, and she's going to take it to President Monson and have him personally sign it for me. Awesome right!!? I'm so excited!!! I cannot wait :)

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Also, tomorrow is my sweet Andy's birthday ♥

I cannot wait to visit his grave! I'm so excited! It's been since May that I've been there, and I just can't wait. I just know it'll feel like a breath of fresh air for me.

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Anyway, I feel like winter break is over now that Christmas has come and gone :/ I don't want to go back to Ephraim to be honest. I'm lonely their; no friends, family, car, nothing. I'm really going to focus and work hard on my grades this semester. My overall GPA was a 3.4 and I'm proud of myself. I was scared I couldn't do it, and I did. I also am almost done with my application to BYU-Idaho, so keep your fingers crossed!! I feel like I could just go cry to Brady about how I didn't get to speak with him, and I'm hoping he feels the same, but it's best. I'm sure it would've made it harder on the both of us. I'm truly proud of Brady and we both know, as does everyone else (including our Father in Heaven) that this is where Brady needs to be, and where I need to be. It's hard, but there is so much support around me, it's not even funny. I just need to get up and do something about it. And Brady's mom told me this, "Don't stop going to school. Just get it done, because Brady is going to need the support when he gets back, and you should get yours done and out of the way." - And I am going to stick to that!

Well it's been a long post :/

I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas, and continue to have a safe holiday, and a happy new year!

Christ Came

My post is a spiritual venting this time.

Enjoy.

Well, I've been struggling, a lot lately. I just feel like I haven't found who I really am yet. I thought I did, but it's slowly falling apart. I first decided I needed to be somewhere other than Snow next fall, but I can't decide where. I've been truly seeking help, prayer held in my heart, and I've applied at some colleges, but for some reason I'm still feeling unsure. Maybe I'm not meant to go to school next fall, work and wait for what the Lord has in store. Maybe I'm not supposed to marry Brady right away, and serve a full-time LDS Mission. Maybe I'm supposed to go to school out of state, maybe I'm supposed to go to school right by my home. Maybe I'm supposed to marry Brady and go where the Lord sends us. That is how crazy I've felt. And trust me, there's more.

People have been telling me not to worry. Not to base my decisions on my missionary, because we may not marry or because he's going to be gone for two years, and to pray, fast and ponder of where the Lord thinks I should go to school. Or not to fret and stress out because it's so far into the future, or to stay at home because it's "cheap". It's been hard hearing some of those comments because it is important to me, no matter how far into the future it is. I think I told you I ordered that Stand A Little Taller book that my friend blogged about and I cannot wait for it to get here!! I just want it in my hands right now.

Which now leads into my next thought.

The scriptures.

Well, tonight I decided I was going to catch up on all my reading from the Read With Me Challenge. I've been 10 pages behind everyday now and tonight I decided I was going to change that and I'm truly glad I did. I learned so much tonight. We're in 3 Nephi and I got to read chapter 11 tonight. Yup, that's right, chapter 11 :) I almost started to get tears in my eyes when I read about the Savior walking through the multitude and letting them feel of his wounds in his hands and side... I just wish I could've been there. I can't wait till I get to run to my Savior and just hug him and cry and never let go and tell him I love him and thank him. He's truly my best friend, and even though I wasn't there with the Nephites, Christ Came and I felt the Spirit.

When I got to chapter 13, I came across a verse that I know Heavenly Father put in there for me tonight. It's verse 8 and it reads, "Be not ye therefore like unto them, for your Father knoweth what things ye have need before ye ask him." - I can testify that's true. Before I started reading tonight, I went to the Hale Center Theater to see A Christmas Carol with my family. It was so fun and I haven't been in a long time! It made me grateful for Christmas :) But the last time I was at the Hale Center Theater, I was with my dear Andy. My sweet, sweet Andy. I just stared at the exact location he was standing when I showed up, when I was walking in tonight, and I couldn't help but smile and remember how happy I was to see him. I wished he would've been standing there tonight. I remember where we were parked, what restaurant we ate at, where we sat, when we walked up the staircase and where his family stood when I got there. I remember where we sat inside exactly, and I remember EVERYTHING that happened. It seemed as if it happened yesterday, and I can't believe it happened only over a year ago.

I wanted to cry. I started to feel overwhelmed a little, but I made sure I didn't let it show. I wanted to enjoy myself (which I did) and enjoy the time with my family (which I did). I just hurt still. I still need time. I wish he wasn't gone. I wish he was still here. It's so hard knowing he's with our Father in Heaven and I have to deal with struggles down here, whether they were just as hard as his or not. I do just fine when it comes to Andy, until the memory is right in front of me. His birthday is Sunday and I'm really hoping I can go and visit. Now, here is where I tie in that scripture with what I just shared. When I got home I was feeling a little down and then I started to pound myself with, "you need to forgive so and so" "quit being so rude to your family" "be nicer to your friends" "be a better person" and all those wonderful thoughts (not) that Satan tries to put in our heads. And I remember pleading inside my head/heart and just hoping that my Heavenly Father would help me tonight. And he did. He put in chapter 11 of 3 Nephi in front of my face tonight.

I know I have a testimony of my Savior. I know that Christ Came to the Nephites and testified of all the things taught to them previously and which shall be taught to them in the future. I know that what Christ said about how we can be saved and live with him is the true way to happiness eternally. I'm so grateful we have disciples out serving so that others can feel the Spirit from chapter 11 like I did and will always. I know that I'm not perfect, and that some days I get mad at others. I get mad at my family, we fight and sometimes I get frustrated with my friends. I can get a little harsh with my sarcasm sometimes and can come off mean. I can say things about others and sometimes bring up frustration and anger about someone, and pridefully gossip; but deep inside, I know that's not who I am, and I'm going to work on that. I have a ton of imperfections, but I know that Christ loves them all perfectly. I know that through his Atoning sacrifice and I can learn to forgive and be forgiven. I have a long road ahead of me, and one crazy journey, but I know that when I get to Heaven, I can tell my Father how much worth it was to me to come to Earth. My testimony of Christ will always be solid, no matter how crazy my life gets, or how lost I feel.

Christ Came to me tonight. And he'll always come.

In the sacred name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Good Stuff :)

This is going to be a FANTASTIC week!

I went to the Christmas Carol: Sing-a-long tonight and then to Temple Square! I went to Temple Square last night with different friends (see picture above), and it POURED! But it was still fun :) Tonight, they had violins playing and we sang a lot with the Lyrics on the big screen and then JON SCHMIDT came out!!! Yup that's right. I got to see him play tonight, FOR FREE!!!! I heard him play some Christmas songs, he played upside down and then Love Story Meets Viva La Vida! :) It was amazing! Big Budah was there and it was just a lot of fun! :)

(That is Jon Schmidt & someone else playing the violin (above))

Then we went to Temple Square to see the lights, and there was a ton of people there, but it was still fun. It even started to snow :)

So now onto the news of why this week is going to be epic!! First off, our internet works again! It wasn't working on Wednesday and just barely started working again today! So now when my parents go to work, and my sister goes to school, I'll have something to keep me entertained! Also, I get to deliver my Christmas gifts to friends this week! I get to be with friends this week! Tonight I'm going to see a Christmas Carrol at the Hale Center Theatre. I'm really excited, and I hope I enjoy myself. The last time I was there was with Andy... I'm sure memories will come flooding back, I may get a little overwhelmed and just close my eyes and just wish he was still here with me, and just remember how fun it was seeing the play we saw, and spending that time with him :) Then Friday is Christmas Eve and my Aunt, Uncle, Cousin and Cousin-in-law are all coming over to join our Christmas Eve dinner and then we're opening some gifts together! My sister and brother-in-law are staying over that night, so I'm totally stoked about that! Then Christmas day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ah, I can't even begin to explain to you how amazing this day will be. I'm so excited to be with my family again in the morning and share the happiness in giving each other gifts. I'll be getting an email from Brady that day. Member when he sent that last email saying he's sending some that'll come in the future!? Yup, that's SATURDAY!!!!!!!!!!! I cannot wait to see what is written in this one. AND he'll be in the field today so he'll prolly be CALLING HOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh my word. I'll be close enough to that I could drive to his families house. Oh boy I hope he calls and they let me come say hi to him. Even if I do have a recording inside my build-a-bear, and a video of him, I'm sure a phone call will be the best thing ever!! Want to know something else cool? On Sunday, I can officially say, "One more Christmas and he'll be home!" ;) and then in January I'll be able to say, "He's coming home next year!" Hahaha silly I know, but it's awesome :) I'm so excited to start hearing about how he's doing with his teaching and stuff. I'm excited to get letters. I'm so proud of him. I know he's only been out maybe 3 weeks, but I still feel like it's been forever. But a good forever. I can finish what I need to, while he serves the Lord where he needs to. I know he'll be back one day; I know he isn't gone forever.. just temporarily. :) I'm sending his package this week, and I hope he likes what I'm sending him! Ah, anyway, I just love Brady.

I saw the movie Tangled and it was so cute. I would see it again 4382947328437284037483204832 more times!!!! I went with my mother and sister. It was so good to spend time with them :) Also, I passed my math final. Like, with flying colors. I don't think I could've been so happy. I also passed my Psychology final. What the!? I couldn't pass the AP class but I passed the one I take when I'm actually in college!? Doesn't make sense, but either way I'm glad. One class is missing (well two but I know I got an A in one) and so technically I have a 3.1 GPA right now, but it'll go up by the end of this week! :) Yahooooooo!

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Also, I wanted to share this picture.

This picture stood out to me when I came across it. Especially with me having to decide where to attend college next. I can use this in my everyday life and it's just a reminder that I need to.
Anyway, have a great Christmas week everyone :)

Snow? BYU-I? USU? SLCC? Where Should I Go!?

Random post, and I know I posted earlier today, but I have to get this one off my chest.

I'm having a hard time choosing where to go to college next. I obviously have to worry about how to pay for tuition and all that, but money will never keep me from earning my degree.

I'm attending Snow College right now and as much as I've loved learning here, I can't live there anymore. It's not that I hated my roommates (which I didn't), or that it smelled (pretty badly), or that there was nothing to do, or that I didn't have a car, friends, family; it just isn't for me anymore. I feel like after this semester, my heart is telling me I need to attend somewhere different next fall.

So here are my options and explanations. Maybe you could give me some advice or something!? I'd appreciate it!

Here we have, Salt Lake Community College. I live near the Jordan Campus and it's seriously a 5-10 minute drive from my house. I loved attending Institute there over this past summer, and the campus didn't seem too big. It'd be easy, cheap and I'd be able to live at home.

Next we have Utah State University. Now, this I have to say, would be my last choice. I have no idea why. But ever since I started to really get involved in college and scholarship stuff in high school, I just felt that Utah State wasn't for me. But maybe it is and I just don't want to accept it? I don't know. I went here for EFY 2010 and I stayed in the towers. It was a terrible living space, but easy to get to and they had elevators. I didn't get to see much of other living spaces. Tuition is a lot more expensive there. It's a big campus, and I'd know some people, but still wouldn't have a car. What'd you think!?

Last, but never least, we have Brigham Young University-Idaho :) This university is my dream college. I seriously have never wanted to go to a college so badly like I have with this one. I attended EFY in 2009 here and I loved every minute of it. It was beautiful, green, sunny, and just a place where the Lord's Spirit was, at all times. The Rexburg Temple was just minutes away. It was a pretty big campus, but something I know I could get used to. The dorms I stayed in (at least, I think they were dorms) while I was attending EFY, weren't too bad either. I mean, I hated that we only had two sinks, one shower and one toilet to six girls, without a kitchen but I managed the whole week. I seriously just imagine myself going to college there someday.

Right before Brady left I would tell myself, "Just three more semesters at Snow and he'll be back. But he doesn't want to go to BYU-I when he gets home, and I do... I don't want to miss out on the opportunity to go there, but I don't want to put off being with him forever any longer when he gets back either." I can honestly say those have been my thoughts since I started dating him. Brady has been offered a scholarship to Southern Virginia University, so that's a possibility for him and for some reason, I have no problem dropping everything in Utah to go be with him while he goes to school. I know I'm looking in the future WAY too far than I prolly should, but I feel I need to prepare.

Which brings up my next subject. Prayer. My dearest friend Megan, posted on her blog about prayer (Click here to read it). It was amazing and it's something I look at a lot. I even ordered myself a copy of the book she writes about because I know it'll help me! I guess my last resort for this situation is to council with my Heavenly Father. I still have to finish my second semester at Snow College before I make any final decisions, but I know he'll help me, and he'll remind me of the true intents of my heart, and what he thinks is best for my future.

Should I stay at Snow College one more year? Or should I transfer to Salt Lake Community College, Utah State University, or Brigham Young University-Idaho?

I definitely can't decided right now.

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 :)