Surprise Package!

And my 71st letter :)

I really don't know how I got so lucky with Brady. It just came out of nowhere!

"I thought I'd send you a surprise package because you're so cute! ;)"

"the iPhone case isn't the best but I thought you might like it!"

"I'm also giving you lots of chocolate cause I know you like it so much. Also, I know hot chocolate is your favorite ;)"

"Can you believe we have 2 months left? We're getting so close :)"

"This morning my companion was telling me what he learned in his study and he said that Amulek was offered money Zeezrom to deny God. So I said, "Yeah, six onties of silver." He was amazed that I knew that ;) I love the scriptures so much Babe! I'm glad I've been able to be here on my mission to study so much of them!"

He's so cute.

I love when he says, "we" have 2 months left.

Ahhh, I'm getting so excited to see him.

I'm so lucky. I'm so spoiled.

I seriously love Brady so much.

SO much.

Happy Birthday Brady! :)

the BIG 21! :)

I can't believe it.

You're old.

And wrinkly.

Just like you said I was.

Let's be old and wrinkly together?

I'll be sending you a gift soon, babe.

I really wish I could be with you today, just like I was 2 years ago. I miss you a lot, and I hope they sing you happy birthday, and spoil you rotten ;) 'Cause I would if you were here. I guess I'll just have to keep some of your gifts until you're home.

Anyway, I just wanted to wish you a happy birthday, and I just hope today is wonderful for you, and know that I'm thinking of you on this day.. :) I love you very much.

You're all I've ever wanted.

Don't worry babe,

we've got next year to celebrate,

and the year after that,

and even the year after that!

Actually,

how does forever sound?

Good :)

Cause I like forever too.

Music & the Spoken Word

It has been one spiritual weekend, that's for sure. I have loved every single minute of it! :)

This morning my friends and I went downtown to Music & the Spoken Word. Through the grapevine of some former MG's I know, I found out they were going to be singing Oh, Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing and that they only do it like, once a year!! So I HAD to go. I couldn't miss this opportunity to hear them sing my very.favorite.song. live!!! I just couldn't, and let me tell you, it was beautiful. I cried. (Gosh, lots of crying this weekend too!)

That song is so powerful, yet so calming. It's the song I listen to when I am feeling nervous/anxious/upset/confused and it instantly sends the warm spirit to surround me. It's one incredible song. It seriously is just one of those songs that you listen to with your eyes closed; and just let it consume you. They just sing it so perfectly, and I wish so badly I could sing it with them. It was beautiful! They sang a few other songs, and they totally rocked it. (Why am I using that term so much?) But it was awesome to see others coming in, not of our faith, tourists, with the missionaries, and then those of the Church. It was really neat, and they did such a fabulous job!

Briley wanted a tour, since he never has been on one and he just got home from his mission almost a week ago, so we toured the General Conference Center. It was beautiful. We got to go inside the meeting area, and got to go down in the front, and learn about the seating and such..

What I would give to sit on the plaza level.
What I would give to speak at General Conference.

It was amazing, knowing that just last night, our General Authorities were sitting up there. And that they will again in just a few days. I am so blessed to live in Utah. To be surrounded by so many temples, and to have seen General Conference live many, many times. I'm so grateful to my Father in Heaven for this beautiful life. For allowing me to strengthen myself in the gospel, and fill my heart with his unconditional love. I have felt the Spirit so strongly this weekend, and I hope it only continues to stay, forever.

Relief Society Broadcast 2012

My aunt had some extra tickets to women's conference, so Abby and I got to go! We got there late, but it's okay, it was just as awesome! :) Here, I'll share some notes I took:


RS Conference FALL 2012

Atonement is evidence of HF love for us. 

 Carole M Stephens: We are bound to Him, by covenant. Check the condition of your heart, for the allowance of the Spirit. Are you letting your sisters down spiritually? How are you lifting them and their cart up? (Trek story) Are you running back, leaving your cart and helping others carry theirs..? (Daughter of God song) Relief society prepares us for eternal life. 

 Linda S. Reeves: You are not alone; you are an important daughter in His family. They feel the depth of our suffering and through that depth, we can feel of their love. Cry. You cannot do this alone. Pour out your heart. You need your Father in Heaven. You cannot live life alone. Tell him everything, and he will say "That was all I needed to know." When he calls them home, everything will be alright. He has not forgotten you. Whatever sin, weakness, pain, struggle, trial you're going through. He loves you. He knows what you're going through. Cast your burdens upon him, tell him how you feel, your pain and afflictions, and then turn them to him. Come unto Him. 

President Eyring: Cherish one another, comfort one another, gain instruction that we may gather together in heaven. 1)care for each other 2) teach each other and be taught 3) sit down together with God. You have responded to the Lord's call, to relieve each other. What comes next for willing hands to do? All of you are sisters and beloved daughters of our father. Cherish, watch over, and comfort each other. Relief society is in charge. Do not worry. Keep the faith! You will abide The Lord. When The Lord lets us encounter someone in distress, we honor that opportunity! Do all you can to help others. The plan of salvation can be your guide in tough decisions. Gain instruction. "If thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high." Care for each other in the pure love of Christ. The Savior is always in the circle, as we invite Him. "Please, come sit here with me." He hears as answers your prayers of faith, for guidance and help. You will be strengthened and surprised to know; The spirit will comfort you and let you know when you wonder, did I do enough!?

Sorry, my notes are everywhere and just thoughts jotted down.
It was so amazing. I cried. And lot of people around me were crying, so I didn't feel as silly. President Eyring rocked it. He really said so many things I needed to hear. The part that I remember the most was about visiting teaching. I haven't been yet, and I got my assignment about 3 months ago. I keep using the excuse that I can't because I have school and work, but there are many, many other ways I can visit the sisters I'm supposed to VT. Sometimes I feel nervous, awkward, and weird, because I'm so young.. ya know? But it doesn't matter. I'm a sister in the Relief Society, I have a calling and it is my duty to serve others, especially those I'm called to visit teach. I was really impressed by the Spirit and how strong it was, you could definitely feel it the minute you walked in the conference center. We are so blessed and so lucky to be living in these Latter-days, and having the opportunities to go downtown and see our leaders speak, live. It was so great! They had us sing, I Stand All Amazed together, and it was amazing. I bawled my eyes out, and I couldn't even sing. The power of the women there tonight was incredible. We really are apart of something great, and I'm so thankful.

Abby and I went and got dinner after, and headed home for some dove chocolate. Yum! All in all, it was a great night, and I'm SO excited for this coming weekend. General Conference rocks!!

Cosmic Bowling

Some friends, my sister and I went bowling tonight, and it was so fun! They do cosmic bowling around 10:00 PM and they play lots of fun music. Your shoe laces glow, sometimes your shirt, and if you're cool enough, your fingernails and teeth. Haha, I invited my friend Briley, he had just returned home from his mission 3 days ago... and he came!! :O I have to say, I was shocked. I had no idea if he'd be comfortable coming, especially being around girls but it ended up being just fine! :) I was so excited when I saw him. He even gave me a hug!! He's so funny, and still the same as before he left, maybe just a little bit more calm, totally humble and respectful. Hahaha, you can definitely tell he's right off the mission, but he's one of my really good friends from Institute! :)

We had about 7 people, but it was a blast! I'm so glad my sister came :) Now she can see why going to institute is awesome, because then you just hangout with everyone outside of institute!! :) I never have time to go out with friends anymore, and since I didn't have work the next day, it was really nice to get out and have some fun, even into the weeeeeeeeeee hours of the night ;)

The second game.

Oh, you see how balla got 2 STRIKES on the last one??

That's pretty awesome I must say!

I was jumping up and down.

My cute sister & friend Jose!

After 2 very long years, it was so good to see my pal Briley! :) He served in Monterrey, Mexico! He kept saying how much he misses it, which is completely normal, but he was such a wonderful missionary :) I used to see him every single day, at institute. We became best of friends. I love institute. Congratulations Elder, you returned with honor! :) Thanks for coming bowling!! :)

The Closer It Gets

Every single year, my heart pounds like crazy when October approaches.
I get excited for General Conference.
I get excited for my mom's birthday.
I get excited for Brady's birthday.
I get excited for Halloween.
And obviously, I'm just excited.

But after all of that passes, and the "true" holidays approach, my heart aches a little inside.
October 26th will mark 3 years since my sweet Andy has passed. Why do I call him "my sweet Andy?" I honestly can't say. Everyone calls him Nate, (because thats his name) but I have always known him as Andy, and that's how I'll always know him. He's just so sweet and always was kind to me. I just have this little tug at my heart, when I hear his name. Sometimes it stings, but it always reminds me of how special Andy was. Not only to me, but more friends and especially his family.

My heart aches a little, it's always hard to remember something that, with each passing year it has gotten easier. I spoke with my best friend about it, and I'm okay now. I'm really ready to close that book in my life, and place it on the shelf. Sounds silly, but I love symbolism, and that idea. Because it's truly how I'm feeling with all of this.

Andy is sweet, and he'll always be 16 to me, but I'm doing okay now. It still hurts, and I think it always will. Remember this? That song couldn't explain what I'm trying to say right now, more perfectly. Andy is so amazing. I can't even imagine his happiness right now. And that's what I'm doing for myself. My life keeps going, and I can't keep holding back because I can't let it go yet.

Well, I'm ready.
This is huge for me. It was such a big deal in my life, and maybe it always will be. I've learned to live with it, and even though I'm not over it, I'm able to look past it and keep moving forward. I wanted to say thank you to everyone who has ever offered me love and support through this hardship. It really means a lot to know I'm not alone. It was such a hard and trying time in my life, and I couldn't have done it without most of you. I wanted to share a picture of his cute little girl, and I hope his mom is okay with that.

She is so cute. I can't believe how big she's getting. She looks like him. Oh how proud he must be of her, and her mom. She's so adorable and I've loved seeing pictures of her growing up, helps me get to know someone Andy knew that I didn't!

I love my Andy... and as this October month approaches, I'll keep a prayer in my heart, to fill that crack, that won't ever go away, but is always filled with the love and comfort of my Savior, with the knowledge that I will see Him again.

Love you Andy.
I'll be seeing you in a few months.
♥

Level 5

I have waited so long for this to happen. It's really a neat thing to finally say I'm a certified level 5 teller. I haven't even worked there for 1.5 years (almost), and it happened so fast. I have worked so hard for this. I have put up with a lot for this. But I still love my job. I may have really bad days, meet/come across some very mean people, but I love what I do. I love helping people, and watching them leave with a smile on their face, knowing you've just helped them complete a task in their day. I love answering questions. Seriously, it sounds cheesy, but I really do. I also loooove helping the other tellers. When I get to do things that my supervisors normally would do, makes me really happy. They keep telling my I've got leadership qualities, so it's pretty fun to pretend I'm a supervisor sometimes!

My job is hard. But it's rewarding and I'm excited to see what is in store for me! :)