Oquirrh Mountain & Jordan River Temple!

These are just some pictures I've taken of the Oquirrh Mountain and the Jordan River Temple lately :)

Horses

This blog is going to be about my sister :) Well, at least this post! Today she was at a horse show, doing what she loves best, and I've felt prompted to post about it today.

My sister is amazing in every way. These pictures are pretty old, but I love them! She is like my very best friend. She works hard at everything she does; especially when it comes to horses. My sister has always been the animal one in the family. Always loved the pets more than anyone, and it just came naturally to her. She just has that amazing gift to take care of them, and love them, and show them their purpose.

This is my sister with a horse named Beans. She loves this horse! He helped her through so much! Times have changed and she doesn't ride him anymore, but the fact that she took so much time out of her own life to take care of this large animal, is just so very kind. I love my little sister! Horses are her whole world. Her very heart that beats inside her chest. She dreams of one day owning her own horses and married to her dream cowboy. I'm very proud of her and the journey she's experienced to get to the point she's at today, and the same journey that'll only take her further in the one thing she loves most in life. I've never seen such passion in horse riding then my sister, ever before in my life.

This is me and a very old horse my sister used to ride. I had to hold the reins while she did something so that's why I'm standing far from it. I've loved animals all my life as well, but not like my sister. I just like to look at horses and bigger animals from afar :) I grew up riding mules with my cousins and have tons of fun and silly memories and have been on rides before and have been around them, and now horses, but I just am too scared to ride them for some reason! :p So I keep that job to my sister :)

Anyways, I'm so thankful for my sister. She's the cutest, funniest, intelligent, caring, bold, confident sister ever. I really love her and I don't tell her a lot and I should. She helped me through so much this past year that I don't think I could ever repay her. I owe her so much and I'm going to miss her when our lives go different ways but she'll be my sister forever and I couldn't be more happier. I love you jess :)

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland: An Apostle Called of God

Last night was the Young Single Adult Summit Fireside downtown at the Tabernacle. It was amazing!! Elder Holland's Son, Matthew Holland and his wife Paige Holland spoke to us and told us of their cute love story and some things to look for and look out for when dating! They shared some great principles and other gospel teachings! It was really good :)

While this was going on, I happened to turn around (cause I'm a people watcher hahahaha) and I happened to notice this man who looked JUST like the Apostle, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland. So I turned to Brady and I said... "Oh my gosh Brady, I think that's Elder Holland back there!" So he turned around to check and he said, "Yeah that is." and I just started freaking out. I looked back again to make sure, and I just knew it was him. I instantly was just all smiles and giggly and like Brady just started laughing. At that moment in time, I could not believe I was sitting two rows in front of an Apostle who has changed my life. Not only am I thinking how blessed I am to be in the presence of his son and to listen to him speak, but now I'm in the presence of his father. I just couldn't help but look back at him every now and then through the whole thing. I just couldn't even believe it. This was my dream, to meet this man. It had been on my list of things I want to do in my life. To shake this Apostle's hand, and here was the opportunity presented right before me. I couldn't wait till it was over so I could go and see him!! So as it ended I told Brady that we had to go shake his hand at least. So we walked up the isle, and I literally ran down the next and stood next to this girl as he came. He shook her hand, then looked at me as we reached to shake hands, he smiled at me and said, "Hi! Thank you so much! Thanks for coming!" (And I think a few other things but I was so mesmerized by the fact that I just shook an Apostle's hand.) We shook hands, then this security guard came ripping through and pushed me and Brady and a bunch of others out of the way because everyone was following Elder Holland out. Hahahaha It was funny! Anyways, the I was just screaming and jumping up and down and smiles and like so left in awe. I couldn't even stop smiling. It is just stuck to my face!! That man means so much to me. And having the opportunity to shake his hand (FINALLY) just almost completes my life. He'll never know what that did for me. I never dreamed I would shake his hand at such a young age. I knew I wanted to meet him in my life here on earth and I can't believe it came so quickly!

Now I just got to meet the Prophet next ; )

(That's him, inside the white lines!!!)

I would like to share this video with you. It's a new MormonMessages video and It's one from Elder Holland. It's really good :) Watch, and enjoy!




Here are some pictures from Temple Square after!

Me & my Temple ♥

The Salt Lake Temple :)

Trying to be a cool photographer ;)

Me & Brady!

Update!

So lately, my life has been going great :) I've just been enjoying the weather and hanging out with friends! I've been growing spiritually stronger each and every day and I'm loving it with all of my heart. I've welcomed the Savior in my life every single moment when I wake up and go to sleep. I am so blessed with everything the Savior has given me and what he's done for me. My Heavenly Father is the best and I absolutely love him with all that I am. There is this amazing quote from C.S. Lewis that I'd like to share, "Imagine yourself as a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you can understand what He is doing. He is getting the drains right and stopping the leaks in the roof and so on; you knew that those jobs needed doing and so you are not surprised. But presently He starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably and does not seem to make any sense. What on earth is He up to? The explanation is that He is building quite a different house from the one you thought of - throwing out a new wing here, putting on an extra floor there, running up towers, making courtyards. You thought you were being made into a decent little cottage: but He is building a palace. He intends to come and live in it Himself." I feel that is what the Lord has done with me lately. And I'm thankful :)

I have had an amazing last week and a half! I feel so happy and have been so blessed! I'm taking a couple institute classes this summer and I'm apart of the summer choir and I've been having a great time and its been amazing!! I went to the YSA Summit yesterday and it was just great :) It has just been amazing to grow spiritually stronger every day. I know the things I do and choices I make will bless me and help me stay positive and lead me right back to my Heavenly Father if I listen and obey Him faithfully. I really am thankful to be surrounded by friends and family and teachers and others who believe in the same thing I do. Who live the same standards I do and strive to live righteously every day! It's so comforting to know I really am not alone in this world :) I really am excited for the summer and to experience new things. College is far from now but I think it'll be good for me. My life is starting and I'm directing it now. I'm putting all my trust and faith in the Lord in all I do, say, feel, think, etc. He knows my heart. he knows who I am. He loves me and only wants what is best for me! Anyways, here are some pictures of activities I've participated in over the summer so far! "Life is to be enjoyed, not just endured." - President Gordon B. Hinckley :)

The youth of my ward at the Temple :)

Me & Abby at the Temple!

Me & some friends at the mall :)

Hanging out with some friends :)

That's right, a inflatable doughnut :p

Just waiting for breakfast..... 3 in the morning.... Senior Sunset... :)

Just hanging out at Daybreak Lake :)

The beautiful lake!

I took this on my phone :)

My sisters cute new puppy, Kodie :)

I totally made these!!! Hahaha (okay with Brady's help!) yummy Rice Krispie treats :)

Just hanging out with some friends on Bryant's last night here for the summer!

Here is a video I made with some friends :)

Anyways, to end on a good note. I've really grown and matured more than I've realized. I've been through so much and have taken nothing but greater knowledge and a lesson in life from it all. I love my family so much. They're amazing people and have truly been there for me :) Life is great. Have a wonderful week!

Graduation :)

I graduated from high school today :) I cannot believe it! It is actually pretty weird, but I feel great :) I'm so happy and so excited to just be done. My life is starting now. I know I only have harder times to come but I believe with high school out of the way, I can focus on more important things in my life now. I just can't believe after all these years graduation is finally here. It came way too fast. This year flew! I remember being at graduation last year and I just couldn't wait to be a senior and now I'll be in college in less than three months! It's so insane, but it has been a great day :) I saw lots of friends, sat by way cool people, saw good ol' friends and my family, had a great lunch and hung out at home for a while! Tonight is a big graduation party and I cannot wait for that. I can't even tell you anything looking back on this year. I'm proud I made it through when, at times, it didn't seem like I could. This year has been insane of itself but its over and I can start my life now :) Here are some pictures from the event! (More to come!)

All ready to go graduate!


And so we talked all night about the rest of our lives
Where we're gonna be when we turn 25
I keep thinking times will never change
Keep on thinking things will always be the same
But when we leave this year we won't be coming back
No more hanging out cause we're on a different track
And if you got something that you need to say
You better say it right now cause you don't have another day
Cause we're moving on and we can't slow down
These memories are playing like a film without sound
And I keep thinking of that night in June
I didn't know much of love
But it came too soon
And there was me and you
And then we got real blue
Stay at home talking on the telephone
We'd get so excited, we'd get so scared
Laughing at ourselves thinking life's not fair
And this is how it feels

As we go on
We remember
All the times we
Had together
And as our lives change
Come Whatever
We will still be
Friends Forever

So if we get the big jobs
And we make the big money
When we look back now
Will our jokes still be funny?
Will we still remember everything we learned in school?
Still be trying to break every single rule
Will little brainy Bobby be the stockbroker man?
Will Heather find a job that won't interfere with her tan?
I keep, I keep thinking that it's not goodbye
Keep on thinking it's a time to fly
And this is how it feels

As we go on
We remember
All the times we
Had together
And as our lives change
Come Whatever
We will still be
Friends Forever

Will we think about tomorrow like we think about now?
Can we survive it out there?
Can we make it somehow?
I guess I thought that this would never end
And suddenly it's like we're women and men
Will the past be a shadow that will follow us 'round?
Will these memories fade when I leave this town
I keep, I keep thinking that it's not goodbye
Keep on thinking it's a time to fly

As we go on
We remember
All the times we
Had together
And as our lives change
Come Whatever
We will still be
Friends Forever

Me & Stephanie - Friends since 8th grade!

My family minus Jake

My twin, my roommate :)

Me & Becca

Becca, Bryant & I

Me & Kaylee!

Caleb, Quinn, Brayden, Me, & Becca

BUBBLES!!!!! (We were so excited to see each other after months!!!!)

Me & Bubbles :) I love her!

Me & Lexi!

Me & Mama!

Me & Karlee!

Inside the graduation center

Making my way to my seat! :)

After getting my diploma, me & ash walking down together!!

Officially graduated, and turning our tassel from the left to the right!

I'm a happy girl, still trying to find my place in this world :)

Finally, A Calm Weekend

Has my life been crazy lately or what? Man, I finished my last week of high school ever. It's so weird to think I'll never go back into that building to learn ever again. It's a big feeling of relief though. :) I've made many memories and tons of friends that I've loved and cherished so much but I think I'm ready to finally grow up and experience creating my own life and doing what my Father in Heaven has in store for me. I have big things ahead of me in my life and I'm preparing myself to take on all the challenges that come because after this year, it could get worse, and I'm hoping it won't but at least I'll know how to better deal with it than I normally would if I didn't go through the things I did this year. I'm so thankful for the friends who always picked me up at my lowest moments and continue to do so. I've had friends walk out of my life this year and it was extremely hard but I've realized if that's what they want, I must let them because nothing can make them stay if they're wanting to go. So once something is taken from me, I know my Heavenly Father will bless me with something to fill in that hole. I had a yearbook stomp Friday night and took plenty of pictures and had tons of fun! I hung out with some friends this weekend and today I was able to visit my friends grave and on the way home I stopped by the Bountiful, Utah Temple. :) It was extremely beautiful and I've fallen in love with it. The spirit was definitely there and it grew stronger in my heart of how more humble I need to be, the type of loving mother and wife I want to become to my future husband and family. The importance of Temples and how excited I am to experience a sealing. I can't wait for a love story of my own. I love the Spirit of the Lord and I am so blessed to feel it every time that I do. I only hope to become a better person each and every day. I'm so thankful for who I am, and definitely who my Heavenly Father is helping me become :) I graduate from high school this Wednesday so I'll post pictures from that and from the senior sunset most likely! I hope everyone had a great weekend :)