Luckiest Girl

Well, I had a crazy day!

I went Christmas shopping with my sister. Well okay, she took me to get some gifts. (Thanks Lins!!) I got the cutest gift for my roommates and my friends. I can't tell you what it is yet, because my roommates or friends might read this! :p Anyway, then I bought a gift for my cousin Noah since I drew his name out of the cousins to get a gift for. I'm so sad about that a little because we're all getting older and that tradition is slowly dying. It's so different when you're younger. You want so badly to be older with all this freedom and such, but then you get to that point in your life and you miss all the fun, silly, and good traditions you had when you were younger. I'll keep that alive with my future family though :)

I came home, and got started on my studying. There is so much that I have to understand and know for Psychology and Math by Monday night!! Ahh!! I never knew how stressful a test was for school until I came to college :/ I'm so happy to be done with my first semester. It's been a long, very hard road, but I've learned a lot. I'm excited to start new and learn more next semester!!

After I got a little burnt out from studying, I put together some of the gifts I got. They turned out cute and I'm so excited to give them for Christmas this year :) I kept worrying that it wouldn't be as nice as maybe some people expected, but then I kept reminding myself that, that isn't the reason for giving at Christmas time. It's truly the thought that counts. Then Brady's mother called and told me they'd be home in a half an hour, so I continued what I was doing and when the time came, I headed over to Brady's house.

I wasn't sure how to feel about this. It truly was weird at first coming home this weekend and not being with Brady, and now, here I am, going to his house without him. Haha, but I made it without tears or feeling nervous. When I got in his house, I just instantly was overwhelmed by the smell. It was my best friends smell. I couldn't believe I was in his house without him. I've missed him, his house and his family! It was so good to see his dog too. Weird as that sounds, Kortni has become apart of my life because of how important she is in Brady's life.

His mother let me in and we started to talk. She went and got the box that Brady had for me. He put together quotes and thoughts that I can read when I have a bad day, he signed them and kissed them all too! :) Cheesy, I know, but SUPER cute! So then she took me downstairs, to read the email he sent her on his first P-day, but we stopped in his room so I could see how clean it was. I almost started to cry at that point. I miss my babe :( I miss his smell, and his clothes and his hugs and him. But I didn't cry :) But I must say, he sounds SO grown up in his letter!!! (Click here to read it.) He's matured in just over a week. It's amazing! I can't wait till I get my first letter, I hope it comes soon! Anyway, so then we talked some more about how he's going to grow so much from this. She showed me pictures of the night he was set apart. He looked so cute with his missionary tag and all. We looked at the pictures from the airport and such. It just felt good being at his house. It truly helped me. I was even having a hard night, thinking about him too much, and being at his house helped me.

The time came for me to leave, and his mom told me to come over whenever. I left feeling good. It was a good visit, and I'm so happy I went :) I remember feeling unsure about it, but now I'm so sure it was a good thing to do. I'm so proud of Brady. No matter how hard it has been, and most likely will continue to be; no matter how much I miss him; how sad I get; how much I whine; I'm so proud of him. It's a huge deal to up and leave your family for two years, in an unknown place, preaching the Word of God. But how amazing :) I've felt the Spirit tonight, just reading his letter, and I'm so excited for others to start feeling that Spirit from Elder Ziegler. He's truly doing so well and I can't wait to start hearing about his mission :)

Overall, great ending to a good day :) I'm the luckiest girl ever. Happy Holidays! Wish me luck on my finals and cross your fingers that I get a letter this week, or next week!!

Happy Birthday Jessica!

Today is my little sisters birthday :)

I can't believe she's growing up so fast, right behind me!

Best friends since we was kiddies :)

Spiritual Learning Gives Secular Learning Purpose

The reason I post this is because I feel the need to share what I learned today in Institute.

"It is clear that our first priority should go to spiritual learning. Reading the scriptures would come for us before reading history books. Prayer would come before memorizing those Spanish verbs. A temple recommend would be worth more to us than standing first in our graduation class. But it is also clear that spiritual learning would not replace our drive for secular learning.

The Lord clearly values what you will find in that history book and in a text on political theory. Remember His words. He wants you to know "things which have been, things which are, things which must shortly come to pass; things which are at home, things which are abroad; the wars and the perplexities of the nations" (D&C 88:79). And He favors not only Spanish verbs but the study of geography and demography. You remember that His educational charter requires that we have "a knowledge also of countries and of kingdoms" (v. 79). There is also an endorsement for questions we study in the sciences.

It is clear that putting spiritual learning first does not relieve us from learning secular things. On the contrary, it gives our secular learning purpose and motivates us to work harder at it. If we will keep spiritual learning in its proper place, we will have to make some hard choices of how we use our time. We generally know when papers will be due, when tests must be taken, when projects must be completed. And we know when the Sabbath will come. We know when the institute class will be held. We know when the prayers at the beginning of a day and those at the end should come. We know about how long it takes in reading the scriptures before we begin to feel the Holy Spirit. We know about how many hours it takes to prepare and to perform our service in Church.

When we see life as it really is, we plan for a time and a place for all of those things. There will come crises when there does not seem to be enough time. There will be many instances when one thing crowds out another. But there should never be a conscious choice to let the spiritual become secondary as a pattern in our lives. Never. That will lead to tragedy. The tragedy may not be obvious at first, nor may it ever be clear in mortal life. But remember, you are interested in education not for life, but for eternal life. When you see that reality clearly with spiritual sight, you will put spiritual learning first and yet not slight the secular learning. In fact, you will work harder at your secular learning than you would without that spiritual vision."
Elder Henry B. Eyring Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, CES Fireside for Young Adults, 6 May 2001

Amazing isn't it? I learned about this in institute today about remembering what the Lord has said, and done for me and all that he asks. I love this article and I'll keep it forever. I struggled with making sure the Lord was my first priority this semester, but after reading this I know I want to work harder at keeping it my first priority.

Special

I must say, it's been a rough week but I made it through. Brady has almost been gone a week! I've missed him so much :) I finally saw pictures of him when he was at the airport and I almost cried (You can see them here). It was so hard even seeing pictures of my babe leaving.. But I can't wait to hear from him and I hope that if his family gets an email tomorrow, that they'll inform me of how he's doing! :) I'm so excited to hear from him!! I can't wait till I get my letters from him :) I've been writing him everyday since he left, about my days and what I've been up to till I get a letter from him and then I'll just send them all! I hope he's doing okay, especially with the time change. He is definitely so sweet though, he put together a box full of quotes signed and kissed by him so that when I have a bad day, I can pull out a quote and have a better day. I thought that was very nice of him!

I had a rough time the other night, and I really missed him. When I really think about it I get sad, but that's why they say, stay busy so that you won't think about it and get all sad. I woke up and my roommates made breakfast and it was so yummy! I decided I couldn't sit around and just sulk. So I got up, cleaned my room, washed my bedding, folded clothes, and finished homework and organized it for my last week here for fall semester!! So then I felt much better. Then to a surprise for all of us, my roommates came home with a puppy :) Then my roommate Jade and her fiance went and got the boy :) We have two puppies. Mollee and Trigger. They're SO stinkin cute. They're stinkers themselves but it's been fun having puppies, and falling in love. It was like they brought so much happiness to me that day. I was really glad they brought them home.

Mollee :)

Then later that night, we all decided to watch a movie together and Lexi and I were writing things to our missionaries. She let me read a little of what her missionary wrote her, and my spirits were lifted again. I felt comfort and happiness and so grateful she let me even read as much as she did. Missionaries are amazing people. They're so spiritual and connected with the Lord that I wish I were with them all the time. I'm so lucky to have a missionary out there that can share that with me too :)

Today was fast Sunday! I was too sick to fast, which I was sad about but you do what you can and the Lord knows the intent of your heart. So I went to church with my neighbors and I bore my testimony of the Book of Mormon and how much I've witnessed miracles and the comfort that it's brought me from reading it everyday. I've been so happy and if I miss out, my day is off and I feel out of place. It's become apart of me and my everyday and I can't ever go a day without it, and if I do, I feel terrible. When I got home from church I had this feeling to check my gmail account. I've had this feeling all week long since Brady left but I never did anything because I knew he wasn't going to send anything there. So I checked it and sure enough, I had an email from him. It said, "It is November 9, and I just found this thing that would allow me to send you emails that would come later :)))))))))))))))))))) You will be getting emails on Valentine's day, your birthday, and Christmas." Cute huh?? I seriously smiled SO much when I read it. I read it a million times over and I couldn't stop smiling. I love him so much, he's so caring and it's so sweet to have been thoughtful a whole month before he left! He's the sweetest missionary and I'm so lucky to know him and someday spend forever with him.

Say it's too soon to be saying that about him but I just know it. I'm finally so happy and I'm okay without dating other boys and trying to find someone to like me for who I am because Brady loves me for who I am and more. Gosh, I'm so grateful for him! He's made me feel so special. I feel like the most wonderful person in the world because of him. I want to be a better person because of him, and to do good, and to just laugh when life throws things my way that may upset me, Brady is always there to help me remember to just laugh. Sometimes I get tired of teasing but when it's from Brady, I'm grateful for it. I hope I can get through these first six months and the rest of the years easily because I deeply miss him but until then, I hope I get a letter soon!!

Happy Sunday :)

Keeping Busy!

Brady made it to England today :) I'm sure it's night time there and he's sleeping right now. They're seven hours ahead of us! I am more excited because time will go by faster for him, than for me! I can't believe he's in England! He's so lucky :)

Anyway, I'm making a list of things to do while he's gone, on days when I have nothing to do (like today, hence the blog post.)

This is what I've got so far:

• Try new foods/meals
• Study hard
• Work hard
• Make bracelets
• Make hair clips
• Go to the Temple
• Play board games
• Write a song
• Learn on a song on the piano or guitar
• Buy a crazy nail polish color
• Watch a scary movie
• Create a good workout
• Become good at halo, so I can win when he gets home
• Buy Safetysuit album and review it for Brady
• Buy crazy outfit from the D.I. and have a photo-shoot
• Buy a super nice outfit and high, high heels and treat myself to a nice dinner
• Dye my hair
• Read a BIG book
• Scrapbook
• Print scrapbook pages of Brady
• Drive far somewhere in the night
• Serve someone (a lot)
• Make a blanket
•  Denny's Run
• Graduate from Institute
• Learn to make a 3-Column Template for bloggers
• Take lots of pictures!!
• Read the Old Testament
• Possibly finish the New Testament
• Make a snowman!
• Go snowboarding/skiing
• Write a poem
• Read D&C
• Be a missionary at all times as well :)

So I've got quite a few things going on that I would love to accomplish while he's gone :) I feel okay to be honest. I feel much better knowing he's in England and that I'll never experience a "first day" of him being gone from me. I am staying in Ephraim these next two weekends for finals and then I'll be home for Christmas break! I cannot wait! :) I hope I still have some family and girlfriends that'll want to hangout with me! Brady was my best friend, and for a while, my only friend, and now that he's gone, I hope I still have some friends out there that'll spend time with me!

I feel very proud of me and Brady for making this sacrifice. I've been reading in Alma for a couple days now and I love it! I have literally learned so much from Alma (and Amulek). I feel like they've been teaching me the gospel these last two days. All the things they know, straight from God has given me comfort. It's been crazy but I've loved it. My testimony has grown stronger too! The last chapter or two have been on missionary work and making sure those in this world hear the word of God and I think of Brady, and how important it is that he's serving right now, for the people to hear the word of God. :) Goodness we're such a blessed people!

I know I'll be okay :) It'll be tough in the beginning, but I'm sure it'll fly by. I'm ready to dive into these things I have on my list. So if you have more ideas of things I could do, whether it's crazy, random, spiritual, daring, big, small, important, just anything, please feel free to tell me :)

Have a wonderful and safe weekend!

Day 1

Well, as of today, Brady and I have been together for 6 months now :) I can't believe it! He's leaving to England on our 1/2 year anniversary! I'm so excited though!! It's finally here and starting!! I can't wait for my first letter and to see him grow and to be right beside him as he does that. He's going to learn so much while on this mission and I'm so proud of him :) It was SUPER hard today, and I know it won't continue to get easy for a while, but this is what the Lord needs us to both be doing in our lives and I have to be on that same page. I know this will bless the both of us and bring many blessings to us in the future no matter what road the Lord has us both take! :)

I love you :)

Brady was set apart tonight at 7:00. I was just, out of my mind I couldn't believe it. I started counting down the hours at four till I could call him a missionary. We talked for a minute and fifty eight seconds on Skype and when he had to get off, my heart broke and I bawled. I called my mom and then my roommates and I went to Orem to eat Chic-fil-a and to help cheer me up! It was fun and I'm glad I went. But when 7:00 came around, my heart froze, and I stood in the spot I was in and couldn't move. Reality hit HARD that I couldn't text him, call him, Skype him... nothing. He was the Lord's now and I needed to be okay with that. I almost started crying but I had to remember that it's starting now. Day 1 is coming close and after that, it'll be one day closer to being with him again! I have faith and I know I can do this. I know I can get through these two years!! I love him!

My countdown jar :)
Mini M&M's - 730!

My first Chic-fil-a meal without Brady.
That is a place we loved to go together!

It's going to be hard. I've already felt that and it's only day 1. But I'm so grateful for the support I feel from his family, my family, my roommates, friends, leaders, and many other people as well. I'm so grateful for them and I know I can get through this, just bear with me and believe in me.

Time Doesn't Pause For Anyone

Well here is the belated post and it's long.
I had a very wonderful Thanksgiving break and yes, I spent a lot of it with Brady :)
I loved every moment that I had!

I came home early from school on Monday and we spent time together then, Tuesday and Wednesday! We watched movies, played games, went places, spent time with family. It was great :) For Thanksgiving, he went to his family and I went to mine. We both had a wonderful holiday and got together later that night. I went Black Friday shopping with my family and I had a lot of fun! Then Brady and I got together the next day and just hungout some more.

I remember feeling a tad nervous and scared because Saturday was coming and that was the last official day I could spend with him. Saturday came and it was wonderful :) We got together and watched the BYU/UTAH football game. We then finished his talk and we ate dinner. I wanted so badly to make sure I went to Temple Square before he left, and that's what we did! It was THE best. We weren't there for very long considering how cold it was and he was starting to get sick anyways. We walked around took lots of pictures, and then drove home. It was so special because that's the Temple I love, and want to be married in, and I love Brady and want to marry him. I know I'm going to. There isn't a doubt about it in my mind. Anyway, we went home and watched a movie.

My heart broke that night. I did such a good job holding it in all week long so I could show how supportive I was and keep a happy face on, but I cried. I felt really bad crying in front of him, but I couldn't help it. It was the last night to be with my babe and it was ending. He took me home and I just remember hugging my mom and crying.

Here are some photos of Temple Square 2010 :)

The next day was Brady's "See You Later." I'm so glad they don't use the term, farewell anymore. It sounds so depressing. He did a WONDERFUL job. I went to my cousins see you later earlier that morning and he did just as good. I was anticipating Brady's see you later and it was driving me crazy how slow the day was going. I love that my mom always said, "Just like a bandaid, rip it off fast." And that's what I wanted to happen with Brady's see you later, and him leaving for two years. He did amazing on his talk and had me crying. He was crying himself and I loved the stories he told. He had a great turn out with a lot of friends and family members coming to show their support!

Elder Brady Ziegler :)

Brady and his Uncle Mike!

Brady & his parents

Brady & I

Right before we said our goodbyes...

His get together at his house after was really good. We all ate some food and just gathered together and spent some time with everyone. It was really good but I knew the clock was ticking. I was starting to tear up every now and then and I just kept holding Brady's hand, we were just waiting for the time that my dad would be coming. Slowly one by one his family left. His sweet Aunt Jody and Uncle Mike are so kind and asked how I was doing and gave me a hug. Jody told me of when she sent off a missionary and how hard she remembers it being.
I couldn't hold it in and started to cry. I was leaving at 5 to go back to school and 4:30 was approaching. I just couldn't hold it in any longer. I cried. My father texted me and said he was on his way. We stood outside waiting for my dad to come and I just cried, holding his hand tighter than I ever have before. My dad finally came and he walked me to my car... (I think I might cry just typing this). I put my things in the car and just turned around and bawled. I hugged him so tightly and just bawled. I let everything out. I promised him I'd be here when he got back and I asked him to promise he'd come back for me. I haven't had a heartbreak like that in a really long time. My heart just wanted to hold on and marry him. I love him. I LOVE HIM. That moment I wished I could have frozen. I looked at him and he kissed me a few times and we hugged again and I looked at him with tears in his eyes and I said, "I love you okay? Promise you'll come back for me?" And he told me yes and that he loved me too. He opened my door, I got in the car, and I kissed him one last time before he shut the door (in the mean time, but father got out of the car to go shake his hand) and he looked at me and mouthed, "I love you" and then shut to door, and I let it all go. I bawled, loud, hard, long... you can just imagine.. I swear I lost my sweet Andy all over again it was that heartbreaking. He shook my dads hand and went inside. I cried for a little at home and my mother talked to me and calmed me down. We left for Ephraim and I made it back safely. My father gave me a blessing before we left and I need to trust it. I need to turn to my father for comfort and that's what the scriptures are for as well. My roommates are wonderful girls and have been helping me through this as well!

I've been doing just fine lately but tomorrow I'm going to crack. He gets set apart at 7 and leaves the next morning. I imagine I'll cry this whole weekend and it'll get terrible at nights but that's expected. I have wonderful friends and family who support me are going to be there for me through this. I hope that if Brady sees this, that he knows how proud I am of him. I'm sorry for explaining how heartbroken I feel and how much I'm going to miss him but I need to get it out. He's going to be one amazing missionary, and I know that with school, church, work and other things, I can stay busy and get done what the Lord needs me too. Time is going. It's flying and before I know it, he'll be back. I'm proud of how far he's come, considering what he's been through. As hard as it is, it's right. When something is hard for us to do, that just proves its the right thing to do. The Lord knows my heart. It breaks his heart that I'm pain but he loves me enough to have brought Brady into my life. He just needs him for two years. TWO years; that's it. I can no longer feel selfish, I can only feel and hope that he'll give everyone the gift that I feel when I read and pray everyday.

I love you babe!!!! Good luck!!! Write me as soon as you can :)