"You are going to go through a traumatic experience, you have all the tools to make it through, just use those tools"

Watch this video

I had the opportunity to go and see this movie. I would highly recommend it to anyone and everyone.  I love the ending statement in the first video. "You are going to go through a traumatic experience, you have all the tools to make it through, just use those tools"  That could not be a more true statement about life.  We have been given the tools and the help we need, now we just need to use them.

Be Kind, Keep on Trekking, and Never Give Up.

I found my love for this song on trek last year.  But it wasn't until a couple weeks ago when I heard it and really listen to the lyrics that this song hit me so hard.  I love the message in this song.  We honor and respect the pioneers for all they did and the trek they took, and I am not trying to down that in anyway but this song was not written just for the pioneers.  Today things have changed and the trials and challenges we are facing are different but we are all on our own personal trek.  As I read the emails you sent me I was brought to tears at all the different challenges and trials everyone especially the youth are facing today.  With that being said the message I have today is be kind, keep on trekking and never give up.  As the song says "Though hard to you this journey may appear, Grace shall be as your day...Our god will never us forsake."  I have been called to serve a full time mission. Against my wishes I have had to wait longer than I wanted. It's been rough and the challenges I have faced since receiving my call have been hard. But I could not be more thankful for the time The Lord has given me to prepare. I've had many experiences that would have never come if I had left on my mission already. I'm truly learning the principle of patience. I know that the lord has a time and a place for everything. If you are living his commandments and keeping the covents you have made he will guide and direct your life. I'm so grateful for this gospel. I know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Days Saints is the true church on the earth today. I'm grateful for the power of prayer and the ability I have to communicate with my savior on a daily basis. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ Amen. 

One year older and wiser too?

 Today I turned 19?  Is that even possible?  Anyway I started reflecting on the last year.  It has been a memorable one.  And because I know your all dying to relive the last year of my life (not like the last year i'll be living but like the last year like 18-19 just thought i'd clarify I DO NOT plan on dying anytime soon) (and beware this is picture overloaded but sometimes a story is just told better with pictures)

Bronson & Bridger floured my car (the flour is still coming off to this day)

Oct. 13, 2012-BYU Blackout game

18th B-Day at the cabin!

 Got stuck on a roof with these two (sometimes my ideas aren't the brightest)

 3rd elbow surgery.

 went to a dance "high" (4 days after surgery)

 Attended way to many PG football games with way to many awkward bus rides but memories to last a life time!

BYU Poinsettia Bowl in San Diego. We won and I got to see this child!

 Last New Years at the cabin with these boys for a long time!

Sent my amazing grandparents off on there mission!

 Made many new friends!

Served on Student Council as Public Relations. 

Spent Countless hours with my "sister"

Found a big place in my heart for the "G" hiked it only a "couple" times 

Went to Prom with my best friends!

Got shot by a paintball gun (Yes I am proud of this)

Graduated Seminary!

Tumble maybe more than I should have.

 Was featured in Utah Valley Magazine!

GRADUATED!!

Spent two weeks in New York!

Made it a summer to remember

Got called to serve in the Washington DC North mission

Girls Trip to St. George

Went through the temple!

Grew Closer to these boys

Spent countless hours laughing

Got caught in many rain storms.

Took myself to the doctor!

Said see you later to many missionaries 

Spent time with the ones I love most.

I have many memories just like the ones pictures above.  I could go on for hours.  But I'm thankful and blessed that i'm able to do all I do.  I'm so grateful for EVERYONE that is in my life and has been in my life.  I've learned a lot this year.  Some of my biggest blessing along with some of my biggest trials have happened in the last year.  I would not change one thing.  My testimony of this gospel has grown more than I ever thought possible.  If you ask me a year ago where I would be now I would not be sitting where I am today.  I could not be more thankful for god's plan.  I know I'm exactly where I'm suppose to be.  And I would not wish to be any place else (except for maybe Washington DC but I can be wait a little bit longer)  If I've learned anything this year it is I know there is a plan for us.  If we are doing whats right we will be blessed, sometimes those blessing come in all different shapes and sizes and sometimes those blessings may seem like trials but they are there to help us became stronger.  So I guess Happy Birthday to me and bring on 19!

Gymnastics

I was just reading through my old bog and I found some of my gymnastics routines from when I was first an optional and I would be lying if I said I didn't tear up a little bit.  But it got me thinking a lot about life right now.  My life would be so different, high school would have been different and I'm pretty sure the chances i'd be going on a mission would be slim.   It's a constant reminder to me that there is a plan for us and if we put our trust in him no matter how hard things might be everything will work out how it's suppose to.

If you want to watch my routines follow this link.  And bear with me this was one of my first competitions at a new level at the time I thought I was so good but now I look back and laugh at myself!