Watch My Corn Pop Up In Rows

One of my goals has been to learn to garden. So for my first attempt at planting my own garden I would say it's been pretty successful so far. (minus the cilantro that died and the two zucchini plants that suddenly went missing a day after planting them)









Some produce I picked on Monday.
It has all tasted so good! I even made some fresh salsa with it yesterday.

Childhood Dream Job

In elementary school I dreamed of being an archaeologist when I grew up. I loved history and thought it would be awesome to discover things from ancient civilizations. I absolutely adored reading books about ancient Egypt and Greece.

In college my love for ancient architecture grew stronger as I took History of Interior Design classes. I dream about going to all of these places that I have studied and learned about. My parents just got back last night from my number one place I dream of going to…Greece! Seeing their pictures made the desires to have my childhood dream job came back. So while I save my pennies I will live vicariously thru them and their pictures and stories and dream of going there someday (hopefully not too far away!).

Life is Beautiful

Life is interesting.

Let's go back a few months. I thought I knew exactly what was going on. I am a planner and I had a plan for my future. Then life happened and my plans were no longer in the works. To say that these last few months have been hard would be an understatement.

I have done a lot of reflecting and looking back on my life, specifically the last year of my life; I can see the hand of the Lord so distinctly. I can see how He has led my path. There have been many times where I didn't understand why I was getting the answers I was but now I can see that it was for a wise purpose. I have come to know more than ever before that my Heavenly Father and my Savior Jesus Christ know me perfectly and they love me infinitely. Never have I had to rely on them so completely.

I never would have picked these trials, not in a million years. But I would never trade these experiences because of the lessons I have learned and I am continuing to learn.

"…fear not. Be of good cheer! The future is as bright as your faith."

• President Thomas S. Monson
  

I have faith! I have faith that the Lord has a plan for me. I know that I am learning so much right now. I know that there are great things coming my way! So although life is so complicated right now, it is Beautiful!

I think the most important thing that I have learned thru all of this is something I've always known but never completely done. I have learned to rely on my Savior.

I know that as long as my Savior is by my side, I can do all things (including the hard ones)!

How Sweet It Is!

Let's just be honest, I'm totally loving my Cougs these day! They have been so fun to watch this season. Even though I haven't gone to as many games as in years past I have totally been supporting my boys in blue. The atmosphere at the Marriott Center has been incredible (especially for the San Diego State game!). Confession, at the last home game I may have gotten a litte emotional and teared up a little bit when the seniors were announced and then at the end when the players were cutting down the net.

So thank you BYU Basketball! You've done my heart good!

Welcome Back!

I got home from a fabulous week long cruise in the Caribbean yesterday. Of course Utah welcomes me back with a beautiful snow storm today. So while freezing in my office I thought about this sight from last week.



I know you're all jealous. You would probably be jealous if you saw me and saw how tan I am.
Also my lack of blog updates the last few months have been because most of my time lately has been spent with this guy.



So be looking forward to some more posts about the cruise, my big 25th birthday party, and ice fishing.

Come What May and Love It

To say that this last week has been rough would be an understatement. I don’t think I’ve ever felt heartache at this level in my life. But through the trial my family is experiencing I have grown. I’ve never felt such an outpouring of love as I have this week, especially from my Savior. I feel like my relationship with my Savior Jesus Christ has strengthened immensely. I have felt his love for me so strong. I know that he knows me and is aware of my situation and is lifting me up. Isaiah 41:13 says, “For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.” I don’t know if there is a more comforting statement then to know that our Lord will hold our hand and help us. I am so grateful for the Atonement.

This last week I’ve also felt how much the Holy Ghost truly is a comforter. I can’t even describe the peace that I have felt despite the hard things happening. I know that I’ve been lifted and strengthened to be able to do hard things. I’ve been reading a lot of church talks. I love this statement from Elder Jeffery R. Holland in the talk “For Times of Trouble.” “In the gospel of Jesus Christ you have help from both sides of the veil and you must never forget that. When disappointment and discouragement strike—and they will—you remember and never forget that if our eyes could be opened we would see horses and chariots of fire as far as the eye can see riding at reckless speed to come to our protection. They will always be there, these armies of heaven, in defense of Abraham’s seed.” Not only does more comfort come with this knowledge but I have honestly felt it.

I truly feel so blessed. In no way is this easy, but if life were easy how would we grow and become the people that our Heavenly Father wants us to become? I have embraced the statement and talk from Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin “Come What May and Love It.” I know that how I react to adversity is huge. I choose to react with faith in the Lord. One of my favorite scriptures the past few years has been Doctrine and Covenants 123:17. It is part of the revelation that Joseph Smith received while in Liberty Jail. It says, “…let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the Salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed.” So I will cheerfully do all things that lie in my power. I am determined to. I have faith in my Savior that he loves me and will never leave me alone. And for that I will love him for eternity.

“Remember an unfailing, continual, ever-present source of peace and comfort is available to you. It is the certainty that your Father in Heaven loves you no matter what your circumstance, no matter what winds of trial, turmoil, or tribulation whirl about you. That certainty will never change.” (Elder Richard G. Scott, The Sustaining Power of Faith in Uncertainty and Testing)

Looking Forward To...

I have a lot to look forward to in the next few months. Here are a few of the items:

• Seeing The Color Purple with some awesome girls
• Reed and Tommy’s Birthday
• Tommy’s School Play (he is the lead in South Pacific, everyone should go see it)
• Harry Potter 7 (yes, I’m aware that makes me a nerd)
• Thanksgiving
• Trip to Arizona to see Monday night football! (my first NFL game)
• MoTab Choir Concert
• Melissa Coming Home
• Christmas!
• My Birthday
• Week long Eastern Carribean Cruise with friends (my first cruise)