SVU Spring Break March 12-18

Spring Break= Harry Potter Marathon! Alayna and I seriously were living the dream sitting on our couch pretending we were wizards. It was just delightful! Plus work was canceled due to a supposed snow storm... yeah we got hardly anything. But that did lead to us being followed home by some of our friends after we ran to the grocery store. They trapped us in our car because they kept pelting our car with snowballs! HAHA I love these goofy people!

 

Tuesday after work Christian and I really wanted to do something. So off we went to Roanoke! We had a major jam session, played with puppies, ate yummy food, and just laughed. It was much needed!

Wednesday at work I determined that I needed to see Black Panther! After some confusion and miss understanding, I just went by myself! I ended up running into my friend Jake and sat with him! I love that movie! Truly one of my favorites! The best marvel movie by far. So good! After I messed around with Jake and Jess and then we finished the night by watching Psych! Yeah Yeah! 

Thursday Heidi had mentioned that she wanted to do something. Everyone seemed to have plans.. I didn't! Haha so we went off to Staunton where we ate Dinner at this super cute little dinner named Kathy's. It was so yummy! Then we jetted off to Goodwill where I found and promptly bought a dress that has both flowers and seashells! We then went bowling where I failed miserably... 

 

 

Friday's in the spring mean Volleyball time! They played a great game and Colby, Jessica and I went to cookout after. Later that night we all went to the Crowthers for a bonfire. We all just sang songs with Colby's guitar and it was perfect. Everything about it was so fun!

 Then the real adventure happened.... after the bonfire Alayna and I got in my car and it would not start. It was dead as a doornail. I am so grateful for Quinn and Kaipo who sat and helped me out and were kind enough to follow me home to make sure I made it safe. It was a little scary but we made it! But it has no life whatsoever. Dead. Dead. Dead. No spur of life. Haha

How do you end a week of fun? Drive in movie!! I have grown so fond of Hulls Drive In. Its so much fun! That night we watched Coco and Thor 2! I kind of fell asleep in Thor.. but we all cuddled and had such a fun night!

Sunday I was able to talk to Kadee, which is always a wonderful, soul healing thing. I was walking around while on the phone with her and somehow ended up at Chalae's house where they were eating dinner and I was offered some food. That's always a win! Later that night I left a games night to talk with Ashley and Christian. I love those two! Grateful that they are now family!

This week adventures were in full swing! I took in the beautiful VA and spent time with so many amazing humans! I just can't get over my undying love for this place.

Those Who Help Your Being March 5-11

This sums up how I felt this week about the people around me!



Tuesday the Volleyball team played Liberty. A team we should have beat in 3...but we went to 5 sets.. why?! HAHA Delaney and I could not handle it. Man, I love the volleyball games!

Wednesday at work one of my co workers had this bright idea that if we ordered pizza at work, by the time we both got home, it would be ready for pick up. So I definitely did that! Greatest decision ever!


Someone left me this super cute gift! God is so aware!

Thursday I woke up super early to go take a praxis test in Lexington! I managed to take the test and drive back home in time for Institute at 11am! 

In a crazy turn of events I knew that I was going to have to quit by job before the last week of March. I emailed by boss and asked if I could come in the next day and talk to her. Well.. I showed up and all of the sudden I was in her office...and I quit.. It was rough. But I did it. Its weird that that was what I was suppose to do. I felt horrible and unsure for a bit, but I did the right thing.

I came home and Alayna and I worked on a puzzle, blasted Jonas Brothers, and watched Jonas! It was kind of the best. 

Also, shoutout to my Visiting Teacher who knew Thursday was going to be a long day and she brought me brownies!

Friday morning I got to babysit some of my favorite little humans on the planet, the Rasmussen's! They are so dang cute! I am so grateful for the spirit in their home and the laughs that they always share. They are such a blessing in my life!
 

Christian came over Friday night and just made me laugh and laugh and laugh. He is so awesome!

Saturday I woke up super sick... not fun! I literally just lied in bed all day. If I ate anything I just threw up. So it was a day full of lots of TV, including the voice which featured me sobbing because I was so proud of all the contestants that turned a chair HAHA! 

Kadee told me recently that God is a preparatory God. I have seen that so much this semester! I woke up Sunday and read through some Conference Talks. At church, when we got to Relief Society we realized we didn't have a teacher. Before I knew what I said I offered to teach. I taught on the talk I had read and pondered that morning. It was so cool! 

Picture this: Alayna and I sitting in the Kitchen when I exclaim "I want to watch Harry Potter. Ah! We should have a Harry Potter Marathon." So thats what we did! Complete with cookies :) It was just the right thing.
 


Christ really never leaves your side. 

God is watching over Feb 26-March 4

When my housemates fuel my obsession.

Look at my cute house I live in! 

Wednesday Ashley and I were pumped for the volleyball game..as always haha! But this time we had shirts with Christian's number! He really has become our brother. I am so grateful for him! We were playing EMU... I don't hate things...but I really don't like EMU. 

 

Ashely and I then went around the library and got people's orders for Cook Out! The Cook Out people I think thought we were crazy.

Friday I left work early and headed to DC! The temple was closing at Saturday for two years!! There was a travel warning due to high winds and oncoming storm, but I was determined to go feel peace at the DC temple. I got there in time for the last session and it was beautiful! So calming and I could just sit there by myself. What a blessing temples are!

I showed up at the Garfield's at almost 11:30pm. YAY for food, laughs, and mission calls! Austen get ready to enjoy the greatest state EVER!!!

Saturday we went to Davis's Basketball game. Let me tell ya, they go all out for those 7 year olds! We went and got lunch from Cafe Rio as one does. And then I sat and watched a lot of the newest spider-man and then headed home. 

 

That night we had a beautiful stake Women's conference. It was all about being happy, and trusting the storms in life. It was beautiful! They also fed us a very yummy dinner!

 

Sunday was our last day as a presidency. Maia is getting married! I am so grateful for the opportunity to learn and serve with these girls. They have such a sweet spirit and I am always grateful to just sit and talk about life with them. 

I love the idea presented in the women's conference about using the storms of life and not fighting them. God gives us storms to help shape us. He knows us so well. He calls to us. We must come and follow him!

"God knows your every thought, your sorrows, and your greatest hopes. God knows the many times you have sought Him. The many times you have felt limitless joy. The many times you have wept in loneliness. The many times you have felt helpless, confused, or angry. Yet, no matter your history—if you have faltered, failed, feel broken, bitter, betrayed, or beaten—know that you are not alone. God still calls to you. The Savior extends His hand to you. And, as He did to those fishermen who stood long ago on the banks of the Sea of Galilee, with infinite love He speaks to you: “Come, follow me.” -Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Good things to Come Feb 19-25

Can you find the sleeping child?

I love days when its warm and we all just sit outside together.

God wants to tell us things. He is not a God of secrets. We have to be ready and willing to just listen. 

Tuesday I got home from work and while eating dinner had the strongest feeling I needed to leave and go walk around campus. It was a beautiful night and as I wandered I ran into lots of people and had lots of good conversations. I looked at my phone later and found out I wandered for 2.5 hours. It ended with me having a really good conversation with a good friend. God is patient. The second I left my house I knew that that was who I needed to talk to, but it took me almost 3 hours to get over there. 

Men's volleyball is ranked #8 in the nation!!!! Lets GO!

Wednesday there was a volleyball game and Steven on the team opened his mission call! Its so fun to see all the people here supporting everyone. Love it!

The weather was absolutely perfect this week.

Sometimes you just need TacoBell when others want Cookout. So you go buy TacoBell and eat it in Cookout.

Friday was the first night of SVU idol! We cheered very loud for everyone, especially Colby. He had quite the fan section going on! We all ended up going to Cookout after, like any good SVU event haha!

 


Seriously love this kid.

Saturday afternoon I went to Macadoo's! Rachel's parents took some of us out to lunch. It is always delicious and always so fun! I love Lexington :)



I just kind of ran away after that. I drove to Staunton to get food at Sharp Shopper and then went to SVU's production of An Ideal Husband. I then went to the last of the second night of SVU idol. I just felt really overwhelmed. 

Some days are just a little harder than others. It might be more difficult to hold back tears, or harder to smile. But I still find that people are beautiful and Christ gives us many reasons to be happy and keep moving. In church we talked about not looking back and dwelling. Elder Holland said, "Faith is always pointed toward the future. Faith always has to do with blessings and truths and events that will yet be efficacious in our lives. Faith builds on the past but never longs to stay there. Faith trusts that God has great things in store for each of us and that Christ truly is the "high priest of good things to come"". 
Things might be hard in the moment. But God expects us to turn to him and keep moving! Find people who make you smile, feast upon the words of the Lord, and never forget to pray. never underestimate the feelings you have. You are smarter and more in tune than you realize. answers might not come when or how we expect, but with Faith and diligence. God will answer!

(Grateful for Rachel and our many talks! Plus look how cute our random matching dresses our!)
 

Biggest Volleyball Weekend! Feb 12-18

This new obsession with Taco Bell is getting out of hand.. But Monday we decided to make our own homemade Taco Bell! I am extremely grateful for Alayna who constantly makes me food :) 


Look how cute my brother is! Miss this kid!

Tuesday was Gallentines day!! Mikayla Skousen is one of my favorite people ever. She always plans these super fun events with tons of food! We took fun pictures, had cotton candy, and watched the Bachelor. It was a party!

Picture feature Quinn in his nature habitat.

Wednesday was Valentines day... it was a rough day for everyone! But the highlight was my 4 year old at work who made me a valentine the day before, and then Penn, who is one of my favorite kids!, I have been teasing him for weeks and telling him that he needs to bring me cookies. Well he did!! He saw me and goes, "Did you see I brought you cookies in the office". Love that kid!

 Some friends had a game night in the dance studio. We played the paper bag game and feather volleyball. It was an adventure!

Thursday was such a pretty day!! I wore my jumpsuit and sat and talked to Christian outside for while. I love days like that!
 

That night I got to babysit one of my kids from work. We ate food, read books, and had a full on Disney dance party in the kitchen. I laughed and laughed. It was so fun!!

Alayna went out of town for the weekend, but look at this super sweet Valentines present. It was delicious!


Also spring is in the air!

Friday started the craziest weekend ever! The volleyball team played 3 nationally ranked teams this weekend starting with Marymount. It was such a crazy game AND WE WON! It was nuts! I get so anxious at these games. I just love these boys! 

We then had a date night with this crazy magician guy.. It was so weird. I went with Sarah who was in charge of taking pictures. It was so funny and awkward and exciting all at one time.

Saturday we had two more nationally ranked games! I was so stressed out. First we played Juniata. It was a crazy game to! It went to 5 sets and we won! I think I am going to be the first person to die due to stress at a volleyball game. Yup. Me. After that game I had to go home and take a nap! I was exhausted. We then played UC Santa Cruz. WE WON! It seriously was the craziest weekend ever!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Totally lost my voice.

I gave a talk on Sunday about Godly Fear. I have never really liked that term because in my head I would never want to Fear God. I need him on my side! But Elder Bednar said, "Godly fear is loving and trusting in Him. As we fear God more completely, we love Him more perfectly. And "perfect love casteth out all fear". I promise the bright light of godly fear will chase away the dark shadows of mortal fears as we look to the Savior, build upon Him as our foundation, and press forward on His covenant path with consecrated commitment." 

 Sunday night Ashely and I made some brownies while dancing in the kitchen with Christian haha! We then went over to Kaipo and Colby's house just talking about the games, and life, and just laughing. It was fun! I am so grateful for those guys!