A New Experience Sept 11-17

This week was an interesting one. I don't have a ton to say or a lot of pictures to show for it.

I studied, went to the women's volleyball game in Staunton, studied sort of haha.

Sometimes things happen and we don't understand. Sometimes God gives us exactly what we asked for and then its gone. We don't understand his plan or what is in store. People are confusing and frustrating and sometimes you trust them and expect things from them just to be hurt and let down. I don't understand it. And its hard.

But there is always little tender mercies. One was being able to fall asleep and have Jessica in the other bed for half of the week.

We decided to keep a Happy Moments list on the white board right when you come into our house.

Friday there was a giant bonfire off campus. It was huge and there was a giant slip and slide and hundreds of students!

Saturday was a gorgeous day and we finally all had crimson to wear at the game! NFL films was there working on a documentary of one of our football coaches. 

 

This popped up on my Facebook feed and it couldn't have been better timing. Saturday some tears were shed and I desperately missed this girl who would just give me cookies, drink orange juice, and wrap burrito style in a blanket next to me on the floor. I will forever be grateful to Heavenly Father for giving me this girl.

Saturday night I went and saw the schools production of "Murdered to Death". It was a spoof on Agatha Christie novels. It was delightful! Im glad theatre has the ability to transport you to a place that isn't reality.

I miss having Temples so close. What a blessing to have peace and comfort and a bit of Heaven on this earth. All of you in Utah.. GO TO THE MANY TEMPLES MINUTES AWAY! 

Sometimes its okay to take a break from something that hurt you. Its okay to breathe and take time to figure out how you feel and what your thoughts are. Its okay not to be okay for a minute.

Its okay to feel sad and hurt. And it will hurt.

Its important that you turn to Heavenly Father and pray. Remember that Christ is light. Fill your heart with that and remember who you are.

Who Tells Your Story? Sept 3-10

"Look Around, Look Around at how lucky you are to be alive right now!"

Im very grateful for these amazing ladies I get to live with! They uplift, strengthen, and help me daily!

Sometimes your housemate makes you a delicious Sunday dinner and you eat it on your cute back covered porch!

We hosted a giant game night Sunday night. We invited a handful of people and they all brought someone. Our house was packed!! I didn't even know half of them. And these pictures were taken before like 10 more people showed up!

Love them!

My kids found this caterpillar at work and named him Joey. I quickly sent a text to my co counselor to tell him the good news!

Sometimes you sit on the couch and try to get some homework done... yeah. This is our thoughts on that.

Sometimes you have days where everything just frustrates you. Im so grateful for friends that are very quick to come give you hugs!

I was talking to Jessica who is going to school in Florida and I convinced her to come stay with me because all of her classes were canceled for the hurricane. I wanted her to be safe and I really wanted her to come visit me..even if I was leaving for the weekend. But she did!! YAY!

Thursday night I quickly left work and drove to the airport! Look how pretty it was! It was insane!

Friday was delightful! We started off strong with some pastries! Always a good idea. Then we were walking down the street to find a yummy lunch and BAM! NANDOS! This is one of my favorite restaurants in England! 

 

I love Chicago!!

We went to the art museum which was amazing! Without fail I cry when I see Van Gogh paintings. I could just sit and stare at them for hours. Also they have my favorite Hopper painting! I died. Also, we really enjoy this bunny.

 

 

Do you see a chicken or a ballet dancer? 

But really. I am in love.

 

Had to go on the boat tour! Im sorry for the lack of selfies taken on the boat tour. The couple in front of us took enough to last 5 lifetimes though.

Our friend didn't want to miss out!

Mr. Rogers meeting Abe Lincoln

HAMILTON. 

I got to intermission and realized I hadn't breathed. 

It was Incredible. Amazing. Spectacular. Brilliant. Inspiring. Funny. Tear Jerking.

 

 

Thank you Reid for the perfect trip! I was SO grateful to see Ryan and to see a show that inspires me. AH! So wonderful!

The trip home was a little crazy. My second flight they had us on the plane ready to go, then they kicked us all off for a maintenance thing and wouldn't tell us what was going on. Finally after almost two hours we were back on the plane! Then I had an hour drive to get home. 

I got home and had a crazy night! I went on a date and watched the end of the BYU-Utah football game. Sorry BYU... 

I loved coming home and having Jessica there! I never want her to leave!! I had a good Sunday morning and church and then had dinner with some friends. That night was the world wide devotional with Elder Bednar. That was great and then we went to Hymns on a Hill and then had a jam session at Colby's house. This is a frequent Sunday event :) 

I don't know what the plan is or whats in store! But life is crazy!

First (crazy) Week of School!

Sunday was an interesting day... Im in 3rd ward but went to 1st ward because Anna Taylor was giving her mission farewell talk. So after her talk I had a meeting with my bishop who gave me a calling. I am the Relief Society Secretary! I then went home, had an interesting conversation with someone, and then went to my ward.

That night we had a stake presidency fireside. This is the first time it was just our new presidency. I love seeing how different presidencies work and different people do things. Im grateful for President Doxey and his counselors! We ended the night by going to Hymns on a Hill which was wonderful :)

Also.. Taylor's new music video? Thoughts?

I can't believe school started!! What in the world!?


Monday was good! I had Institute with the wonderful Bishop Rasmussen, Biology... yup waited till the last second with that one, Psychology (by far my favorite class!), and Advanced composition. I had lunch with Colby, Jessica, and Cody Barnes. I adore them! My last class gets out at 2:20 and I have to be to work at 2:30.. Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays are a little crazy!

Tuesday I have a 7am Bio lab, and then volleyball with the men's volleyball coach who is awesome!, and my senior paper class all on Herman Melville with my favorite professor. 

Its going to be a good year :)

Tuesday night I was with Alayna and Chalae catching up on life. We decided to head over to Jonzzeys where we heard people were watching a movie. We ended up just sitting outside talking to Colby haha! I am just super grateful for good  and kind people who keep me laughing endlessly. 

Please pause and appreciate this beautiful color coded graph I made for biology.


Also, Look at this butterfly I kept seeing at work!


Thursday night a friend of mine, Jordan, came into twon to visit before he was going back to BYUI. He invited a ton of people to Cook Out and we had a super fun and crazy time! As a group we decided the next morning we were going to wake up super early and go watch the sunrise on the parkway. Great!



So Alayna and I wake up bright and early and are getting in the car when I get a text from Colby telling me that Jordan isn't waking up..so they arn't coming. Well Alayna and I were up and we wanted to see the sunrise so off we went! It was soo fun!
 

The first forum of the year was crazy! First, every student got an Ipad! Next, Alex Boye showed up, sang, and then announced that he will be filming his next music video at our school and we are all in it! Exciting things are happening to our little school.
 


As this could be my last fall here for a while, there are a lot of things I want to do around the area that I have never gotten to before. One of those being the pie festival!! I gathered some friends and off we went to Lexington on a very rainy and kind of cold Saturday Afternoon. Im very grateful for these friends of mine!


Also grateful for the friends that decorated our window haha!


We had our first football game of the year! It was a little strange seeing the new crimson color but overall I think it looks pretty good! We didn't win, but I had an awesome time with my friends!


I love Rainy days! I think they are soo beautiful!


I saw this quote this week and I loved it! Its something I really learned this summer and the past few years. You always have a choice. You choose who you spend your time with and you choose what you do with your life. YOU make it happy! :)