The Greatest People I Have Every Met. April 17-23

The week before finals is the worst week of the whole year. And this semester's last week of classes was ROUGH.

But,

I am just full of love for the people around me. I LOVE these people. I love my friends and their support and amazing ability to make me laugh till it hurts. Let me give you some examples...

Cody Rogers

I was sitting in the library attempting to study when I get this text.

 

Thats right folks. I got handed pizza. It was the best!

Colby, Jessica, John John, Chalae

I was studying on my own...but like I said, I have some of the greatest friends ever. So of course I moved by them when they came in.

Lucy, Mariah, Anton

These three were my pilate partners in crime. Our mats were by each other everyday! And I mean everyday. We never missed once! (Except Mariah because she was dying one day). I love them and made them take a picture with me because I was going to miss working out with them twice a week! Also congrats Lucy on your pregnancy and Mariah and Anton getting married! Love these guys!

Raspberry Moosetrack Ice Cream

Yes. This is also one of my closest friends.

Lauren, Lauren, and Kamila

These girls rock! Heavenly Father knows who needs to be called to help keep a ward going. And in this case one Lauren wasn't enough. These girls were one step ahead always. I relied on them so much and grew from their testimonies, service, and examples. Thank you for being the best presidency members EVER!

Sarah Foster

This girl is great. She is wicked talented with a camera, has grown so much spiritually, one of my residents, and great friends. We are experts in the quick rant department. Love ya Sarah!

Leilani

This girl is one of the funniest people ever. I am going to miss her and her huge smile, but she is going to be one amazing missionary! Love ya Lei!

Jessica

I have learned so much from Jess this year. I work with her and she's in my ward. She is so aware of those around her, an amazing listener, and never fails to make me smile and laugh!

These are just a handful of the amazing people here at SVU that I get to call my friends and family.

This notification pops up every night. I don't think I could tell you the last time I listened to it...

Wednesday was the lip sync battle. 

Highlight: The one man Beauty and the Beast duet.

At one point I had to escape to the side of a building on campus to cram a little bit more for a test. You got to do what you got to do.

Other notable week activities:

Accolade concert and our pilates teacher taking the three of us that hadn't missed a class out to lunch where we found out we had a flat tire and had to get it fixed before we could return back to school haha!

It was the last Sunday as the 4th ward. I would be lying if I said I wasn't relieved...but it was also sad. I loved serving as Relief Society President. I feel like I could have done a lot more, but I think we always feel that way. I had an opportunity to really see the Lords work unfolding around me. 

 I learned that Gods work moves forward and that he is always there to help make up the difference when we are trying but come up a little short. Which we all do because we are human! I love these women. They taught and shared their testimonies endlessly.

I had the impression that I needed to write a note to every sister in my Relief Society. Even though it was an absolutely crazy week I did it! 47 notes later. Everyone is important and God knows us each individually. I loved writing those notes! They helped me think about each sister personally and how amazing they are!

"There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal." 

-C.S Lewis

It was an absolutely hectic week, but I loved it. I smiled and laughed. I love my life. Its amazing!

 

The Lamb of God April 10-16

I love recognizing the tender mercies from the Lord. 

This week we had rehearsals or a performance for Lamb of God every night, but it was Spring Break for Montessori so we didn't have to go to work! Wahoo!!

Ra's and pretty weather!

To celebrate Heidi, Rebekah and I went to Sweet Treats Bakery for lunch. It is one of my favorite places in Lexington! We sat outside and enjoyed the beautiful weather. 

After rehearsal on Monday I went yet again outside to call my family. Guys.. I am pretty positive I live in the pretty place in the world. 

 

Only texts an RA would receive. Haha gotta love it!

Rehearsals continued everyday. This show is just beautiful. I felt so blessed to spend almost 2 hours every night singing and testifying of my Savior. I learned so much and found myself crying multiple times. It was an amazing spirit and I saw that we all had so much to do, but we were giving time to share our testimonies and God made up the difference.

 

Wednesday night I went over to Alex's house and ate this delicious creation! Then we sat and watched all the Prince of Peace 2017 Easter Videos! They are soo good!

Thursday I received the greatest gift ever. MY FAMILY! When my mom told me she was flying out to see Lamb of God I said, "Im happy you are coming! But.. I really want my brother.." 

I walked into the gelato shop and BAM! There were Will and Camille! It was amazing!!!

I frequently get told I talk with my hands.. I never believe it until Will snapped all these pictures of me without me realizing it..

 
 

I went to the senior art show Thursday which was awesome! I am so grateful for the talented and amazing people I have met here. 

Friday I finished up with classes and than my family and I went up to Staunton. We went to the Wilford Woodrow Museum which was really cool! We went and got gelato at this delicious place called the Split Banana. Also, the whole museum is guided by sheep.
 

That night is when my family came and saw Lamb of God. It was so fun having family finally in the audience for one of my SVU choir performances! I was so grateful that they were there! Afterwords we needed dinner so we headed over to Cook out! After my family left I stayed with some friends and partied hard. 


I just find this very accurate!


Alright. So Sarah has been keeping me updated for almost two months on the progress of April the giraffe and her pregnancy. The day finally came where the baby was born! Sarah could not be prouder.


I love these siblings of mine! I had so much to get done but I would just go over to their hotel and hang out!



I was so sad that I had to say goodbye. But I am beyond grateful that my siblings surprised me! I love them so much!

This Easter was really special for me. I loved being able to sing and testify of Christ the whole week. I learned so much about my Savior and felt his love. I felt burdens that have weighed me down for a really long time lift off my shoulders. I felt peace and comfort in a way I haven't. I am so grateful for my Savior Jesus Christ. That he came to earth to set an example, shed blood for my sins, and die so that I can return to my Heavenly Father. 







After church and before the last performance of Lamb of God, I got to just sit with friends and enjoy the sun. What a blessing these people are in my life!
 
 
 

My cute hall this year!


When I came to SVU I met two amazing women, Genny and Alex. They are literally my sisters. Their older sister Catherine came last year. They call me the fourth Stiles sister. I love these girls more than I can express in words! And this was our last time performing together because not all of us can do choir next year. Also, I think we totally all look a like!


My heart was so full this week! I love this church, SVU, the people in my life, and my family.

Happy Easter!

Stress Induced Sickness April 3-April 9

Sometimes you work with little kids and they are stinkin cute and bring you flowers.

 

Sometimes God sends you an absolutely perfect rainy sunset that makes you stop and appreciate life. 

This is my view almost every night as I wander to the library. This was taken at like 11pm... studying studying studying. That has been my life this semester!

These gems from my bro!

 

Thursday John John had a Bass recital which went really well. He played the whole thing with a fever.. yup.

I also managed to get myself sick this week. I just had a lot to do and was super stressed out. A sore throat and coughing fits are fine...right?

Friday night started the craziness that would be called The Lamb Of God. If you don't know the music you need to stop everything and go listen! Its this beautiful show written by Rob Gardner that goes through the last week of Christ's life and his Resurrection. It is amazing. The choirs, orchestra, and theatre department all teamed up to put on the show. Friday night was figuring out where we would all sit and then we ran through the show just with the piano. Its going to be so good!

This statue keeps moving. And every time I think it is a person!

Saturday I was dying... So Kevin and I went to Walmart to buy me some more medicine. I slept and tried to relax and then went to the first session of stake conference. We had two visiting members of the seventy because we got a new stake presidency!

Sunday they were sustained and the old presidency and new addressed us. The priesthood is real, and God calls those he needs!

After church at some point Heidi called me because she made muffins. So I walked to her house, ate some muffins, lied on the couch and talked. It was delightful. The weather was gorgeous and when I was walking back home, I sat and talked to Kevin and John John who were ham-mocking. 

Nothing too exciting to say this week! Lots of studying, stress, and coughing... :)