Growing

Today I found my self reminiscing through my senior year pictures. I can remember feeling on top of the world. I had the best friends a girl could ask for, an awesome internship for the summer, and the big step of "moving out" was on its way. Then I think about that summer after high school; what short period of time, yet everything changed. I was no longer on top of the world, my internship kicked my butt and best friends weren't real friends at all. That summer I changed and I gained a new friend, one that would never leave me, who listened like no other, and who guided me back to the iron rod. I am so grateful for that summer because I learned who my Savior was and I gained a strong relationship with my Heavenly Father. How grateful I am to be who I am now. I look back and see how much I have grown, but I could have never done it alone. Thank you.

Florida

It is so different here. When I first got here I was a little in shock. But as time goes on I think I am getting used to it. The first few weeks were filled with getting ready to start work and a lot of down time but having to go to Disney for training helped me regain sanity by giving me something to do. Saturday will be my first official day of work (not training), I am really excited to start and just have productive days. BUGS.... I feel like there are so many bugs here, I'm sure there are just as many at home but, holy cow its like all these bugs are new!! I swear all the bugs I have seen here, I have never seen at home before, I think that's why they creep me out so much. Oh and its like lizard galore here! SERIOUSLY I can count on seeing at least one lizard everyday here. My goal was to hold one but I'm not sure that's gonna happen. Today I was able to touch one and just about crapped my pants when he moved away. I need to work on not being a pansy. I have had a lot of fun here too, I have gone to a lot of Disney and have had little adventures with the Dickson's. Like me and Meredith went on a dive in the second biggest aquarium in the world. (Not everyone can say that right?) It was so FUN! Meredith s dad found a shark tooth at the bottom floor and we all were feet away from a real life shark! I'm partly in so I know there is more to come, so to more adventures I go. *Thanks Cricket for being such a sport and taking pictures with and of me, YOUR THEEE BEEST ;D

So when this is over don't blow your composure.

My stake president and I talked about having my papers in by the 13th but I never heard a word from him. I found out there was a death in his family and began feeling selfish for being a little upset. But I couldn't help it! I was still SOOO eager to know if they had gone in. I waited a few days and then gave in to my temptation and sent and email asking if things were sent in as planned. Four days went by of me constantly checking my email (seriously I checked so much that my email became a favorite page on Firefox)OBSESSIVE MUCH? But tonight I got an email and man it was discouraging and vague it read "Your application should be submitted this week. Thanks!" All that came to mind was WHAT THE HECK!!! First I was sad because the hope of my papers already being in was crushed and there wasn't a date, when were they going to be submitted? What day this week? I pushed it out of my mind. If you don't think about it then it doesn't exist right? ya SO WRONG! It was weighing on me and I really was just feeling so tired of waiting. After a forced workout my phone rang (seriously it was like clock work) I didn't recognize the number but it was 916 (Sacramento) so I answered. On the other end of the phone was my stake president! We talked for a bit about plans and maybe waiting even longer (NOOO!!) But at the end of our conversation he said that if it was okay with me that he would send them in tonight, then and there. His words truly brought me relief and joy. I no longer have to wait. I feel like the hardest challenge I had through this process is being patient, and boy did I fail at passing that test. I am so happy though, this decision is really the best decision I have made in my life. I can feel it in my bones, I can feel the confirmation of the spirit telling me that this is so. I cannot wait to share the gospel and all the joy and blessings that it brings me. *sigh* Today has been good but tonight has been the best.

The Scottish Games

My last weekend home I was able to go to the Scottish games for the first time since 3 years. My parents where married there so every summer after that it was our family tradition to go. I loved it growing up! Tons of music, food, shopping and crazy Americans wishing they were really in Scotland. The P's and I really enjoy this band called Wicked tinkers (weird I know). Anyways we knew we couldn't miss their show so at last I was able to enjoy one of their concerts again. One thing that sucked about the games though, was not dancing. My legs yearned to move as I was watching my friends compete; I really miss dancing. Hmm it was a great weekend, and man do I already miss my mom and dad. But im sure they miss me more ;D

I lost one of my bestfriends, but to a great man.

One of my best friends got married last month( so weird to think) but hes SUCH a good guy. Heck I wonder how he's going to deal with her she can be a little (i lied ALOT) crazy. Sabrina has been a close friend of mine since I've joined the church, and I have been able to talk to her about almost everything good and bad. Although I have been her best friend forever; she found someone better (that's hard to find), that is so kind and loving to replace me. I'm so happy for her and I am so glad that I was able to be there on their big day. I wish so much happiness to them. "while marriage is difficult, and discordant and frustrated marriages are common, yet real, lasting happiness is possible, and marriage can be more an exultant ecstasy than the human mind can conceive.