Apparently my class actually starts at 1...

Well I thought my next class started at noon, but here I am waiting for it to start and am realizing that it doesn't actually start until 1. Awesome. I guess that gives me more time to blog though, right? Well winter semester ended last Thursday and Spring classes already started yesterday. I would be lying if I didn't say I was slightly relieved though. I was really bored those few days between school days and I didn't really know what to do with myself. So I'm glad to be back in classes- and I'm only taking 2 so that should be even more enjoyable.

I've been thinking a lot about God lately. Mainly about my relationship with him. I'm struggling to know what is and isn't ok to ask Him. I feel like I just want to lay down how I want my life to go to Him and for Him to just grant it to me sometimes. And it's not like I'm asking for some crazy, unrealistic things. I have righteous desires, and yet I still struggle to ask for them sometimes because I want to ensure Him that it is His will that should be done, not mine. What if my will and His will are aligned though? How can you really tell? I guess that's one of life's lessons that I am still learning slowly but surely.

It Friee day

It's Friday night. When I want to be out doing this:

Don't these people look like they are having fun? Well that is the message I am trying to convey at least... Instead I am doing this:

Aren't finals fun? Tomorrow is my first one! And what is up with having a scheduled final on a Saturday, BYU? REALLY?! Well I could get down on my rather dull Friday night, but then good old google images reminded me that:

when I searched for an image to portray having fun. So I guess I'm having fun either way! Don't be jealous!

As Promised...

A few posts back I told you all that I haven't taken any pictures this semester0 which is definitely true. But I also promised that as soon as I took a picture, I would post it on the blog, so there it is. This is Emily and I at the conference center in Salt Lake City. It was a beautiful day, even though it snowed and was kind of cold. I do enjoy the dreariness- if not only because it gives perfect lighting to pictures. Ah yes...

I pulled out my lavender cardigan for the "Spring" and got a ton of compliments on it- so thanks again Mom! I think she bought that for me when I turned..... yeah.... 17? 18? Some teen year. Or maybe it wasn't even for a birthday.... haha. Either way- it kept me warm but was still a nice spring color.

Tomorrow is also the last day of classes for the semester. Can you believe it? I can't. Wish me luck on finals!

Reflection

Well I've had my blog for about 2.5 years now. Crazy how the time has flown. For some reason I decided to go back and read my blog from the beginning and I've really enjoyed what I had to say. I can't believe how much I've grown as a person (and blogger) since October of 2008. A lot of rough times and a lot of really good times. My blog seems to only reflect the good times- which I guess is a good thing. I'm surprised at some of the realizations that I had come to and somehow forgotten. So I'm glad I went back and read them because I was able to remember and reflect on those little epiphanies. I feel like I blog way differently now than I used to... And I'm not sure that's a good thing. I loved reading my older posts but as I got closer to the present I got kinda bored. But maybe that's just because I was tired of reading- it kind of took a while to get through them all. I couldn't believe how much my posts used to be filled with testimony and small praises to the Lord. And I've kind of stopped doing that. Which I definitely don't think is a good thing. Especially since Elder Uchtdorf encouraged us all to share the good message of the gospel more on the internet through blogging and social media. And so I need to get back to that. The Lord has blessed me beyond compare and it continues to amaze me on a daily basis. I feel so empowered and strong lately- probably because of conference. I'm filled with strength that the Lord has given me, for without Him, I am nothing. The Lord is full of patience and mercy. And that is what I've truly learned/am learning recently- especially within the past year. I want to get back to a simpler me, where I realize that the small things in life are what really matter. I wrote several posts in the history of my blog that were lists of tender mercies or small moments that blessed my life, and I'd like to do it once again. Simplicity is key- I truly believe that. So here are a few of the small things as of late:

1. I know I've already mentioned conference once in this post, and also in my last post. But I really am grateful for the chance I had to listen to the great council from the Lord's servants. They really know what they are talking about!

2. I have really enjoyed going to school this semester. All of my classes are really great. Today in class my teacher called on my by name! I know this seems like an odd thing to recognize, but I never really know if my teachers know my name, and it took me by surprise when he used my name. And it made me appreciate my professor more.

3. I really needed some chocolate the other day. That craving pretty much never comes to me- but for some reason it did the other day. And then I remembered that my mom had sent me a bunch of chocolate for Valentine's day! And it was delicious...

4. My roommate started a dinner group that meets every Tuesday and Thursday. We all take turns cooking and it has been really fun. I made chicken tikka marsala (Indian food) on my night. And it just reminded me how much I love to cook! Especially when I'm cooking for other people.

5. My bank account was extremely low the other day and it was kind of getting to the scary point. But when I went to check my balance to make sure I hadn't overdrafted, I found an extra $100 more than I thought I had in there. It was like magic! Some amazing angel had transferred the money into my account from above (or from St. Louis...thanks again Mom!)

6. Rereading my own blog (although it may sound weird) really gave me some inspiration today. I felt uplifted by my own positive experiences that I had fortunately recorded. It just goes to show that bearing your testimony only makes it stronger- even if you are reading your testimony from over 2 years ago.

7. I got some really cute sandals at Target! And they were on sale! And it was fun to shop with Emily this past weekend.

8. I'm going to DC this summer!! It's been a life long dream of mine to go- literally since the 2nd grade. Hopefully it doesn't disappoint...

9. I cut back on my hours this semester with school and all and although I have a lot less money, working less has been grrrrrrreat. Such a blessing.

10. I've been doing indexing for the church- just ask me about it if you don't know it is. But basically its taking digital copies of old documents like censuses from the early 1900s and typing in the information so that the names can be temple ready. Its a quick and easy service I can do anywhere that has internet connection- and it's pretty fun! At least I think so...

My Favorite?

I usually say that my favorite apostle is either Dieter F. Uchtdorf or Jeffrey R. Holland. And that is strictly based on the fact that I usually get the most out of their talks. But I was pleasantly surprised by what my favorite talk at conference was. And it was a talk given by this guy:

Elder Richard G. Scott

His talk was so tender. It definitely brought tears to my eyes multiple times. I couldn't believe how tenderly and lovingly he spoke of his late wife. It touched me in a way that honestly surprised me. And it made me realize that how he spoke of his wife and marriage is what I want in my own marriage someday. His utter respect and admiration for this wonderful woman was so powerful and strong and yet meek and tender. It was beautiful to hear and beautiful to watch as tears gleamed in his eyes as he spoke of his wife and family. It just made me really realize what I really want and desire in life. What he has is what I want. And I'm not going to settle for anything less. His talk proved to me that having a loving spouse and children is the best and most rewarding thing that I could possibly have in this life and in the eternities. And it gives me hope that men like our apostles, especially Elder Scott are out there and truly appreciate and understand the importance of the women in their lives, especially their wives. So good new! These men aren't impossible to find! And that's what gives me hope. I'm so grateful that we have general conference. I always feel refreshed and renewed. And I always leave the sessions with a clarity that I can't seem to get any other time of the year. And it's wonderful. The church is true! So to explain my title- all I'm saying is that I think Elder Scott is a serious new contender for favorite apostle. Not that I need to have a favorite. I really do love them all. But I'm just trying to convey how powerful his talk was to me. Hopefully I did a somewhat adequate job. :)