Thursday, July 25, 2013

The last days in the Berg and Beyond

Last days in the Berg...And Beyond
 My Wardies Are lovely.  I miss them already!
 On the last Monday, I was in charge of a Ward Closing Social... A Hawaiian Luau.  It was a lot of work but besides some minor glitches it turned out really well!  
 pizza, park, playing, and fun stuff like that.





 R e x b u r g  S u n s e t s
 hanging with friends in the crossroads.. "This is our last..." was said a lot.
 Hiked 5 or 6 miles of Sand Dunes on Friday night..Took about 3 hours.  So fun but soooo tiring.
 Saturday Morning was my BDay so Amy took me out to doughnuts for Breakfast...she's the best. Don't mind the morning faces.
 ...And the best brother in the world sent me cupcakes and cake pops!  It made for a good birthday!  I then took my last final,

 Said last goodbyes to friends,and drove home!
 The next day I got to eat and hang out with the best cousins in the world.  Love em.
 And then went to Amy's to celebrate her bday!
 I love my best friends a lot!

Coming soon:  Looking forward to a family trip that's very special to me.

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

TRUTHS

I've been thinking about this a lot lately: the concept of truth.  There are certain things that you and I just KNOW--no matter who you are.  It is such a gift, I think, that we as humans have so much ability to differentiate, to discern, and analyze.  And foresee outcomes.  
I love truths that come from words, So today I will share with you some of my favorite nuggets of knowledge.


"People are often unreasonable and self-centered. Forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives. Be kind anyway. If you are honest, people may cheat you. Be honest anyway. If you find happiness, people may be jealous. Be happy anyway. The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway. Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough. Give your best anyway. For you see, in the end, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway." 

  
   ...I'm not really sure how I stumbled across this, but it just reminds me, no matter what, being kind to people is the most important thing.  Make others feel loved, not matter how you feel.  This comes to mind as I head out on a mission--the betterment of myself will develop while I serve, but that should be second priority to loving and focusing on the people I'm around.


"The happiest people I know are not those who find their golden ticket; they are those who, while in pursuit of worthy goals, discover and treasure the beauty and sweetness of the everyday moments."  -Dieter F. Uchtdorf
   
   A thought that goes along with this: It is not that which we do once with all our hearts and every single ounce of strength successfully, but that which we do every day--day in and day out, the small tasks.  Whether we want to or not we must do those simple, small, monotonous tasks every day.




"Actually, time itself is neutral; it can be used either destructively or constructively. More and more I feel that the people of ill will have used time much more effectively than have the people of good will. 
.... There can be no deep disappointment where there is not deep love."
-Martin Luther King Jr, Letter From Birmingham Jail
 

 For my English class, the week of the Fourth of July, our assigned reading was Letter from Birmingham Jail.  This struck me when I read it on so many different levels. I now look up to Martin Luther King Jr so much more after reading that--he was an effective, respectable leader.  I am so grateful for freedom for all in our country.
  
  Anyways, those are some words that ring true in my body and mind.  There are so many more, but in conclusion I would like to say:
  
In the midst of confusion, hold fast to truth.







Sunday, July 7, 2013

Two weeks til the END!

Well, here we are, July 7th, with only a fortnight until this semester is over.
done.
gone.

Kind of bittersweet.  I am so glad that I can have all of the studying and other hard things done. 
But I have met sooo many a w e s o m e people and it's like I am not sure if we'll meet again.  I'll miss my ward friends a whole stinkin' lot.  And other friends from random different classes.  



 Someone's a little excited for their mission...Above with Acceptance letter and below with Tennessee license plate :)


I CAN'T wait to get out there in the mission field and share the message of the gospel with people!!  Every day it gets more exciting.  It's hard work to prepare while in college, but it's worth it!  AAHH people of Tennessee here I come!  And Mexico City MTC here I come as well!



  So from what I've heard this will be some parts of my life while living in the Appalachians:



University of Tennessee. Go Smokeys! (weird mascot)



BEAUTIFUL MOUNTAINS....Or in Utah terms, Hills, but that's ok.  I love those Appalachians already!



 Life in Redneck towns...it is fun.  They get creative!

 Hello Chattanooga!!





YES Bluegrass Music All Day E'er Day!!  When we were visiting Asheville a couple months ago, a random band of four very attractive young men started bustin' out in song.  It was called "That little girl of mine in Tennessee" !!  It was like they were singing it for MOI! I'd upload the video but it appears to be having problems..

Hello Chattanooga again!

Winters in Tennessee...I think this picture's deceiving.   I've heard they're actually brutally cold because the humidity freezes the air you breathe.  Haha so that will be fun!