First Week

It has been exactly one week since my baptism and confirmation! This has been the best week :) I have felt to the Spirit so strongly. 

Sunday was the Brigham City Temple dedication and I was able to attend that! It was such a beautiful experience. On Wednesday (for mutual) the young women went to the Mount Timpanogos Temple to do baptisms for the dead. We waited for about 2.5 hours, but it was well worth the wait! It felt amazing. It's incredible for me to think that I waited just 5 years, but many of those who have passed on have been waiting for hundreds of years. It is such a blessing that we can do their work for them here on Earth. 

The temple is truly the house of the Lord! 

Mount Timpanogos, Utah Temple

I love life! :)

Struggle

All Satan wants to do is make us miserable. And he is trying everything he can to destroy me right now... :'( My baptism is just 3 days away - he really doesn't want that. I NEED to show him where my heart is; I will follow my Heavenly Father.

As most of you know I went through a really hard breakup near the end of last school year. Because I am a girl, and because I really loved this individual, my heart is taking a while to heal. Sometimes I still wonder if we could make it work... but I know it isn't going to. Ever. And that's what kills me. There are so many things I wish I could go back and change, but I will never progress if I keep dwelling on it. I feel like I am blindly walking forward, not sure where I am going. But I can feel arms wrapped securely around me, leading me there. I have had some incredible experiences recently that continue to assure me the Savior is there and that He loves me. It never ceases to amaze me how wonderful I feel when the Spirit is with me. And in just three days, He will always be with me if I continue to follow Christ.

The step I am about to take is the right one. I know with all my heart it is! I realize that there are going to be more periods in my life that I feel like I am blindly walking... but I won't be lead astray if I follow the Savior and His church.

"...a journey of a thousand miles begins with one step, so watch your step." 

Place No More for Enemy of My Soul by Jeffery R. Holland

Brigham City, Utah Temple

#4 - #8

Okay, so I'm not the best at keeping up with this post thing everyday. There is just so much I want to write about everyone!

#4: Tyson Santo

I met Tyson in 7th grade on the school bus. My first impression of Ty was that he was really funny and outgoing! And he's only continued to be more outgoing and silly.

Tyson is like my big brother! I haven't seen him a lot lately, but it was wonderful to see him today! He has such a loving personality and I know he cares about those around him. I can remember getting off the school bus one day in 8th grade, and I was crying. I had had such a hard day and nothing was going right. I remember there was a guy that was being especially mean to me. Even though they were just words they cut deep. Tyson immediately gave me a hug and told me that I am loved. He told me to just ignore this guy and remember how much my Heavenly Father loves me. I will never forget how much I appreciated Ty's true friendship. And I still do!
Tyson, thank you for being my big brother! I always got a laugh out of it when you really convinced people we were siblings. Thank you for being such an example to me. When we were talking today I could see a light radiating from you! I am so excited for you to be able to serve a mission in the near future. You will be such a powerful missionary! I am glad we are friends (siblings)!

#5: Sarah Riser

LeeMin & Sarah

I met Sarah in junior high when we had a class together. We were instant friends! Sarah is such a sweetheart! I love her so much!! She is one of the most thoughtful people I know. I can always count on her to be there for me when I need it. She's put up with me so well. From having silly fights to crying over guys... she has always been there for me. I love her laugh and I miss our silly shopping trips for the most random things. We even bought duck bubbles once...

Sarah moved to Texas right before our senior year started. Both of us were sad that we wouldn't be sharing our senior year together! But I hear she is doing well and liking her new neighborhood. I can't wait to see her again, even though I don't know when that will be. I am so glad I can still text and call her.

Sarah, I miss you woman! I need to call you soon. I really wish you could be here for my baptism this Saturday... you will definitely be there in spirit! Remind me to send you lots of pictures! I hope we can see each other soon. And... I still need to send you that glass pan... Ha!

#6: Susie Laird (and family)

Mark, Susie, Esther, Jayson & Lizzie

The Laird Family is so special to me! I met them through another family in my stake. All of them are so loving and I am always laughing when I see them! I really admire Susie, she is such a wonderful mother. You can't be around her without feeling loved. I am so privileged to babysit her three kids. Those three are some of the sweetest children I have ever met! I love coming over to babysit. They always give me lots of hugs and kisses! My favorite thing is when I sit down to play a board game with them; they get along so well and they always get a laugh out of it when I don't know how to play the game. :P 

#7: Tucker Hardy

I met Tucker my sophomore year of high school, his senior year. We were in the same ballroom class together. Tucker was on MV's ballroom team his three years there and he is such an incredible dancer! Tucker is just hilarious! I always felt happy around him - I honestly can't remember a day that he didn't smile when he saw me. He sat by me on the bus in the mornings going to school and we had such a great time talking and laughing.

Tucker, thank you for being such a true friend. You helped me through one of the hardest times in my life. I am so glad that I could trust you. Heavenly Father crossed our paths for a reason - and I will forever be grateful for that! You really inspire me to be more optimistic and outgoing. I hope you are doing well, my friend!

#8: Stephanie McMahon

I LOVE this girl! I met Stephanie at BYU Education Week this past August just before school started. Steph is so bubbly and silly! We met just before the first class of the week started and we stuck together for most of the week. I am so grateful that we started talking! She is from North Carolina, so I don't get to see her :( But I am glad we still have ways to talk to each other.

I love how outgoing this girl is! She went up to everyone at Ed. Week and I couldn't keep track of all the names of her new friends! She has such a true, pure heart. And her laugh is the cutest thing! We had some incredible experiences at the classes we went to and I hope I will always remember them!

Steph, Robert Stanley says hello! He's a little squished.. and somewhat dry... but he's still in one piece. ;) I miss you, sweetheart! Thank you for being such a great friend. You made it so easy to meet new people. I really admire you and your sweet spirit. I don't think you know just how amazing you truly are!!

Baptism

I can't express the joy in my heart! :'D I just had my baptism interview... and on September 22, 2012 I will be baptized and confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Finally :') After all these years of waiting, my biggest wish is coming true. And it's next week. I can hardly believe it! The feeling I got as soon as I finished filling out that form... there just aren't words. :') I know Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, live. I know that this Gospel is true, and I will never deny it.

#2 and #3

#2: Sydney Harward

Me, Sydney & Alissa (Provo Temple)

Sydney is one of my best friends! She is truly one of the best people I know and I love her so much! I met Sydney in Young Women's when I began attending church. We didn't talk much, but she always made me feel welcome. My first year of girl's camp was sure a year to remember! I loved getting to know all of the girls and our leaders better. Sydney was always laughing!
I am so grateful for Sydney! :) She has such a true heart and I really look up to her. I can be myself around her and she doesn't seem to mind it ;) I love her laugh and her bubbly personality! She is such a happy person. I am so blessed to call her my friend, even though she feels more like a sister to me.
Yesterday I went up to the Brigham City Temple open house with her and her family. I had such a wonderful experience there. The beauty of the temple just can't be put into words! I am so grateful for the opportunity I had to go with them. The car ride was fun too! ...singing along to songs we thought we knew, talking about cute guys, blushing about those cute guys.... :D
Sydney, my dear, thank you for everything that you do! I love sitting next to you in Sacrament meeting and other church meetings. I am so glad we are friends, and in the same ward. You inspire me in more ways than you might realize. Thank you for being there for me!

#3: Lorenzo Gonzales

I met Lorenzo this past summer in the summer weight lifting class held at school. The first thing I noticed was how easy it was to talk to him; he just casually talked to me like we had already known each other for a while. I think it's also a lot easier for me to just start talking to guys when we're in the weight room.
Lorenzo is on MV's baseball team and he also lifts weights like crazy... psh! Buff guy! :P Something I really admire about him is his ability to motivate others. He does so much to lift up everyone around him. He really wants to help people succeed. I also really admire his determination! Even if something is hard he keeps pushing forward and just doesn't give up.
"Renzo", thank you for always making me laugh! You have such a lively personality and people are just drawn to you. Always remember that you can do hard things. You can do absolutely anything you put your mind to! I know that you work hard, and I look up to you. Don't ever let anyone convince you that you don't have potential for greatness. Because you do! You ARE great! "Our greatest fear is not that we are inadequate; our greatest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure."

24 Posts

I decided to try something today :) I want to do something similar to my friend Alissa who did the "24 Letters" challenge where she wrote a letter to a new person every day. Instead of this being letters to people I want to write 24 blog posts about individuals who have really touched my heart. Now, there are easily over 24 people, but I will pick them randomly. And today I wanted to start off with someone that I miss dearly. This one will be a little different than the others.

#1: Jeremy Peterson
Jeremy was such a sweet person! I know that many of us miss him... but it brings me comfort to know that we will see him again. I remember walking into my tech class in 9th grade and always seeing him joke around with his friends. Don't let his height fool you, he sure had a lively personality! I really admired Jeremy for his dedication to things. You could just tell he was passionate about the things he did. Last year (his junior year) Jeremy was on Mountain View's ballroom company. Everyone grew to love him and I know the team members missed him dearly when he transferred schools. I don't know if he realized just how many people truly loved him... I wish I could tell him. This is so hard for me to write... I miss my friend.
Jeremy, you touched so many lives while you were here. I was sitting on the dance room floor when I found out what had happened... I remember feeling so heartbroken, so sad. School was really hard that day. So many of us were grieving over the loss of a much-loved friend. I think of you often. I now realize how fragile life is. I wish we could all give you a big hug right now, but we will soon meet again. Your family and friends miss you. Whenever I hear or sing "God Be With You Till We Meet Again" I think of you. I struggle to sing the entire hymn but it brings me comfort. You have a work to do now where you are. We love and miss you, Jeremy. God be with you till we meet again.

grat·i·tude (n) a feeling of thankfulness or appreciation

Life is wonderful! I feel so happy and peaceful.

Heavenly Father has blessed me with such amazing sister missionaries. Sister Rief and Sister Sweeny have the best personalities! They really know how to make me feel loved and they are so eager to help everyone they can in whatever way they can. I have been meeting with them to "review" the lessons I was taught a few years ago with the elders. We just have one lesson left and then I can be interviewed! I can't believe it is almost here. There is absolutely no way I would have been able to wait this out this long by myself. I know Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ live and that they are aware of me. They know each of us individually, as choice sons and daughters. Blessings and answers to prayer are often given to us by the people in our lives acting as the Lord's agent. I can't even begin to list the many people who have helped me along my journey. My ward is a big part of my life! I would never be where I am today without them.

I want you all to know that you really do have a big influence on those around you. It is up to you to decide what kind of influence it will be. Don't be afraid of what other people think about you! People do scary things just to "fit in". It isn't worth wasting your life away and pretending you are someone, or something, else. You will stand out when you treat people with respect and strive to be a force for good! 

At BYU Education Week this year one of  the speakers gave us a challenge to keep a gratitude journal. She asked us to write in it every day and list 5 things we were thankful for that day. It has really made a huge impact on my life! I seem to be a lot happier and it really opens your eyes to how blessed you are. We all experience different things but everyone - no matter who you are - can find something to be grateful for. God is aware of you. He wants you to be happy! And he wants us to treat each other with love and respect. I am excited to see many of you soon on my baptism day! I love you all!