What's New?

I graduated from Mountain View back in May, and I am so excited for the journey ahead!

I start school as a BYU cougar on September 3rd. (Where did the time go?!) I am ecstatic! This first year I will be focusing on the prerequisites for the nursing program. I want to work in labor and delivery. I'm excited to start a new chapter in life!

I'm dating the best man ever. He is so sweet. And he is such a huge example to me. I'm such a lucky girl to be with him!

I will reach my 11-month mark of being a member of the Church on August 22. I am amazed at how fast this past year went! And I am still as happy as ever to be able to say that I am a member. I love the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I am nothing without it. I have never been so happy! Only true joy and peace comes through living the Gospel. I am so grateful for the gift of the Holy Ghost. 

"And now, if the Lamb of God, he being holy, should have need to be baptized by water, to fulfill all righteousness, O then, how much more need have we, being unholy, to be baptized, yea, even by water!" 2 Nephi 31:5

Testimonies

I'm just going to get right into this post. I love The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints! I devoted my life to it a few years and I was baptized in Sept. 2012. Best choice I have have ever made. I have had so many new blessings come into my life and I feel so happy. It's not momentary happiness; I feel happy even when I'm sad. Let me explain. I know that I am never alone. I know that Heavenly Father loves me. He loves all of His children! Even when I'm really hurt or upset I can still feel His love for me. I know that He won't just leave me here.  I was given the gift of the Holy Ghost when I was baptized. He helps me to see the truth in all things and I am guided through every aspect of my life with the help of the Spirit.

I know that Jesus Christ died for all of us. Through His sacrifice and suffering, we were given the Atonement. Because we have the Atonement, we can repent. And because we can repent, we will be forgiven. Because we will be forgiven, we can live with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ again if we stay on the path of righteousness.

And don't forget to pray. Prayer is so important!

I invite all of you to share your testimony whenever you can and you feel it's appropriate. "A candle doesn't lose anything when it lights another candle." Don't be afraid to share what you know!

Life Updates

• I'm about to start my mission papers. (YAY!!)
• I love my job at Jamba Juice. Every day is full of laughter and we have a blast!
• I have been accepted to BYU and I will be starting school there after my mission.
• I am graduating from high school at the end of May.
• I joined the advanced boys weight lifting class at school. Being the only girl isn't that bad, I have so much fun in there!
• I've decided to wait a while before I donate my hair again. It's already long enough to cut, but I'm a little attached ;)
• I officially have home teachers now!
• I'm still super happy and giddy about my baptism last September.
• I recently got my first two church callings.
• I will be 19 this year. THIS year!
• I have met a lot of new people this school year and they have blessed my life so much!
• I will graduate from seminary. I didn't take it in 9th grade when I was still technically an investigator so I'm doing make up work so that I can get the 4-year diploma!
• I got my patriarchal blessing a few weeks ago.
• I got into my first car accident on Thursday. No one was hurt!
• I am learning every day and I love my life! :D

"...not my will, but thine, be done." -Luke 22:42

It's time for change. And believe me, it is happening fast. 

Today, my ward boundaries were split up. It's been a roller coaster of emotions already. I have never experienced a change like this and it's a little scary. I was immediately overcome with sadness, but as the day has progressed a little I have found much comfort. Although I won't be in the same ward as my best girlfriends anymore, we will still get to have mutual together. It is going to take a lot of faith, a lot of prayer and some adjustment. I typically don't handle big changes well but I feel as though this will help me become a better person.

For five years I was working up to my goal to be baptized and it felt amazing to finally reach it! It has only been a little over three months since that incredible day, but I have already learned so much. I feel as though this big change is a blessing in that it is going to push me out of my comfort zone. I reached my baptism, and now it is time to move further ahead. I will soon be going into Relief Society, going to college and on a mission. The ward shift will prepare me for even more change in the near future. Sometimes life gets pretty comfortable and we either like or dislike where we are. Either way, life is going to change on us. It is something that we all have to deal with at one time or another. 

I am feeling all kinds of emotion right now. Sadness, heartache, worry, confidence, excitement, struggle.... it has hit me all at once. And I don't quite know what to do with all of it yet. My ward has been there for me since I first started coming to church and they pulled me through some of the hardest times in my life so far. I love them all dearly and I hope they know how much I appreciate them and their example.

I especially wanted to say thank you to the Derricotts. They have been such a strength to me and I have LOVED having them as my Sunday School teachers. So, thank you Brother and Sister Derricott! I love you guys.

I may not know where this journey is going to take me, but I know that my Heavenly Father will always be there for me. He will always love me. And He knows what is best for me; I need to follow Him.

"I will go where You want me to go... Lord, I would follow Thee."