Lessons Learned

One of my favorite speakers in President Uchtdorf. I feel that he always knows what to say and that I'm able to connect with his talks so well. I've been researching for a paper that I'm writing and I came across this quote:

"Often the deep valleys of our present will be understood only by looking back on them from the mountains of our future experience.  Often we can't see the Lord's hand in our lives until long after trials have passed.  Often the most difficult times of our lives are essential building blocks that form the foundation of our character and pave the way to future opportunity, understanding, and happiness."

This past year has definitely been one of the hardest yet. I feel like trials just keep on coming, but I know that they are happening for a reason.  I have learned SO much this past year because of everything that has happened and I'm actually grateful for all of these trials.  I know that Heavenly Father wouldn't give me anything that I couldn't handle.

I hope that throughout my life I will be able to remember that trials are building blocks for my future. In the moment it is always hard to look at the bigger picture,  but looking back every single trial has blessed my life.

Sophomore Year.

Wow it really has been forever since I've blogged... I guess you could say I've been EXTREMELY busy. But busy is good, if you really know me, you know I am always busy... it's just part of who I am. I always have to be doing something productive or I will literally go crazy. Well let's see since last spring I have learned a lot about myself. I've met some amazing people, gone through some tough trials, and had some amazing experiences. (Warning: this will be a long post) Any who I will start with

SUMMER

What can I say, summer was busy and awesome. I didn't take any classes but I worked two different jobs.  I worked as an Executive Director for BYUSA in the Clubs area as an advertising consultant and the director of Care Week.  Now for the funny part... I worked for a company called Spark Networks... which is an online dating company that owns over 20 different sties such as Black Singles, J Date, and Christian Mingle. Needless to say, I had an interesting summer.  There was never a dull moment and I actually made some money :)

Originally I was going to live with a friend last summer but life happened and plans were changed.  I had to meet people on my own without a wingman (or wingwoman... whatever) At first I'm a really shy person so making friends on my own was difficult.  Eventually I made friends and life was grand! I got close to a girl named Vanessa in my ward, two of my friends Kyleigh and Lynda, and a girl from BYUSA named Haley.  I truly love all of these girls to death and am SO thankful for them!

Between summer and fall semesters, I had a two week break.. so naturally I went home to CALIFORNIA. Best two weeks ever. I got to see my family, watch my nephews, go boating, go to San Francisco, and see some of my very best friends.

Now here are a few pictures of summer :)

FALL

Fall semester I moved across the street to a new apartment in King Henry.  I moved in with Kara, Laura, Heather, Mallory, and Tera-Lynne.  It was a great semester as I go to know my ward, made new friends, continued to serve in BYUSA, cut my hair ( I got BANGS), and got accepted into the Public Relations Program (top 5 in the nation!). I went to a Parachute concert, surprised my family by coming home for Thanksgiving, and had lots of adventures. Fall was great and I'm so happy that I've met the people I did.

WINTER

As of now I'm still busy and enjoying life. I started my first semester in the public relations program and I'm LOVING it :) I'm so happy I chose the major I did. I'm excited to move this April in with my life long best friend Alli and then in the fall I'm moving in with Haley, Mckenzie, and Kyleigh. I love life and I'm excited for what this year will bring.

update.

It's been a while... but things have been going great! Next week I have finals for my spring term and then summer  term starts the next week! crazy right? By the fall I will technically be a junior credit wise. Well I got a job at a call center.... don't laugh... but it's for different online dating websites. Hilarious, I know.  It makes me feel a little better about my love life though, hahah.  The pay is good and there is never a dull moment so I can't really complain :] The weather is finally beginning to warm up and I'm LOVING it! This summer has gone by SO fast and I can't wait for the fall so I can be reunited with my girls! I am so excited to live with Kara and Laura and to have Hillary and Rachel as neighbors :] Although this summer has been kind of quiet, it's been good for me to self reflect and recover from the past couple of years when I have been completely busy.  I'm the type of person that enjoys stress so this has been weird for me.

Some things that I have done this summer.....