faith.

it feels like it has been such a long time since i've written on this blog. i don't know if anyone even reads it anymore, but alas here i am writing on it.
it's hard to believe february of 2012 is already half way over. time has flown by, and at the same time it feels like it's dragging. i've been in idaho since january which feels like an eternity.
more and more recently i've been realizing different things i'm grateful for. it's an interesting and humbling experience going through trials and struggles. you don't want them, but you need them. realizing that is hard. but it is necessary.
i've recently heard a quote that is constantly going through my head through it all.

Elder Neil L. Andersen said, “Faith is not only a feeling; it is a decision.”


i feel like that small quote has changed my life. i think of it when i'm struggling, crying, needing a reason to get out of bed to get ready for church when i'm sick. i never realized it was a decision. you decide to do something because you've chosen faith. you've chosen to move on. you've chosen to live your life in faith.
the choice isn't necessarily easy. but you reap what you sow. you don't get something from nothing.
you decide to have faith in Christ amongst the battles with adversary. because whether you choose to believe it or not, there is a battle. you cannot play on the sidelines and wait for it to be over because without paying attention, you may end up cheering for the wrong side. because reality is, satan has an influence on your life. you need to make sure Christ's influence is stronger.

i believe in Christ. so come what may. and love it.

one of my newest favorite things.

summer storms in rexburg, idaho.
we talk about how beautiful california is... which it undoubtedly is. but there is something about it here that makes you want to just sit outside and look up to the sky. when the lightning shoots across the sky and the thunder rolls, the words of how great thou art run through my head. i don't want to go to bed with earth as beautiful it is. it was created by Him. looking outside, i remember Him.
my God, how great Thou art.

just an update

my birthday is in a week.
my roommate connie is engaged!! i love her&bryan sooo much!!
i got a letter from hunter.
i got a 95 on my math exam. i got a 95 on my essay in advanced english and critical thinking.
my english teacher says i'm not as stupid as i appear&i'm delightful. yay!
and here are some of my basic construction drawings from my art class.
week one

week dos

week three

i'm excited for real drawings haha.

spring semest: you're kicking my butt.

this semest is killing me i tell you! it's only been a week but it feels like years! i'm SO excited for july when it'll be done&i can go back to california! haha
i love my friends. the other day we dyed easter eggs. mine came out quite splendid. then we went to the park where we were attacked by people in masks! rude. &scary. good thing the boys were there. i swear they're not scared of anything (unless i prank call them as sarah stone;)
well i have to get back to the hdub.
peace blog world.

winter semest: DONE.

i cannot believe the semester is over. sometimes i'm like "praise the lord, it's done." other times i'm like "well dang, that went by quick." i guess it's safe to say i'm not sure how i feel about it being done.
don't get me wrong, i'm totally stoked. the end of the semest means LESS SNOW. however, slightly debatable. today i was busy moving from 319 to 315. (doesn't sound bad, but considering 315 is in a dif building, it becomes a nuisance going down three floors with my boxes, bins, and garbage bags full of ish, only to go up three floors with all of that, to go back down, up, down, up... you get the picture.) anyway, it snowed. the biggest snow flakes i've seen in my life, and that's saying a lot considering i've spent the last three months in iceburg. but, i surprisingly liked it. the snow flakes were fun to catch:)
i forgot where i was going with this.
this semester was such an interesting one. i've learned a lot, to say the very least. it has taught me about what i want, who i am, and what i can become. i've met some amazing people. i had amazing teachers, like i LOVED my teachers. they dealt with me and liked me, so how can i complain. oh&btdubs, i got all a's &a-minuses. i think. cross your fingers for me.
plus i love my roommates.


i never thought i'd say this, but i think this is the place i'm supposed to be. rexburg, idaho. i know. craze.
i'm learning to trust the Lord. i'm learning to love the gospel. i'm seeing how blessed i am. life is such a blessing, how can i complain? i don't know where i'll be in a year from now, but i just want to be happy. &i think i'm getting there.

oh rexburg.

you are cold. you make my face hurt because i think i freeze a little each time i step outside. your icy cement makes me fall. a lot.
but i sorta like this wretched town.

the sf giants just made me the happiest girl alive!!

victory.

i'm going to miss seeing aubrey's hot self, pat's cute butt, cain, timmy, andres, codyyyyy, hot freddy, uuuu-ribe, edykins rentaria, madison bumgarner's bum, BUSTER, ishikawa, johnny boy, eli, nate schierholtz (the man i'm gonna marry). pablo, mike, romo, mota mota, santi, affeldt's cute hair,of course brian wilson (the other man i'm gonna marry), barry, javi, ramirez, aaron... &everybody.

the giants are going to the world series!!!

&that is how it's done.



i love these hot men. just a btw.

above all else.

i'm sure to anyone reading this, especially my lovely mormons, are wondering when i will finally write what's most important in my life. lets just say, i've been waiting for the end of the month.
lets pretend it's still august.
above all, i am most grateful for my Heavenly Father, my Savior Jesus Christ, and his gospel.
i don't know if i can ever truly realize how blessed i am. but i have the slightest clue that i am.
in the crazy world we live in today, it is so easy to be distracted. whether it be big or small, we can let it take a toll. throughout life, there is some things that never have, or ever will, deceive me, fight with me, or hurt my feelings.
i am so grateful to know that i have a loving Heavenly Father. He has given me everything. all that is good comes from Him. everything i could ever be grateful for, He is the core of it all. His Son, Jesus Christ, gave His life for me. for all of us. what greater gift is there? nothing can compare.
i am so grateful to know that the fulness of the gospel has been restored. there is no question in my mind that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is God's church. i have read the Book of Mormon, i have prayed. if anyone lacks wisdom of this, read it. then pray with real intent, with nothing wavering.
i am grateful to know that i am a Daughter of a King, a Child of God. we all are. i would feel very alone in the universe if i didn't know this.
i cannot look into the stars, the galaxies, and not feel the celestial glory that come from them.
i love my Heavenly Father. i love my Savior.



&i love you:)

ps, here's the vid of josh attacking me while he's dressed like a monkey from monday night. you can't really see, but hearing is plenty embarrassing enough.

oh, hello gratitude. i haven't forgotten about you.

oh summer two thousand and ten. you have been delightful.
crazy, scary, funny, precious.
like seriously, it's been a good few months.
whether is be going to the temple; going to "the spot;" the beach; camping with the fam; camping with friends; learning more about the gospel; getting attacked by josh in a monkey suit; spending the night doing nothing with megan, tim, and connie; laughing like a crazy; midnight runs with monica and johnny; talking on the phone with brent until the early hours in the morning; rafting; or writing to hunter about it all- it has been memorable.
i am grateful for all these experiences. i have learned a lot this summer, things i'll never forget. my family means everything to me. my friends have become my family.
if it weren't for the people in my life, this summer would have been basically nothing.
i'm grateful for knowledge. i'm grateful for the knowledge that you're never alone. the Lord is mindful of all of us. He knows our struggles. He will not lead us comfortless.
sometimes i forget this.
sometimes all i need to do is remember.