Missing this...

This is the first time in 11 years (not counting my mission) that I haven't been on a competition dance team. When I made the decision not to dance this school year, I really thought that I would be okay with it. Lately though, I have been missing clogging like crazy! I am definitely a clogger FOR LIFE! I caved in and decided that I will at least be competing individual events this year. YAY! I have also been debating whether or not to start teaching dance out of my garage. The debate continues to go on in my mind. Here's an awesome video of one of the teams I used to compete against. Just follow the link and you will see why I am missing clogging so much! :)

St. George Competition 2011

On a happier note, I am super excited to go to Utah next weekend for General Conference! I am so blessed to know that God calls prophets in our day. General Conference is for everyone. Click here for more information. I'd love to have you join me this next weekend in watching the prophet and apostles of our Savior Jesus Christ speak to us! It will be a fabulous weekend at Temple Square. Love that place!

Education

I survived my first Nursing exam of the semester! All I can say about it is that miracles never cease. I really want to do well in my Nursing classes and not get behind so I have spent almost every waking minute preparing for this test. In an effort to keep my priorities straight, I have been making sure that I put God first. It has simply been amazing to see that the same things that made me successful on my mission (daily prayer, scripture study, etc..) continue to make me successful here. As I continue to do my best to have the Spirit in my life, I have been more successful in my educational pursuits. I love it!!!! Speaking of educational pursuits, here is a link to one of my favorite websites. http://mormon.org/learning/ Check it out!!! I am so thankful for the endless learning opportunities that life brings!

Mission Memories: Sister Bentley

I should be studying. School has officially consumed my life. Not cool! But in two short years, it will be worth it. I am grateful that I have the opportunity to get an education. It is such a blessing! My Nursing class seems to have several amazing people in it. I am fortunate to work with them for the next two years. I really feel like we are all on a team trying to get through these next two years of Nursing school together. In addition to my heavy Nursing load, I am taking an Institute class through my church. To learn more about what Institute is follow this link: http://institute.lds.org/ There are Institutes all over the world where people can go to take Religion classes. I am currently taking a class about the New Testament. I absolutely love it! I love learning more about our Savior Jesus Christ. I really fell in love with the New Testament as a missionary in New York. The world is blessed to have two witnesses of Jesus Christ-the Holy Bible and the Book of Mormon.

So on to my subject title. Many of you know that last Tuesday I received a phone call that I never expected. My friend Ben called to inform me that our friend, Vanessa Bentley, had been killed in a car crash while on her mission. Vanessa, Ben, and I were in the BYU 51st Ward together. A little over a year later Vanessa (now Sister Bentley) and I served together in the New York Utica Mission. Sister Bentley and I were companions for three months. I have been in shock the last week or so but one thing that I know for sure is that God has a plan for each one of us. His plans are bigger than our own. As we trust in him, I know that He will lead us in the right direction. Here are some of my favorite memories of Sister Vanessa Bentley:

*Riding back to Fayetteville from transfer meeting with Elder and Sister Hersam. We had so much luggage that we had to pack it into the back sit along with our bodies. :)

*Being in a district with more Sisters than Elders. Sister power!

*Spending Christmas together-missionary Christmases are the BEST THING EVER!

*Surviving the worst Winter upstate New York has seen in years...walking.

There are so many more memories but I would be writing all night trying to record all of them. I love Sister Bentley and I know, without a doubt, that we will all see her again. She will be with her family again. I am eternally grateful for this knowledge. It's not just good-bye Sister Bentley...it's see you later!

Now about that homework... :S