Perfect

Do you ever have those times when you hear a song and think, "Wow, that describes perfectly how I've been feeling lately?!"  Well I heard this song today and had one of those moments.  I just love music and the power that it can have in our lives!

Spring Semester Wrap-Up

I can't believe that the end of Spring semester has come and gone! I am officially half-way through the Nursing program. It's crazy to think that this time next year I will be graduated. I'm trying not to think that far ahead because with graduation comes lots of big decisions. I'm working on living in the moment-not looking back and not looking too far forward. I have plans but I've come to learn that once you think that you have life figured out, a curve ball is thrown and you have to figure out life again.

I am excited for what this summer has to bring! It's only been a week and I'm already going a little crazy with the lack of busy-ness. I kind of miss all the homework. It's weird to just go to work, come home, and not have a huge list of things that need to be done. I need to enjoy this time though because starting in the Fall, school will be insane. I have a feeling that my Type A personality will love this.

I finished off this school year well and in between all the studying I kept busy with packing, moving, and job searching.



My roommate Amy is such a sweetheart! I was welcomed to my new apartment with this cute sign. It was perfect!



I always get a little sentimental when I move. I've moved a lot since I graduated from high school. I've been living in my current location for longer than I've lived anywhere else in the last 3 1/2 years. I had to take this picture of my apartment as I was driving away. It was in this apartment where I really had to adjust to not being a missionary. Lots of tears have been shed in this apartment, but oh so many happy times have occurred in this apartment as well. I will forever cherish the memories of this apartment and the things that I have learned while living there.

I am excited to make many more memories in my new apartment and I am super excited to be rooming with my friend Amy. There will be lots of good times this summer! :)



The Saturday before Finals Week, I went to a Bridal Shower for my dear friend Stacey. She's getting married in June to her dream man. They are adorable together and I'm so excited for them!



During Fall semester, I actively participated in Institute Choir. I went the first few weeks of Spring semester but after the first few weeks, I realized that something had to go. Things just got too crazy with school, my church calling, and dating. So I prayerfully decided to cut out Institute Choir as well as being a temple worker. Having those few extra hours to study made the biggest difference! The last week of Institute classes, I heard that the choir only had two girls and they needed some help. :) So, I showed up to the last Institute Choir practice, did my best to sight read the music, and I performed with the choir at Institute Graduation. I've made so many wonderful friends by participating in Institute Choir. Many of them are leaving for the summer or transferring to another school...SAD day! I will miss them!

Women's Conference among other things...

These last few weeks have been super busy which has been wonderful and so therapeutic for me! Last week, I talked to my teachers and arranged my school schedule so that I could take off to Utah for a few days. Some of the women in my family have a yearly tradition of going to BYU Women's Conference every year. I wasn't able to go the last two years because I was on my mission and I wasn't planning on going this year, but at the last minute I decided to go. It was refreshing to go and just bask in the Spirit...I needed it. A lot of the classes were on timing and decisions and I realized how I am so not in control of things. The Lord is and even though I don't understand all things right now, eventually it will all make sense. I know this and I have seen evidence of this in my life...sometimes I just forget. :) In addition to going to Women's Conference I was able to catch up with lots of family and a few friends in the area. Since I didn't have my own transportation this trip, I wasn't able to see everyone that I had hoped to see. So I apologize to those I didn't see and next time I'm in Provo hopefully my schedule will be a little less packed! I have less than a week of school left and there is so much to do!!! I'm excited for summer and the adventures that are to come. Until next time-enjoy the pics!!! :)

These are all of my aunts, cousins, and of course my mom who came to Women's Conference. What a great group!

Mom and I...gotta love the wind-swept hair!

This is my dear cousin Katie and I. This picture wasn't taken during the Utah trip, but is from the week before when Katie made a pit stop on her road trip to see me. :)

The famous Y mountain. The one thing that I miss about Utah is the mountains and how close they are. It's only a 10 minute drive to go hiking! I'm finding that my current residence has lots of good hiking trails that are close by also...a nice little perk!

Thoughts

The lesson in Relief Society today was amazing and it helped remind me who I really am and what I am fighting for in life. It was comforting to know that I am doing my best to head in the right direction. These four pictures describe what I learned today.

Adam and Eve: Eve is the mother of all living. When she was named Eve, she didn't have any physical children yet. But she was a mother. Just like Eve, although I am not a mother right now on earth, eternally I am a mother.

Nest: I am building my "nest" right now. The choices I make, the goals that I pursue, the person that I am becoming, it all goes into the nest that I am creating for my children and family.

Grizzly Bears: The first word that popped into my head when I saw these pictures was "protect." I must protect my nest and my future children. I do this my only dating guys who are working toward worthy goals, not perfect guys, but ones with high standards who are willing to do what it takes to create a Celestial family.

Closure

It has been a rough week with many tender mercies and blessings. A wonderful friendship and relationship came to a close tonight. I am sad, but I have found comfort in the scripture in Mosiah 4:9 "Believe in God; believe that he is, and that he created all things, both in heaven and in earth; believe that he has all wisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth; believe that man doth not comprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend." I love this scripture and I think it is going to help me get through the next few weeks as I pick up the pieces of my heart and move on. I am simply amazed because as I have been praying and trying to make vital decisions in regards to my relationship with Paden, I kept being drawn to the first few chapters in Mosiah where King Benjamin is speaking to the people. As Paden and I were discussing where our relationship needed to go tonight, we were feeling very confused so we said a prayer. After the prayer, I think we were both a little unsure of what to do and I grabbed Paden's scriptures which were sitting in his truck and flipped open to a random scripture...Mosiah 4:9. I think Heavenly Father was trying to tell me something. :) There is no doubt in my mind that Paden and I were supposed to meet and date. I am so grateful to Nina and Gerald for setting us up. It was inspired. I have learned so much from my relationship with Paden...more about myself and where I stand and more about how I want a man to treat me...Paden was wonderful when it came to treating me well. Words cannot describe how I am feeling right now. At peace, heartbroken, nervous for what the future holds, and blessed. I know that Heavenly Father is in control and helping me out. Especially with school....it is a miracle that I have made it through the semester despite seriously dating someone...good thing this happened in second semester! I just keep reminding myself that I know without a doubt that I am supposed to be in Twin Falls right now and the Lord is in control. "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding, in all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy paths." Proverbs 3:5-6.

My roommate Nicole is so sweet. I cried all day last Friday because I was so heartbroken over the fact that P and I decided to take a break. Saturday morning I woke up and there were these cheerful flowers on our kitchen table. It was so thoughtful of her and I cried over her kind gesture.

I have also been blessed with very supportive parents who are so willing to help me. I don't know why I was so blessed to be born into their home! I got some business things in the mail from my Dad the other day and he had this written on the back of the envelope. Once again, I teared up because I could feel the love coming from what he wrote. Like I said, I am so blessed to have wonderful friends and family who love and support me...especially right now when I am needing it a lot. I can only hope to repay them someday! P.S. I apologize for this post and pouting about my life...I promise not to do it too often. I just had to get it all out!

Easter Weekend

Easter weekend this year was great! I didn't do anything too out of the ordinary. Saturday morning I did the usual homework routine and then went to Buhl so that Paden and I could change the oil in my car and his truck. I guess I should say that Paden changed the oil and I just sat there and looked pretty. It was fun though and I learned a lot about changing oil. My ward had a temple assignment that night, so I hurried back to Twin, cleaned up, and went to the temple. I love the temple and I am so blessed to live close to one! I am especially grateful because I desperately need the guidance that comes from temple attendance at this time in my life. There are lots of big decisions to be made!!! After the temple I came home and remembered that I hadn't dyed Easter eggs yet, so I pulled out my kit and Nicole and I dyed eggs. It was fun and brought back memories of last Easter in Fayetteville-Sister Pitts and I had a blast last year dying Easter eggs. Sunday I had church meetings from 8:30 am until 3 pm-nothing too out of the ordinary, after that though I went to Buhl and had Easter dinner with the Mabey family. I am so grateful for them and how they welcome me into their home! Once again, I only snagged a couple of pictures from this weekend so enjoy!

One last random though to blog about this week. One of my Nursing instructor's sons was killed a few weeks ago in Afghanistan. He left behind a wife and two twin daughters that he had never met. I just keep thinking about how precious life is and how important it is to let our loved ones know that they are loved. So, I am working so hard at saying and SHOWING my love to those around me. I truly am blessed and I know that the Lord is in charge and we just have to enjoy the ride!

Spring Break!

For the first time in my college career, I had Spring Break! It was so nice to relax all last week and not have to worry about school or deadlines. I originally thought that I would just be relaxing in Twin Falls for most of the break, but after thinking about it, I decided it would be nice to go visit my family over the break. Conveniently enough my younger siblings were in Twin Falls at the temple so the very first day of Spring Break, I kidnapped them from the temple and they stayed with me for the night. We went hiking in Box Canyon with Paden and we got to do a little fishing...well mostly Paden did. :) The rest of us just had a good time hiking. I missed hiking and camping while I was on my mission and I'm excited for summer to come so I can get lots of hiking in. Maybe if I get lucky, I'll even get to go backpacking! We headed to Rexburg after church on Sunday to visit Lindsey and Brenen. Lindsey took Lila and I to the spa that she works at. We got the royal treatment just because we know her! On our last day in Rexburg we went to the sand dunes in St. Anthony and jumped off the dunes. Wednesday we headed back to Middleton so that I could take the kids home to Mom and Dad. I ended up just hanging out in Middleton until Sunday which was super fun. I did miss Twin Falls though and all of my wonderful friends here. Paden was especially glad to have me back in town. :) School is back in full force again and I have one more month to go and I'm halfway through the Nursing program!!! Time is flying!

Lila & I getting pedicures at the spa. Those spa chairs are awesome! They are heated and have massage and vibration settings...it felt soooo good. :)

Lindsey hard at work, cleaning up from the mess we made. Thanks Linz!

Jumping off the dunes. Can you tell that Lindsey is totally faking it? :D

More dune jumping! I wish that I had taken more pictures but I must admit that I am forgetful and sometimes a slacker when it comes to bringing my camera places. I am improving though! The final highlight of Spring Break was being able to watch General Conference. We are blessed to have a prophet on the earth to lead and guide us in this crazy world. For those of you who missed General Conference you can watch it on www.lds.org. It's more than worth your time to watch it! Happy April everyone!