Home Sweet Home

I'm home! I survived! THis last week has been.. well, hard. I very much enjoyed learning and growing, and though at times it seemed almost too much to handle, I can say I learned even more so that my Heavenly Father cares. Every morning when I woke up, I would say a prayer for help, ask to feel loved and appreciated and end my morning ritual with a few scriptures from Mosiah. I know that my Father in Heaven was watching over me, because now that I am home and ponder back on my last week I find it almost unbelievable that I made it. In the difficult moments, it seemed hard, but looking back it wasn't as hard as it would have been if I didn't get help from Heavenly Father. I am so thankful that someone is looking out for me and loves me. Now that I am home I feel like I can more easily see the things I am grateful for. I know I learned valuable lessons and for that, I am grateful. The things I am most grateful for today are,

1. My Mom. I can't believe how much she truely helps me when I need her. She is my best friend.

2. Dallin. ALthough it was scary seeing him again after 8 days, his hug was the most comforting thing I'd felt in 8 whole days and I didn't want it to ever end.

3. My Dad. After waking up from a nap at the TV when I got home, his hug too, was absolutely incredible.

4. Grateful for my nice comfy bed, quiet house, scriptures, music, the sun shinning, yummy food in the kitchen, a clock to see the time, and the patio that allows me to eat cereal in the sunshine.

Nature's Beauties

This past week I have been spending my time in Florida. The trip ends in 2 days and has been going for 6. I think I'm about ready to come home, it is beautiful here, but the trip is somewhat difficult also. I'm so grateful that I'm learning how to take care of children. Not only has this vacation helped me learn patience with children, but I've also been able to grow closer to them. Playing in the swimming pool as princesses and princes yesterday with the two older girls was one of the most thrilling events since we've been here. It was adorable to listen to the different voices a 2 year old can come up with for her figurines. My favorite part was when the prince told my princess he would make her a "ba-ba" (bottle) because she was sad. Kids really are precious.

Along with enjoying the children, I have been able to enjoy the beautiful land around me. How did God make this world so pretty?? The ocean is breath-taking. My favorite thing we've done at the ocean is when we go down every night to watch the sun set. There is some kind of magic there, because everything is calm and peaceful, even the children. It is so beautiful, I can't believe all the colors, the soft sand under my feet and all the beauty around me. This has been a difficult trip, but I'm really loving all the experiences I've been presented with.

Music for the Soul

It was made out clay, it was shaped like a heart, and I love you was written inside, but I fell after school and the gift broke apart, so she gathered it up while i cried. And I watched as my mother pieced it together said she just might like it better this way,

broken clouds give us rain, broken ground opens up and lets it in, broken seeds growing wheat, make the bread that we brake and eat, so much good can be grown from what has been broken.

By the light of the moon, he kissed me goodnight and I looked up and wished on a star.
oh he swept me away, then he shattered my heart so she gathered me up in her arms, she said you won't believe this, but one day you'll see this and be thankful it happened this way,

broken clouds give us rain, broken ground opens up and lets it in, broken seeds growing wheat make the bread that we brake and eat, so much good can be grown from what has been broken..

Sure as the stars above i found a truer love and made him my own
and he was at my side the day the angels cried and carried her home,

broken clouds gave us rain, broken ground opened up and welcomed her in, broken seeds growing wheat make the bread that we brake and eat, so much good can be grown from what has been broken. so much good, has been grown from what has been broken.

This is one of my favorite songs. It was written by a close friend of mine who welcomed me into her life and picked me up when I was down. Cori Connors has been such a great example to me since the day I met her. I will never forget what it was like being around her after moving away from everything that was familiar to me and going to a place that was scary and new. Cori and her sister Libby took my sisters and I on as their project and helped us to learn to like our new home and our new life. I am forever indebted to them for what they helped my sisters and I through, that was one of the hardest trials in our lives thus far, and we have them to thank for helping us pull through.
Whenever I am having a bad day and just can't seem to find comfort, I turn my music on and listen to this song. I am not sure if it's the fact that it's Cori's angelic voice singing to me, or the beautiful words that help me to finally settle.
As I sat here and typed out the lyrics, I was surprised at what the words actually say. Although I have this song memorized, I've never read them out loud before. It's funny to me that this song has been such a comfort for the last 4 years. I think I love that it tells me good things come from broken things. On my days that I feel broken it is helpful to remember that good will come from what I am feeling. I also love that it talks about mother's. My mother is my best friend. The words of the mother scooping up the daughter and giving her comfort is comfort in my heart. I love my mother and she always, always comforts me when I need help. I love this song, and after typing the words, today is a good day.

Summer Reading

One of my favorite things about school being out (although, school is still in my schedule this summer, but still) is that I get to read books and other things moreso than when I'm busy writing papers, doing chemistry assignments and everything else imaginable! This summer I've read a few books, but this morning I decided the book I'm enjoying the most is the book of Mosiah. I'm only in chapter 4, but so far, it's amazing. I have read this before, but for some reason this time around I am getting so much more out of the words I read. Last night Dallin and I read chapter 4 and my favorite thing about it was verse 26, it goes like this-

"And now, for the sake of these things which I have spoken unto you- that is, for the sake of retaining a remission of your sins from day to day, that ye may walk guiltless before God- I would that ye should impart of your substance to the poor, every man according to that which he hath, such as feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and administering to their relief, both spiritually and temporally, according to their wants."

I love those moments when you read scripture and it moves you like it never has before. This verse to me says, go and serve others, be there for your friends and acquaintances, and if we do this we will be blessed and receive mercy from God that we may be forgiven our trespasses.