Decisions.

Decisions are so difficult for me. I've never understood why! I wished I were more decisive and not indecisive. That is how we learn though. Sometimes even when we study out the choices we can still feel mixed up. Wished this wasn't the case.


Funny how the Lord answers your prayers. If you pray for patience, the Lord is going to send you to a classroom full of children. If you want money, the Lord is going to put you in the most challenging job ever.

I prayed if I should be going home, again. I guess I found my answer when the company I put my resume in for in Utah, told me I was not rehire able! I was a little annoyed when I found out why. But relieved when my old boss in Arizona told me she had a job opportunity for me. Coincidence? The Lord is aware of me! I just have to take some deep breaths as I've been whip lashed on this roller coaster ride.

So give me a minute as I catch my breath while I move back to the sunny state of Arizona. :)

Anxious. Excited. Nervous. Happy to go to Arizona for the summer! Wish me luck.

Celebrate GOOD TIMES! :)

What a week. What a month! What a semester... okay. well almost!! :)

School lets out in about... TWO WEEEEEEKS! I can't believe I am almost done with school! okay. well here at least. :)

For those of you who HAVEN'T heard.. I got accepted to both BYU-Idaho and BYU-Hawaii. Through fasting a prayer though my decision was actually one of the clearest decisions I have ever made. On the day I decided to fast, I fully intended to go to BYU-I to study Interior Design. After only a couple hours, I had a strong impression that I needed to rethink that decision. As I knelt in prayer that night I told my Heavenly Father that I was going to Hawaii!! I have NEVER received such a strong confirmation as I did that day. Only a couple days of really studying it out in my mind, and after asking the lord in prayer my bosom did burn that it was the right thing to do. I am grateful for the Lord in giving me options on what I could do! Now I've decided. I will be attending BYU-H this fall for about two years to finish up with my bachelors in Art Education! I can hardly wait. I'm anxious to be involved in a program, an international focused program, to continue to strengthen my knowledge and help others acheive and reach their knowledge, growth and potential.

This week.. one word? Overwhelming. I've never felt so close to the Lord as I have this last month. I have truly been blessing getting answers to prayers constantly one after another. I don't know where to start other than saying, prayer is real. Our HF is very aware of the intentions of our hearts, and minds. After a bishops interview this past week I was reminded of my saviors love for me and my testimony was strengthened of the blessing power that bishops have on this earth. Friends love and families love was reminded to me again and the power of education and teachers.

I am overall grateful for what I've been blessed with. We can't say that enough! Let us be grateful for what we DO have rather than reflecting on things we DON'T have. :)




ps. I'm 21 now!!!! :)

The Gospel is True.

I couldn't help but share about my fantastic day....

At the beginning of the day, my book of mormon class went over to the visitors center at temple square to watch the joseph smith movie. Eventhough I was a little bit late to the movie the spirit was so powerful. I can't even express all the impressions I had in my heart. My "allergies" were really getting to me though. I just kept thinking of how much the pioneers endured back then, from persecution and personal physical tribulations. I thought of something a bishop had said once to the youth of the ward and how the pioneers were looking down on with hope and amazement of what WE have to endure. This thought kept coming to me during the movie andI couldnt help but think how wonderful these people were from these times. Overall my testimony of Joseph Smith grew, not only for the knowledge I have that he was a prophet, but that he was just a GOOD person.

My testimony on temples has dramatically been increased in the last couple weeks too. Just talking about the spirit within the temple walls intices me to learn more.

I yet again had the opportunity to attend the open house for the Draper temple.

As I walked through the temple with one of my closest friends I explained to her that a temple is a place of learning about who we are, where we came from, and what we will become.
She was asking all sorts of questions and her eyes were opened so wide everytime we turned the corner. I was grateful once again to be sealed to a family where I can continue to dwell and progress with them. How simple and precious are the truths of the gospel! They aren't complicated but orderly and so beautiful!

I'm anxious when the time comes to some day go through the temple for myself. To learn in depth about my purpose and help those who are waiting, even at this time, for me to help them cross into paradise. My curiousity continues to grow within me as I continue to learn more and more about this gospel. About the most that I can say is how grateful I am for what I've been blessed with.

Hard Times

About two weeks ago I decided to take "weekend getaway" to Arizona. On the Thursday before after pacing my house back and forth I finally buckled down and bought my ticket around 4AM. I was SO tired but kept debating whether or not to go.

The week prior I was just curious and looked up plane ticket prices for the rest of the semester, nearly 300$. I thought, ridiculous! I'll wait till the fall to visit home again. The week of, I found myself checking online again. Funny that I found myself checking for that weekend... Things started to come in place. I got paid more than I needed to that week, tithing was paid for, my temple recommend was going to expire the day after I would get back (so I could go the weekend I was there), the plane ticket was about 1/4 of price that I thought it would be! Friends tried to convince me that I was crazy, although I already knew that I was. I decided to get on my knees and pray. "Heavenly Father, I'M CRAZY!"..is about all I could get out. I was making a big deal out of it because doing spontaneous trips like that for me was out of the question. All it took was a brother to tell me to "live a little" and a friend to tell me to "just do it", and I was ONE flight away!

I decided if I were to make the trip up to Arizona that I would make the trip for time spent with my parents. I can't believe how homesick I was until I got on the plane. When I got on the plane, after a daze up in the sky, I looked out the window and saw the rocks change colors from white to red. I wanted to cry. I felt my heart swell within me and a smile started to curl up on my face. There is something about home that will never go away. I hoped the feeling wouldn't disappear after seeing surprised looks from my parents! :)

Needless to say, my parents were thrilled to see me but I think I was more rewarding for me being there. There is always much to learn just being in the presence of your parents. The spirit just poured off of them and into my heart that weekend. I was able to go to the temple to do baptisms that weekend and eat lunch with my dad in the cafeteria there. Fortunately enough my mom bore her testimony through the Relief Society lesson on Sunday and the tears rolled fervently down my face. The closing song was "families can be together forever". How appropriate, I thought. The feeling of the song came to my eyes before the words came to my mouth so I just listened through the spirit and the beautiful voices of the women around me. That night I was privileged enough to receive a blessing from my grandfather "poppy". The words that he spoke in the blessing pierced my very heart and I couldn't help but be grateful of the Love he had for me and my Heavenly Father after I heard the words, Amen.



When I came home the spirit dwelt within me for a long time, I felt renewed. Unfortunately, sometimes, the ways of the world have a way of creeping themselves in your heart. I've tried to stay positive as I've noticed some rough patches that I can't avoid in my life but at times it seems nearly impossible. Your environment of which you surround yourself cause huge impact on your life. If you aren't in good situations your unlikely to do your best. Sometimes "home" doesn't feel like home, so I try to make other places in my life, 'home', or a safe haven.

Through each experience in life, there is always a lesson to be learned. Right now I am learning patience and optimism, faith and diligence, prayer and scripture study. By simple gospel principles you can build mountains! I've decided to not get so caught up in the big "truths" of the world but through the small and simple things and I've come to realize the beauty in trials and life. I will just have to keep the attitude of Christ even if it seems that "the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee..." I will try to keep in mind that "all these things shall give me good experience and will be for my good.

Gifts under my tree for my little eyes to see

Thats right! It's that most wonderful time of the year where we become so consumed on what to buy for whom and where to get it. Our pocketbooks become empty, when our income isn't getting any bigger. I however love LOVE creative gift ideas, even the homemade kind. True, store bought gifts can sometimes be more practical but homemade gifts are PRICELESS! :)
So I have decided to compile a list, picture list, of some creative gifts I found online that homemade right from the heart. I can't take full credit for these pictures or even the idea of them.. but I can take credit that they'd be a hit!

Idea #1..... The first gift is for the seamstress in your life. Maybe a mother? Or one who wants to be a fashion guru? This is a homemade pin cushion. WAY CUTE! May I suggest buying some unique vintage fabric and maybe a pattern that you can pick up at the thrift store for about 20 cents. What a fantastic little gift!! :)

Idea #2.... This next gift is for that GQ man in your life. Maybe he is a kid at heart? Here's a unique idea. Consider buying him two tickets to the opera, the nutcracker, or a cheap matinee. Include these homemade dice cufflinks and tell him to dress up to take you out for a night on the town. I would even suggest using Legos, guitar picks, or marbles to super glue to the end of cufflinks. You may purchase these cufflinks where tuxedo's are rented for a cheaper price, most likely. (LeSuers in Arizona... only 4$ for a pack.)


Idea #3... For those computer nerds in your life, come on, you know at least one in your life. Dress up your flash drive by constructing a micromachine or toy car to your flash drive. To be honest I dont know how to do this exactly. This gift may take a little more brains and skills but how sweet would it be to have a race car flash drive! I know I wouldn't lose this in my book bag! Include this with a portable mouse, mouse pad or for the richer ones out there, a brand new lap top! This present is so sweet the geek is bound to be complimented on his 'sweet ride'!


Idea #4... Mittens are a perfect gift for those in your life you're hinting to snuggle up to. Okay okay.. Maybe for a child, or grandma.. heck. Anyone that lives in cold weather conditions! You can always stitch their names on them, add buttons, add ribbon or any creative stitching. If you considering giving this to someone to snuggle up to. I would suggest writing out a coupon for a "date night building a snow man"? Or a night at the ice rink. You're bound to score some points. Who knows they might just take their mittens off and let you warm their hands. ;)


Idea #5... For the unorganized in your life. Help them get organized!! Tired of seeing their shoes all over the floor, or maybe all of their ties, craft projects or jewelry laying around?
Get creative! Show them you care and want to help them. Personalize an organizer with pictures, glitter, stitching, ribbon, buttons, stamps and paint, etc. I believe you can purchase these organizers at Target and/or Wal-mart.
Now that's crafty!


Idea # 6... Most people can't even light fires in the forests anymore. What does this mean. No S'mores. No worries! S'mores in the tube! That's right. Mini Marshmellows, chocolate chips, and cinnamon toast cruch cereal (thats my guess to what they used). I would use this gift as a stocking stuffer, white elephant gift, or small partying favors. This is clever and creative treat for the sweet tooth in your life. Could use this at weddings and other events in your life, parting from Christmas.
No fire, no sticky messes, just simple and DELICIOUS!


The most wonderful time of the year should be the most wonderful time on your wallet too. Don't stress over expensive gifts. Try something new this year, try being creative. You're bound to score bigger when it comes from the heart. A little creativity goes a long way! So. Don't run to the store for the new photo ipod, twilight in hardback, or a wal mart gift card. Get creative and show that special one how much you really care and appreciate them this year!

Gobble it UP!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!!!

There is so much to be grateful for! I hope everyone had or is having the best Thanksgiving and remembers what they have been blessed with! While we pass the tender turkey, warm rolls, cranberry sauce and all that our thanksgiving feast entails, may we remember the true spirit of this holiday! Take the time to celebrate your blessings. Think to yourself what you truly have been blessed with this day! Enjoy and embrace today with a happy heart and an empty stomach! ;)

Even though I have had a rocky year in school, in and out of jobs, relationships, etc. I know I have been blessed more than I could ever imagine. Last minute living situations, school acceptance, dream job. I could not have been more grateful for the memories I have made this year. I'm grateful for a family that is always willing to listen and accept me in my good and bad times. A humble sweet mother who does what it takes to put others before herself. A subtle sense of humor from a father who thinks and dreams big yet faithful and believing. Brothers and sisters with mass texting and e-mailing just to make sure you know you are loved and appreciated. Friends to laugh and cry with. A school that encourages learning with the spirit. Roommates and church leaders that encourage you to keep pushing along in life.


The greatest blessing I have had this semester is the encouragement from loved ones to ..enjoy. Enjoy laughing, enjoy learning, enjoy being yourself and enjoy your hardest trials in life. Thank You, Thank You, Thank You for everyone's blessings, excitement, encouragement and love. I could not have made it this far in life without knowing you.

Hello and welcome!

This is a gorgeous tree!! ...made out of mountain dew cans!!
Here are some pictures of how it was actually made...




These pictures were sent to me by My old Bishop's wife! Beautiful! Thanks Sister Larson!! :)



Hello everyone! Just figuring out how this Blogging thing actually works. I've decided to start a blog with pictures of inspiration. I know many of you out there, like me, appreciate a good work of art. Art allows you to receive inspiration for so many aspects of your life. Because it is the holiday season I will start by posting many pictures, art projects, etc of beautiful holiday fun! ENJOY!