Because I Basically Read the Whole Bible This Week

 To every thing there is a season, 
      and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

 A time to be born, and a time to die; 
      a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

A time to kill, and a time to heal;
     a time to break down, and a time to build up;

A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
     a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
    a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

A time to get, and a time to lose
    a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

A time to rend, and a time to sew;
    a time to to keep silence, and a time to speak;

A time to love, and a time to hate;
    a time of war, and a time of peace. 

--Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Because of Him

Easter is my favorite holiday.  Today was my favorite Easter.

Leaving at 5:45am, my roommates & friends journeyed up to Squaw Peak to watch the sunrise. We laughed and laughed and laughed with a muffin in the left hand and a mason jar of apple juice in the right hand. The mountains are beautiful- there's no place I'd rather be.

The messages in church pierced my soul. I felt so strongly the power of the resurrection. I love the power of a rebirth, of change, of healing. I had such a renewed vigor to be a better person.

I took a nap outside in the beautiful weather with my roommates whom I love. The warm sunlight was almost as comforting as the peace of the Spirit.

I went to family dinner with my cousins. We laughed and joked. I felt so much love for my dear, sweet grandparents. I'm grateful I have them forever.

The sunset blazed purples and pinks throughout the sky while Rico, Rachel, and I played a made-up card game at the park. Draw Nine is surely one to play again. The rules are made up as you go. The day's over and I wish I could relive it. But not really, because Easter has to be kept as the most important day of the year.

Because of Him, I can be reunited with those who have passed on. I can repent. I can progress and become a better person. I can forgive. My broken heart can mend.

I love Easter.

23

Everyone's talking about the article "23 Things to Do Instead of Getting Engaged before You're 23". The article is so preposterous that I won't even waste my time replying to it. The one thing I did like was the general purpose- stop wasting your time in life. If you want to do something, do it. Sure there may be barriers in the way, but do the things that will overcome the barriers and cha-ching! You're living a fulfilling life. Getting engaged or staying single is irrelevant. It's all about becoming a Yes Person. So here's 23 things I want to do before I'm 23.

1. Get a passport
2. Send my nieces and nephews birthday cards
3. Visit 2 new temples
4. Get my bachelor's degree in dietetics...even if it kills me
5. Run a half marathon
6. Visit Seattle
7. Find 30 family names and get dem dunked
8. Participate in a White Coat Ceremony
9. Win a freaking intramural champion shirt- we were so, so close last semester
10. Build a fort, a good fort
11. Read the Bible, probably not all of it, but probably a good portion of it
12. Say yes to a date
13. Learn how to make curry
14. Eat at the MOA Cafe (so I can prove to everyone that Pen Court is better)
15. Hand off the baton in Scenic View, aka retire as program director smoothly. My baby.
16. Watch a Lord of the Rings movie
17. Take 3 steps to become more granola
18.  Do the research
19. Visit a national park I have never been to before
20. Go to a Vocal Point concert
21. Havasupai.
22. Do my laundry and fold it and put it away in the same day
23. Decide what I'm going to do with this crazy passion I have for sociology

Photo by: Emma Vidmar Photography [[http://smilemepretty.blogspot.com]]

Anniversary from Hell

Tonight commemorates the year anniversary of one of the worst nights of my life. Fortunately, I didn't realize that night was the catalyst that put me in-what I will remember for the rest of my life- as my semester in hell. Despite the horrible memories, I look back with profound gratitude for the people who helped me. Here are the people who served as a flotation device, thanks guys.

*Kamree, who listened to me sob my eyes out time after time
*Lauren, who let me stay at her house
*Larlee, for taking time out of studying- almost every time- to give me a pep talk
*Jordan, for being ridiculously encouraging and getting me out of my apt
*My bishop, for a beautiful blessing & real compassion, having had similar trials
*Chrissy, who let me stay at her house for weeks, listened to me almost every day, climbed a bajilion flights of stairs so we could deliver ads to apartment complexes to sell my contract, who was so compassionate and patient and non-judgmental. I'm pretty sure she even did my homework a time or two.
*Emma who wasn't freaking nuts like the others around us
*Paul, who played mediator time and time again, gave me updates, gave me advice, encouraged me to do better
*Elder Bednar, who gave the most powerful fireside on "not shrinking" when trials come
*Eric, who convinced me to let myself have fun once in a while, took me rock climbing & camping, invited me over every Wednesday night for our favorite TV show
*My professors, who were more compassionate, encouraging, and patient than I could have ever dreamed
*Tyler, who had the guts to finally be serious, look me in the eye, and say "Don't you ever say that again"
*Daren, I guess. Thanks for not being a douchebag whenever we ran into each other.
*Carmelle, who let me go to her house whenever I needed or wanted
*My other sisters who called me and chatted and made sure I was doing okay
*Casey, for hanging out and being a bff
*Steel, who was my only date of the semester that didn't make me want to sell my life to the nunnery
*The people on my club leadership committee-like Kirk- who asked if I was alright instead of saying, "Why aren't you doing more?"
*The most loving and compassionate Father in Heaven, who guided me every single day. I have never had such a time when I felt the most love and direction.

Wowza, I am blessed. These are the reasons I am alive. I know others have helped me, whom I failed to recognize at the time. One day I'll know.