Something Simple

I work in a computer lab on my school's campus. I often sit at my desk and do my homework, occasionally being asked if someone can check something out or a rare question like, "How do I print?"  Today was no different. I started out doing my homework and checking out necessary equipment to students who needed it. A girl who I helped on Friday came in again to finish her assignment. She told me she didn't know how to complete the assignment. Me, the knowledgeable lab assistant knew what her requirements were and explained to her how to do them. The girl came back a few times after that because she was having troubles understanding what she needed to do. I helped her until she understood, like I would any other student. (Note: this situation wasn't out of the ordinary. This happened on a weekly basis). I helped her complete everything that she needed to do. I didn't think anything of this situation because it honestly occurred so much. After she finished all she needed to do and printed out her assignment, she came up to me and said, "Is there anywhere that I can recommend that you get a raise?" I laughed and said, "My job is to help you. That's the reason I'm here!" She said, "You don't understand how much I appreciate your help. Most people get annoyed when they're asked questions but I appreciate how patient you were and all you did to help me." I didn't think twice about the help I gave her. It was just like any other day, helping any other student. But this girl saw what I did as something that was special and meant the world to her. Her appreciation made my day at work. It made me want to help more people. It felt good to be appreciated. It really wasn't a big deal to me to help her but she made it seem like I had done something great. It felt good to know I made someone's day today and in return, she made mine.

Love is a Miracle

In my Forming Marital Relationships class, we were talking about relationships and and romantic movies.  We all know that romantic movies give us an unrealistic view of marriage, sex and everything that comes with those.  As true as that is, that doesn't apply to me at this time in my life.  But something that does apply to me is dating.  Movies and TV also give us an unrealistic view of dating.  When I was a pre-teen, I had this idea in my head that I'd go to high school, meet some boy and fall madlessly in love, we'd graduate, he would serve his mission and we'd get married when he got home.  Or I'd meet some older boy and we'd get married right out of high school.  I know, I was weird.  But maybe not really.  This is what we see in movies.  In a lot of movies, you see the boy glance at the girl, the girl glance at the boy and boom love at first sight.  They become friends, date, fall in love and the rest is history.  Perfect right?  But let's be honest here, that is NOT REALISTIC!  The chances of that actually happening, if it ever were to happen, would be slim to none.  It takes more than that.  The timing has to be perfect.  Both people have to be on the same page, at the same time, wanting the same things, and do the right things to make the other person interested.  This my friends, is why love is a miracle.  For two people, out of the billions of people on this planet, to be on the same page at the same time is truly a miracle.  And then for them to be on the same page at the same time for an extended period of time, long enough to get married is even more of a miracle.  Unfortunately, you don't generally see that in the movies; the waiting period.  So we're all stuck with these unrealistic ideas in our brains wondering why things didn't work out.

Some Pics to Enjoy

Pics from the Race!!

Showing off my gymnastics skills

Exchange!

The Chicks

NOT ENOUGH SLEEP

LOOK AT MY LEG

4 Chicks and a Dude!!

Recovery

Finish line!!

Goal Achieved

This past weekend, I accomplished a goal I've had for quite some time.  I've always wanted to run a race but have never trained for it and had a true desire.  Well this past weekend I ran in the Cedar Express Relay Race with 4 of my friends.  I ran 2 legs of the race which was a little over 6 miles.  I still cannot believe I did it without dying!  But it's such a good feeling to be done and to know that I accomplished it!  That's not to say it wasn't hard.  It was probably one of the hardest things I've ever done but since I accomplished this, I know that I can do anything I set my mind to.  The whole time I was praying for strength to finish and that's what I did.  I finished.  Our team didn't get first place and didn't win anything but it didn't matter because all of us went in to the race just wanting to finish and we did.  Who knows, this could be first of many races!  We'll see!  Pictures will be coming soon!

Inspirational

Last weekend, I went to Washington to watch some of my friends run a Ragnar relay race.  It was a 200 mile race with 12 people running.  It was truly inspirational and I'm so impressed with all of the runner's abilities to overcome hard things and finish the race.  Not only did all the runners finish, but they got 11th in their division!  So impressive!  Each runner has inspired me to accomplish something that is hard for me.  K, K, S, B and I are running a mini relay race in about a month.  It's only 30 miles and there are 5 of us running.  The only thing is, I HATE RUNNING.  I'm going to do it though.  It's going to be great!  So, I'll try and keep this blog updated with my progress!

summer

things i love about my summer so far:
--going to lake powell for the first time
--coming home from work at sleeping
--rarely getting ready in a day
--snowcones--they should be a year round thing
--tanlines
--my hair is long enough to put on top of my head
--going with my family to bear lake
--criminal minds marathons
--staying up so late and waking up so early--aka always being tired
--ultimate frizbee
--bbqs
--ropes course
--camping
--flag football
--poweraids
--heartbreak--not something i love...
--playing lots of sports
--bowling
--otter pops
--road trip to washington
--injuries healing quickly
--supportive friends
--living with one roommate/bff
--getting letters
--being active
--summer feet
--hot weather
--movie nights
--lazy days
--making new friends
--playing guitar
--manti pageant
--playing with friends all day
--laughing
--being reacquainted with old friends
--buying new clothes
--swimming
--fireworks
--young love
--ice cream
--reading
--no homework
--sunsets
--having the best time of my life.

Life Lessons

I haven't written in a while and life has just gotten a little crazy.  I've been feeling a little down lately seeing everyone around me have new things happen in their lives while I feel like I'm sitting in the same place I started.  But there are somethings I've discovered in this little pity party I've been having.

1. When it comes to dating, nobody knows what they're doing and yet people break other's hearts everyday.  It's a part of life and that's when you pick up the pieces and find a way to move on.

2. The grass always looks greener on the other side but then you get to the other side and it's really not greener.  Life is never easy and it's not supposed to be.  It's through the challenges that we grow stronger.

3. My plan never seems to be the way that my life actually goes.  God has a plan for me and as I accept and put my trust in that, life seems to become a little easier to bear.  The trials don't go away but they begin to lighten.

4. Sometimes a night alone is what is needed to rejuvenate and clear your head.  That is a great time to think things through and try to look at life through a new persepective.  And making delicious cookies doesn't hurt either...

5. God has given us friends to help us through the hard times.  Everyone is in your life for a reason.  Whether they stay forever or not doesn't matter.  For the time they were in your life, they made an impact.