Surprise Drowning

Do you ever have one of those days, where everything is just perfect. Nothing life changing really happens, but it is one of the best days ever? Monday was one of those days for me.

I was on Facebook that morning, and I saw that one of my best friend's (Shayla's) status was saying that she wanted to go fishing! Well, we had already planned on hanging out, so I asked her if she was serious about wanting, (which she was!) so I grabbed our fishing stuff and headed over!

We drove out to Buffalo Springs with a bit of a detour because my darn phone took us a few miles off course, but with her phone we made it there! We spent a good few hours fishing, but didn't even have any nibbles! We had switched locations 3 times, but nothing. It was still lots of fun just talking and enjoying the serenity of the lake.

Eventually we got in the lake to cool off and goofed off there. We had rock throwing contests, fun with the mud, trying to race, and just talking and enjoying each other's company. :) Shayla is great. She is one of my favorite people. She is always so positive and hopeful, and I was not expecting to catch any fish after we swam, because we had had no luck aaaaaall day, but she was determined to catch one that day!

So! We dried off and drove a bit farther around the lake, and found the Crappie house, and went in there to have our final fishing experience.

We were sitting there chatting, and we noticed that her line was slowly wandering towards me, and she reeled it up and found this little guy!

That was the first catch of the day, and granted it wasn't a fish, it was terribly exciting! After that, we caught a few more fishes and crawdad things, each one filled with it's own excitement and joy.

She was sad because this fishy was bleeding

 Finally called it a day and headed home!

We cleaned up at her house and went out to dinner at Taco Bell, and let me tell you, I was pretty sure I was going to choke and die from laughing so hard! For example, we were talking about snorkeling, and this was her comment:
"I don't even like snorkeling! It's like surprise drowning! You are swimming around looking at things and then water goes over the top of your tube and then you're choking."
It was the most unique outlook I have ever heard on snorkeling, but she did have a point!

Afterwards we went back to her place and watched a movie and then talked for a bit, until I finally headed home back to Levelland. I know this post doesn't quite do the day justice, but I figured it was blog-worthy. :)

I Know...

I have had many unanswered questions lately. Many doubts and fears and concerns. Some that are legitimate, and some that may be all in my head. Regardless, they have caused some serious heartache and uneasiness in my mind. I have been searching for answers and guidance, and I was flipping through my journal, and I found my notes for the most recent General Conference, and a line I wrote down jumped out at me. It is from Elder Holland's talk, and it said,

"What we know will ALWAYS trump what we don't know." 

There are many things I don't know. Or that I am unsure about. Or that make me nervous to wonder about. But, there are a few things I do know. And they most definitely trump what I don't know. Here are a few things that were confirmed to me this week.

1. I know that Heavenly Father will always answer my prayers in the way that I need them to be answered. It may not be how I want or what I want, but it is what I NEED.

2. I know that daily scripture study and sincere prayer can bring true peace no matter what is weighing heavy on my heart or on my mind.

3. I know that the temple is the house of the Lord, and that going there increases my inspiration and refocuses me on true happiness and an eternal perspective.

4. I know that if I go to church with a humble spirit and ready to learn, I can receive answers to these questions, or at least comfort that the answer is coming soon and the outcome will be okay.

5. I know that Heavenly Father is looking out for me. Every day all day He blesses me with tender mercies, whether I am worthy of them or not. He has blessed me with wonderful friends that check on me and talk to me about my thoughts, feelings, hopes and dreams. They have made time for me in their busy schedules, and I am so grateful that they are in tune with the spirit and know that I am in need and give me the love and attention that I know Christ would give if he were here.

6. I know that families can be eternal, and that I need to be an active member of my own, every day. Though I am excited to start my own family someday, I cannot neglect the duties I have to my family I have already been blessed to be born into.

So, I know the important things. I don't know the details of my life that feel pressing and urgent to know now, but I do know that in order to get those answers when I truly need them, I need to stay close to the spirit and keep my priorities in order. To be kind and patient, and continue working to be the woman I am intended to come.

And in case I haven't made much sense, or haven't stirred something within you, here is a video that can do just that! An old roommate showed it to me in a time of distress, and it is perfect to watch in those moments. Or in sad moments. Or happy moments. Or really any time. Like now. Enjoy :)

Hearts

Hearts are an interesting part of the human body. A heart is the only instrument that still works even when it is broken. Hearts can be hardened, softened, broken, healed, given away, stolen, heavy, light, empty or full. Hearts are the vital organ that pump blood to the rest of the body, giving the body warmth and life.

Different people can have different places in your heart, some will stay and take over more of your heart, while others will leave, and sometimes take that part of your heart with them. I have many people embedded so deeply in my heart, that they cannot possibly leave without taking a huge part of it with them, whether they want it or not.

I am a very sensitive girl. I am very much lead by my heart and my feelings, moreso than logic and thoughts. My heart has taken a beating throughout my life, as I am sure most people's have; yet it still beats, it still loves, and it still feels. Sometimes I feel that being emotional is a weakness. And maybe sometimes it is. But I also feel like it is a strength.

I am a believer. A dreamer. A hoper. Hoping is courageous. When one hopes, they put their heart and soul on the line, and take a chance. They reach for things they want, knowing good and well that sometimes those things may be out of reach. That is scary. It takes courage. But in my opinion, it is totally worth it.

I love putting my heart into everything. It may cause some tears here and there, some pain and sorrow, but at least I can say I tried. That I lived and that I loved. My heart contains some scar tissue, but it is still beating, still loving, and still hoping. And I wouldn't have it any other way.

Words to Live By

In need of an inspiring quote? 

Hey me too! 

Enjoy. :)

Decisions and Agency

Every day I am making decisions, some bigger than others. But, each decision directly affects me! Every. Single. One. Obviously some have bigger consequences than others, but each one has their consequences.

Some decisions I will be making in the near future weigh heavy on my mind, day in and day out. I wake up in the middle of the night, panicking about the decision, playing out every possible scenario, and over thinking every detail, no matter how big or small. Even in my dreams, my decisions and worries are present and weighing down on me! Awake or asleep, my thoughts march on.

Today was no exception. My mind was preoccupied with decisions and choices, but today I had an "ah-ha" moment. Something I know I have realized many times, but every time I do, it brings me so much comfort. It's MY decision. I get to choose. I got a letter from Robert, and I had written him about a certain event that hurt my feelings, and he told me it was my choice to be offended, and to choose not to be. How simple of a statement, yet how true!

I get to choose whether or not to be offended. I get to choose whether or not to be happy. I get to choose who I talk to and what I say to them. I get to choose what to have for breakfast in the morning, who to share my thoughts and dreams with, and I even get to choose what I think about, even though sometimes it doesn't feel that way.

Basically, agency is a blessing. Life can be as full and as happy as you choose. I know that I am in charge of my future, and I get to pick what kind of a life I lead. People may not always understand my choices or agree with my decisions, but I know as long as I counsel with the Lord, it will all be okay.

The Wonderful Thing About Kristin...

So, I attend BYU, and freshman year I lived in the dorms, and met some way cool people, one of my favorite being Jannette! So Jannette and I decided to live together in the Elms, but at the last second we switched to the Atrium. Upon moving in, we met our other two roommates, Kristin and Christina.

My first impression of Kristin, is that she was suuuuuper patient! Her jelly jar had fallen out of the fridge and smashed, and she put it in a tupperware and spent hours and hours picking out all of the glass, never a complaint before/during/or after.

One Sunday towards the beginning of the year, we were sitting in Church, and Kristin had to squeeze passed, me. The following conversation occurred:
Me: Oh, sorry!
Kristin: You're good
Me: No, I'm GREAT!
Both: *lots of laughter*
This may sound like a silly little insignificant moment, but it was the start of a great friendship.

As the year progressed, Kristin became my social life. We cooked together, studied together, watched movies together, talked together, laughed and cried together, and basically everything was done with the both of us. Many memories were made with that girl.

April came around, and it was time to move out for Spring term! She and I switched over to the Brittany, and lived with our wonderful friend Aubrey! This was hands down the best semester/term I have EVER had. Every day was so much fun! Kristin and I once again did everything together, and I also got to witness the blooming relationship of her and Josh, her now husband. :)

This past weekend, Kristin was able to come visit me in Texas! It was one of the best weekends I have ever had! Just getting to catch up and reconnect with her was such a huge blessing, and it made my soul so happy. She just gets me! She can complete my sentences and explain my thoughts to me before I even share them with her, and her advice is phenomenal. I love her so much.

The wonderful thing about Kristin, is that she is my best friend, and I can count on her anytime. Rain snow, Utah, Texas, happy, sad, she is always there with lots of love, support, and smiles. :)

Love you girl.

M.L.I.A.

Today I was up in my room reading, and I felt like I should go read outside by the pool, so I did! I was sitting there reading for about a half hour, and I started to hear tiny splashes in the pool. By about the fourth episode of little splashes, I finally got up to see what it was, and there was a bird that couldn't fly in the pool! Luckily it was by the stairs, so I rolled up my jean shorts and got in and started reaching for the bird. Naturally, the bird was terrified and started flapping away into the middle of the pool, so of course I just had to get in (in my regular clothes) and save this little guy! I got him out safe and sound, and as I was standing there dripping by the side of the pool, I realized I couldn't go inside and drip all over the clean floors! So, I went to the little pool bathroom, took off my clothes, and wrapped myself in a little towel and went inside. Upon entering the house, I hear the doorbell ring, and then the voices of the Elders from our church. Panicking, I hid in the pantry until they left. Then I went upstairs, put on clothes, and continued reading. I saved a life today!

Yep. My life is average.