My Monday afternoon inspiration.
Monday, September 19, 2011
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Made in America
Yeah, so I haven't posted for a few weeks, yet today I have posted twice? Awesome.
For the past week or so, every time I watch the news or read the newspapers online they are always doing specials on September 11 and its 10th Anniversary. So... it has been on my mind.
I can't believe it has been ten years since that awful day. I was only in third grade, but I still remember listening to the radio and having my little eyes glued to the television after repeated video clips of the twin towers collapsing. I remember the somber feeling that was evident that day and the weeks that followed.
But... I also remember the immediate sense of pride that came forth as well. For those few months people proudly waved our flag, communities came together, and patriotism was evident. Most importantly, we all turned to our Heavenly Father and had hope that we could stand strong against this horrible tragedy. I think that is what our country is all about. In my opinion, it was meant that we be patriotic and have pride in this beautiful nation that is essentially a God-chosen land.
Although I'm clearly just young and probably ultra naive, I can't express how dearly I love this country. I feel so blessed that I am able to call this land my home and that I know that it was founded on principles and by men who were led and inspired by a loving Heavenly Father.
I am so grateful to be able to call myself an American.
And.... P.S. I love this song!!
For the past week or so, every time I watch the news or read the newspapers online they are always doing specials on September 11 and its 10th Anniversary. So... it has been on my mind.
I can't believe it has been ten years since that awful day. I was only in third grade, but I still remember listening to the radio and having my little eyes glued to the television after repeated video clips of the twin towers collapsing. I remember the somber feeling that was evident that day and the weeks that followed.
But... I also remember the immediate sense of pride that came forth as well. For those few months people proudly waved our flag, communities came together, and patriotism was evident. Most importantly, we all turned to our Heavenly Father and had hope that we could stand strong against this horrible tragedy. I think that is what our country is all about. In my opinion, it was meant that we be patriotic and have pride in this beautiful nation that is essentially a God-chosen land.
Although I'm clearly just young and probably ultra naive, I can't express how dearly I love this country. I feel so blessed that I am able to call this land my home and that I know that it was founded on principles and by men who were led and inspired by a loving Heavenly Father.
I am so grateful to be able to call myself an American.
And.... P.S. I love this song!!
College Life
Well here I am just sitting in my dorm room at Helaman Halls. I've just about finished my second week at BYU, and I love it!!
But, I'm not going to sugar coat things either. These past couple of weeks have been rough! I've been homesick, overwhelmed, and so afraid. College is not easy and has definitely opened my eyes to the real world.
Okay, enough about the gloomy stuff... Here are the reasons that I love college:
-New friends. I feel like I've been friends with these girls for forever! We have so much fun together.
-My Book of Mormon class. Seriously amazing.
-Walking, walking, walking. Just you wait, I'll be completely buff by Christmas. Haha
-Being able to go home. You never fully appreciate home until you have to leave it.
-BYU Creamery. Enough said.
-Okay, okay I know this is shallow, but college boys? I think yes.
So, that's an update on my college life. Hard? Yes. But, amazing? Definitely.
But, I'm not going to sugar coat things either. These past couple of weeks have been rough! I've been homesick, overwhelmed, and so afraid. College is not easy and has definitely opened my eyes to the real world.
Okay, enough about the gloomy stuff... Here are the reasons that I love college:
-New friends. I feel like I've been friends with these girls for forever! We have so much fun together.
-My Book of Mormon class. Seriously amazing.
-Walking, walking, walking. Just you wait, I'll be completely buff by Christmas. Haha
-Being able to go home. You never fully appreciate home until you have to leave it.
-BYU Creamery. Enough said.
-Okay, okay I know this is shallow, but college boys? I think yes.
So, that's an update on my college life. Hard? Yes. But, amazing? Definitely.
Friday, August 19, 2011
Monday, August 15, 2011
Thank you, Hugh B. Brown.
Here is my Monday morning inspiration:
"I think that one of the first things that every young person should do is get acquainted with God. I mean that in a very personal, literal sense. I mean it in the sense that we are able to go to Him and obtain the kind of help we need. I remember when I was quite a lad... I remember my mother said to me when I went to go on a mission in 1904, she said, 'My boy, you are going a long ways away from home now. Do you remember when you were just a little lad you used to have bad dreams and get frightened? Your bedroom was just off mine, and frequently you would cry out loud in the night and say, "Mother, are you there?" And I would answer, "Yes, my boy, I'm here. Everything is all right. Turn over and go to sleep." You always did. Knowing that I was there gave you courage.'
"'Now,' she said, 'you will be about 6,000 miles away and though you may cry out for me I cannot answer you.' She added this: 'There is one who can, and if you call to Him, He'll hear you when you call. He will respond to your appeal. You just say, "Father, are you there?" and there will come into your heart the comfort and solace such as you knew as a boy when I answered you.'
"I want to say to you young people that many times since then, in many varying conditions, I have cried out, 'Father, are you there?' I made that plea when in the mission field we were mobbed almost every night, driven from place to place. We were beaten, expelled from cities, and out lives were threatened. Every time before I went out to those meetings, I would say, 'Father, are you there?' And though I didn't hear a voice and I didn't see His person, I want to tell you young people He replied to me with the comfort and assurance and testimony of His presence." -Hugh B. Brown
"I think that one of the first things that every young person should do is get acquainted with God. I mean that in a very personal, literal sense. I mean it in the sense that we are able to go to Him and obtain the kind of help we need. I remember when I was quite a lad... I remember my mother said to me when I went to go on a mission in 1904, she said, 'My boy, you are going a long ways away from home now. Do you remember when you were just a little lad you used to have bad dreams and get frightened? Your bedroom was just off mine, and frequently you would cry out loud in the night and say, "Mother, are you there?" And I would answer, "Yes, my boy, I'm here. Everything is all right. Turn over and go to sleep." You always did. Knowing that I was there gave you courage.'
"'Now,' she said, 'you will be about 6,000 miles away and though you may cry out for me I cannot answer you.' She added this: 'There is one who can, and if you call to Him, He'll hear you when you call. He will respond to your appeal. You just say, "Father, are you there?" and there will come into your heart the comfort and solace such as you knew as a boy when I answered you.'
"I want to say to you young people that many times since then, in many varying conditions, I have cried out, 'Father, are you there?' I made that plea when in the mission field we were mobbed almost every night, driven from place to place. We were beaten, expelled from cities, and out lives were threatened. Every time before I went out to those meetings, I would say, 'Father, are you there?' And though I didn't hear a voice and I didn't see His person, I want to tell you young people He replied to me with the comfort and assurance and testimony of His presence." -Hugh B. Brown
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Goodbye, my beautiful Tennessee
I am home.
This has been the best summer of my life.
I am happy to be home with my younger siblings and my parents, but I miss Tennessee oh, so much.
On the airplane ride home, I made a list of the things I learned while away from home for the first time... Here they are:
-Life actually does exist 50 miles away from the nearest freeway (and it's the life I love!)
-After two months... chickens still scare me.
-On the flip side, I now realize that every dog is not out to get me. In fact, they are pleasant creatures.
-Oh gosh, there is just something about those fellas with southern accents...
-Tractor Supply is where it's at!
-The front porch swing is my favorite place in the world.
-If a dog barks like crazy in the middle of the night, it does not mean there is an intruder.
-You see, there are these things called chiggers.... gross.
-A herd of four cows isn't going to stop running just because they see you standing right in their path.
-If you ever wonder what Rocky Mountain oysters are... just ask me, because I now know.
-Bobcats exist in Tennessee (perhaps even in Todd and Brittany's woods?)
-There is no point in doing my make up while in Tennessee. Thanks to the humidity, it's gone by noon.
-I do not want to see another cat die- ever.
-Sometimes, in the south, people pray for you (right as you stand in front of them). And it is awesome.
-Why don't we have Waffle House in Utah?
-I want to be an auctioneer when I grow up.
-All of us Utahns need to be grateful for our waste services. They don't exist in the back roads of TN!
-I love gardening, and I'm actually willing to kill squash bugs with by bare hands.
-Who needs rock and roll when you've got radio stations full of gospel?
-I need to build up some muscles! I was reminded this after mowing the lawn once (yeah, with a riding mower!) How terribly sad.
-There's no greater compliment than getting waved and winked at on the freeway by some toothless truckers.
-Sorry mom and dad, but I love country music.
-Sometimes when the southern folk talk, you just have to smile and pretend like you know what they are saying. I just love those southern accents!
-Who needs Disneyland when you have a tractor?
-New friends are the best.
-Our siblings can be our best friends. I'm so thankful for the time I was able to spend with my brother Todd and his wife Brittany this summer.... I love them so much.
-My polka dot work boots are my favorite accessory.
-It is possible to live in Tennessee for 2 months and not get a single tick. Whoot whoot!
-Family is what it is all about.
-I'm so grateful for my parents and all that they have taught me in my life thus far.
-I'm so thankful for my roots and for the family name that I bear.
-The gospel is the same wherever you go. And that makes me so happy.
-Home isn't so much a place... it's just being with the people you love.
-No matter where we are or what we're experiencing, we are never alone. Our Heavenly Father will help us find strength.
-Heavenly Father will lead us to where we need to be to be shaped and molded into something better.
-The gospel of Jesus Christ makes me happy.
I just loved my summer so much, and I will always, always be grateful for the things I learned (some a little silly, others life-changing).
So yes, Tennessee, I love you.
This has been the best summer of my life.
I am happy to be home with my younger siblings and my parents, but I miss Tennessee oh, so much.
On the airplane ride home, I made a list of the things I learned while away from home for the first time... Here they are:
-Life actually does exist 50 miles away from the nearest freeway (and it's the life I love!)
-After two months... chickens still scare me.
-On the flip side, I now realize that every dog is not out to get me. In fact, they are pleasant creatures.
-Oh gosh, there is just something about those fellas with southern accents...
-Tractor Supply is where it's at!
-The front porch swing is my favorite place in the world.
-If a dog barks like crazy in the middle of the night, it does not mean there is an intruder.
-You see, there are these things called chiggers.... gross.
-A herd of four cows isn't going to stop running just because they see you standing right in their path.
-If you ever wonder what Rocky Mountain oysters are... just ask me, because I now know.
-Bobcats exist in Tennessee (perhaps even in Todd and Brittany's woods?)
-There is no point in doing my make up while in Tennessee. Thanks to the humidity, it's gone by noon.
-I do not want to see another cat die- ever.
-Sometimes, in the south, people pray for you (right as you stand in front of them). And it is awesome.
-Why don't we have Waffle House in Utah?
-I want to be an auctioneer when I grow up.
-All of us Utahns need to be grateful for our waste services. They don't exist in the back roads of TN!
-I love gardening, and I'm actually willing to kill squash bugs with by bare hands.
-Who needs rock and roll when you've got radio stations full of gospel?
-I need to build up some muscles! I was reminded this after mowing the lawn once (yeah, with a riding mower!) How terribly sad.
-There's no greater compliment than getting waved and winked at on the freeway by some toothless truckers.
-Sorry mom and dad, but I love country music.
-Sometimes when the southern folk talk, you just have to smile and pretend like you know what they are saying. I just love those southern accents!
-Who needs Disneyland when you have a tractor?
-New friends are the best.
-Our siblings can be our best friends. I'm so thankful for the time I was able to spend with my brother Todd and his wife Brittany this summer.... I love them so much.
-My polka dot work boots are my favorite accessory.
-It is possible to live in Tennessee for 2 months and not get a single tick. Whoot whoot!
-Family is what it is all about.
-I'm so grateful for my parents and all that they have taught me in my life thus far.
-I'm so thankful for my roots and for the family name that I bear.
-The gospel is the same wherever you go. And that makes me so happy.
-Home isn't so much a place... it's just being with the people you love.
-No matter where we are or what we're experiencing, we are never alone. Our Heavenly Father will help us find strength.
-Heavenly Father will lead us to where we need to be to be shaped and molded into something better.
-The gospel of Jesus Christ makes me happy.
I just loved my summer so much, and I will always, always be grateful for the things I learned (some a little silly, others life-changing).
So yes, Tennessee, I love you.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Catch up time!
Once again, it has definitely been awhile. Here's what's been happening in my neck of the woods.
This is where I spent my 4th of July--the beautiful Boone Lake.Thanks to Dan and Gail Gasparovich, the weekend was perfect!
Mmmm, mmmm, mmm! Enjoying some good country BBQ in the holler!
For all of you NASCAR folk... the Bristol Motor Speedway.
My sister Brittany and I spent a day in the lovely Asheville, North Carolina at the Biltmore Estate. Oh boy, was it amazing!! I loved it.
I snapped this photo while waiting for lunch at the Mellow Mushroom.. Yummy.
The view from a rest stop... Yeah. A rest stop. Prettiest one I've ever seen.
Brittany and I enjoying the day at Dollywood (thank you, Dolly Parton, I will always love you too). It was really a great day!!
DD, Meredith and I at Dollywood. I just love new friends!
Dollywood- fun, fun, fun!
Downtown Knoxville is adorable!! We stopped here to walk around on our way home from our adventure in Dollywood.
I am honestly so grateful for the experience I've had here so far, and for my wonderful brother and his sweet wife Brittany. I couldn't have asked for a better summer.
More to come... (:
This is where I spent my 4th of July--the beautiful Boone Lake.Thanks to Dan and Gail Gasparovich, the weekend was perfect!
Mmmm, mmmm, mmm! Enjoying some good country BBQ in the holler!
For all of you NASCAR folk... the Bristol Motor Speedway.
My sister Brittany and I spent a day in the lovely Asheville, North Carolina at the Biltmore Estate. Oh boy, was it amazing!! I loved it.
I snapped this photo while waiting for lunch at the Mellow Mushroom.. Yummy.
The view from a rest stop... Yeah. A rest stop. Prettiest one I've ever seen.
DD, Meredith and I at Dollywood. I just love new friends!
Dollywood- fun, fun, fun!
Downtown Knoxville is adorable!! We stopped here to walk around on our way home from our adventure in Dollywood.
I am honestly so grateful for the experience I've had here so far, and for my wonderful brother and his sweet wife Brittany. I couldn't have asked for a better summer.
More to come... (:
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