First things First

As fate would have it, both of my Grandparent's 50th wedding anniversary's were this summer. That meant that my family and I got to spend two weeks in Idaho and Utah with our extended Davis and Mickelsen relatives. This could not have been more perfect for me.

You see, when your family is all together, undisturbed by anything or anyone else, you realize how important they are. Sure, you're all quirky or loud or clumsy or opinionated, but in the end, you're all family. And when you're part of a family, you're part of something much bigger. Even with zero emotional attachment, you're part of someone else. And in the case of my big families, you're part of several someone else's. It's beautiful really. God knew that sometimes we would get lonely in this life, so he gave us an immediate safety net, an unwavering support group. And because of that, we must always remember, that Family comes first. Always. I believe it was Elder Nelson who said that Salvation is an individual matter, but Exaltation is a family matter.

Congratulations Grandma and Grandpa Mickelsen and Davis. It's really incredible what you've started.

Mountains

The mountains in Provo are beautiful. For the last eight months of my life they were the constant I needed. In a time of new experiences and great learning they served as a symbol of the steadfast nature of God. They reminded me that while the world around me was changing by the second, God is always there.

As I drove out of Provo, I looked again to the mountains and realized that from my home in California, I would no longer be able to see them. That physical symbol, that had comforted my heart for so long, would not be in plain sight.

Still, God is there. His power and influence is real. He loves us.
"And whoso receiveth you, there I will be also, for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up." --Doctrine and Covenants 84:88

One Day Without Shoes

What an incredible experience!

It was really fun to see the surprised looks on the faces of everyone else on campus staring at my barefeet. There may have been a total of 10 people on campus who took part in the movement, but I'm grateful that I did.


This little girl was the inspiration for my taking part in it. Coco and I decided to make shirts that helped describe our actions. She was on the front and on the back was the well-known Gandhi quote: "Be the change you want to see in the world."

My feet were pretty sore by the end of the day and pretty dirty too. I can't imagine going every single day barefoot. It's funny how easily we take little things like shoes for granted.

Today's challenge: Donate a pair of shoes, a shirt, jeans that you don't wear very often, whatever it is to a D.I. or a Salvation Army.
We really have SO very much and there are millions of people out there who would die to have what we do. And who may die without it.

Nevertheless

Happy and Beaming with Joy.
Life is good and everything is falling into place.
Actions that I once feared have turned into radiant blessings.
Smiles take over my face and I like it.
I like you and like that you read my heart.
Understanding is hugely important.
A prophet lives on the Earth today.
He is so wise.
Just be Kind.
Never, ever be Mean.
None of God's children deserve that.
Purple is starting to be a new favorite color.
I still can't believe that you read my whole blog, that only means the world to me.
Frugality is so enjoyable.
Indecisiveness is not.
Serving people always makes life more worthwhile.
To have Holy Places is very important.
We can make everywhere we stand a holy place.
English Teaching it is.
For now.
Jazz Music still sways my heart.
I love dancing.
I'm getting addicted to Post-it notes.
California is calling to me, very loudly.
I only drink water.
New shoes are fun.
I like to think of Isaiah as my "apple-a-day."
I'm pretty jealous of 19-year-old boys.
21 seems really far off.
Though, serving the Lord full time is completely worth the wait.
Nevertheless, I'll start now.
With Love.

Little Sister, Guardian Angel

The sunshine face and the child of God,
A run-away sleeping beneath the water.
A gentle laughter is her call
And she walks light-footed through the leaves.

She is unafraid and loves her mother,
She doesn’t cry and she doesn’t cough.
Not even two feet tall or aged,
But she knows her place and stands unmoved.

An example for the shallow in heart,
A timeless prophet, teacher, friend.
She will instruct and she will obey
And she is not wary of finality.

A sacrifice:
She fell in honest, willing, triumph
And dove into the water deep
Sealed forever in our family’s name.

A fate that I would not have chosen,
A fear that haunts me every night,
She is the courage, she is the heavens
And strict obedience was her plight.

She is all of us and she is gone.
She is nothing but fallen dust.
Who once brought sunshine now brings thunder
And broken hearts and hardened crust.

Find her in me you will not.
Find her in me you will.
She is a memory and a fable,
And is buried on a forgotten hill.

Her body fell into the water
As her spirit rose into the sky
He is her Savior, she is His daughter,
From heaven she sings his lullaby.

Coming Together

It's amazing how when you truly give God time in your life,
Real Time
Quality Time
Sacred Time
He gives ten fold back.

Things have really been coming together for me recently.
I am so grateful to my Father in Heaven.

Indecisiveness

I've been questioning my major a lot recently.

Then I realized that I've never actually been through the list of majors that BYU has to offer.

So I looked.

I wrote down anything that stood out to me.

That felt right.

Here's that list:

Every foreign language I saw is written on it.

Here's my most recent thought: (Thanks Mom)

Major: Spanish Teaching

Minors: English and History

Other: French elective credits with a semester abroad.

Yeah. I like the sound of it.

Advice? Please.

:)