My Christmas Wish

As I've gotten older, my attitude toward Christmas has been humbled and changed. As circumstances have separated my family by distances from three hours to halfway across the world,  I have learned that no amount of presents can make up for the lack of family. It took calls from Afghanistan and near death experiences for me to learn that holidays are far more than presents and decorations. I only wish that one day, I could have a Christmas without receiving gifts or feeling the expectations of giving the right ones. I wish that the Spirit of Christ wouldn't be pushed away by the desires of our selfish hearts. This Christmas, I realized just how little presents mean to me. I realize just how much I want to help anyone and everyone I can. Maybe someday I will be able to make this Christmas wish of mine real; to spend my Christmas day not opening gifts, but giving them to those who need them more than I. Sure, spending the morning opening presents and drinking egg nog was great. But the highlight of this Christmas was helping a family in need. It was spending Christmas Eve looking at pictures with my family and playing games. It was remembering the Savior, Jesus Christ, and honoring His birth. It was sitting by the fireplace and racing to put the nativity puzzle together. It was relaxing in front of the Christmas tree and reading my journal, looking back on what I've learned in years past. It was having my family together at last. One of the best so far? No doubt! 

You Live and You Learn

I can hardly bring myself to believe this semester has come to a close. In some ways, it's been the longest four months of my life!!! But in others, it seems like I was just barely unpacking my boxes into my new apartment and ready for new adventures. I strongly believe that if you don't learn from the lessons in life, you have to live them again. So I've made a list (big surprise) of the things I've learned this semester. Enjoy!!

• Humility is one of the most important attributes to have. It is also one of the most rare.
• Patience doesn't mean enduring. It means enduring well.
• I fail at having patience.
• It's okay to admit you messed up.
• The best way to make a problem grow is complain about it. Trust me, I would know.
• Sanpete County definitely isn't Sevier County, but it's a lot more beautiful than I ever allowed myself to believe.
• Having peace, solitude, and personal time is ESSENTIAL to survival.
• True friends are hard to find and always where you least expect them.
• The friendships that matter most don't die from distance, whether it's Ukraine, Cedar City, Salt Lake, or two blocks away.
• You can't fix imperfections unless you accept that they're there.
• Environment makes or breaks you.
• Guitar is A LOT harder than I ever imagined.
• Success isn't getting straight A's. It's doing your best.
• Just because you can say something, doesn't mean you should.
• Most of the population lives in a mentality of "ignorance is bliss".
• Reading your scriptures and saying your prayers every day DOES make life easier.
• I CANNOT WAIT TO GO ON A MISSION!!!!
• As if I didn't know it before, but my family is EVERYTHING.
• My Mom, Pa, Jake, and Abby are my greatest heroes.
• Sometimes it it next to impossible to make yourself like something you don't.
• As hard as you might try, there are somethings you will inevitably change because of the people you're around.
• I'm a hopeless romantic.
• Those who think they know everything know nothing and those who think they know nothing have it all.
• I really really like making lists.
• If you think you are, you're probably right. 
• Success isn't the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success.
• Blogging is a bigger failure than I expected.
• Standing up for myself and being assertive is something I don't think I will ever master.
• There is nothing that makes me more proud than watching my friends go on missions.
• Saying nothing can say it all. You don't have to speak to be heard,but that doesn't mean it's the best form of communication.
• I cherish the quiet more than I ever thought I would.
• There is a fine line between confidence and conceitedness.
• It's not always the thought that counts.
• I better get used to marriage because there's plenty more to come.
• As soon as you think you understand, everything will change.
• Happiness isn't about smiling or saying how great life is. It's about peace and content in your heart.
• God made us unique for a reason. We'll never be truly happy until we find that uniqueness, accept it, and flourish in it.
• Not caring what other people think is very hard, but essential to personal growth.
• "Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication"-Leonardo Da Vinci
• Regret will give you nothing but heartache.
• Sometimes being happy takes a conscious effort. But's it's worth it!

I fail. The End.

It's the end of the month, and I haven't put up a single post! So, here's the condensed version of my life these days:

Chemistry-kicks my trash. Daily.

Missionary letters-still sitting on my desk...unreplied

Major-PSYCHOLOGY! Finally :)

Boys downstairs-Best. Ever.

Old roommates-far too far away

Science building-smells of dead things/ lake water

Allie-refuge. Thanks!

Work-SO BORING! But worth the money

Phone background-picture of Brock or Dan's eye, every time

Weekend in Sevier County-HUGE success :)

Juice Bag-Greatest insult known to mankind. Credit given to Ideal Dairy, Russ, Brock, and Truman

3 a.m.-ever single night without fail

New calling-Visiting Teaching Coordinator

Latest Discovery-"I rock, I sweat, I dance" is the greatest song to ever knock my socks off

HMO's-doesn't mean homos...

General Conference-THIS WEEKEND! YES!

Emergency Run to SLC-Grandpa Terry has Bone Cancer :(

Calliane Hanson-Favorite freshman roommate

Parents-SO patient

Daily thought-Jake is home! and I love him

Western Swing-will never happen

Guitar Lessons-death... but it's slowly coming along

Yesterday-Worst day since I moved

Today-Wonderful :) So much better!

Recent desire-trespass into decaying, old buildings

Nail painting obsession-gone?

Looking forward to-CHRISTMAS! :)

Dating-Suffocating me. It's everywhere and everything. Lame!

Likes on Facebook-will never cease to annoy me

Goal-not to complain. Success? Ha....no.

Feeling I miss-knowing exactly who I am and who I want to be

Overall-Life is a success, but a gradual one :)

Miles Don't Mean Anything

My dear friend, Taylor, recently had me listen to a song that I literally fell in love with! The chorus to "Miles Don't Mean Anything" by Eye Alaska goes a little something like this:

Cause when it rains, it pours in this town
A little darkness closes in
When you're not around,
I hope somehow that you can feel me
'Cause miles don't mean anything

More than time exists
Over the momentary fix
'Cause I've never felt so strong
Maybe I'm just wrong
But I don't think so
And Miles don't mean anything
Miles don't mean anything

I've caught myself thinking of this song often. At this point in life, it seems that everyone who is dear to me is farther away than they've ever been. The reassurance? Miles really don't mean anything to true friends. 

To my Dad, Mom, Jake, and Abby: You've been there for me through everything and loved me no matter what. No matter how far away you are, you'll always be my four favorite people. Nothing makes me feel better than being with you. We've been through it all, distance means nothing at this point.

To Marie: You're THE greatest friend anyone could have ever asked for. It's going to take a lot more than 120 miles to put a damper on this friendship.

To Rachel: You have incredible potential. No matter how far away we are, I know you're somewhere doing something great with your life.

To my dearest Callie: I hope Ukraine treats you well. For only knowing me for exactly a year, you understand and care more than friends I've had my entire life. Meeting you changed my life and I can never forget the impact you've had on me.

To all my old roommates: You guys were the greatest thing that's ever happened to me. No matter how far apart we all are, you will forever be my second family.

To Elder Hammer and Elder Frandsen: I've never been more pleased with two young men before. No matter what separates us, you two mean the world to me and you will never know how much I've been missing you.

To Portia: Distance has separated us yet again, but you're in my thoughts and prayers every single day. 

To Taylor, Orion, and Logan: You guys meant more to me than I ever allowed myself to admit. I wish you the best with everything that comes in your life. 

To all my cousins and extended family: Even if we only see each other a few times a year, you're on my mind daily. Nothing allows me to glimpse the happiness of eternity better than spending time with you. 

Although this recent adjustment to a new place and new setting has been harder than I ever imagined, one thing I can always count on is knowing there are people scattered across the world who love me and care about me. I treasure knowing how many people are there for me, no matter how far away they may seem. The heart knows no distance.

So Long, Summer

I am reluctant to admit that my summer has officially come to a close. As I sit in my apartment and reflect on the last four months, I can't help but miss my wonderful family and dearest summer buddies. I'm not one to dwell on the past, but I certainly enjoy the memories. Some of the highlights? 

Cheesecake from dearest Portia. 

Jake returning from Afghanistan. 

Beach camping with my family for a week. 
Snatching a friend's beloved book.
Jump roping with seaweed. 

Singles ward with Marie and Rachel. 

Institute with the BEST man I've ever met, President Monsen (Stake President, not the Prophet).

 Toilet papering Ryan and getting away with it
Learning to play tennis and getting my butt kicked every match. 

Many good talks with my wonderful Father. 

Giggle parties daily with Mom and Abby. 

Family Reunion at Heber Valley. 

Learning who my true friend are. 

Countless fires with kids I wish I had known were so cool sooner. 

Great talks and star gazing with Ryan (currently Elder Frandsen).

 Being too lame to actually play frisbee, but watching on many accounts.

 Being asked if I did drugs by anonymous SSHS alumni. 

Long talks with Marie. 
Buying a new truck.
Palisades with my dear friends.
Many sad, but joyful farewells.
Sleepover with Allie, including Pride and Prejudice
Making fun of "The Lovely Bones"

Thinking there was a cougar wanting to eat us up Monrovian. 

Realizing it is possible to stay close to your friends, even after you've all moved away. 

Watching Cats 101 at odd hours of the night. 

Meteor shower-including being creepers to some fellow South Sevierians. 

Relearning to play the piano. 

Attempting to go to Seven Peaks but DI shopping instead

Overall, it was the best summer of my life. Nothing is greater than friends and family, hands down. I'm so blessed to have been able to enjoy this summer to the extent that I did. It wasn't all fine and dandy, but I learned alot-mostly to appreciate each person in my life. I realized every day is a gift from our Heavenly Father and we must treat it so.