A Second for Everything

Wow. What an adventurous week it's been.

(**Warning: many words coming. But it's all good. Of course. Why else would I be posting?)

The Sis and I took a fabulous afternoon trip to SLC for a special service project (post coming), and did a little shopping while we were at it.

Beautiful City Creek Center

Don't mind our clashing matching shirts. We have to have bright colors for the last bit of warm summer weather.

Among many other adventures, work decisions, and sporting events, the weekend quickly came.

In every kind of competition, there is always someone who comes in second place. In general, taking second place is much harder than taking first place (obviously) or third place. Third place is just happy they got in at all, but second place constantly questions themselves and beats themselves up--always wondering if they could have pushed it a little harder, try a little more, or did a little better.  
Could they have taken first instead? Yes, a first place winner should have good sportsmanship but,  
a second place winner is where true character is shown. A second place winner needs to have the  
class and confidence to accept their award, accept it with pride, and then have the drive and determination to change the outcome next time.

Yesterday, I ran the UVU Pride of the Valley 10K race. I have always loved 10K races, but this one was extremely fun. As the run began my legs felt like lead and I worried that this was going to be a long 6.2 miles.

After about 3/4 of a mile into it, the adrenaline kicked in and I pounded the pavement all the way to the end to take 2nd place in the overall Female Division! In this situation, although a certain amount of "classiness" was required to take second place, I was more surprised and crazily stoked that I had actually done that good!

What a glorious feeling that is!

It's crazy that even this week, I sort of felt like I needed to change things up in my routine. I was getting in a running slump. And then this crazy weekend comes and my motivation is built up once again!

I think that is similar to what happens in life in general. We start to get in a slump, but if we push through, Heavenly Father gives us those glorious experiences that spark our motivation and determination to make our lives the best they can possibly be!

Push through. A glorious moment is coming. Guaranteed.

I Know

I know that I have some truly incredible examples in my life.

I know that today, this scripture was meant for me:

Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed. D&C 123:17

I know that Fall is an incredibly beautiful time of year. I wouldn't switch Fall in Utah for anything!

I know that Sister Missionaries are extraordinary people. Thank you Sister Kendra. You made my whole day.

I know that I have one fabulous family and I'm so grateful that we will be together forever!

I know that God has a plan for me.

I know that we have magnificent freedoms that so many have sacrificed a great deal for. 

I know that there should be no place for simply "averageness" in my life.

I know that when amazing opportunities come your way, you have to seize them, cause you might never get that opportunity again.

I know that I was placed here at this time for a reason.

I know that running makes any day better. :)

I know that if I have faith everything will work out exactly how it's supposed to, in exactly the right timing.

I know that some days are tough but even more, I know that the tough days make the glorious days that much more glorious!

I know that a life well lived leaves no room for regrets.

22 Lessons I've Learned in 22 Years

1. You can always find something to be grateful for
2. You never really become an adult- you just get more responsibility and have more life lessons thrust upon you. Embrace it.
3. God hears and answers every prayer in His own time.
4. Mothers are the most amazing people in the world
5. "To Do Lists" can either enhance your productivity or overwhelm your motivation
6. Anyone can be creative
7. Outside is one of the best places to be, even if it's raining, snowing, or windy. Dress appropriately.
8. "Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." Leonardo Da Vinci
9. Life is brighter and better when you get enough sleep
10. Learn to say no
11. Laugh out Loud
12. Don't try to please everyone. It isn't possible.
13. Sisters make the best best friends
14. Put the "rocks" in your jar first. The sand can still filter through.
15. The key to anything in life is willingness
16. Everyone is human. We laugh, we cry, we get angry, we are sometimes sad, but we can also be       happy beyond reason
17. You can do anything, over come anything, and be anything with desire
18. Google or Pinterest can answer anything
19. If you're doing what everyone else is doing, you're only contributing to the average. Do things that other people are not doing
20. Your health is your life
21. Be someone who can be loved
22. You can keep going long after you think you can't

New Job, New Town, New Adventures

After 10 months of worry, stress, prayers, pleading, patience and faith,  

the answers came. 

In the course of  7 days. 

And then my life turned upside down.

Back in June I was talking to a former Bishop. He asked how things were going and what my plans were. At the time I had no idea. He then told me that he had a feeling that when things started working out for me I was going to have to hang on for the ride of my life. 

They were going to work out, and work out one thing right after the other.

How right he was.

A few weeks ago I received a lovely phone call from BYU Athletics offering me the position of Sports Secretary for Women's Soccer, Men's Tennis, Women's Tennis, and Gymnastics. 

Since that phone call, I frantically finished work in Cedar City, bid farewell to many many wonderful people in Southern Utah, packed my whole life up, started a new job in Provo, lived homeless for a week, and finally just moved into a new apartment.

I am an official employee of Brigham Young University.  

Really official.

(Link to employee profile...)

ID Card, Name Plate, and Campus Portraits

Life is not so much in the "limbo stage" anymore. It's getting into a routine, work is going wonderfully, and there are still  

many adventures to explore. 

And although it changed upside down in less than a week, I know that someone is watching out for me. 

He has a plan for me, and no matter what life brings, I always have him to turn to.

No matter what.

A Place In This World

My Recent Theme Song:

A Place in this World by Taylor Swift

I don't know what I want, so don't ask me
Cause I'm still trying to figure it out
Don't know what's down this road, I'm just walking
Trying to see through the rain coming down
Even though I'm not the only one
Who feels the way I do

I'm alone, on my own, and that's all I know
I'll be strong, I'll be wrong, oh but life goes on
I'm just a girl, trying to find a place in this world.

Yep. Just trying to find a place in this world. However, I know that I am NOT alone. I have so many wonderful examples and one amazing Heavenly Father who is probably getting tired of my "please give me peace and comfort" prayers in relation to knowing where I am supposed to go in life. One of these days I am just going to be so amazed when it all works out perfectly. 

But for now, peace and comfort are going to have to do.

The Next Step

Do you remember that Indiana Jones movie where Indiana has to get across the bridge with the unstable stepping stones? He had to take one step at a time and step on the right stone or else the whole thing will collapse. As you watch Indiana Jones take each wobbly step like a little kid learning to walk, you secretly cheer inside knowing that he made the next step and the bridge didn't collapse.

I think that is how Heavenly Father feels. Every time we take that next step, even though it might be a step into the dark, He cheering is us on.

This week, I discovered the next step. And even though I don't know what the step after that will be, I am on a sure stone! And I still have 4 more months to figure out the step after this one! For so long I have worried, stressed, and lost sleep over what direction I want my life to take. But as life always works itself out just in time, I know where I need to be in a few weeks after graduation.

Where will I be, you ask? I got two jobs in Cedar City for the summer! I am very excited about them! Even though it seems like this might be somewhat of a let down after taking My Leap of Faith the last couple months, it is not a let down at all! I have a source of income, in a great place, not too far from home, with plenty of opportunities still to explore! Through my leap of faith, I discovered that I had the courage to take that leap! Even though it didn't generate the results that I expected, it generated the discovery of something I didn't know I had in me.

And isn't that what life is about?! Continually discovering new things about ourselves and learning to be better and taking that next step? Yep. I think so.

With wonderful friends

(Snow College and SUU reunion at Applebees! Vic, Madi, Jena, Darci, Rich, Matt)

and an amazing family

by my side,

like Indiana Jones, 

this girl is ready to graduate in 

exactly three weeks and 

take this next step!

A Leap of Faith

In exactly 2 months from today, I graduate! I can't believe it! So so crazy! I still don't know what I'm going to do, come May. I know I've said this before but I always knew that I wanted to go to college and get a degree, but I never planned for after that. Yet here I am--with the world at my feet and I have no idea which door to take! I have been praying like crazy and I have received little answers and course corrections here and there, but I still don't know where I want to go and what I want to do. I have been applying for a ton of jobs in Utah, but it finally dawned on me that I am never going to figure out which path is right for me, if I'm not testing all the options and doors. So, in this last week, I took a leap of faith.
I applied for a bunch of internships out of state! I know this probably doesn't sound like much of a leap, but it kinda scares me to death! I don't know if they'll even come through or not, but my determination and character are definitely being built!

I was flipping through the ensign yesterday during sacrament and I came across an amazing talk by Richard G. Scott. In it, he said,

"As you walk to the boundary of your understanding into the twilight of uncertainty, exercising faith, you will be led to find solutions you would not obtain otherwise. With even your strongest faith, God will not always reward you immediately according to your desires. Rather, God will respond with what in His eternal plan is best for you, when it will yield the greatest advantage. Be thankful that sometimes God lets you struggle for a long time before that answer comes. That causes your faith to increase and your character to grow."

This truly spoke to my heart. It was exactly what I needed to hear--reassurance that not knowing where to go, is ok. For now at least. It's really tough, but it is teaching me true faith in God's plan, in His timing, and in leaning on the Savior for support and comfort. I know God's has his guiding hand in our lives. He loves us. And he is there to catch us when we take that leap of faith.


I like to look at it like cliff jumping at Lake Powell. When you climb the rock and you're getting ready to jump, the water looks so far away and you are tempted to go a little lower. But you don't. You take the chance and run and leap, pushing hard off the rock. Your heart plummets when you realize how far you are falling, and you scream with anticipation, but the exhilaration of hitting the water with a big splash and then kicking to the surface, is incomparable. It is only then, that you turn around and look back up at the cliff you just plummeted off of, and realize, "Wow. That really wasn't that high! And boy, it was fun!" Everything turned out just fine!

I am excited for when that day comes that I can look back at this leap of faith and realize how much it changed me and helped me to grow. Even if, I get a great job in Utah that I love, I still took the chance to try all the doors. And that, in it of itself, is building faith.

A Landmark Day

Today,

is my last first-day-of-school.

Yes!

I’m graduating in exactly 3 months and 27 days! I am super excited!

So many people have asked me in the last while what I’m going to do when I’m done with school. Well here is your answer:

I DON'T KNOW.

However I do know two things:

1. I’m not going to grad school

and

2. I’m not going on a mission.

Over the last month, the mission thing has been on my mind a lot and a ton of people have asked me if I am going to go. I haven’t really had much of an answer to give them. Until now. I have been praying very hard and pleading with the Lord to give me direction in my life.

I have learned one amazing life lesson.

Last week I was sitting in Emily's (my amazing cousin) missionary setting apart. She is going to be one great missionary! However, I was sitting there, surrounded by all of our family listening to the stake president, when I had this overwhelming feeling that this isn’t for me.

The Lord has amazing plans and blessings for me too but a mission is not one of them.

Now, with firm conviction, I can answer those who have asked. No. I am not going on a mission.

But it’s not because I don’t love the gospel. It’s not because I don’t want to share it with people. It’s not because I’m ungrateful. It’s because it is not where I’m supposed to go come the end of school.

The Lord has something different in mind.

I don’t know what that is. But the great lesson that I have learned is that  

answers come in pieces.

They don’t come in one big sweep. But they are obtained bit by bit. They correct our course in little adjustments and direct us to be where the Lord needs us to be.

I don’t know what the next 4 months will bring. But I have the faith that I will continue to get my answers little bit by little bit. Each of us have a great calling in this life—to be ourselves! To do our very best and live up to our full potential. To let God lead us in the direction and down the path that He needs us to go. It may be unexpected and it may be hard. But it is well worth the effort! The blessings will come back to us and we will recognize God’s amazing love throughout our entire life.

We are not alone and He is there to guide us each and every day in the little steps we take!