*~Sending a Message*~

So.... Once again it's happend. I have neglected my blog! I am aweful at updating...
Life is so crazy!! Everyday feels like a lifetime and then you look back and six months have flown by. This year has been a learning one to say the least. If you asked me one year ago on this day if I could survive the things my family has been through I would say No way. In fact on the 26th of Aug. 2010 I told my best friend Mabry those exact words "I could never survive without you." We were laying in her bed late at night, having a good little chat-just like normal. She reached over and put her arm around me and said "Thanks for being a good friend. I love you too!" and we rolled over and went to sleep. Little did I know, less than 24 hrs from when we had that little chat, I would say goodbye to one of my best friends for the last time while we were both alive. I was riding home from the boys football game and she was driving the grain cart. The next night my life changed forever. I lost a best friend. I lost 2 cousins that I loved. I was forced to grow up. I was forced to mourn. I was forced to grow. As I look over the last year, I realize that I have changed. A lot. and that maybe, in some ways, I have changed for the better. I have come to realize what true compassion towards others is. I have learned to genuinly care and love someone who is struggling. I have learned that sometimes people need to talk, and sometimes people just need to sit, remember, and cherish the memories. I have learned to put a genuine smile and truly be as happy as I can. I treasure every moment that I was able to enjoy with Mabry. The laughs, the tears, the long chats late at night and early in the morning. I miss the daily calls. I miss begging Misty to let Mab have texting. I miss the sisterly fights that I would have to break up. I miss the ice cream, mud, water, and anything else we could find to use fights between us 5 cousins. I miss going shooting as cousins. I miss fixing her hair and makeup- cause I was the "girly girl." I miss sitting at Sam's house on the tailgate. And most of all I miss that contagious smile that lit up a room. I miss having that one friend that you could trust with all your secrets.
As I was scanning Facebook today, Mabry's name was on the list of friends to chat with. The way the new chat thing is set up- it shows people's name's, even if they are not online. Somehow I accidently clicked her name. A little thing appeared that said "Mabry is currently unavailable, but you can still send her a message." That got me to thinking. If she was able to receive one message from me what would I tell her? The first thing that popped into my head was to tell her Thank You. I would tell her thanks for being such an amazing example of pure love. She cared about every person she came in contact with. I never heard her say that she disliked anyone- even if they sometimes got on her nerves. I would then tell her that I am going to try hard everyday to do something that reminds me of her. I would tell her thanks for letting me be friends with her family. Camas and Talyn are so fun and I look up to them a lot. We have had a lot of fun memories and they remind me of her often. Misty and Jeremie are great examples to me and I am glad that they expect me to be the best person I can.
As I have grown this year, a lot of my old childish perspectives have changed a lot. I have come to realize that the petty things I worried about before don't really matter. That my family is the most important thing on this earth. I have learned that my tuff brothers have tender hearts and love me. I have learned I love them more than anything. I have learned to cherish every moment and remember to find the good in every situation. I have learned also the importance of writing things down and taking pictures. As much as we try to not to forget things, as time passes the little details start to slip our minds. I am so glad to have the journal that Mabry gave me.
So.... Although the past year has not been what I would have imagined, or maybe hoped for- I know there is a reason for everything. And although I am not sure how it is all going to work out after this life, I know that I am going to live the best that I can to be an example of what my friend Mabry was while she was here on earth. I know without a shadow of a doubt that I will be reunited with her when my time here is done. We will be able to hang out, laugh, get in a mud fight, and we will pick up right where we left off. I know that she is here with me when I need her the most. So.... My message to her is- short and simple. I love you. Miss you everyday and cannot wait to see you again. Thanks for being my best friend. Forever and Always! <3

*~We are as Little Children~*

SO........... Here is the assignment so you know what I am talking about! :)
*Review Matthew 18:3-4 and D&C 78:17-18. Explain in words the ways that we are like little children. In these verses, how does the Lord say He will help us??
Also, read Mosiah 3:19 and list the ways in which we are to become as little children.

And............. Here is my answers! :)

These verses never have really stuck in my mind, until today. In D&C it says that we are "little children, and ye have not as yet understood how great blessings the Father hath in his own hands and prepared for you;" to me this is what this assignment was asking us to think about. As far as the Gospel goes, I know I am a little child. There is so much that we can learn each day. And through our struggles and successes, Heavenly Father teaches us everday new principles that we must learn to be able to return to live with Him. The verses also tell us that we "cannot bear all things now"- we are not supposed to know all of it right at this time. I love in D&C 78 verse 18 how it says "Nevertheless, be of good cheer, for I will lead you along. The Kingdom is yours and the blessings therof are yours, and the riches of eternity are yours." It is ok that we do not know everything right now. We need to always strive to continue learning in all ways possible. It also talks about how we need to be as little children- humble and open to learning at all times.
Ways in which we are to become as little Children
*Become submissive
*Become meek
*Become Humble
*Become patient
*Become Full of Love
*Become willing to submit to all things which the Lord see fit to inflict upon him, even as a child does submit to his father.

Sometimes as we look at this list it can be a little overwhelming to think of becoming as a young child. My favorite thing about small kids is that they look to us (older people :) ) as an example. Many times they think whatever we are doing is the "coolest thing ever." They will watch older people and try to imitate what they are doing exactly. If we are like that with Heavenly Father, there is no way that we will not grow in more ways than we can imagine possible.

*~Feeding the Multitudes~*

Matthew 14: 14-21 Matthew 15:32-38
How many people were present? 5,000 men beside women & children 4,000 men beside women & children.
What did they need? Food, strength, energy Food, strength, energy
What were they able to offer in order to meet that need? 5 loaves, and 2 fishes. 7 and a few little fishes
What words or phrases describe the Savior’s feeling toward the multitudes in their time of need? Moved with compassion, healed their sick, I have compassion on the multitude, I will not send them away fasting.
What words or phrases describe what the Savior was able to provide for the multitudes? And they did ALL eat, and were filled. And fragments that remained twelve baskets full. And they did ALL eat, and were filled. And they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets full.

Ok so my chart is not working, I am not sure how to fix the graph. So... The first answer to every question is to the first story and the second to the second story. It is amazing to me how the Savior works, and also how he uses repetition to us. In Romans 3:23 it tells us that "All have sinned.and come short of the Glory of God." Without our Heavenly Father's love and forgiveness and without our Savior giving his life for our sins, we would all fall short of reaching our eternal goals. I know that I have some very special people in Heaven that I miss every single day and I hope that I can always remember to try and live better. And when I fall short
I need to always remember to ask the Savior for help because He is always right there when we ask.

Parables, Gospel, and Good Vessels!

Hey Everyone! So this week in New Testament class we learned able the parables. It was really interesting to read these stories. The reading assignment was Matthew 11, 13, Mark 4-5, and Luke 7-8.

My favorite verses and principle for this week come from Luke 8:46. It is the story of the woman that touched His garments to become clean again. This verse made me think of just how virtuous the Savior was. He could tell that someone had touched Him, because he said, he could tell that virtue had gone out of Him. I think it is very important for us to remember how important virtue is and always remember to hang around people that will lift us up and not tear us down.

The student Choise Assigment for the week is as follows: Choice #2
- In your own words, define Parable.
* I think the word parable means to use materialistic things to explain a spiritual concept.
-What describes the future growth of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints?
*Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:24-30)
-Why does the church send out so many missionaries?
*Parable of the Gospel net (Matthew 13:47-50)
-How do you explain the remarkable growth of the church, considering that it is fairly new compared to most world religions and started small in the American frontier?
* Parable of the Mustard seed (Matthew 13:31-32)
- Why are some members of the Church willing to sacrafice so much worldly wealth and recognition in order to maintain membership in the church?
*Parables of the Treaure and the Pearl of Great Price (Matthew 13:44-46)
-Why do some members choose to leave the Church?
* Parable of the Tares( Matthew 13:24-30)
-Considering the parables of the treasure and the pearl of great price (see Matthew 13:44-46)what sacrafices would you be willing to make to obtain the treasure of the gospel? What sacrafices have you or those you know already made for the gospel?
*I think we are so blessed to live when we do. We are not required to give up very much to live the gospel and do what is right. We are challenged more to keep ourselves spiritually worthy, than actually having to sacrifice something physical. Knowing the comfort the Gospel gives us, I think that I would be willing to sacrafice alot. I know that I want to spend eternity with my family and I will do what is asked of me in order to be with them. I know personally the comfort that we can receive from the Atonement and I will sacrafice what I need to in order to have those blessings.

-What does the net represent in the parable of the net cast into the sea? (see Matthew 13:47) What does it mean to be gathered into the net? What is represented by the action of gathering the good into vessels and casting the bad away? (see Matthew 13:48-50).
* In verse 47 it says that the net is like the Kingdom of heaven. I think the visual of a net being thrown into the sea is cool. It is like our church. We are asked to be in the world, but not of the world. So, throughout our lifetime we are in this net in the sea. When it is time, Heavenly Father will draw in His net and we will all have to account for what we have done on this earth. The good will be seperated from the bad.

Week #2 of New Testament

This week we studied Matthew 5-10, and Chapter 12, Mark 2-3, and Luke 5-6

There were so many good verses to choose from. During the first part of the week we are asked to pick our favorite and most powerful principles from the lesson. I am shocked at how many different principles there are in the scriptures. And it is so weird to me that depending on the day and what I need the spirit directs me to a different footnote or scripture that I need and I find new principles everytime I read. This week one principle that stood out to me most is found in Matthew 5:14-16. The principle to be learned is that we are the Light of the World. It talks about how we would not put a candle under a bushel and waste it, but rather we would put it out in the open so that it can light the darkness and help us accomplish our tasks. I compared that to us. We are so lucky to know the things we do and have the comfort of knowing the Plan of Salvation. For me, often times it is not the fact that I am "doing something wrong" but rather I am just not doing the BEST things possible. I have two little brothers and a lot of friends that I look up to a lot. I hope that I can be a good example to them. It is so easy to get caught up in our our activites and lives and forget about the needs of others. We each have great opportunities to teach the people around us, whether it be at home, work, school or other places. I have been working really hard this year to write in my Journal. I have started a new challenge this week and encourage you all to join in. So... Here's the Challenge! Do one thing kind for someone else throught your day, then write about it! Somedays it has been really easy and other days not so much. It can be something as simple as a genuine conversation with someone. I promise you it will help. It will make us all think about the things we do and say to others and will help us to be more in tune with the Spirit. I notice such a difference in my personal happiness when I am helping others. I know that by doing kind things to others we will stand out as a Light to the World and we will encourage others to come to know the truth for themselves.
I am excited for this personal challenge to Blog about what I am learning. It is out of my comfort zone, I have never done something like this before. I am excited to strengthen my own testimony and hope that I can share something that will help you out to! :) And this is some other stuff I learned!!! <3
I could not get the chart to work on my blog so this is how it goes....
Reference, Miracles of the Lord, Who Demonstrated Faith
Matthew 8:1-4, He cleansed a leper, The Leper had to show great faith because he came unto the lord.
Matthew 8:5-13,He healed the mans servant that was home sick with palsy, The Leper needed to have faith that he could heal his servant
Matthew 8: 14-15,Healed Peter’s wife,Peter and his wife both had to have faith
Matthew 8:16, He cast out the devils and healed the sick, The sick and those with devils had to have faith
Matthew 8:23-34, He cast out devils, Those who were overcome with the devils
Mark 5:25-34, He made the diseased woman whole, The woman showed amazing faith Matthew 9:27-31, He healed the blind men so they could see, The blind men
Mark 2:1-12, He healed the sick of palsy, The friends/family of the sick

New Challenge, and Where has the Time Gone?!

Hey Everyone!! So I know it's been a while! I am so aweful at updating my blog.Life is crazy and seems to be flying out from under my feet. I have been going a million miles an hour as always! :) I finished another semester of school in the fall (barely) and survived the winter (nasty!) I think there are signs of spring in Eastern Idaho.... and I have broke out the Capris and Shorts even if its not warm enough! :) I started a new sememster of school 2 weeks ago! 12 Credits online and still working 45ish hours a week! Life is crazy! One of our weekly assignments in our religion class is to post on our blogs about what we learn.... so GUESS WHAT?! For the next 10ish weeks you will get to learn what I learned in my New Testament Class! So.... Here goes! :)

*~Blog Worthy~*

I can do hard things...... ♥

This has been my motto in life for the last few months. Mabry and I have had this joke going
for a long time that the pictures we take need to be "blog worthy"...... Clear back from the day that we went to get corn- it was the same day I created my blog. As I look back on all of our memories and all the fun times we had, I realize that everything we did was "blog worthy" I used to hear people say "a picture is worth a thousand words" and I never really thought about it much..... but now I will let the pictures do the talking! Words cannot come close to doing justice explaining how much I love and miss this girl every day.









And there you have it peeps...... I love this girl! We have so many fun memories and I so badly miss our late night conversations. I will forever carry Mabry's loving friendship with me. She has always been there for me from eating my spinach when we were youngin's to letting me share her bed with her almost everynight so I didn't have to drive so early. Mabry is a great example to me and I will always look up to her. She had this magic about her that she could make you feel like the most important person in the world. I loved that she always tries to find the best in someone, and always encouraged me to be the best person I could be. We loved to pick on all of our younger siblings and have created lots of lasting memories. To say the least..... our Friendship is "Blog Worthy!" ♥

*~Spring and Summer 10 in a nutshell!~*

I am beyond aweful at this blogging thing, but I have been a busy woman. :) Let me just give you a real fast update on the Summer of 2010. These are the important things that I want my children to read about in 30 years :)
* I survived my second semester of college- barely!
* I went to lots of High School rodeos to watch Mabe- Lots of fun memories made :) including but not limited to
~Chasing horses at 1 am in Butte
~ Bowling
~ EATING
~Snuggling up with Camas, Talyn, and Mabe talking into the VERY early hours of the morning
~Misty taking me and Mabe's phones until we got the camper cleaned out
~ LOTS of fun memories made!
*We walked in the Relay for Life cancer walk. This was a LONG night, but so much fun!


*I turned 19!

*We celebrated the 4th of July! and I experienced my first ever "Hamer Celebration" I think I may become a regular :)
* We had a fun time roasting marshmellows and lighting off some fireworks with me, kyler, keegan, Mabe, Camas, Talyn,Billy Kate, and Dena and Rodger.

* Went to Lava with Madi and Kylee!

*Went to Lots of Chuckar's games....

*Went to the Drive In!!

*Went to Mack's Inn with the Single's branch


I am sure that I am missing several important things that I did this Summer, but these are most of the highlights. I had so many fun times and created memories that will last a lifetime. I have the best friends and family a girl could ask for and I am perfectly happy being right where I am :)

ARE WE THERE YET?!?!

Well........ I am pretty much aweful at this blogging stuff!! Life goes SO fast!! I cannot believe that I am almost done with my second semester of college!! Classes have been pretty good, and I am almost done!! I have an awesome post coming in the near future, so check back for everything that I have been up to lately!! As the semester comes to a close and I get super stressed out, like I always do, I am once again reminded how good my friends and family are. I love them so much and I am grateful for each of them in my life! I have finished my Fitness Class and I finished my Education class this morning.... 2 down, 4 to go!! Back to the Library for me!!

Support a Good Cause

Hey everyone!
As many of you know, my cousin Jace was diagnosed with ALL Leukemia last fall. This was my first real experience with this horrible sickness called cancer. We are all so grateful that Jace is doing so much better! He is a fighter and has lifted all of us through this trial.
Some of our family and friends have put together a team to participate in the local Relay for Life event. I am so excited to help families that are needing help and encouragement to continue the battle in the fight against Cancer. In order to raise funds for this event, we have created a blog auction. If you would like to help us raise money for this event please go to www.33jacesteam.blogspot.com. Simply look through the items and leave a comment with your name and bid. All of the items on the blog have been generously donated, so 100% of the money raised from this blog will be given to the local Relay for Life Organization. We are very excited to help raise money for a great cause. Please help if you can, this is for a good cause! :) Thanks!!

~* Is that Even Legal??*~

SO...... First of all I need to apologize to my faithful blog checkers..... cause I hear there is a couple of you! I am sorry that the last post was FOREVER ago. haha Things have been super super busy in the Life of Me! I was going to post pictures of my new apartment (that's not that new anymore), then I was going to give you a full report on my classes, but figured that would bore you, and then I was going to tell you about my amazing boyfriend that I just CANNOT live without, but then I would be lying. I have no amazing boyfriend.I am living the single life, and loving every minute!! We have had so much fun this semester!I have fun roomates, which always helps matters and I am taking 14 credits- the perfect amount. :) I am truly just happy to be right where I am! :)
Moving back to the big town of Rexburg is always a little bit of an adjustment. There are people, lights, and cars that keep you up at night, annoying pedestrians that don't know when they should and should not be on the road, and of course the dreaded Honor Code to follow! :) haha... But, I guess you can say I am adjusting well!
We have been studying a lot and partyin a little :) I am loving being close to my extended family! I went and played baseball with the Leathams and realized just how much practice I need. I have totally lost my throw that I once had! Sad!! We have been to a few dance parties and a lot of bonfires! Kandice, Kolleen, and I are all roomates and it is so much fun to be together!! It has been fun to reconnect with the friends I made in the fall when I was here as well as meet some new friends!
So I have to just tell you a few funny stories/recent happenings in the life of me.... some, serious, some dumb, some informative, and some Things that may seem really silly and may not even be "legal" in any other place!
*So at our apartment complex they are currently advertising their "marriage guarantee" that says that if you get married, they will let you out of your contract and refund you!
*The teachers actually tell you the first day of class that if you choose to get married on a school day, it will not be an excused absence.
*I have a fitness class on Tuesdays and Thursdays.... Every Tues. the teacher asks if anyone got engaged over the weekend. So far at least 1 person has got engaged every weekend!!
*Pedestrians own the streets here, not drivers.
*My roomie is into vlogging and we made a vlog about her fish living in the spare toilet. That's right.... Kandice and I might soon be famous!!
*Called to be the Visiting teaching supervisor
*Got a 94% on my first test of the semester and the screen at the testing center said Well Done!! First one ever!! yay!
*Have a new love for afternoon naps!
*Still job searching! (If you hear of something, please let me know!)
*Loving Tuesday night dinners at Gringo's!
*Chopped my hair off!!
And last but def not least:
*Kolleen and I were in the library studyin away..... (I know what you're thinkin "What good girls!" yeah, that's us :)) It was pretty late. Ok like 11:15pm to be exact. All of the sudden the lights go dim and a person on the loud speaker says "1...2...3...". Ok, at this point, I think we are dying. I freak out and my mind is racing. I look at Kolleen and I asked her if she knew what was going on. She didn't. I think there is a bomb threat! Then the person over the speaker says "The Mckay library will be closing in 15 min. Then Sweet Home Alabama starts blaring over the speakers! Kolleen and I just kept looking at each other. Trying to finish up what we were working on was impossible due to the loud music, so we packed up. When we got outside the first thing that popped out of my mouth was "IS THAT EVEN LEGAL?!?!" I was a little bugged that they were blaring music in the library!! haha Have a good day! :) I will try to be better about updating!!

*~Romantic Date and a Step Closer to Being Domesticated :) ~*

So.... Yesterday I had a lovely date. We met each other around noon. We spent 5 1/2 LONG hours together. We got dirty, got in a couple fights, laughed a little, and became pretty good friends. By the end of the date I was just pretty tired and glad it was over, and glad that we would not be seeing each other in the near future! :) I would like all of you to meet my hot date!

That's right............... Me and this little guy spent the day together in some townhomes in Rexburg. It was one of the longest days of my life! But we got the job done, and all is good! Still friends..... Just taking a break! :)

And after a long day yesterday, I had today to do whatever I wanted. I started the day off with a great bowl of cold cereal. Then I read for a while! (Reading the Last Song right now... LOVE It!)Then it was time for a little cleaning before the family got home. I decided that in the spirit of March, I would make some cupcakes with GREEN frosting! :) I know fun hu?! So.... even though I am not a huge fan of St. Patrick's Day... I made some yummy cupcakes! :) One step closer to being domesticated.... Cooking for fun! :)

I finished the day off with a yummy dinner with Mom, Keegan, Wade and Nancy! Today was a great day! :)

*~World's Longest Post~*

Ok..... So I have tried updating this thing 3 times and everytime I end up deleting it before I am done, and then I just give up for the night! But today I AM going to update.... and that's a promise! But.... hope your ready for the LONGEST blog post ever! :)

We have been so so busy in 2010. I am loving my time off school.... Although I am starting to look forward to being on a normal schedule, instead of all this lazy time! January flew by.... Kyler turned 17 and we went to lots of basketball games to watch Keegan. Also in January, I had a fun opportunity to go work for the Republican Party of Utah. It was very very fun! While I was there, the party held a fundraising breakfast at the Grand America. It was very fun to dress up in new "Business Clothes" and go to work each day. I met some very fun people, made some new friends, and enjoyed staying with Megan and Ivan! Thank you!! P.S. you better believe that I have currently misplaced my CD from Katherine with all of the cute pics,but since I promised to finish this post here are a few!

This was the morning of the big breakfast... 5:08 am!


The Grand America




So then after my adventure in Utah, I rode home with Megan and Ivan. The Leatham's had a fun family weekend planned. I wish I had more pictures to post but they are still on the camera in my mom's purse. We went to this amazing barn that is all fixed up nice. It has pool, ping pong, a theatre room, and plenty of bedrooms for everyone! We played games and laughed and talked till early hours of the morning. Then we woke up, had breakfast and repeated the night before! It was a fun fun weekend with the Leathams!


So.... That was my month of January! :) It was a great start to 2010!
February has also had lots of adventures and new things! We (Kandice, Kolleen, and I) signed contracts to Brookside Village for Spring and fall semesters. We are all three very very excited about this! They are awesome apartments and we can't wait to all be together at school! BYUI Watch out!!! haha

On Valentine's weekend I went over to Mabry's to make sugar cookies.... Mabe said she had doubled the batch and would love it if I can over and helped her bake and frost them! Well... Little did either of us know.... This was going to be a very fun night! We cut out, cooked and frosted ALOT of sugar cookies. We stayed up till about 3 in the morning chatting. I love that girl! we had some good discussion about stuff and still made it up for church in the morning! :)


So far 2010 has been a great year! And I have learned that it would be a lot easier to not get 2 months behind on de blog!! :)