The blogging experience

This is my final blog post for the class and I must admit that I actually like blogging. I have never previously had a blog and I always thought that they were kind of a waste of time. But through this experience I have learned, at least for me, this is not the case. The blog has been a way for me to communicate my thoughts and feelings and also to learn more about myself. The more I write the better I get at expressing my ideas and feelings. I think that blogging is fun and now I have somewhat of an idea of how it works. I think that it would be fun to make another blog after this semester and write about something that I like to do. I am excited that this is the final blog post for the class and yet I would really like to continue blogging afterwards.

A mother's example

My mother is a special and important person in my life. She has sacrificed so many things my brothers and I and I am so grateful for all that she does. She is a beautiful person and I'm continually amazed by her love and care that she shows on a daily basis. One of the things that stands out to me is her willingness to help me in the mornings of the day. Honestly these past few months have been very busy. Between planning a wedding, playing on the BYU soccer team, working 20 hours a week, and going to school full time at BYU, life can get pretty hectic at times. But thanks to the help of my mother I am able to do all of these things simultaneously. Twice a week I have to get up at four in the morning because of the commute that I have drive to get to school. On those days my sweet mother also gets up at four in the morning to make me breakfast and also a lunch to take to school. She then goes back to bed after I leave so that she can go to work and do the rest of the things she needs to during the day. When I ask myself why she is willing to wake up so early only one thing comes to mind. Love. She never complains and she is up without fail every time I have to be up so early. I hope that I can be like my mom one day when I have my own family. I hope that I can be as loving and kind as she is and always had been. I love my mother so much and I owe her everything. She is an example to me of what a parent should be.

Something that I will always remember.

I think that most of us would agree that the majority of the things that we hear go in one ear and then out the other. If we ask a question and then someone gives us an answer, that answer will not normally stick with us. However, when we decide to act and find an answer for ourselves, those answers can stick with us. It's like that saying, "Giving a man a fish will feed him for one meal. Teaching a man to fish will feed him for a lifetime." For example, I can still remember to this day when I received an answer to know if the Book of Mormon was true. I was 14 years old and our Sunday teacher invited us to pray to know if the Book of Mormon was true. I followed his instruction and in about a months time the answer came in an undeniable way. That experience happened over 9 years ago but I can still vividly recall where I was, how I felt, and what it meant to me in my life. Still to this day I know with all of my heart and soul that the Book of Mormon is true. It contains the words of Christ. It is a witness to the world that Jesus is the Christ, the Only begotten of the Father. Can you recall an answer that you once discovered that you will always remember?

Not a finger

Most of you may be familiar with the movie "Christmas Story." It's an older movie but it's hilarious. There is a part in that movie makes me laugh every time I watch it or even think about it. The mom purposely brakes this weird leg lamp that the dad really likes. When the dad comes into the room to see what broke and he finds the leg lamp there in pieces he is absolutely mortified. He knows that his wife did it on purpose because she liked the lamp that he got. He is so upset and angry that at first he doesn't even know what to say. So finally after a long period of silence he shouts, "Not a finger!" It's so random and hilarious that I just can't stop laughing every time I watch. If you haven't seen I would highly recommend this movie because it really is a classic.

Fast sunday tradition

One of the things that I love about fast Sundays is that we get to go to my fiance's grandparents house for a family dinner. The food is always amazing! We always eat a ton of food and then feel really fat afterwards, but it doesn't really matter because the food is so good. Then we play games and talk and it is always really fun! We also have a spiritual thought that is always uplifting and helpful. One of my favorite games that we play is called "mingle mingle." It is a game where you move around in a group and then a number is called out with the people that you have to hug. If you cannot find a group to hug then you are out and must sit down. It's really simple but it's loads of fun! We are going there in a few hours and I am way excited! I love fast Sundays!

When your best is not enough

It is tradition at the BYU soccer games to start the match with a word of prayer. There is a prayer that is offered in the stadium, but we also offer a prayer just as a team before the game begins. As we prayed as just a team I was taught something about the Atonement. One of the things that was said in the prayer was, "Lord, please help us to play to the best of our abilities." As I thought about this phrase the spirit taught me that our best isn't enough. We can't do this alone. My best effort in soccer or in life would still fall short. Yes the Lord expects our best effort but without His help and grace we could never make it back to heaven. So why not pray to play beyond our abilites and be strengthened beyond our means? The Lord can and will grant us such a blessing if we pray in faith and understand that such help is offered to each one of us through His Atonement.

Cake

These past few weeks have been super busy for me. I am sure that they have been busy for most of you as well because finals week is already here. It's hard to focus on other things when there is so much homework to do. In order to help motivate myself to just push through it I have decided that when this semester is over Nicole and I are going to have a big cake to celebrate. Believe it or not this really helps me. Whenever I get tired I just think one simple word, "Cake!" As the semester comes to a close it's exciting not only because it will be over soon but also because there will be cake. I can't wait!