and the greatest of all is love.

Woke up in a rush this morning, scrambling to hit snooze, woke up again and threw myself out of bed. In a half sleep daze, I took the 5 steps to my closet and just stared. As my mind was beginning to comprehend that it was Valentines Day, I lurched towards my pink pants. So yes, that is what I ran out the door wearing today. Pink pants, and it's great. 

I love love. Everything about it. 

Tender mercy on top of tender mercy!

I woke up this morning, rolled onto the other side of my body, and proceeded to mumble, "waaaah, its Monday" to Becky. But how would I have known that today would be filled with tender mercy, on top of tender mercy. 

First, I have another blog, I don't know if you've seen it (whoever you are that is reading this). It's Confessions of an LDS Convert in case you were curious. The idea of that blog came to me this past New Years Eve night. I love to share my experiences with the gospel because it has transformed my life! It is what brings me the most joy and meaning here on earth, so what better way than to express it through technology. Anyway, sometimes I will get messages from people saying that it has touched them in some way and I just about melt every time. That is what I ultimately want, I want to be able to share this unique journey with others and be able to relate, or set an example. If I can touch one person who isn't a member, and just get them thinking about drawing themselves nearer to Heavenly Father, I will feel accomplished. Back to the messages thing, I received one today that really touched me. I wont go on about what it said, but it truly reached within me and gave me the warmest feeling. 

An hour later, I receive an email from my friend who is on a mission. I haven't talked to him for a bit and what he shared with me, made me smile from ear to ear. I was grinning big time. No, he didn't confess his love for me or any of that nonsense, and I know its annoying when people say something, but dont explain it in it's entirety, but it was amazing. It was a story of sharing the gospel. 

My greatest happiness comes from the gospel, that is all. 

we all need a pep talk!

I just had to throw this in a blog post. Whats better than a little crazy kid telling me to take the road less traveled?!

Speaking of roads, I have no idea where my current road is leading me. I know that I make the decisions, but where am I going? I feel like these are the times when I am truly relying on the big guy above for guidance.

Lucky for me, it's Sunday tomorrow! What a great day of the week.

This past week I have really been focusing on His plan for me. I trust in Him completely, well I try at least. Point is, He has given me so much to be grateful for! I really was able to ponder the thoughts in my head while waiting at the temple. I can say I want this and I want that, but I really need to do my part. I can't just expect things to be given to me.

I feel lucky enough already for the way He has helped me grow. He has placed people in my life that have become my best friends. He has helped me build a more righteous life. He has given me the strength to make big decisions.

Adventures are coming my way and I am going to make the best of them! Becky and I decided we are going to fill our Saturdays with activities. None of this sit at home stuff. This past monday we went indoor rock climbing, and while today we didn't do anything that crazy, we made it to the Mount Timpanogos Temple. I think thats a great way to spend our day. Cheers to that!

here comes the... snow.

I was living in Utah last winter... this winter is different.

Every morning this past week I have woken up, dreading getting out of bed because I know I will have to walk in the freezing cold to my car. My car isn't far away, it's just a problem when you get into it and are too scared to turn the heater on for fear of getting blasted with cold air! I sit there and drive to work with my fingertips touching and turning the steering wheel. I watch my breath fog up my glasses, inside of my car.

The other night me and Becky were walking out of the gym. I think it is obvious from my post, that it is COLD! I told her to pretend that this white fluffy stuff littering the ground is sand. We were swimming in an ocean until we got into the car haha.

I love how beautiful the snow is though. I love that there are actually 4 seasons in this state. I watched a youtube video of Californians complaining about the 30-50 degree weather they were having. What a bunch of whiners! Haha kidding, I am sure I would be there right with them if I had never moved here.

Went sledding at Rock Canyon Park on Saturday. Brrr! I stopped feeling my toes and that was alright until I got home. I turned on the bath to warm water and stuck my feet in to regain some blood flow. Bad idea, it stung so bad! A couple days later I realized my butt was bruised too. Oh the joys of fun and ice. It was a beautiful day though :)

(This sums up Fran's entire trip)

(Got the big gloves on)

(1...2...3... go!)

(Fran getting some assistance)

(We couldn't really go down like this, too dangerous lol)

simple life.

I can't forget about this blog, now can I?

The simple things in life are the best. I am all about simple. When I was at Disneyland with my mom, we were standing there sharing a dole whip (classic) and we were so happy. That moment was perfect. I came into my apartment the other day from the zero degree weather and took a hot shower. That warmth was perfect. When I flew back from California to Utah, I had the window seat. It was dark and I could see a perfect layer of clouds below us, almost as if we were in another world. The plane was descending and as we peaked through to the earth below it seemed like we had just transported somewhere completely different. I love earth, it's beautiful. 

(I seriously love this lady, my mom and I at Disneyland.)

I have been trying to get back into the swing of things here in Utah. Work, exercise, the usual. I've been over analyzing everything I do with my other blog Confessions of an LDS Convert. I want to share experiences, but not sound boastful. I do not think I am better or more holier than thou, than anyone else. These things that I am sharing on there are things that mean so much to me. 

Okay I am done rambling, until next time. 

being a kid all over again

Today was the first day of 2013 and I couldn't have spent it any better! I pretty much relived my youth in a span of 10 hours. Dragging this old body of mine from California Adventure to Disneyland with my mom. I'm not lying, while waiting in those lines my neck hurt and I am still due for a massage. Who is to give it to me? Well, that is still in question.

We anticipated the parks to be swamped since it was a holiday, and miraculously it wasn't as bad expected! Our game plan involved dabbling in the new Cars Land ride and wow was that ever worth it. Highly recommend waiting out the lines and zig zagging throughout the crowds to get to it. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to my mom and I giggle the entire time. We were truly happy. 

I also indulged in a dole whip that was ever so pleasant tasting and snagged myself a sweet minnie t-shirt. What's Disneyland without the souvenirs? I held back on the mouse ears I was tempted to buy as well. I had to maintain some of that maturity that is somewhere inside of me!

January 1st was a day well spent!

2013

Welcoming 2013 with open arms, goals and ambitions.

Everybody has their resolutions and expectations for the coming year, but none changed my life so much as the moment I decided to change my lifestyle. My past of alcohol use was coming to a close after one last end of the year hoorah, and I decided I was going to turn my life towards church. Which one, I was yet to know.

What can I say? The last day of 2010 and first of 2011 was an overnight sensation! Okay so maybe it didn't happen that quickly, but it was the start. There always needs to be a beginning. With the help of friends and family, I gravitated towards a better life for myself.

It all started HERE.

I look at where I am now and where I was then, and without sounding too "Jesus Freak," -ish, I really do owe it all to Him. Ye shall know them by their fruits, right? Without sounding self absorbed, I know without a doubt I have become a better person. I know that every decision I have made since the moment I was baptized was with inspiration from a higher power.

I am not ashamed of my past, I didn't know any better. I am not proud of past decisions, there are lots that aren't worthy of that. This journey I have been on has had its ups and downs that I decided I'll share with the blogging world, and this journey I am continuing on has so much in store for me. Where will I be expressing the happiness, challenged with trials of my life since I joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints? In my new blog, Confessions of an LDS Convert. I decided I will cover many many things that have brought me joy, that have taught me valuable lessons, that have been a struggle. Tune in :)

2013 here I come!

(For your enjoyment, me at the end of 2010. I've done a lot to discard any past photos online, but I've found reason to display this. It looks nothing like ME!)

(Me, currently, with some of the best friends a girl could ask for. At the Salt Lake City Temple. Can you say word of wisdom much? I think I look much better.)