One Year

Tonight I went to the Mormon Tabernacle Pioneer Day Concert.  The music was inspiring, as it always is.  I know I've mentioned it before, but really one of the best things about living in Utah is getting to attend all of these events sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  These events are always wholesome and uplifting.  There are few places that truly allow you to feel the love of God.  I know in my life, music plays a big role.  It moves me.  In fact, there have been several times when music has spoken to my soul and brought the peace I've needed to move forward in decisions.  Lyrics to hymns have even been answers to my prayers.

I've been reflecting today on where I was a year ago.  One year ago today, I attended this same concert.  I went with great friends and enjoyed hearing Santino Fontana perform with the Choir.  This was my last official activity in the great state of Utah.  I moved to Arizona the next day.  

In one year so much has happened.  None of it could have prepared me for what today brought.

Tonight, I spent the evening listening to beautiful music with the most incredible guy I know.  But that's not the best part.

The best part is that after the concert ended, I walked the temple grounds with this guy, and he got down on one knee and asked me to spend the rest of my life with him.  

I said YES!  

Here's a little excerpt of a previous journal entry:

I love Matt.  I’ve loved Matt since the day we went to Temple Square together with my parents for General Conference.  I knew that day that I was going to marry him.  I was sitting between him and my mom.  I looked to my left and I looked to my right.  And instantly I could see that it wouldn’t be the last time the four of us would be seated together.  The feeling caught me off guard.  My breath became shallow and all I wanted to do was run away as fast as I could.  I didn’t.  Instead, I held on to Matt and I’ve been holding on to him ever since.  I love Matt and I want to spend the rest of my life with him.  

I'm so excited for what my future holds!  

Memorial Day 2015

My life has turned out nothing like I anticipated it would.  Today, I've never been more grateful for the path it has taken.  I'm right where I should be.  I think this means my running days are over.

Wedding Day!

My little sister is married.

Can you believe it?  It's like she grew up overnight.  Her status from single to married aged her.  In a good way.  I see her a little more mature than before.  Ha!  Did I just say that?

The wedding turned out beautiful.  Everything was perfect.  From the food to the guests to the music and dancing.

It still feels surreal.  I took their wedding gifts over to their apartment and it hit me.  It hit me.  My little sister is married!

I was pretty proud of myself because I hadn't been a blubbering mess.  Stress, yes.  But no crying.  Not even at her bachelorette party.  Then, she had me go down the aisle first at the ceremony.  I was not prepared for that.  I stood at the front and waited for the other bridesmaids.  Before I knew it, my little Linda-the girl who used to steal my clothes, try on my shoes, talk about diarrhea with me, smell peoples armpits, stick pants on her head and call it her hair, shared a bed with me, I taught how to not breathe heavily to, laughed with me, cried with me, argued with me, shopped with me, fought with me, and so many other things was walking in a beautiful white dress-handmade by our talented mother, holding on to my dad's arm.  The sight of two of the people I love most in this world caught me off guard and the tears just rolled down my face.  21 years of memories flashed before my eyes.  They were tears of sadness and happiness.  My little Linda now a married woman.

I'm so excited for this new phase in her life.  My sister is a remarkable young lady.  She has endured so much.  Her trials have not been easy but her strength and determination never cease to amaze me.

I don't remember but the story goes that I wanted a little sister.  So my mom in her motherly wisdom encouraged me to pray for a sister.  That's exactly what I did.  That prayer was answered.  And Linda is my living proof that Heavenly Father hears and answers our prayers.

Life's What You Make It

You guys, let me just share a few highlights from the last few weeks.

• I threw my sister a lovely bridal shower!  

We had a good turn out and I was happy with the way things went.

• I had a doctors appointment and left my house earlier than normal.  I opened the garage and saw this glorious sight.

• I wore green on St. Patrick's day and ran into Ethan.  Awkward encounter.  I met his girlfriend for the first time.  She said, "I've heard so much about you."  This literally went through my mind, "Great, I've heard nothing about you."  Thankfully, I had some tact and didn't voice that thought aloud.

• We had Marianne's birthday party where we made airplane sugar cookies

• I went wedding dress shopping with Lynette.  She's engaged and I'm so happy for her.  To think about where she was a year ago...man.  The Lord is so great and his timing is perfect.  I felt so special having her ask me to accompany her.  

• I had my wisdom teeth taken out and my parents came up to take care of me.  It happened to fall during General Conference weekend so we hung out for one session up on Temple Square.

Getting my wisdom teeth taken out wasn't that bad, truthfully.  I mean yeah, it sucked and I had bruised and swollen cheeks but there were so many wonderful people who took care of me.  My parents for one.  They are amazing people.  I'm so blessed to be their daughter.  A pretty cute boy brought me Jamba Juice and a flower.  If I could like these pictures I would.

• Had Stephanie's birthday dinner at one of my new favorite restaurants in downtown Salt Lake.

• I CUT MY HAIR!  
  
  
  
  

• My sister got married!!  That will be a whole post in and of itself.  Bear with me.  This weekend I hope to catch up.

• Last but definitely not least....I started dating this guy.  How did it happen?  When did it happen?  All great questions.  

More on that to come soon...

xoxo,

Me

Jumping the Gun

I'm going to jump the gun and share a recent story.

While I do have a lot to say about the recent weeks, especially after that Sunday night I invited people to eat my tamales, I just want to share my favorite picture from the weekend of General Conference.

Even with my chubby cheeks (from getting my wisdom teeth taken out) this guy right here still said yes to spending Sunday Morning's session of General Conference with me and my parents.  He deserves an award.

Sometimes amazing things happen when you least expect them to.

The end.

Sundays are my favorite days

Sundays are my favorite days.  Fast Sundays are even better.

Today in church, we had a really great Sacrament Meeting.

The testimonies shared really edified my spirit.  There is a young man who is preparing to serve a mission.  He testified that he is where he is because of the atonement of Jesus Christ.  It was powerful and when I stood up to bear my testimony (because I was right after him), for a moment, I was at a loss for words.  His testimony impacted me.  It made me think of Jon and the experiences in his life that got him to where he is today.  There's no doubt in my mind that that the atonement can heal our hearts and cleanse our souls.  After I sat down a young man, who we visited last Wednesday and invited to church, stood up to bear his testimony.  It was very simple but very sincere.  It brought tears to my eyes.

I've been feeling a little bummed since last night and the spirit in today's meetings was much needed.  I still feel bummed but I'm working on having faith.  I was at the temple on Thursday and happened to read in Ether 12.  It says, "...faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith."  There will always be trials.  Some might seem more silly/trivial than others but it doesn't matter.  The Lord cares and through the Atonement of Jesus Christ all will be made right.  I can take a step into the unknown because I know that as long as I'm keeping the commandments, the Lord will never leave me alone.

Whatever happens will happen and whatever won't happen won't.  Regardless, I will be okay.

Stay tuned though.  More great posts are coming your way.  Life has been pretty great these last few weeks.

Pictures

I asked Shayla to send me some of the pictures she took when we made tamales.  Here they are!  Enjoy!