Challenge #2

What Are Some Choices In Your Life That Affected Where You Are Now?

I feel like there is still so much life ahead of me and so many more choices to be made! However, even in my almost 20 years of life, there have been some important choices that led me to where I am now.

Throughout grade school I was very involved and wanted to try a little bit of everything. I have always thought that being well rounded was important and I discovered many talents along the way. For example, my love of music and by ability to play the piano and violin. I chose to stick with it, participate in orchestra all throughout high school, sing in choirs, and participate in musicals. All which led me to decide to be a music minor. It's what I love to do and I look forward to teaching in the future.

Throughout church callings, ASB elections, and leadership camps and classes I've learned that I'm a leader and that I'm determined. I love to be that example for others to look up to and I love the excitement and stress that comes along with planning things and making an event successful. I love the behind the scenes work and being involved with the process.

My choice to go to BYU is one I will never regret. After just one year, I've learned so much in school and about myself. I've made so many great friends, my testimony has been strengthened and I've loved every minute of school activities such as devotionals and sporting events. Although I didn't choose to start last summer and I was reluctant to go, it turned out to be the best experience and probably my favorite part of school so far! It was the perfect transition into college life.

I've always had great friends and as I've grown older, they've become longer-lasting friendships based on important values. Majority of my friends are LDS and I think that has had a huge impact on my life. It allows us to learn and grow together and we understand each other as we are working towards the same goals. My friends have always been important to me and I have some of the best :) Whether we talk all the time or are separated, it's always easy to pick up where we left off and I know they will always be there for me. I am truly blessed!

My jobs are perfect for me and allow me to gain a lot of experience for what I have chosen as my career and major. Right now I am subbing as a para in the school district and also teaching swim lessons. Both get me in contact with kids! I love interacting with students and I love to teach! Both in school and in the pool. I couldn't have asked for anything better and it has just confirmed for me that this is really what I want to do! Elementary Ed program...here I come!

I know there are little choices we make every day that affect where we are going and the person we become and I'm so grateful for all the support and help I've had in making decisions and the examples I've had that inspire me to be the best I can be! 

Challenge #1

If You Were Forced to go Back in Time in the Olden Days, But Were Allowed to Take 10 Modern Conveniences With You, What Would You Take?

ONE

toothbrush...no one likes cavities or bad breath

TWO

a laptop...internet is a must

THREE

electricity...it would be nice to be able to see at night for reading and such

FOUR

a car...I've done my fair share of walking in life and sometimes it's just convenient to have transportation

FIVE

a refrigerator...this is necessary to make foods last longer

SIX

a water heater...i hate cold showers!

SEVEN

a camera...pictures are my all time fav

EIGHT

movies...good, wholesome movies are one of the best forms of entertainment

NINE

balls...basketballs, baseballs, tennis balls, footballs, you name it. sports are the best!

TEN
a washer...i can't even imagine how long it would take to wash all your clothes by hand

LDS Challenge #1

Record Your Testimony and How You Gained It

How perfect to start this on Fast Sunday. I've made a habit this year of writing my testimony each month if I don't share it in Sacrament Meeting. It's fun to look back and see how it has grown and see what was on my mind that month. 

I know this church is true and I'm so grateful for the blessing it is in my life. My testimony has been strengthened so much since I've been away at school and I have blessed with so many opportunities and surrounded by so many good people who have helped me grow. I know the Book of Mormon is true. I learned to love that book so much as I studied it for the first time on my own. There is so much we can apply to our lives and it provides us with knowledge of how to be happy and how to follow the right path. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet called of God and that he was an instrument in the Lord's hands as he helped to restore the gospel and translate the Book of Mormon. He was an incredible man and a great example to us all. I'm grateful for temples. I can't wait for the day when I will get to make sacred covenants in the temple. I had the opportunity to do baptisms every single week while I was at school and that was such a blessing. It was definitely noticeable when I didn't get a chance to go. I missed it! I'm grateful for missionary work. I was blessed to be surrounded by so many worthy young men who were preparing to go out and preach the gospel. I was amazed at their willingness and perseverance as they did everything they needed to. It truly is an amazing work and being so close to the MTC and seeing the work in action, I gained a greater appreciation for it. I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior and I'm so grateful for His atoning sacrifice. After studying the New Testament this last semester I really came to know Christ and understand more about His life and what He did. As I learned, my love and appreciation for Him grew. He became one of my best friends and I'm glad that I can continue to work on that relationship for the rest of my life. He is the perfect example and as we rely on Him, we can do anything. The atonement allows us to repent of our sins and gives us the opportunity to return to live with our Heavenly Father. I know that families can be together forever and I know that families are so important in this life. They can be our best friends and it's always so good to spend time with your family, especially when you don't get to be with them all the time. We can learn so much from each other and can make so many memories. I'm grateful for my family and all that they do for me. I can't imagine my life without the gospel of Jesus Christ and I know that as we strive every day to be better and to do the little things; pray, read our scriptures, attend our church meetings, serve others, that we will be blessed and be able to find joy.

I gained my testimony of the Savior as I participated in the Savior of the World production when I was 14. It was a powerful experience and I became more acquainted with the scriptures. I then learned so many more details and important events in Christ's life as I studied the New Testament and He became not just a historical figure, but a friend and my Savior.

The scriptures became important to me as my family read one chapter for scripture every single night. It was important to make a habit of it and a time for us to come together. As I started studying on my own, I learned to love them even more and was able to apply the teachings in my life.
As my grandparents and my friend's grandparents have passed away, I have strengthened my testimony that families are forever. What comfort that is to know that we will see our loved ones again. Times like these really bring families together and although you are sad at the time and will always miss them, you know there is a bright future ahead.
I have always loved the temple. The grounds are always so beautiful and there is such a strong spirit each time you are there. As I attended the temple every week while at school, I noticed a huge difference in my life and I was so grateful for that opportunity. It is such a blessing and became such a good habit, that if I couldn't go, I was really disappointed. As some of my friends have left on missions and were able to go through the temple already, I look forward to the day when I will be able to. They talk about what a great experience it was and even continued to go back as they prepared and wanted to learn more. We can always be preparing to go to the temple and I am striving to live my life in a way that I will always be worthy to enter the Lord's house.