Tommorrow Night

 

LONG STORY SHORT----I am really excited about having the BYU men's volleyball team coming to our SNAP tomorrow night and teaching us some new skills about a sport they are all passionate about. I really cannot wait to meet the players while learning a little bit about them prior to our activity getting started. It definitely will be a fun filled evening with lots of smiles/laughs to be shared which if you ask me will not be anything short of an understatement. I am hoping that we have a brief appearance by the coolest mascot of all time if he has the opportunity to make an entrance--but only time will tell. I am probably not making this up when I say that I am the most dedicated BYU sports fan ever and love watching our athletes come together in what they love to do while representing our Savior, Jesus Christ. 

I am not particularly sure what else they have planned for us tomorrow night and most likely will bring a couple of BYU volleyball swag back with us after the activity is completed. I am definitely hoping to get some more photos taken with the team while the activity is going on and make some new memories that I know will never be forgotten. I will do everything in my power to keep myself calm and not immediately feel overstimulated by the craziness of what is going on. I am confident that me and my friends will have probably a little too much fun trying to make certain that our time at SNAP is clearly one to remember for weeks to come!!!

I literally have no clue what else lies in store for the team as they continue on with their upcoming seasons of playing BYU volleyball---but I do know we will do all we can to support them in some way or another. I know attending one of their games last year while dancing alongside my best friends was an incredible experience for us that we have never stopped talking about. I know everyone there looked at us like we were obviously crazy people but none of us had a care in the world about what others who were thinking of us at the moment---but we had the best time ever. I cannot wait to hopefully get back to one of their games at some point in the distant future and we can have a solid BYU win inside of that smithfield house!!! 

Personal Heroes

In my adapted needs institute class yesterday, We were asked to make a list inside of a journal or on a piece of paper to write down the names of our personal heroes. We could also put a star next to their name if we wanted to and how they have influenced our lives in one way or another. I would like to share a few of them with you at this time:

*Hero One: My Savior, Jesus Christ

I cannot describe into words what an absolute blessing my Savior, Jesus Christ has been throughout my life. He has given me strength when I didn't think I had it in myself to keep going or wanted to just give him the reins to take over what was going on at the time. I know he is always there for me when I need him to talk to about anything that is weighing on my mind or just simply giving me hope for whatever comes up next in my future. 

In late November of last year, I went through a very difficult time in my life when I was not sure if the Lord was hearing my prayers or if I just needed to simply take him by the hand to get through my situation. I know with all of my heart that he was there to give me peace of mind while I tried to pretend like there was not anything more I could do than just wish to get completely healed. I know that he helped me through this time of uncertainty and knowing with just a little bit of patience--I was going to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I truly love him with all of my heart and have no doubt in my mind that he is going to carry me through whatever difficulties that lie on the covenant path. 

*Hero Two: Kylie Webster

I met this amazing young woman a few short years ago while going into watch a BYUWBB game in the Marriott Center. I immediately didn't hesitate to happily say her name and give her a nice big hug while we visited for a minute. I loved being in her presence so much in that moment and even though we don't know each other personally... I genuinely felt like the Lord put her into my life when I needed it literally more than anything in this world. I did keep in contact with her over social media off and on where I did introduce myself to her which if you ask me was a delight in more ways than one. I truly cannot express my gratitude nearly enough times for the way she has blessed my life and walking into a number of the BYUWBB games last season only to see her smiling back at me, I could not help myself but want to do the same thing back to her. I am truly hoping to get back to some of the home games this next season or let alone if I see her around somewhere in the community to have our picture taken together... which I'm hoping will occur at some point in the distant future. I really love her sweet spirit that she has wherever she goes and the incredible friends that I have seen her interact with. It touches my heart in many ways and knowing she strives each day to be like our Savior, Jesus Christ strengthens my testimony to want to do better in all that I set my heart on. 

*Hero Three: Josh Taylor

This remarkable friend of mine has been on my mind for the last while and cannot imagine how life has continued on without him. I truly miss being around him on a daily basis for activities or classes at our independent living center every single week. He literally didn't mind spending time with the girls if we had to break up into groups whether to cook something or do a craft together. I am grateful for the many ways he blessed my life through his example of seeing the positive in every situation and knowing that I can do the same on this side of the veil is such a comfort to me. I greatly miss his smiling face as well as his presence when he would roll into any room that he entered in on his electric wheelchair. I genuinely hope that he is being treated like royalty in his heavenly home and watching all of the incredible things happening while he is serving others. He is truly one of my heroes that never failed to make me smile or let alone give me a thumbs up when I needed it at any given moment. I greatly miss his positive attitude that he would bring into every situation life threw in his path and handling it with a perspective that all would be well because of our Savior, Jesus Christ's atonement. I look forward to the day when both of us reunite in our heavenly home and take to heart all of the incredible things we were able to do on our earthly journey. 

*Hero Four: Paisley Johnson-Harding

Back in February of 2024---I finally had the opportunity to meet this fantastic young woman shortly after watching a very heartfelt BYU women's basketball game. I didn't hesitate to say that I wanted to meet her for so long only to leave the entire conversation feeling socially awkward. I was literally more starstruck to have finally been in her presence and hopefully the next time we have a chance to see one another again--I will make it an effort to politely reintroduce myself. I would like to tell her face to face what an absolute blessing her example has been in my life the past four years and letting her know that she is continuously in my prayers every single night. I am grateful for the maturity and respect she gives to so many people that she works alongside with in the world of BYUWBB--which if you must know is something I am trying to work on getting better with too. I sincerely have no clue when our paths could end up crossing again in the distant future that I can be as socially appropriate as possible without being too energetic if you know what I mean?? I genuinely aspire to be the kind of young woman that she is in my life everyday and even more importantly like our Savior, Jesus Christ in anything I set my heart on-- let alone want to draw as close to him as I can. I have such admiration for her unshaken courage & faith to keep chasing her dreams while going until she gets them---no matter the obstacles that unexpectedly show up in her path. 



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(To Be Continued)

Rewrite (Part Two)

I just finished up my six year terms serving on another incredible governor appointed entity and working closely with the best of the best in our state. I am truly grateful for the many experiences, adventures, lots of unforgettable moments and lessons that I was able to take away from this journey. I loved getting to be involved with various leadership capacities and making the disability community here in Utah a place that everyone belongs. 

MANY YEARS BACK----I quietly thought to myself about becoming a member of UDDC and not quite knowing what I would be getting myself into. I definitely felt like at the time it was the right step for me as I wanted to continue giving back to a community that provided opportunities I will cherish for the rest of my life. I am thankful for the growth that I have seen in myself and knowing my advocacy work is far from being over any time soon. I am truly blessed to have had the help of my Savior, Jesus Christ through out this journey and believing in me to trust in him every step of the way. I know he was never going to let me do this alone and give me every ounce of faith to keep going whether I wanted to or not. I am grateful for his role in my life and encouraging me to do my best no matter the obstacles that laid in my path that would prevent me from continuing to do what I love. 

As I have contemplated on what this experience has meant to me, is simply to never give up on what I am capable of doing while making our society a better place. I have truly loved getting to meet new people on this journey who are passionate, dedicated, hard working, patient and doing so much behind the scenes to make the disability community what it truly can become. I know my life has been forever changed in the sense of what I have accomplished to make UDDC what it is and their work is not even close to over yet as I hope to stay involved as much as I can possible. I am not particularly sure what I could assist or help with down the road but I know there will be more opportunities to expand my horizons while inspiring so many people to do the same. 

Next Chapter - (Mini Sneak Peek)

LONG STORY SHORT----One of my colleagues sent off a reccomendation email considering my name for an opportunity to serve on the Athlete Leadership Council. It is obviously something I have a lot of questions about and can only hope this will be a possibility for me to expand on my leadership skills for the disability community. I am really not sure what else this opportunity if there is one for me to look into that I can be of help to a population that I love so much and hope to continue seeing growth in those who want to make our world a better place. (Stay tuned for more!!!)

I obviously cannot rewrite about my experiences serving on these two governor appointed councils and wish at times I could have been a little more self aware of what was going on, but knowing I had extra heavenly help on the other side made this truly something to keep close to my heart. I know my years serving were not always the happiest of times for me and trusting in my Savior to help me through it was such a blessing. I am not particularly certain what the future holds for me yet and know whatever does happen for me down the road will be amazing. 

Rewrite

SIX YEARS AGO-----I made a decision to apply to volunteer my time on two governor appointed councils and making an impact on the lives of people with disabilities. I knew in my heart that this opportunity was not going to come around in the distant future and wanted to get to know lots more amazing people. I obviously had a lot of questions running through my mind about what was clearly expected of me in the role as a council member among so many other things. I made a good share of mistakes along this journey that helped me draw closer to my Savior than ever before and to know he would take care of everything else brought peace to my heart. I was able to feel his love for me not only as being one of many council members within the disability community, but as one of his daughters who wanted nothing more than to give this her best possible shot. If you have known me long enough, I did shed a lot of tears and let out emotions that easily should have been kept to myself for long periods of time and as I look back on what this experience taught me is that nobody is expected to know everything or let alone be the perfect council member.

I knew coming into this experience was not going to be easy at times and feeling like maybe I should have waited a little bit longer to be a part of them. I also knew that my role on these councils was so very much needed as well as crucial into what had to be done while participating in every meeting. I am truly grateful for the privilege that I had to serve in various leadership roles and stepping up to the plate when things had to be taken care of in a timely manner. I really loved getting to make new friendships with so many people who are passionate about making sure they are being heard and continuing to be an example to those they meet along the way. I did not necessarily expect changes to happen that were clearly meant to help all of us grow while representing organizations who continue to do so much behind the scenes and cheering me on to keep going. 

One of the biggest lessons I took from this experience is doing your best is all that you can do on being a new council member as well as maintaining respectful and professional boundaries with so many people who dedicate their time to making the disability community a better place. I did not necessarily learn this particular skill very fast in any manner, but it did give me this sense of understanding what is socially appropriate and what is not. I most definitely had to give myself some grace in the process of all this and knowing it's only going to help me trust in the Lord even more than I ever thought possible. He made certain that I was not in this journey alone even when times felt unbearable and next to impossible with all I had on my plate. He was truly with me every step of the way and gave me comfort when it was clearly something I needed at a moment when I almost wanted to give up. I am grateful for his role in my life and giving me the chance to try again while striving to be a disciple of him every time I participated in some kind of an event or whatever the case scenario was. 

Looking back on this experience from six years----I have definitely come a long way from where I was prior to applying to be on these councils that serve the disability community. I learned to be patient with myself a lot more and knowing that everything has a timeline made this experience truly something that will forever be close to my heart. This six year journey was not at times anything but easy for me to say the least and knowing I had a good support system to encourage, motivate, believe in me to do things to my full potential among so many others that led me to where I am now. I know this is only going to be the beginning of what is to come next and can only hope for the best in whatever lies ahead for a new chapter waiting to be opened. I will continue advocating as much as I can possible and being the best version of myself that I can become long after this journey concludes. I know there is a lot more good things out there I can hopefully take part of and learn even more about what this beautiful community has to offer. 

Rewrite Lyric Video - Hilary Weeks

(To Be Continued)

Updates

BYU Adaptive Show Choir (Next Year)

There is no official decision being made or set in stone at this moment---but I am kinda considering the fun opportunity to be involved with the BYU adaptive show choir. I attended one of their concerts a few years back and absolutely loved getting to see the participants get out of their comfort zones to perform a song, dance, or anything they wanted the audience to see. I especially loved the energy inside of the field house with so many fans cheering them on from the stands and making it an experience no one will ever forget. 

I am keeping my fingers crossed that this time next fall in 2027 I have signed up myself for something that I confidently know will impact my life forever. I cannot wait to make new friendships with so many other participants who have been a part of this for some time and learn so much from them. I have wanted to be involved with this show choir for some time but was never able to make it work into my schedule where I had so much going on. 

BYU Basketball Diamond Painting

Minus the option of taking this to show and tell for a SNAP activity... I literally have no idea what my decision will be afterwards to give away my diamond painting to someone else. I obviously would like giving the piece of art to a friend of mine who loves the game of basketball and continuously leaves me stunned with all that they do in working behind the scenes of BYUWBB. I am keeping my head up high and hoping we can make it to some of the women's basketball games this next season if we get just even one chance to watch the team play. #StayTunedForMore

Back To SNAP!!! (Next Week)

I am literally excited to get back into SNAP and have more activities to look forward to as we head into the fall season. I have genuinely missed being with my friends on a weekly basis and making lots of new memories together alongside the other participants who are in attendance. We are having a birthday party for everyone since people had birthdays during the summer months and we were not able to celebrate any of them as an entire group--which if you ask me will be a treat all by itself. 

Terms End

My six year terms serving on two of the best governor appointed entities in our state will come to an end next month and cannot even imagine my life without them. I have truly learned and grown so much as the person who knows they were not going to be perfect in the beginning of a journey that allowed me to be an instrument in the Lord's hands. I throughly enjoyed getting to volunteer my time with some amazing and incredible colleagues who pushed me to do my best in any situation--no matter the circumstances that I was up against. They inspired me to see the good in those I came in contact with and recognizing my full potential was to serve on these boards. 

I obviously didn't know if signing up to be on two councils at the time was a good idea and not to mention the fact I was incredibly nervous about what to do in any given circumstance. I did have my fair share of mistakes along this six year journey and learning to put my trust in the Lord as much as I possibly could without questioning what I had gotten myself into. I definitely came to understand over time that he was going to be in the small details of my life and not leave me wondering what to do next. I am grateful for the comfort and peace of mind he gave me when emotions in my head felt almost unbearable to control but knowing he was not going to let me do this alone was an answered prayer. I know this experience at times was nothing short of easy for me when it came to processing all that this entailed in what has felt like the blink of an eye. 

There are too many unforgettable moments and experiences to be shared right now, but I am grateful for the opportunity my colleagues gave me to be a part of their lives. They made me want to be a better and more confident self advocate who could believe in themselves to do hard things, not being afraid to take risks when I knew it was going to be fun by the end of things, etc. I will admit that I especially loved getting to be involved with some of the disability leadership conferences that helped me get to where I am today and leaving an imprint on every heart of the individuals I was able to learn so much from throughout this journey. 

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Four Days Left

These past two weeks alone have been treacherously long and boring for me in more ways than one minus the fact I am anxiously excited to have my mom walk in the door of our house. I have done my absolute best in keeping up with house work and making sure we are getting things done that need our attention. I have definitely liked not having so much on my schedule while my mom has traveled out of state to help do the choregraphy for a long time show in Nauvoo that's gotten revamped multiple times if not more. We are more than ready at this point to have her back home and helping me with things that I have waited for two weeks to either get online or have completed before figuring out what to do with my diamond painting that I spent a lot of time on. #IYKYK 

I have waited anxiously to get to this point in time with all that has been going on and look forward to having a little bit of a normal life around here. I know my mom sacrificed so much of her time, energy, skill into making sure this particular show in Nauvoo is what they are asking for which to me is either what they wanted or maybe need to find someone else who knows what they are supposed to do in any situation like this one. 

I am probably going on about this way too much and have left you feeling slightly confused---but I am grateful to have made it as far as we have. I am more than excited to have one of my parents home with us again and not having to leave out of state again once they get here. I know I have felt the lord's hand in this whole process and giving me peace when I didn't know if I was going to feel it or not during any kind of situation I didn't want to put up with. We have not needed to call other people for extra help in anything that has gone on for the past twelve days and not having to be somewhere in particular (I will admit is nothing short of a miracle.) I am quite certain that we can all take a big sigh of relief in a few short days from now and get excited for what is to come down the road. I am grateful that my mom is not going to be doing this again next year and have an extra fun filled summer with other things to do rather than twilding our thumbs waiting for time to pass. 

I look forward to participating in my adaptive needs institute class again next week and not having any kind of worry about what I need to do the second we walk in the door. I have waited a long time for this weekend to finally arrive and now that we are officially here at the moment---I know things will begin to settle themselves down quite a bit. 

(End Of Post)