Year In Review

Some of the highlights from this past year in 2016 were certainly ones that I'll never forget and cherish forever-- but others, I'll probably just hope to never have to face or experience again. I'm hoping this new year will be a little bit better and less stressful but I can't promise that isn't gonna sometimes be the case. Here is a brief preview into what has taken place this year....

- Youth Leadership Conferences in Reno, Nevada & up Provo Canyon

- Family Togethers

- NINJA Friend Togethers

- Back to volunteering at Westridge Elementary

- Special Needs Institute Class at UVU

- Ability First Youth Summer Program

- Late Nights with my best friends

- BYU Summer DanceSport Challenge

- NINJA Salt Lake Temple Square Trip

(Almost decided to live away from home for 2 years and participate in a program called Aggies Elevated.)

(Signed up to participate in  the Advocates as Leaders - Self Advocacy's Speaker's Network)

Most of the things I just shared here in this list, is just a glimpse into what happened in my life this year in 2016. I know it seems like almost too obvious that there was a lot of things going on, but ya get the picture right?? I have definitely learned so much about myself as a person and realizing the highs/lows with being a grown up. It hasn't been easy at times for me to look at the bigger picture, much to my own surprise I am only going to continue to strive harder & notice the positives in life instead of the other way around. 

Grateful Heart

I am grateful for....

The incredible & wonderful opportunity that I had of attending my special needs institute class at UVU. It was truly such a pleasure getting to be a part of a class where the spirit was very strong & inspired me to want to be a better person. I am grateful for the amazing teacher that we had & being able to learn so much from about the gospel. I loved every single minute of this experience so much and getting the chance to express what was in my heart, was really great too. I may never know what next semester will bring us and yet I feel like I was able to get more out of the lessons this time, than ever before just because the class is not as large as it used to be. At this time in my life, I am grateful for the chance I have to go to Institute and feel of the spirit so strongly. It has been such a blessing in my life to go somewhere and learn about the gospel on a weekly basis. 

My friends who I've gotten to know through attending various leadership conferences and having had the opportunity to be in a student ward. I am grateful for their goodness and willingness to reach out to other people who may need a friend or someone to talk to. I am humbled to have them in my life, and getting the chance to know each of them has made me a better person. I know it isn't easy for us together and plan something really fun, but at the same time I know that as a person I will never, ever be the same. I am grateful for their examples to me of what it means to see good in this world and to always remember what is important, regardless of anything that comes in our way. Thank you all so much for being who you are and I am eternally grateful to call you my friends!!

#LightTheWorld

As I've been thinking in my mind about this worldwide LDS church initiative, I have just recently thought of an experience where I was able to help out someone who needed my prayers. For anyone that doesn't already know this about me, my family served in a YSA ward for a period of time and it was truly one of the most cherished experiences ever. One of my truest friends that I got the chance of being able to meet in our student ward went through an experience of which I will not go into any details about, but getting to pray for them during a time when they needed it warmed my heart. I just knew in my heart that my Savior, Jesus Christ was aware of what had been taking place and that this individual needed my help. I know without a shadow of a doubt, that through our heavenly father and his son Jesus Christ we will be able to make a difference in the lives of other people. 

I don't know what my life would turn out to become if I didn't ever have the gospel. I love it so much and the peace it brings into my heart whenever I'm struggling with anything. I know it will make me feel happier inside to know that I can pray for others who may need it more than I do. While this was happening at the time, I knew in my heart that I would be able to lift someone up by just praying for them everyday and knowing that it would all be okay. I am grateful for the power of prayer and that regardless of whatever it is we are going through in life, if we just take the time to kneel down & talk with our heavenly father everything is gonna turn out alright. I know in my heart that if we can think of someone who may need our prayers at any time, to think of them and what the Savior would do to strengthen one of his own. 

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"When God solves your problems, you have faith in His abilities. When He doesn't solve them, He has faith in yours."

In my amazing institute class this morning, we watched one of those bible videos of our Savior raising Lazarus from the dead. It was truly such a significant miracle that took place and thinking about what it would have been like to be one of those witnesses... I would be absolutely in awe of knowing for myself that my Savior, Jesus Christ lives and regardless of whatever struggles we are currently facing in life, He will always be there for us. If I were present in the time of Jesus Christ raising Lazarus from the dead, I would probably be at peace knowing that I had just witnessed not one of the many miracles performed by our Savior and wanting to tell everybody I knew. I'm really grateful for the blessings that have come into my life this past year and having a better perspective-- on how the Savior continues to play an important role in our lives. I know some of the things I have experienced myself may not have been what I wanted, but at the same time recognizing the hand of the Lord and coming unto Him in every situation. I am not trying to come across being too preachy here or anything of that nature, but I want those people who may not be of my faith that I know my Savior, Jesus Christ will never leave us alone in anything we are facing. I know he is always gonna reach out and want to help me along this journey of life that we all need to get through. I can't even begin to tell you how much I love this gospel and the peace it brings me every single day...It warms my heart to know that I can make it to the end knowing I did my best. 

I shared this quote earlier today with my institute class and the simplicity of it means more to me, than I probably could have ever imagined. I love how when God solves our little problems, that we have faith in His abilities to guide us in the right direction and to believe in him-no matter what it is going on. There is always going to be a way for us to get through our trials in life and have the faith to rely on our Savior to help us make it from where we could be, to where we are right now. I feel so blessed to have the gospel in my life and feeling very much at peace with knowing what my purpose here on this earth is meant to be.