Fall Break

This fall break has given me a lot of extra time with friends and being able to relax while doing fun things is certainly not an understatement. I am grateful that is beginning to feel like the season of autumn is upon us and we can enjoy the cooler temperatures outside, which is sometimes a wonderful thing if you ask me but that is a completely different story!!! 

I have really enjoyed getting to focus on other things that need my attention, which if you must know is all work related stuff but I look forward to seeing my colleagues. We always have a legitimate time with each other and try to get as much out of what we are learning from our group discussions. I legit want to soak in every moment that I can with these people until my final council term is up, which if I must say will come and go before I know it. 

Inspiring Story (Mini Edition)

I am not necessarily going into the details here about this, but I am someone who does not like to ask for help when it comes to pretty much anything unless it gets to a point where I am lost with what to do. I am certainly not one of those who likes to bug people when it comes to anything and yet I know it makes me want to be a stronger person than I ever could have imagined. It was so inspiring to learn a little bit more about what this friend of mine has had to go through in order to get to where they are, which I am certain did take some asking for help but was able to grow into the person they needed to be. I sincerely hope that both of us run into each other again and I will be able to help her out in some way with anything she needs in the moment. 

Mini Shout Out

I would genuinely like to send a shout out to the UVUWBB team as they prepare for their upcoming season opener!!! I may not get to attend any of your basketball games at all, but I am excited for you ladies to compete against teams that I have never heard of before, (expect for maybe just one who is about a mile away from you.) I am excited for you to show everyone what you are made of & will be able to do as the season goes on... which I am sure will be more of an experience that nobody is going to forget. I would also like to send a shout out to the best role model on this planet who is one of their assistant coaches--all the best of luck as they begin an adventure that as one of their many fans could not be more thrilled about. I know they will leave an imprint on the hearts of every player, coach and fan who will ever get a chance to interact with them. #IYKYK. 

Podcast (Revised)

I am not particularly someone who listens or watches a lot of podcasts, but there was one specifically that I could hardly wait to see get released on YouTube. It was definitely something that I had not quite known was ever going to happen or let alone make me feel as excited as it did, but I knew somewhere in the back of my mind that having followed my all time favorite vlogger for almost three years-- I did not want to pass up the chance to hear their inspiring story. I was left in such awe over how professional and well put together this entire podcast was from the little snippets I came across on social media up to the real thing. I legit could not even help myself but think of the journey this role model has taken to get to where they are, which if I must say has been a dream come true for me!!!! I genuinely have loved all or if not every single step of their journey and cannot wait to cheer them on from the sidelines.

I am someone who knows next to nothing about basketball and yet have continued following Paisley on her adventures with this sport that she loves so much. I will never forget when I attended her amazingly legit senior night back in the middle of February in 2022 in the BYU Marriott Center and unexpectedly getting a teardrop all of the sudden rolling down my finger. I definitely felt there was something really special about her team during their unforgettable and stellar season, which I will admit I wished had a chance to attend more of those games. After the basketball game was over, I remember quietly talking with myself that one day I would get a chance to meet one of those players and that was the only thing I ever wanted to do for a while. 

This entire podcast was an incredibly heartwarming moment for me to watch and realizing what it has taken a former collegiate athlete from professional basketball player to being one of the assistant coaches for the UVU women's basketball team!!!!! I am grateful to be just a very small part of their journey has impacted my life so much more than I ever could have imagined. I am truly hoping to one day leave an imprint on the hearts of people whose great examples have inspired me to become a better version of myself to anyone I have an opportunity to interact with. 

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Tribute

SIX YEARS AGO YESTERDAY---Heaven gained one of the best people who ever lived on this earth and I am grateful to have had the privilege to know him. Josh was truly one of those people who despite his many challenges always had a smile on his face and inspired me to see the good in every situation. He was an amazing example of what being a kind person is and how we should treat others around us, whether we know them or not. It has been a long six years without him on this earth to keep a smile on my face and learn alongside the many independent living skills that have motivated me to get to where I am now. He continues to making an impact on my life everyday through his goodness in helping others to be a little better than they were when they walked into a room. His unconditional love for people in the disability community never failed to amaze me in more ways than one & the hopes to do the same for others who I may interact with in this life. He never once complained or made assumptions about the struggles that he faced on a regular basis, but never let it stop him from being as much a part of society like everyone else and I am grateful he was able to change the world through his small actions. 

#BecauseOfHim, I know my friend Josh will be resurrected to his perfect body and make an even bigger impact on everyone who chooses to accept the gospel of Jesus Christ. I know he is not anymore pain and continues to be an inspiration to so many people, which if you ask me is not even close to being much of an understatement. I know with all of my heart that he will live again and continue doing so much good on the other side of the veil, which if you must know is something I am certain he was anxious to get working at once he arrived in heaven. 

Thank you so much, Josh for being a part of my life and making me a better person than I ever could have imagined myself to be. I look forward to being reunited with you on the other side and giving you a really nice big hug!!! :) 

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