Star Struck

One of the most unforgettable experiences from this past week was when me, my twin sister and our best friends got the absolute best surprise ever!!! All of us knew that we would be attending the BYU Homecoming Spectacular performance in the Marriott Center a couple of weeks before, but little did we know the amazing experience all of us would have prior to the show. Within several minutes after parking the car and walking up to get our tickets for Spectacular scanned, I really didn't think all that much about wondering if there was not anything else in store for us. After we walked around inside for some time, all of us quickly started walking down the steps inside of the arena and waited at the spot where we would be taken down underneath to this dressing room.


Prior to this unforgettable encounter, We were simply told that none of us needed to bother asking about meeting David Archuleta even though at the time it seemed like would be a dream come true for not only me, but my friends too!!! We waited up at the top of one of the portals and stood there for some time until our best friend's dads' coworker walked inside and lead all of us in to the area underneath.



Our best friend Danielle's dad took us to where David Archuleta merchandise was being sold and got each of us an eight by ten photograph of him!! We obviously got all incredibly excited about what was going to happen next and gave me the pictures to hold onto till it was time for us to head down the stairs. We didn't really have much of any idea of what was going to happen at this particular point, but in my heart I wanted so much to just meet this singer who really has touched so many people's lives through their music and sharing such a powerful message of hope with thousands of fans!!! 


One of the producers took us down below to check out this dressing room and anxiously waited for what was going to happen next...which at the time seemed like forever but then a few seconds went by and the next thing we knew, The producer and of course, the handsome David Archuleta walks into the dressing room!!! If you must know, He is so much more cuter in person and has such a gentle heart that words could not possibly describe at this moment. He was so amazingly sweet and talking with him left me speechless, but luckily I was able to give him a hug as well as get some pictures with him prior to the show that night. He signed each of our pictures for us and his signature is just amazing in more ways than one, but it really meant so much to me during this week of my life that has been emotionally difficult for me.


We absolutely loved meeting him more than anything in this world and it felt completely surreal, but you know what I mean right?? Thank you so much to the handsome & the most cutest singer ever, David Archuleta for taking a little period of time to meet with the four of the craziest, most lovable fans ever!!! You truly made it a night to remember in more ways than one and I am so grateful to have gotten to see you in person!! Thank you so much for all that you do in this world and your music is such a powerful message to this world, that we cannot look up to see that there is a little piece of ourselves somewhere.

Unexpected Loss (Part Two)

This week is certainly going to be one of the hardest and most emotional times not only just in my life, but for my friends as well. We definitely know all of the unexpected tears that will run down our faces after tomorrow with knowledge our extraordinary friend, is not going to be present anymore and there will be a sense of loss in that back room. I know in my heart that our friend was unexpectedly called back to his Heavenly home and needed more on the other side to serve those around him, but to also leave a mark on us that we can get through this together as a group.



I know this life was never meant to be easy for any of us and some how if it was meant to be that way...Everyone would do it without realizing the importance of what it can do to help us grow into better people. We are most certainly going to have so many questions that will get asked about how to best cope with a loss and moving forward with a confidence to reflect on what we learned from our friend, who has moved on ahead for us to serve others.



All of us loved this person with so much heart and gave him the best moments, that we will truly cherish for many years down the road. I know it is never going to be the same without them around, especially since it was not too long ago that we were enjoying a sweet treat only to find out his mission has been completed on this earth. It did not actually hit me in the heart until I received the news of what happened from a friend on social media and immediately didn't know what to think in that very moment. I am grateful for the plan of salvation more than anything in this world and simply because of what Jesus Christ went through for all of us, We will be reunited with our friend again!!



I know it will be a party to remember once we get there and join him in celebrating a life well lived. There are many questions that lie in my head about this and wish things could have easily not been as difficult as they turned out to be, but I know our friend Josh is never far away. He is always going to be with us wherever we go or the people we come in contact with, there will never be a dull moment to not reflect on what he did to make us be a little more Christ-like and I am so blessed to have that perspective. 

Touching Shoulders Poem

There's a comforting thought at the close of the day,

When I'm weary and lonely and sad,

That sort of grips hold of my crusty old heart

And bids it merry and glad.

It gets in my soul and it drives out the blues,

And finally thrills through and through.

It is just a sweet memory that chants the refrain:

"I'm glad I touched shoulders with you!"

Did you know you were brave, did you know you were strong?

Did you know there was one leaning hard?

Did you know that I waited and listened and prayed,

And was cheered by your simplest word?

Did you know that I longed for that smile on your face,

For the sound of your voice ringing true?

Did you know I grew stronger and better because

I had merely touched shoulders with you?

I am glad that I live, that I battle and strive

For the place that I know I must fill;

I am thankful for sorrows, I'll meet with a grin

What fortune may send, good or ill.

I may not have wealth, I may not be great,

But I know I shall always be true,

For I have in my life that courage you gave

When once I rubbed shoulders with you.

Unknown Author 

Unexpected Loss

This week has definitely turned upside down in a way that I never least expected, but at some point in time I was not prepared for what was going to happen. It has been such a difficult short few days with having to realize one of our own was needed elsewhere for some unexpected reason, but I am taking into consideration there is so much more to learn from this instead because our Heavenly Father does not give us trials that he knows we cannot handle. I am not particularly sure why it needed to happen at this time in my life when things were simply going well, even though it feels a lot harder than most people would think.

"Sometimes you don't know the value of a moment, until it becomes a memory."

Every single one of us I'm sure have experienced at one time or another, not knowing the value of a moment until it was too late for us to see it's fullness in what it could do to make our lives better. I am not particularly sure if there is anything more to what could end up being the worst period of my life, or just a lesson that needed to be learned the hard way. We have all faced a low point in life when things could have easily just been a lot less difficult or not challenging in anyway, but if it was not--Everyone around us would think life was never meant to be hard. It is supposed to be that way so we can grow and be more like our Savior, Jesus Christ every single day if not more often than all of us can do. I am truly grateful for his atonement on our behalf more than anything else in the world, because he took upon himself all of our pains that we could not even imagine holding up on your shoulders.

Life will never be the same again from what has occurred this week and despite how unexpected this is, but there are only so many things that could be taken away from it. I know that we all return to the happiest place on this earth when our missions are completed, because I cannot wait to not have all of my struggles anymore but to be around all of the most legitimate people who impacted my life!! I am definitely looking forward with this loss of spiritual understanding and not focusing on the negative... even though it is almost too easy for us to not do that a lot of the time!!! It really does make me feel sad to know that when a person's life is finished unexpectedly...There is only so much that we could not only learn from this but recognize they are in a better place and being taken care of. I am grateful to know that they are running around, playing games with all of their friends and those who went on before. 

Because of what he did for all of us, There is a second chance to try again and step up to the plate with a smile on our faces to deal with any challenge that we have. Because of him, I know there is life after we return back to our Heavenly Father and feel happier with the opportunities he gave to each of us, So we could learn to strive harder than we would think otherwise. It is truly one of the most significant blessings with having the gospel is... No matter the circumstances of our lives at home, or how little we think of somebody that makes us angry, regardless of whatever we cannot handle in life everyday he will make up the rest. 

Without mentioning too much on here about this, I just want those of you reading through it to know that you are never alone when it comes to trials or tribulations that show up. There are so many people in your life that would do anything to make you feel better, encourage & lift you to be a little stronger than you could ever imagine yourself to be. I know there are so many times when we can just easily not recognize the Lord's hand in our life's, but he's never forgotten you even if it feels like it sometimes. He will always be with you during the hardest most rock bottom part of your life, when times get overwhelmingly difficult. It is just simply  because he knows how it feels when something does not go right for you or when at any given moment there is nobody there who will truly understand what you are going through, He does.



This unexpected loss continues to be a utter shock to me in more ways than one, but I know there are more people who need that extra boost of confidence to help them understand this gospel a little better. Me and my friends are struggling with the loss of someone who could easily make you smile whenever you felt like you could not look for the best in it. I know that we will see this person again after this life and look forward to the day when we can all hang out together again. I really do hope that they are saving a very hilarious and yet silly movie I know that we loved chatting about more than words could ever say... but if all of you know in your heart what I mean about this, well here is a little taste of it. "Hi ya pal, Oh No!!!" This is from the movie where you not only get a good laugh from because it is so funny, but it helps me remember even though the person is not with us... I cannot wait to greet them with open arms and cheerfully say these words: Welcome Home ya pal!! There is no absolutely no way we can lose the race!" This person did not ever lose the race because he fought it to the end and continually did it a smile on their face every time we saw them around,everywhere they went to live a more independent life. They were never complaining about how rough life was for them because they persevered through it with a good attitude, despite what else occurred along the way. It is an emotional loss for all of my friends and including me, but all of us are in this for each other because if our friend could handle anything in life-- So can we!!! It will be completely different not having them around us at activities anymore, but we do know he is in a better place watching over us everyday. 

Filming Presentation

This morning my mom and I drove up to Draper, Utah to meet up with a lady from the Utah Parent Center in Salt Lake to assist them with a project they are working on, and trying to get a message out there to young kids about how their supporters can help them trying to live successful lives as adults in the future. It was such a treat for me to spend quality time with my mom and getting to practice on my message with her on the way up, was definitely something that I'll always remember. We arrived at the recording studio quite a bit earlier from when we were supposed to show up and spent a bit of time waiting for them to get everything ready for me!!! I was not really quite sure how things would go with this videotaping session, because I didn't know if I ended up making any mistakes that they noticed had to be fixed they could easily make it happen. Once we started rolling the camera, I just quickly got into my experiences about what has successfully helped me be the person I am now. It's been quite a journey for me with many tears shed along the way and trying to keep myself together, through it all despite what was going on around me. I took about three minutes max to giving all of what I had prepared for them to know about my life adventures with getting my first job doing store maintenance two days a week. It was incredibly difficult for me to communicate with the person that was in charge of the employees, because of the language barrier that made me feel like it just was not worth my time continuing on any much longer. I felt really lonely not having someone to talk with & trying to make the best of the situation was not getting much easier, as those two years went on. I am certainly not someone whoever thought of themselves doing store maintenance, which did teach me some job skills but never got any better with changes happening unexpectedly. I was incredibly glad to have shared my own experiences with other people who may need some encouragement, when it comes to them finding a job that they can make some good money for and spend it at the same time too!!! 

Be sure to check the videos once they are out on the Utah Parent Center website, which I am not sure when they will get officially out there... and please out for them!!! I felt incredibly proud of myself in having been a part of this project and encouraging other people to know, that they can have a circle of supporters to help them in whatever it is they want to pursue their dreams in.

New Journey

Self Advocacy Filming Project

NEXT TUESDAY----I will be heading up to Draper, Utah in helping the Utah Parent Center with this project they are working on and needed two advocates to share their success life stories. I have really tried to keep away from sharing this kind of stuff on my blog, just simply because I don't necessarily like getting too personal in the things I write up about. I am determined to make the best of this new experience and hopefully can inspire other individuals like myself, to know they are never alone in whatever it is they want to pursue their dreams. This presentation should only take a few minutes of my morning to get finished as well as just making a good impression on those who will be there. I'm certainly a little bit nervous whenever I get asked to do something out of my comfort zone, but it will be completely worth every minute!!! I am grateful for the privilege to be a part of this project and not being afraid to share what has helped me to be where I am now. 

Volunteering Adventures (Part One)

This school year has only been in session for a couple of weeks, but I am definitely learning so much about patience and trying to stick it out as best as possible. It has given me an opportunity with putting my faith and trust in the Savior, that everything is gonna turn out for the better. Everyday this week, I have continuously prayed multiple times a day to help one of the teachers who has quite a lot to get under their feet.



Even though I am not a professional school teacher, it is the least I can do and making their school year a little bit easier, with all of the many new adventures that they have to take on. I am grateful for the experience to put my faith to the test and make an effort, to remind them that they are doing a fabulous job doing what they can to teach those kiddos what they need to learn. 


There are only so many times when I wished I could have done something more to help out, rather than just assume it will get taken care of itself without any meaningful effort put in behind the scenes. I know this is such a small little thing to do for someone else, but I cannot fathom it enough in my head about what it has done to help this teacher friend of mine know they can do hard things. I truly have to believe that even when one school year is hard, that's where you learn and grow the most as a person...but it also reminds you that no matter the many challenges you have in life, it will make you stronger. 

Weekly Updates

Unfortunately, I don't necessarily have much of anything new to share with people right now and life has continued to be a little busier than usual, but it is all good at the same time!!! I am truly grateful and excited for the many more experiences that will take place this coming year, but if you must know I am really quite anxious to see how they turn out down the road. I am determined to make the best of everything that comes in my way this next year and would literally do whatever it takes to overcome it with courage. Some of you out there know that I have considered doing this inspiring non beauty pageant for awhile and I've not registered for it quite yet. I really wish there was more information for me to share with you guys on this new chapter of my life, but after my questions are answered--I will have stories to share and memories to write up about for you all to read!!

Special Needs Institute

My twin sister and I have been attending this class for a couple of years now, which almost seems a little crazy when you think about how long it has gone on. We have enjoyed getting to feel the spirit every week with friends who are continuously striving to be more like our Savior, Jesus Christ each day and it warms my heart to know that they are making this world a better place. I am grateful for the many blessings that have come from this experience and remembering what my purpose is here on earth. I have really liked getting to meet so many new people who are just like me & love feeling the spirit talk to them as we listen to the lessons given by our wonderful teachers. We may not be so close as friends in anyway whatsoever, but they have made every week so much fun and sharing lots of laughs only puts a bigger smile on my face. 

Heartbreak Update:

This year has made me reflect so much on how much stronger of a person I'm becoming everyday & not feeling afraid to speak up for what is a priority in my life. I know it is through him that all of us can strive a little harder to pay more attention to what is going on around me. I am truly blessed for the many people who have kept me in their thoughts and prayers, even when I was doing great--so many tears were being shed at the same time. I know it will never get any easy after having faced the most difficult heartbreak ever and it will not be my last one either. It will only get better as the months/weeks/years go on, despite everything in this life has continues to happen for each of us...but never lose hope on what it is helping ya become along the way.



I also have been able to feel this literal inner strength inside of me to keep me on my toes and realize that despite however many challenges, that come in my way I will always have the Savior on my side to help me through any situation. I've also been able to understand that regardless of what others think of me in this world or how I look at all of my struggles in life...There is someone who has already paid the price for us and I am forever grateful to him for his willingness to give up his life so that we could be the people we are today. I know it will never get any easier with the more heartbreaks that I will be experiencing throughout my life as the years go on, but I will never lose hope in what is most important to me and trying to strive everyday to have him be the center of my life in everything that occurs to me on a regular basis.


Whether or not I have been able to see that at times throughout this year, is a completely different story for me to tell at some other time down the road but I am truly blessed for the opportunities that this experience has given me to persevere as well as make the best of everything that life throws at us. It has made me recognize his hand in everything that has happened to me this year, because without him I would not have made it to the example I am going to be for others. 

School Adventures

This school year has already kicked off to an incredible start and experiences that I cannot wait to have take place in the next few weeks!!! I am grateful for both of the phenomenal teachers that I'm working alongside with this year and cannot wait to get to know a lot better. They have been such a joy to be around more than anything in this world & I feel so blessed to have this year to share with both of them!!! I have only been at the school for a couple of weeks now and I am absolutely loving every single minute of that I get to be in those classrooms, with the cutest kiddos I could ever ask for in this world. I am so incredibly blessed to be at a school that is truly almost like my second home & I know that sounds a little bit strange of me to admit, but it is true in more ways than one!!! I've just loved getting the opportunity to serve other people in some capacity, has brought me so much more happiness than I can ever begin to tell you at this very moment.



Since my first year there as a high school student intern at seventeen years old, I never would have expected myself to be good with children in a classroom and trying to make the best of everything that life threw at me. I am really grateful for the way it has changed me into a better person & feeling more comfortable with going out of my comfort zone to make a person's life easier in some way or other. I am helping out in two different classes this year in third and second grade, which has been quite a transition for me from years past because I've never helped in one of the portable classrooms throughout my years at the elementary school. I have absolutely loved getting to cut things out for the teachers, whenever it's needed as well as filing assignments/grading math papers and everything else in between. 

I am probably never gonna know when things in my life will settle down and there is not anymore stressful things to be concerned about. I am determined to make the most of every situation that life throws at me during this school year as best as I possibly can do, but at the same time-- I have really continued to pray for the teacher whose still getting their feet under them. I think deep down inside they appreciate all of the help that I am able to give them whenever it's needed at any time!!! I feel confident that they are going to make it through this trial of faith and see the light at the end of the tunnel. Obviously, I am not a professional school teacher by any means whatsoever but with being one of the volunteers at the school there is only so much I can do. I believe with all of my heart, it will get better as the rest of this month goes on and everything gets to where it needs to be. As I've prayed for them continuously throughout the last couple of weeks and trying to help them feel the love of the Savior on a weekly basis...it really brings me so much peace to know that it's all gonna work out.