Free Write

(SNAP Activity - BYU Men's Volleyball Team & Cosmo)

LAST NIGHT---The amazingly talented BYU men's volleyball team came to SNAP and to tell you it was an unforgettable night to remember would be an understatement. It was so much fun getting to meet all of the players, learn about where they were from and seeing their love for volleyball ended up being the main highlight of the evening. We also received some BYU swag from them and had the best mascot in division one college sports made a surprise visit for a couple of minutes!!! We loved getting our pictures taken with him and smiling from ear to ear, which if you ask me was pretty much the best thing in this world. I really appreciate all of the time, energy, hard work, dedication, and love athletes put into what they love so much while living the gospel of Jesus Christ everyday. 

Mini 2024 Year In Review 

Dream Come True - (February)

This unforgettable moment in my life is one that I am sincerely hope takes place again in my future is to be reunited with my favorite role model on the planet. It was such an incredible experience for me to be in her presence and still to this day getting that big hug she gave me without hesitation was truly one of those memories that is going to stay close to my heart. I genuinely want another chance to introduce myself and share a smile or two, maybe even some laughs while we are hanging out together. I may have blogged on this topic one too many times and have not gotten it out of my head---but it is definitely a moment that I can only imagine will be a lot better than the first one. #FingersCrossed.

Milestones (September)

I can hardly believe after this year concludes--- I have one more year left to serve on the UDDC and then get back onto the speakers network. I am grateful for the many lessons, adventures, experiences they were able to provide for me and obviously I could not have done it without the support of my colleagues. All of them have a passion in making the disability community a better place for everyone and educating me on the important things that individuals like me should learn. #ChangedForGood. 

(To Be Continued)

Mini Stories

It's hard to believe that another uplifting and wonderful semester of Institute has come to an end so quickly. I have genuinely loved feeling the spirit every week in our classroom and learning about how simplistic the gospel of Jesus Christ is, which if you ask me is nothing short of an understatement. I am grateful for the many ways that I have been able to think a little deeper about my so called life and just simply remembering of what our purpose on this earth is. I am truly blessed to be a part of the one and only church on the earth today, which is lead by our prophets/apostles who help us in striving to be like our Savior, Jesus Christ on a consistent basis. I know after what my life has been through in the last few years--- I have never felt more closer to him than during this year alone, which if you must know is just comforting in more ways than I can even say. I am grateful for the many heroes in my life who continue inspiring me to see the light and good in this world, no matter what circumstances I may be up against in life that they will always be there for me. 

Holiday Break Plans

I am looking forward to quality time with friends and family as the holiday season approaches, but if you must know I will most definitely get as much out of this Christmas break as possible. I am grateful for all the many opportunities that I will have to give back to others and remembering the greatest gift that we've ever been given is of course that of our Savior. I cannot wait to take extra time to reflect on the blessings-- that I have had or experienced because of the One who paid the ultimate price for all of us to be here right now. 

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Thanksgiving Break (Last Week)

It was definitely great to spend time with family and enjoy the blessings that we have been thankful for this past year. I really liked getting to unwind from the craziness of life and reflect on what is important during a time of the year that puts everything into perspective. I also loved getting to be a part of as well as celebrate my Grandma's 90th birthday with many friends and family who showed up to visit and make new memories. Did I forget to mention we saw the newly released WICKED movie with family?? I will not spoil too much in this blog post here about it, but I can promise that you will not be disappointed in what you are going to watch on the big screen. 

Back at UVU Institute 

I have genuinely loved attending my adapted needs institute class so much and feeling the spirit every week in class has made it even more incredible. I am grateful to learn from our inspiring teacher who continuously leaves an impression on me to be a little better and follow our Savior, Jesus Christ a little more everyday. It has blessed my life so much as I continue to navigate how I want to set an example of what my Savior wants me to become. My testimony has been strengthened tremendously throughout this semester and reminding myself that no matter how many mistakes I make, I know with all my heart that the lord will take care of everything else. 

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Mini Concert

 

EARLIER THIS WEEK----One of my colleagues texted me and asked if I would like to attend their choir concert that was being held at the UVU institute building. I obviously didn't hesitate to say yes and be there to enjoy a wonderful night of delicious food, music, and feeling the spirit as the choir members rehearsed & performed their musical selections. I was very impressed with their musical talents and dedication to making sure they sounded well as a choir, which if you must know left me in awe throughout the evening. 

I especially loved watching this choir perform a well known primary song that reminded me of how important it is to be a child of God and knowing what our purpose is here on this earth. As this song wrapped itself up, I ended with getting a slight tear in my eye and feeling the spirit over come me so strongly was an indescribable moment. The main guest artist was amazing and sharing his journey of coming into the restored gospel of Jesus Christ which if you ask me was pretty incredible--especially knowing that I had no idea what to expect from this. I am grateful for not only his musical talents but coming to see and recognize who our Savior is while pursuing a career in the entertainment industry, which I think is remarkable!!! 

(Stay Tuned For More)

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. 

(End Of Post)

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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