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BYUWBB Game - Unforgettable Win!!!

I have been following the BYUWBB team on social media for awhile and always love seeing how their games turn out as their season moves forward. I am grateful for their dedication to the game that all of them love so much which if you ask me is nothing short of an understatement. I have loved getting to cheer them on from afar in the hopes of one day seeing them play in person before the season is over... which to me would be a dream come true!!! I loved watching their game today which at times was just slightly scary when I didn't know if it would head into overtime or come up short--but luckily with two seconds to spare one of the players made a basket and came out on top. I may know next to nothing in regards to the game of basketball---but I am excited to hopefully some time next year make it to at least one of their home games in person and cheer them on inside the Marriott Center!!! 

Christmas Story Express Night (SNAP Activity)

I am definitely looking forward to this unforgettable activity tomorrow night and ringing in the holiday season with my friends. We are certainly going to have the best time ever listening to Christmas stories and watching a little bit of the well known Christmas movie: "The Polar Express." I cannot wait to show up at SNAP tomorrow night wearing comfortable and cozy clothes while drinking delicious hot cocoa as we spend quality time with everyone who will be in attendance!!! I cannot wait to see what other surprises are in store for us throughout the night and maybe an unexpected guest will happen to show up as well---- I am not necessarily getting my hopes up about this at all but you get the idea here??? 

Adaptive Needs Institute Class (Two More Weeks)

LONG STORY SHORT----My institute teacher asked everyone about what we wanted to prior to heading into Christmas break and we all made the unanimous decision to continue on for another two weeks. I am grateful for this time of year to reflect more on our Savior, Jesus Christ and his life that he lived with a lot of love in his heart for everyone and his teachings about how we should live everyday has left a very deep impression on me. I am grateful for the example that he set for all of us to follow while on this earth and I look forward to the day when I can be reunited with him alongside my loved ones who have passed onto their next chapter in life. 

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Reenacted Stories

LAST NIGHT----My twin sister and I along with our best friends participated in a very unforgettable SNAP (special needs activity program) event that I know I will forever keep close to my heart. Everyone was divided up into three separate groups to reenact stories from the Book of Mormon and let me tell you it was such a spiritual experience that I really needed in the midst of a very hard time. 

AFTERWARDS----All of us gathered into the relief society room and watched as every one of the groups performed their stories from the Book of Mormon for everybody to watch. I did really like the creativity that went behind every single one of the stories and getting a lot of laughs and smiles from people who were in attendance. I was physically not feeling all too good while at this activity and literally doing my best to hold back teardrops from falling down my eyes. 

One of the most spiritual parts for me about this activity was walking into the cultural hall where it was dimly lit so you could still kind of see what was in front of you, but there was a big picture from the book of mormon projected onto the overflow curtains. At this time, I did not even have an clue about what was going on and noticed there were pictures of the Savior placed nicely on tables. I still didn't know what was happening while we patiently waited for everybody to get settled down and then the next thing I knew we heard this voice come on the overhead speakers quoting scripture. 

LONG STORY SHORT----One of the SNAP leaders arranged either through the church or Motion Picture studios to have an actor with a spotlight on him decipting the Savior. I felt the spirit testify to me in this spiritual moment that Jesus Christ lives and directs his church in these latter days. This actor walked out in front of everybody and asked if anyone that did feel comfortable with him blessing as well as healing us. I did not hesitate for a second as he walked up in front of me and my friends to perform this miracle, I hopped out of my seat to wrap my arms around him in this big hug where in that moment I had completely forgotten about all of the physical pain I was experiencing. I obviously was not healed in that moment but knew in my heart our loving Savior was gonna walk with me every step of the way and I know he will continue to do throughout my life. 

This whole experience was truly one of the most profound things that I had ever been a part of and knew that our Savior loved me more than I could ever describe into words. I also in the most gentle way laid my head down on his shoulder while everyone in the crowd out of the blue started to cheer and instantly began giving me a round of applause. I quietly said out loud that "This must be what Heaven is going to be like for all of us when we get there and I can hardly wait to meet my Savior when that day arrives."

In this very moment---I felt like the Lord was going to take me by the hand and lead me to where I needed to be on the covenant path back to my heavenly home. I knew in my heart that no matter the circumstances we are ever up against in our lives I am never going through it alone. I was able to have my faith in him provide me a sense of hope that he is in the details of just not only my life, but in all of the many lives of every single one of his beloved children. 

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Fall Break

Happy Birthday, Camille!!!

I am so grateful for your friendship in my life and the example you continue to be for so many people is second to none. You have truly been a light in this world through the ways you put a smile on the faces--- of everyone who gets an opportunity to be in your presence. Thank you so much for being a wonderful & kind friend that always puts the needs of others before their own, which if you ask me is nothing short of an understatement. Hope you are having the most unforgettable, amazingly terrific thirty first birthday ever this weekend and getting to celebrate with those you love so much!!! 

My best friend Camille is truly one of the most energetic people I have ever met in my life and cannot be more grateful for the unconditional love you share so freely with everybody. I have loved getting to know what an incredible young woman you are in the ways you bring positive vibes into every room and more importantly just being a disciple of our Savior, Jesus Christ. 

Other News:

I am genuinely hoping with all of my heart that BYU wins their football game tomorrow night and makes it an experience that cougar fans will never forget. I know that cougar nation will pack LES to the rafters and cheer on our favorite collegiate team to another victorious performance, which I hope is a good game for everyone who will be participating. I am doing my best to not think about it too much and get myself stressed out with this, but I am confident that BYU will play with toughness, fundamentals of what the game is and should be while putting in their legitimate effort, alongside with grit while battling it out safely on the football field. #CougarFan4Life. 

Fall Break 2025

Our SNAP activity last night was decorating pumpkins and laughing with our friends which if you must know is one of my favorite things to do. I didn't know how to decorate it at first and had creative ideas-- for what I wanted my pumpkin to look like. I ended up drawing swirls and stars among other things that I had come to my head while sitting around with my friends at our table. We definitely made it a time to remember and cannot wait to see what the rest of this month has in store for us, especially with another chance to dress up for one of our upcoming SNAP activities. 

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Free Write

Deep Blue Story (Mini Version)

I am not sure if you have ever watched some of the BYU deep blue stories but they are inspiring and have reminded me that even when we face difficulties in life, the lord is always with us. I actually met this cute, energetic young woman named Kylie who is truly an angel of a woman in so many ways. I am inspired by her positive attitude and love that she shares with everyone who has had an opportunity to meet her, which believe me was a dream come true!!! I loved getting to listen to her beautiful story about achieving her life goals and defying the odds in the face of challenges, which I think is an example that I need in my life so much right now. I also loved that she was able to see the lord's hand in everything she set her mind to and never giving up hope on what she wanted to accomplish even if it was going to take a little more time on her part-- she was determined to make it happen. 

I remember meeting her for the first time in early January of last year while walking in with my family to a BYU women's basketball game. She had such a beautiful smile on her face and of course being a hugger like I am-- I didn't hesitate to give her a nice big hug while we talked for a brief time. I am really hoping we get another opportunity to talk with each other again and share some laughs together, if we ever have the chance. #FingersCrossed.

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Weekend Vibes

LONG STORY SHORT----One of my colleagues asked if they could nominate me for the leadership position that was coming up on the governor appointed entity that I volunteer my time on. I was very grateful to have been nominated as well as giving a five minute pitch of why I'd like to be one of the people chosen as the next vice chair for the council. I had to pitch myself to everyone in a short time period and let them know my reasons with becoming the next council member to serve in a different capacity that I have never done before. It will definitely be a learning experience for me and yet I am confident things will fall into place after I have a chance to process what my specific duties are.

However, I did get a chance to read through the blurb of what the responsibilities are for being the vice chair on the council and it was pretty self explanatory. I definitely have so much more to learn along the way and find it comforting to know that I am not going to be alone in this new chapter that's been placed in my life at this time. I didn't necessarily want to get my hopes up about what the results would be and I wanted to make an effort to congratulate the person who I had kind of figured gotten the position once my other meeting was finished--but that was not the case. 

I didn't know what the results of this poll were going to be and felt at peace with having been nominated to something I had wanted to do at some point---but you pretty much get the idea here?? I am honored to volunteer in a different capacity with the council that has been such a blessing to be a part of this and can only hope for whatever lies ahead in my future. 

Girls Night 2025 Highlights:

This was supposed to occur last weekend & when that didn't happen whatsoever... We ended up being the together on hold until last night. We had so much fun getting to eat snacks and tell silly stories that nobody who would probably understand--but yet we enjoyed having a fun filled party together. We laughed till our hearts were tired while watching miniature clips from the big time rush concert that we attended in August which if you ask me was a dream come true. We loved getting to sing along with the guys who made their performance one that no one will soon forget and not to mention the fact we never stopped having the time of our lives until we had to leave. 

We also spent a lot of our time looking at the beautiful pictures our friends took on their vacation to Italy which if you ask me was incredible!!! We loved getting to see the old historic architecture and most of the yummy food they were able to eat--which looked pretty scrumptious in every little sense you could possibly think of. I am grateful we had an opportunity to spend quality time with our friends and look forward to more unforgettable adventures together!!! :) 

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AS OF LAST WEEK----I have been attending institute with another group of individuals with adaptive needs and it has certainly blessed my life in tremendous ways. I have really enjoyed getting to learn how amazing the gospel of Jesus Christ is in our everyday lives and coming to know him better than we ever could possibly imagine. I am grateful for the opportunity to be surrounded by wonderful people who are striving to do all they can to become like our Savior, which if you ask me is something I know I need to work on more often. 

I have felt my testimony of this gospel become strengthened so much over the last week and a half along with keeping my focus on what is most important to me. I know that blessings from my Heavenly Father have continuously made me realize that when I make him a top priority in my life, there is not anything I cannot overcome or see past. I know he has been there with me every step of this mortal journey that does at times put my faith to the test and reminds us of who we are, no matter what circumstances we may find ourselves up against.

Mini Synopsis: (BYU Sports Podcast)

I have watched snippets of podcasts on the internet and never felt like it was something I would want to listen in on or want much to do with. EARLIER LAST MONTH---I sat down to listen to an amazingly talented young woman share her journey with playing collegiate basketball and getting to where she is now. I was very impressed with how articulate, honest, personable, tender hearted she was telling her inspiring story about a sport that she dedicated so much of her time to. I obviously know next to pretty much nothing about basketball and yet I am incredibly proud of what this young woman did to always have a smile on her face while chasing her dreams. #IYKYK

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New Updates

I obviously have no idea if I ended up wining any of the games we did in a minute, but I am grateful for the many laughs and unforgettable moments that I was able to share with my friends. We enjoyed getting to watch one another play a DIY version of air hockey, getting as many ping pong balls inside of plastic cups as we could, of course we had a very energetic conversation about plans for future SNAP activities which if you ask me was the best part of the evening!!! I happily mentioned that we need to have some kind of an activity with any one of the BYU sports teams and it would not necessarily need to be one of the b-ball teams due to the fact they would be in the middle of their seasons--but who knows??? I would love it so much and getting to learn something new would be icing on the cake!!! 

Big Time Rush Concert (Next Friday)

I am excited for this anticipated event to finally get here and have my summer break end off with a very unforgettable evening filled with excitement. I know it will be a very late night for all of us and we will hopefully be singing along to every song that is performed. All of us have our brand new concert shirts that we are going to be wearing and of course just simply having the time of our lives with each other...but you get the idea?? #ICYMI

UVU Adaptive Needs Institute

After what has been a very eventful summer, I am definitely looking forward to another uplifting semester in my adaptive needs institute class at UVU. I cannot wait to learn more about the hymns of the church & how they can be a source of guidance, direction, comfort, praise, gratitude along with everything else that you can possibly come up with. I am grateful for the opportunity to feel the spirit every week and have the chance to be inspired by our classmates who make every class period one that I will not soon forget. I feel blessed to have the gospel of Jesus Christ in my life and know that throughout this semester, my testimony will be strengthened in more ways than one!!!