NYE Plans

LAST MONTH-----I was anxiously waiting for the adult session of our stake conference to begin and just mentioned to my mom that I wanted tickets to a BYU women's basketball game. It was so much fun to see them compete three times last year and obviously didn't want to miss another chance to watch them play a sport they are so passionate about. If you have known me my entire life, I am very much a true BYU sports fan all the way and always love getting an opportunity to cheer them on whenever I watch them on TV or just even LIVE in person. 

LONG STORY SHORT----I was surprised with tickets to a BYU women's basketball game that will be held on New Year's Eve and obviously I ended up squealing inside my head with excitement. I am very estatic to cheer on our team who will be playing against a really good opponent and keeping my fingers crossed that we can pull it off in the end. 

I am especially looking forward to another reunion with my good friend Kylie Webster who I have greatly missed seeing for the last little while. I cannot wait to see her smiling face and maybe we can do our best with getting a selfie together I can share on social media with her permission. I definitely want us to bond a little bit more with each other and have some good laughs together which is always a must for me when running into someone I know. 

I am not positively certain that I will have an opportunity to run into Paisley Harding who is one of the new assistant coaches for the team and maybe if we are lucky enough to see one another, the both of us can have a selfie together. I am definitely not sure what will the night has in store for me and I know it would make me smile extra BIG just getting to be in her presence again. I also want to let her know that her example of being a leader has meant everything to me and will do everything I can in aspiring to one day walk in her footsteps. I am grateful for the confidence boost that she gives me when I need it at any given moment and letting me know that no matter the circumstances life throws at you, you can make it through with faith in your heart to not ever give up on chasing your dreams until you get them. I am probably going to be the most excited person in the room and dancing in my seat the entire time but if you know me well enough than it will not be much of a surprise whatsoever!!! #ICYMI

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Special Time

 Do you have room? 

This beautiful time of the year leaves me in awe and gratitude for the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. His role in my life has blessed me more times than I could ever put into words and feel so much love for him as we get into the holiday season. I have listened to this song on repeat several times throughout these last couple of weeks and I am so grateful for the message contained in the title... which if you ask me is truly something I need to think about more on a regular basis. 

Throughout the last couple of years, I have certainly needed to rely on the Savior so much more than I ever had to before and his love for me continues to bless me more than I probably deserve. He has given me comfort when I needed it most during the best and worst of times in my life, which I will admit is not something I am ever going to take for granted. I have definitely wanted to make room for him as I move toward a brand new leadership role that I know is going to impact my life for the better. I am grateful for the opportunity to lean more on him throughout this experience and recognizing his hand in all that I am setting myself out to do. 

As I look forward into the new year ahead, I sincerely hope with all of my heart to make room for the Savior in my life everyday and putting trust in him to assist me in everything that life hands me. I feel incredibly blessed to have the gospel in my life and no matter the circumstances I find myself in, there will always be someone with me to help me through it. 

"Do you have room for the Savior? And do you seek him anew?" Have you a place for the one who lived and died for you? Are you as humble as a shepherd boy or as wise as men of old? Would you have come that night? Would you have sought the light? Do you have room?"

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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!!! :)