Update: WIth the Gospel, EVERYTHNG is Possible!

Wow, talk about slacking off! I was supposed to be good at this blogging thing, and then life happens, and I am done being good at it. I am sorry for those who are really curious to know what is going on in my life, for those who really do follow my blog, it is you I am sorry to!
I think that life is interesting, sometimes crazy, and overall, really quite amazing. I know that my Heavenly Father is real, he loves me, and is so very aware of everything I may be feeling! He knows me better than I know myself! Sometimes, that makes me a little nervous. Especially when things happen...and I wonder why? Because Heavenly Father knows, for whatever reason, weather I understand or not, that I needed it? Even worse than that? I may never understand why something just had to happen until after this life, but I am pretty confident that Heavenly Father is aware of me, so with Faith, I press forward with hope!
Now, you may be wondering why all the testimony, and reassurance, but sometimes I think we fail to notice how great life is, especially in troubled times.
In high school, I thought there were so many little trivial things that we such a big deal...back then maybe? not being able to see a friend for a day? The end of the marching band season, etc.
October has always been a rather difficult month for me. It is the end of the marching band season, which leaves me longing for those friends I had...the memories...Its been filled with bittersweet memories for 4 years of my dearest friend Blake. He chose to end his life in October of 2005.
Now, I thought high school was bad? Nothing really compared to the events that followed that horrible october day. The following day, carrying his marching band "shako" onto the field for the last time, because he couldn't do it for himself? My hope bracelet: which was given to me by a stranger at his funeral...the pain, the hurt, the tears, and the joy...which I feared feeling! For a very long time, the idea that it was possible to feel happy killed me!
Needless to say, 4 years has changed me defintiely for the better! I find myself trying to always find the good in even the worst of circumstances...though its hard, it definitely is worth it, and in the end, the saddness, the pain, etc. usually doesn't last long!
October 10th this year, American Fork High School Marching Band, was on their way home from Idaho after sweeping the competition as usual, when the bus driver in the 2nd of 4 buses had a medical episode which made her pass out. There was an amazing teacher/friend Heather Christensen who jumped up to steer the bus away from the danger it faced feet away as it trailed off the side of the rode. After hitting a few big bumps, it tipped. Heather Christensen was ejected and killed. My heart had only once ever been so raw, broken, and vulnerable...and it was October again.
When Blake left this world, Heather Christensen was one of the first people to make sure I was doing okay. She sent me texts and emails checking up on me on a regular basis. She gave me reasons to smile, and taught me that it was okay to cry! It hurt worse than ever! I longed for two of the most influential people in my life! Why this had to happen? I have no idea, but I KNOW, without a shadow of a doubt, that someone was holding me up! I cried, I laughed, and I cried again! I missed Blake more than ever!!!
This event made me realize, with the gospel, you truly can find the good in ANY bad situation! The Plan of Salvation, Families are Forever, anything you go through will be made easier through the gospel! Which is why I have started writing a book/journal of events in my life that have caused me to need the gospel more than ever! What helps me stay so positive through difficult times, and how I manage to have a good day, when everything around me is spiraling down, OR, how to pull myself out of a pit I didn't see coming! With the gospel, everything is possible!!!
I am truly thankful to my Heavenly Father, for trusting me to find joy in the journey! I am grateful for his love for me and for all of us! I am grateful for life, love, and the pursuit of happiness! I LOVE being happy! I LOVE life!!!
With love,
Me!

Just My Luck!!!

This is my company for my 6th week at efy!! Notice the big black thing on my foot...

Can you see how swollen my foot is???
I fractured my HEEL!!! Yes! Crysi is amazing!!!

EFY June 15-19, 2009

I have been so caught up in efy, that I have failed to update my posts for a couple weeks!!! EFY is amazing, and I am so excited to be able to be a part of something like this.

This is a picture of me and my co counselors!!! I loved spending the week with these guys! They are amazing!!!

Caitlin and Thatcher are the "helpers" for the catering service! I love them! I dont know what their official title is, but they set up tables, they fill the drinks, they help take it down, so they are always busy preparing for the next meal. Oh they also butter bread!!! Lets not forget that!!!

Brandi, Shauntae, and Me, during Variety Show. We were the "crowd control" we were more outta control than the kids!!! :)

Dianna and Me. She likes to talk in a mexican accent, and I have been taking lessons from her, I am not any good at all with accents, I really truly cannot speak a foreign language for a reason!! There is one word I can say...YES...pronounced in a spanish accent "Ches"

Cameron and Me, he was on crowd control as well so I figured I would include him in the picture, but he just wanted to be serious!!! He was my all time favorite!!! Cracks me up!!!

My Beautiful girls after the dance on tuesday!!!! I love these 7 chickas!!!

Shauntae broke her finger playing football, it made for some HILARIOUS laughs later, but OUCH!!!!

Sister Shupe (the session director) telling us how she was struck by lightning on her mission!!!
Jon and Me making faces!!! He dances, really well, and can spin me around like no other!!! It was ALOT of fun!!!!!!!!!!

EFY!!! June 8th-12th, 2009!!!

My first week as a counselor at EFY!!!

All I can say is that it was AMAZING!!!

These pictures are only PART of the things I experienced!!!

ENJOY!!

Brooke and Lindsey being missionaries at BaskinRobbins!!!

My girls gathered around the flag pole!!! I love these ladies!!

My "sweet water" Boys!

Me and Nanette "clumping" in the hallway!!! We are random and I love us!!

Preston and Benji! Two of the most amazing singers I know!! SERIOUSLY!!!

My amazing Co-Counselors!!! Nick, MaKenzie, and Kristie!!

Nanette and me making incredible faces as the rain poured on our heads!!!

Danelby Barlow!! He was my Duet partner! He was a riot!!!

Brooke was watching Elle wax Ryan's eyebrows!!!

Playing games outside...what on earth? Anteater I believe!!!




It was an amazing week! I cant even begin to express how much fun I had this week! I am so physically tired, but so spiritually rejuvenated by this week---I cannot possibly express the way i feel in words!!! If you would like to see more pictures, check up on my facebook! I cannot wait for another week!

Fireworks with Gavin!

So last night I decided to go to eagle mountain, where my brother and sister in law live with my adorable nephew. It was town days for them this week, so of course, there were concerts and fireworks. I met up with them at their church, and we decided to sit on the lawn and wait for the fireworks. I got there around 9:20 pm. At about 9:30 the last performer got on stage. It was country music. My favorite. Me and Gavin decided it would be fun to spot the planes, sing some songs, etc. We had such a blast. It was getting a little cold as we sat there, and because we thought the day was beautiful, we hadnt planned for the cold. We had a blanket and a hoodie. I gave Gavin my hoodie, and he was not happy because he couldnt get his arms out. As long as I distracted him long enough, he would smile or laugh! The fireworks didnt start til almost 11:30 AT NIGHT---try entertaining a 19 month old child for that long outside, in the dark, with nothing but a camera, cell phone, and your voice. It was rather entertaining. Me and Gavin made up songs using the words, "Rock Guitar" "Drum Sticks" "moon" "plane" and "stars" it was pretty entertaining. Because I had my camera and Gavin enjoys using his words, he kept asking me to take pictures. I had no problem with that, and some of them turned out really cute!!! These are just a few of them...Despite the long wait, and the cold, it was a rather fun night, and I would do it again in a heartbeat! My nephew is the cutest!!!!

Gavin wasnt sure how he felt about the fireworks...they are loud, but they sure are pretty...and he likes lights and "pretty" things...like the temple :) I had to add a couple pictures of fireworks, because this was the whole reason I went down there anyway!!!

Gavin kept looking up to the sky to find the "planes"---there were, literally maybe two the whole time---but when he woudl see a star, he would say..."oh, look, plane"---when I told him they were stars, he would say "no, plane" and it was just cute---I caught it in action!!!

This was when Gavin kept saying "picture picture"--- I love the face he was making! we were laughing so hard! He is my best buddy!!! I love this boy!!

Because Gavin wasnt too happy about having his arms under my hoodie, I kept trying to make him laugh. He had the cutest smile on at one point and I am so glad I had my camera ready for this picture! He is the most adorable little kid! I cant get enough of him!

Anyway---it made for a late night, but it sure was fun! I suggest doing it anytime you can---especially if you can capture moments like this!!! :)

(I also caught Gavin singing...I will post the video next time, for now I am off to church!!!)

Most Recent Adventures!!!

I went to oakcrest and visited for Friends and Family---I went to my old cabins and it was a blast!!!

My neighbor Drew Hunt had his Eagle Court of Honor, where he awarded my Dad with a mentors pin, it was really neat and I am glad my Dad was there to recieve it!


My Cousin Tanner got Baptized today!!!


I had to take a picture of my name/proof that I spent the summer at Oakcrest!

On the last day of work---the end of the school year, my class had a party for one of our students birthdays. The cake had black frosting, all of us ate some, and we took lots of pictures!!! This is me and my cousin Spencer---he works at the school too!!! Isnt that crazy great??

For the end of the school year we made scrapbooks---I hand wrote all the names and helped decorate, and cut pictures, it was alot of fun and the parents we got to see react to them, loved them!! :)

Matt and Chad were in the Temple Celebration last weekend, and because we couldnt take pictures inside, I took a few outside---here is one of them! I love the temple!!

I also went swimming with my nephew. He got tired...but oh man...he is so fun and I love when he sings songs about the bathtub when we are swimming!!!

Life is an adventure, and for the most part---I love it!!! :)

...Mems...

This is my dearest friend from high school's grave. His name is Blake Andrew Eggett. He play piccolo in the marching band with me and also took me to prom my senior year. He is my sunshine. I miss him everyday!!! Blake was my best friend for 4 beautiful years! I love him so very much! I think about him everyday! I adore him! *sigh* I miss him!!!

The reason I am posting this, is because these two men have changed my life more than any other person thus far, and I want to share that with the world, their lives and deaths both taught me more than I imagined it would!

For memorial day this year, I decided to write my grandpa a poem---I am going to post it below---Just so you can all know how I feel!!! My Grandpa was so awesome! I miss him all the time, more so than I even realize for the most part! I love this man---he taught my Dad to be who he is---and for that, I will be forever grateful! I love my papa Charlie!! :) A whole lot!!!

I THOUGHT ABOUT YOU YESTERDAY

I thought about you yesterday

but that is nothing new

I think about you all the time

because I sure do love you.

I thought about you yesterday

as I was swinging on a swing

I thought about you a month ago

as I was preparing to sing.

I've thought about you every day since you passed away

I thought about your life

and the "I love you(s)" I didn’t say

I thought about your memory

the joy you left, the tears

I thought about you yesterday

and over the years...I've thought about how lucky I am

to know a man like you

I thought about you yesterday

Grandpa I MISS YOU!

I thought about the hugs, the smiles

the laughter changed to fear

I thought about you yesterday how you'd wipe away my tears.

I thought about you yesterday and worried about this test

...the one thing I know I will never forget...GRANDPA CHARLIE YOU ARE THE BEST!!!

this post is dedicated to two of the most amazing angels I know!!!