Hope

I know that the things we struggle with will one day be behind us. I know that. And while I try not to get lost wishing for tomorrow, the thought of deliverance gives me hope.

Alright guys! Here we go... first blog post.  I don't actually know what I'm doing but let's hope it works.  I actually LOVE sharing pictures, because that's what I feel will give you the best idea about what's happened to me in the last month since I've been here at BYU.  So I searched around for the HIGHLIGHTS from this new BYU experience.

 I love Women's Chorus

 This was the day at the devotional they totally zoomed up on my face for the entire world to see.  I had random people come up to me and say, "Hey, I saw your FACE on the screen this morning".  So embarrassing I know, but I felt officially inducted into Women's Chorus.

 This is my buddy Harry Truman and I at the top of Squaw Peak.  It was such a beautiful hike.

 The pathway, I felt, was like paved with GOLD.

 Can't get any cooler than that...right?

 Lindsey is like my best friend.  She and I have so much fun together, and she's such a sweet girl too.

 Yes, I miss my family.  This is my dad next to the Provo River when they came up for the weekend.  He's so handsome...

 There's always time for Sudoku during lunch time. Free in the BYU newspaper.

 I love my bro and sis...this was during the first football game and when we watched it on Helaman field.

 The Civil Engineer program has tons of service projects all the time.  I went with them to pack boxes full of clothes to give to Mongolian families.  So fun!!

 Daniel and I went to the volleyball game.  We're definitely gangsters!

 My bishop and I are best friends for life.  Such a great guy.

Bridge building 

 Who knew Matt was so good at making balloons come to life.  He made this adorable flower for me.

These are my roommates who are super fun....Sunday photo shoot

Wins and Stats

I often feel like the goal of my life is to rack up personal successes, but if we're all on the same team, that reasoning doesn't make sense. Winning the game together is so much more satisfying than a few individual stats.

Peaceful Tones

The colored leaves,

That spill the sun,

The waters clear,

That flow as one.

We see Him there,

And vanish groans,

In silent songs,

And peaceful tones.

So close to earth!

So bare the sight!

And not in words,

But through the light.

But more to my view,

As the great vision grew,

Were the faces so bright,

Of the children of light.

And in the great waters,

We hear His soft voice,

Speaking great things,

And our spirits rejoice.

Life-Bringer

The Dawn will Break Brightly

I put together this quote and picture – the picture being of the pioneers entering the Salt Lake Valley after months of toiling westward, and the quote being from Elder Jeffrey R. Holland’s talk, “Like a Broken Vessel”, about Major Depressive Disorder. (https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/10/like-a-broken-vessel?lang=eng).

When the darkness around me seems impenetrable and never-ending, I feel that God is distant – that he has forsaken me.

This quote assures me that we can trust in the Lord, knowing that he has not forsaken us, though he may feel distant. He loves us and plans to lead us out of our sorrows into the breaking dawn, eventually.

And who knows but that those dark times were and are for our good. As the scripture says, “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father who is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?” (Matthew 7:11).

The child of righteous desire may receive for reward most bitter trial.