{Random}

Random happenings of the past week. I've been a lot busier than I'm used to but it's good cuz I love doing things. Beware this post is mostly for my own sake...

First I read this book:

The cover is adorable. The book was wonderful too. I want to write some quotes from it down just cuz I want to be able to find them later on. I really liked this book because it was historical fiction and I really like that. Also I felt like lots of the emotions that were portrayed in the book are the emotions that I feel in my life all the time. I could really connect with the characters. It was an adorable book.

"I try not to live in the past, he thought, but who knows, sometimes the past lives in me."

"Feelings can only be hidden for so long from those who really pay attention."

"It's enough that you came. I knew you would. Maybe it was my dream. Maybe I was just wishing it. But I knew you'd find me."

"There's hope for you yet. You wait and see. Might take a while, but there's always hoping."

"I hope you'll think of the good, not the bad. Of what was, not what wasn't meant to be. Of the time we spent together, not the time we've spent apart. Most of all, I hope you'll think of me."


Next- Logan had his first baptism on Sunday! He was so excited, he really felt a connection to the brother he was baptizing. He was a 19 year old boy and Logan said that he just really got along well with him. I prayed that the Spirit would be strong and his investigator would be comforted and know that he made the right decision. Logan said the baptism was amazing- prayer answered! I'm so proud of this boy.

 Rainy rainy Thailand...

 Look at that smile :)

This Monday and Tuesday me and Halea and my mom and Sister Walker went to visit UTAH STATE. Am I really old enough to be touring college campuses? Whatever. It was seriously so fun tho... We stopped at the South Towne Mall on the way there and got some quality school shopping in... We came across these beauties at Forever 21:

I got 2 pairs of pants and 3 new shirts and some new shoes. Score. I love school shopping. Also we ran into Lesh at lunch!

Then we continued on our way. We stopped at the Brigham City tabernacle and temple. Both buildings are so gorgeous...

 Then we made it to Logan and looked at the tabernacle and walked down mainstreet. Don't go in the vintage clothing shop. Creepy ladies work there and they don't sell a lot of vintage clothing. "If the girls could stay in the front of the store please." AHH! We'll all stay in the front! Actually, we'll all just leave! Anyway... Then we walked around the temple and admired the old adorable houses. Seriously so great.

 Bull country.

Then we ate at Noodles and Company which was fantastic and we drove to the boonies to our hotel in Tremonton. Good thing our hotel wasn't ghetto. We even went hot tubbing. We party hard.

The next morning we wanted to do baptisms at the Logan temple. I totally brought the wrong recommend. I'm so thankful that the temple president was so helpful and helped me call my bishop and found a way to let me do baptisms. I love when people are nice. The temple was beautiful and the Spirit was strong.

Then we toured the campus! Everyone was so genuinely nice and I loved being there. I had a good feeling there and it was really fun. Go Utah State... This was such a memorable trip. I loved being with my mom. And Halea's mom is so funny. I'm so thankful for Halea. She is the greatest friend ever and I don't know what I'd do without her. I love her and she takes care of me and makes sure I don't do anything stupid. She's got my back and I'm so lucky to have her... 

 Cat socks.

Wednesday night Jason took me to a free movie. He's been promising me one for a few months now and we finally found a time when he wasn't working. This kid is so great. He's been a really great influence in my life the last year. He was in my seminary class and has an amazing testimony. I'm thankful for his ability to smile through everything and make everyone else smile too. We got snowcones and saw Despicable Me 2. It was a good time.

That awkward moment when you get snowcones with Gibson so much that every tall guy with black hair is suddenly named Gibson... 

Thursday night Halea and I met with the missionaries. Gosh I love them. They were so funny and so nice to us. I'm so thankful for all the missionaries that are giving everything to spreading the gospel of the Lord.

Then Halea, Gibs, and I went on a little summer adventure. We went to smith's and got food and then we drove up to the top of Draper and looked out over the city lights and went on a little night hike. It was really fun and I'm sad our summer is coming to an end. I love these 2 crazy kiddos that have been my support and smile these last few months :) I'm pretty sure we totally ruined a couple's romantic moment up there with our incredibly loud laughter and bathroom humor. We're so immature.

 City lights...

 When Gibson forgets to turn the camera around.

 Awkward silhouette picture.

Now on the spiritual side of things... I read 2 fantastic talks... But for a Small Moment by Neal A. Maxwell and Witnesses Unto Me by Jeffrey R. Holland.

Here are some of my favorite quotes from the talks:

"If God chooses to teach us the things we most need to learn because he loves us, and if he seeks to tame our souls and gentle us in the way we most need to be tamed and most need to be gentled, it follows that he will customize the challenges he gives us and individualize them so that we will be prepared for life in a better world by his refusal to take us out of this world, even though we are not of it. In the eternal ecology of things we must pray, therefore, not that things be taken from us, but that God's will be accomplished through us." -Elder Maxwell

We all have our own trials and weaknesses but we're preparing to live in the presence of God. If we want to feel worthy of living in His presence we must become like Him through lessons we learn in this world. 

"I don't know what the divine design is in the challenge of that kind of solitude. I know that this man, our brother, is meeting that challenge. Some of us will have to be most courageous, not when we're alone, but when we're in a crowd. Whatever the form the test takes, we must be willing to pass it. We must reach breaking points without breaking. We must be willing, if necessary, to give up our lives—not because we have a disdain for life as some do, but even though we love life—because we are the servants of him who did that in such an infinite way for all of us." -Elder Maxwell 

Whatever the form the test takes, we must be willing to pass it. I love that. We must be willing to go through anything with God's help. I'm so thankful for His help and strength.

"People do not join the Church because of what they know. They join because of what they feel, what they see and want spiritually.

 Asking every member to be a missionary is not nearly as crucial as asking every member to be a member! Thank you for living the gospel.

 Pray that under the divine management of such things, the missionary opportunity you want is already being prepared in the heart of someone who longs for and looks for what you have." - Elder Holland

I love Elder Holland and how he simplifies everything. We just need to live the gospel and God will prepare others to hear our words. Oftentimes what we know doesn't matter, only what we feel through the Spirit.

I'm thankful for the gospel and my knowledge that it is true. I really wish every single person in the world could feel the same way I do and I know they can if only they ask God. I want people to be happy like I am. I want them to know God is real and He leads the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Christ is coming again and I'm going to meet Him. I'm so excited for that day. I want to share my knowledge with everyone so they can be excited to meet Him too. 

There's a bunch of random happenings for you. Life is good.