Recent Thrift Store Purchases

I love a good deal. I really love getting things on sale, discounted, etc. My Dad and I both have a fondness for D.I. (Deseret Industries). Unfortunately, I do feel that some thrift stores' prices are a bit too high. However, sometimes you can find a good catch. When you are a poor college student such as I, you live for good deals!

I recently purchased some jeans- like new- for $6.99. I also got a pair of shoes for the same price. Also pictured above- "My best friends wedding" soundtrack (like new)-$2.00. 6 CDs of hymn arrangements- $5.00. Photo frame- $1.50. Small "family" sign- $0.50.

So, those are some exciting "new" things I have. Yay! I love it!

Kelley's Bridal Shower

On Saturday I threw a bridal shower for Kelley at our apartment. It was very low-key and simple.

We played a few games (such as "Bridal shower bingo"). It was pretty fun.

We had cake, punch, and chocolate dipped pretzels as refreshments. Kelley gets married in less than a month! Crazy!

What I've Been Up To Lately

Being unemployed and not in school at the moment has prompted many people to ask me the following question: "So, what do you do all day?" Here's an update.

Believe it or not, it is possible to be productive while not having a job or attending school. However, I readily admit it is just as possible to not be productive.

I consider this time I have to be a blessing from God. It is nice to have this opportunity to contemplate life and where I am headed. I have also been busy cultivating friendships and talents, spending time with family, and having somewhat of a social life.

I have spent a lot of time studying, pondering, and carefully considering my schooling. I recently registered for classes for spring semester, which starts April 20th. I really want to be smart about it, so I have seriously spent a lot of time planning things out. I don't want to waste time and money by taking classes that won't apply toward graduation. (However, Mom often tells me that "no education is wasted.") I am majoring in Communication. I am considering some different minors at the moment, but possibly photography or organizational communication. My least favorite question of all time is, "so, what do you plan on doing with that?" Well, I plan on getting a job. Which job that would be, I don't know at the moment. All I know is that after prayer and consideration, I feel this is the direction I should take. So, we will see what the Lord has in store for me. I have probably 1 1/2 to 2 years of undergraduate classes left.

Other things I've been up to...

I live really close to the Rexburg, Idaho temple, and I've gone a couple of times since I moved up here. Last week I was able to participate in sealings for the first time. That was amazing. I was able to act as a daughter in sealing families together for eternity. It was so beautiful and peaceful.

I have also attended institute, tried to keep up on my gospel studying, and done other spiritual things. I attend the devotionals on campus each week.

This weekend I attended BYU-Idaho's "Home and Family" Conference. It was really good. The theme was, "All is Safely Gathered In." There were various classes available. It reminded me of how important it is to have a home that can be a refuge from the world.

It is my hope that single people out there, whether or not they are in school, have a job, etc, realize that they can (and should) enjoy life now. I am trying to take advantage of opportunites that come my way. I am definitely not sitting around waiting for "mr. right" to just show up (although, sometimes I think that'd be nice). Nor am I just sitting around waiting for life to begin. I love a quote by President Hinckley, "Life is to be enjoyed, not just endured."

I wish more people would realize and acknowledge the worth of single people. It sometimes seems that if you are married, you are better than the single people. Or, that you have more worthwhile things going on in life or something. I don't know exactly how to explain it. But, all I know is that each person, and each life, is precious in God's sight. We are all on different paths. No one has the right to judge what another person is choosing to do with their life. It is their own life to live. I become increasingly aware of this each day.

The other night I saw a girl that I went to high school with. She is married and has a child. I just had to stop and think how interesting it is that our lives are so very different right now. But, that is not at all a bad thing.

A favorite scripture of mine sums this all up- Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding."
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."

You know, I am very happy with the life I am living and the choices I have made that have brought me to this point. I know that God has led me and guided me to where I am today. How could I be any less satsifed?. :)

I'm In Rexburg!

This is the view outside my bedroom window.

My Mom and I arrived in Rexburg yesterday. We came to celebrate Christi's birthday and to move me in. Basically we dropped my stuff off at my apartment and then did birthday festivities.

I am getting all settled in now. I can see the temple outside my window! So gorgeous! It's all so crazy... I'm in Rexburg?!? How did this happen?! It's March and it's almost the end of the semester, so it is kind of a funny time to be moving in. But, nevertheless, here I am. I feel so good and so right about it all. I'm especially grateful that Kelley, my former roommate and a good friend, is my roommate here for a month until she gets married. It's our last "hurrah", in a way.

So, here I am. I have a feeling I'm going to be here in this little town for a LONG time! I guess I better get nice and cozy. I have a while. :)

What Is Friendship?

I've been thinking a lot about friendship lately. Moving to Idaho, away from many, many, friends I have here in Utah, is bittersweet. It has really kind of hit me; I have a ton of friends here I am going to deeply miss. But, this is yet another way I must take a step of faith and do what the Lord wants me to do (and what I know in my heart is right)- go to BYU-Idaho. I do have wonderful friends up there as well, thankfully. However, I sadly leave many friends here in Utah. It doesn't mean that those friendships are lost, by any means. I truly love keeping in contact with people and continue to strive stregthen friendships, even if we are not in close proximity. I find the greatest joy in my life comes from spending time with my friends and family. The Lord has blessed my life with wonderful people. I have seen, by watching the lives of others, that the friends you chose are important to what kind of life you live. If you chose good friends, they will influence you for good. And visa-versa. I am so grateful the Lord has blessed me with good examples. I learn so much from others. I am an observant type of person. Many, many, people have no idea what I've learned from their lives and their wonderful examples to me.

You know, the fact that life is ever-changing, can sometimes be a hard thing. It means that people move to different places, get involved with different activities, etc. It's hard to accept that life together wasn't the way it was before at times. For example, when my oldest brother got married, I had a really hard time. I realized that life would never be the same as it was before. All of those good times growing up were great, but they were now over. Now a new chapter in his life and in mine was starting. That was hard. Even when I returned from my mission I struggled seeing how others' lives had changed. Some people seemed to have moved on in life without me. Not, that that's a bad thing by any means, it was just hard.

I've also been thinking about what friendship is. What is a true friend? I'm learning more and more that friendship is a two way street. If you are putting all the effort, all the work into it, then is that person really a true friend to you? I don't think it is fair to always be there for someone, but when you need them, they aren't around.

My mission taught me a lot about friendship and companionship. It is something that must be cultivated. As I mentioned, it is work. You must give up your own desires and selfishness at times. That is something I know I need to work on. I am a very independent person. But, I am trying to overcome those prideful ways of mine. I appreciate the patience of good friends, who over look my shortcomings. I am aware I do have many of those! But, a true friend will help you grow. They will help you in your quest to be better. A true friend isn't just concerned with their own well-being, but also how you are doing. They lift you up when you are down. They try to understand you and your point of view.

With all that being said, once again, I realize I am no where near being the "perfect" friend. I have so much to work on. But, I love all my friends and am grateful for the love they show to me. I am positive that the Lord places people in our paths at certain times in our lives so that we can help them or they can help us. I don't doubt either, that some of the friends I have made here in this life I knew before I came to earth.

I found the following piece of writing awhile ago and it has always kind of stuck with me. It says:


People come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. When you figure out which it is, you will know exactly what to do.

Some people come into our lives and quickly go..

Some people become friends and stay awhile...
leaving beautiful footprints on our hearts...
and we are never quite the same because we have made a good friend!

When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed outwardly or inwardly. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally, or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend, and they are. They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrong doing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away. Sometimes they act up or out and force you to take a stand. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled; their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered and it is now time to move on.

When people come into your life for a SEASON, it is because your turn has come to share, grow, or learn. They may bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh. They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it! It is real! But, only for a season

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons; those things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person or people involved; and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships, and areas of your life. It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.


Isn't that so true? I want all my friends to know that I love them a ton. You make my life a little brighter. Thanks for being you!