Beauty for Ashes

What a glorious day today is.  I can't believe how blessed I am to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Through being a member of this wonderful church I have been blessed with the knowledge of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ and the Atonement.  Through the Atonement I have the hope of someday living with my Father in Heaven and Savior.  What a miracle it is that I have a way to be forgiven of my sins and through the grace of the Atonement become a better person.  I am truly in awe of the plan.  Today is also a wonderful day because we celebrate the Resurrection of our Savior and the blessing that will come to all of us.  In Alma 40:23 is says, "The ^asoul shall be ^brestored to the ^cbody, and the body to the soul; yea, and every limb and joint shall be restored to its body; yea, even a ^dhair of the head shall not be lost; but all things shall be restored to their proper and ^eperfect frame. "  I can't tell you how much this promise means to me and my family.  I am so excited for this day for many reasons.
 There are 4 main reasons I can think of.
1. My sweet mother.  As some may know she has had many health challenges that have resulted in her inability to do many activities she loves.  For her I am excited for the day when she doesn't have any more pain and can do what she loves.
2 & 3. Are named Clark and Dee J.  Without going into tons of details I can say that they are two of my uncles who are mentally and emotionally challenged.  I am so excited to get to know each of them personally.  4.Is Kyle, my best friend and brother.  I can't wait for the day when I will get to see him walk and hear him talk.
I just couldn't let today pass without sharing my testimony of Easter.
Happy Easter!

Sweet Clark and Dee J

A drawing by a great Family Friend of what our sweet Kyle may look like someday.

Kyle on his 18th Birthday.

The Faces Of My Week

   Spring Break Update:

 These are the adorable

faces I get to see every day!

Current Favorite Song:

Thankful.

I just need to give a shout out to some of the lovelies around me.  I have been so blessed we such great support and was reminded of that yesterday as I celebrated the big 20!  This weekend my family helped me have such a wonderful time.  I love my Boise family they are so fun to be around and I can't wait to tend the kids during my first week of spring break.  I was treated to such a great time with my family being treated to great meals, birthday cake, shopping, gifts, movies, and advice!

On the day of I woke up to Chocolate milk kindly delivered by my bestie Kinsey Crabb.

Later that night Kinsey, Callie, and Elise took me to dinner.  Post an awkward encounter with the saddle at Texas Roadhouse we painted nails (a favorite pass time) and ate my favorite caramel brownies.  It was so great!  Thanks girls.

I loved the sweet texts, phone calls(Anner & Hann), and posts(Bec) I got to read and listen to throughout the day.  Holy Cow am I lucky to have such thoughtful and sweet people around me!

Also one of the most touching things ever happened to me.  My little sister and best friend sent me texts throughout the day telling me why she loved me.  She will never know how much they touched me and helped me have the best day ever.

I am so blessed!

Bring it on TWENTY it is going to be the greatest year ever!




P.S
I would like to introduce you to one of my new favorite artists!  BrittneySnyder.  She just came out with her first Album “Stronger Than You Know” on iTunes.  She is amazing.  If you want to hear music that means something this girl is the place to go.  She sings with her entire heart.  Music can make or break your day.  Let her lyrics and soul make your day better!

Shout Out Part TWO

Happy 18th Birthday Emileah Ann Nichols!! 
Okay you guys I have the greatest little sister in the ENTIRE WORLD!! Since she is turning the big 18 just have to do a post about her.  These are 18 random reasons why I love this girl!

1. She can always make me smile!
2. Has an awesome memory
3. Takes the best pictures
4. Great Listener
5. Always on my side
6. Tries really hard not to judge me when I am weird
7. Sticks to it
8. Has the biggest Heart EVER.  When I lived at home she would clean my room for me when I was really stressed!
9. Never afraid to give of her time
10. DJ & Clark, she is always willing to do anything for them
11. Puts up with our CRAZY family
12. Likes doing her CNA clinicals
13. Not afraid to just be herself
14. Makes a mean Turkey Sand-which
15. Likes the same movies as me
16. Will quote our lives for hours
17. We are telepathic
18. She is my best friend!

Love you Suzie Q!!

                    

 

Giving Thanks

At the beginning of this month I decided to keep a Thankful Journal to prepare me for Thanksgiving.  I have loved taking a little time each day and recording what I am thankful for.  More than anything I think this became a tender mercy journal.  By looking for things I was extra thankful for each day I was able to see not only the many blessings from my Heavenly Father, but the tender mercies I am blessed with every day.  I have so many things to be thankful for, but I have been reminded time and time again of three main things that I couldn't live without.

1.  My Family.  I love my family.  They are always there for me and I am so excited to grow closer as we get older.

2. My Religion specifically The Atonement. 

3.  All of my supportive friends.

Veteran's Day

I realize that I am a little behind, but I would like to say Thank You.  Thank you so all the service men and women.  I love living in the United States and am so thankful for the opportunity I have to live here free.  I would like to especially thank my sweet Grandfather who is shown below.  

Love you and THANK YOU!!

Thank you Provo.

Dear Provo,

Thank you for letting me come visit this weekend.  It was wonderful!  There are two main reasons why it was such a blast.

1. Friends.

I loved visiting my long lost friends!!  Thank you guys so much for making this such a wonderful experience.  I love and miss you all!

Oh Annalise!

Oh Becca Anne!!

Love all of these girls! 

We be gettin pretty FRESH @ Farrs!

2. Halloween Half.  
I was able to run my second half marathon.  Whoot Whoot! (creepy I know)

Both of these experiences helped me learn so very much!  I learned that first off the Lord knows where I am suppose to be and has blessed me with the experiences that I need, but the ability to keep the friendships I value and love so very much.  I also learned that the Lord has blessed us with wonderful bodies.  What amazing creations he has for us.  Also I am so thankful for my supportive parents who were so awesome and drove down to Provo to support me.  I am such a lucky girl talk about blessed in so many ways!

Lord of the Small

The Lord of the Small

 by Johanna Anderson

Praise to the Lord of the Small Broken Things,

Who Sees the Poor Sparrow That cannot take wing.

Who loves the lame child and the wretch in the street

who comforts their sorrows and washes their feet.

...Praise to the lord of the faint and afraid

who girds them with courage and lends them his aid,

he pours out his spirit on vessels so weak,

that the timid can serve and the silent can speak.

Praise to the lord of the frail and the ill

who heals their afflictions or carries them till,

they leave this tired frame and to paradise fly.

to never be sick and never to die.

Praise him, O Praise Him All ye who live

who've been given so much and can so little give

our frail lisping praise God will never Despise.

He Sees His Dear Children Through Mercy Filled Eyes!

As many of you know.  I love my Kyle so very much and I miss him daily.  This poem/song has brought me so much peace.  The Lord loves us all so very very much he has a plan I believe it and I know that if I do my part I can live with my Kyle again.  I am so thankful he is no longer sick and is getting to spread the gospel in his own way.  If you would like to listen to this song here is the link. 

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SmxA_F6ZlM

Love you Kyle man.