The One About Homecoming

So, here's the deal. This internship has been stressful to say the least, so I wanted to take a break. I have also always been so involved in BYU Homecoming activities that I wanted to return as an alum and join in on the festivities. I wanted to hike and light the Y and go to the game and see Spectacular! And guess what?! I did. :) It all started with Hike and Light the Y. They got to buy the land the Y is on so they redid the Y and the trail. They built lights into the Y, and I got to participate in those new lights being used for the very first time. I almost didn't make it up the mountain! I forgot how tough of a hike that was. Good thing I will always love the view from the top which makes it all worth it. Vivi got to meet Cosmo for the first time! She wasn't sure about him, but he loved her. And, on our way down, I lost Vivi. She wasn't on her leash and I guess got confused by the dark and all of the people coming down the mountain at the same time so she just stopped I guess. All I know is at one point I turned around and realized I had lost her. A couple of minutes later the nicest guy came down holding her in her little sweater. He said he wanted to take her home with him, but I made him give her back! Thank goodness I found her! 

 Then there was the homecoming game. I mean, they haven't won a homecoming game since before my freshman year of college. I wanted them to win so so badly! The whole game was an edge of your seat game. Maybe that was just because I was there and wanted them to win, but maybe it wasn't. When the fourth quarter ended we were tied. At the end of the first overtime we were tied. In double overtime, we all too easily ran in for a touchdown. Then, somehow, we were able to block the other team from getting a touchdown. When that happened, the stadium erupted. There was an insane amount of noise and everyone was rushing the field. All I could do was scream. My boys in blue pulled it out for me in the end, and I was ecstatic! Best game ever to buy tickets and be there for!!!

 Last but not least was BYU Spectacular! They always bring in an outside artist, and this year they brought in three. They brought in the one and only glorious Gladys Knight, Lexi Mae Walker, and a YouTube acapella sensation.I have always loved Spectacular, but this year getting to go with Meghan and having Gladys bringing her soul into our music just made my day!!!

 This week has been pretty great as well. I got to help my mom on a Christmas project, take Vivi to the park where fall is in full force, watch movies, be on my own and shadow new areas in my internship, go out to dinner with my old roommate Janessa, and just relax! Those are my favorite kind of weeks! It also helps that on one of my trips to Provo I picked up a half gallon of BYU chocolate milk. Oh my I have a half gallon of divinity in my fridge right now! I actually think I'm going to have some. Right now. Have a great night!!!

I Believe in Sparkles. I Believe in Magic. I Believe in Miracles.

Heavenly Father knows each and every one of us and He hears each one of our prayers. When I feel lonely, frustrated, or sad, I know He is there to help me through whatever is making me feel that way. With each little sparrow hopping around, each rainbow over the mountain, each beautiful color in the leaves and flowers, each time the sunlight filters through the trees, each soft breeze, each beautiful sunset, each look into Vivien's deep brown eyes, each carefree butterfly, each tight hug, and each little sparkle I see and feel Him in my life. I can be so frustrated by something that happened at my internship or so heartbroken that the package I sent to my little brother got lost, but He always finds simple ways to remind me that He loves me, he hears me, and He is there for me always. I believe in magic. I believe in miracles. And I believe that we truly can do anything through Christ who strengthens us. 

 Over conference weekend I was able to take Vivien to Thanksgiving Point. That is one of my favorite places here in Utah. We took our time through the park and enjoyed every bit of it (well, except Vivien was not enjoying stopping to take pictures). They have sculptures of Christ in the middle of the gardens that I have always loved. This time, I found a sculpture of Joseph Smith receiving the first vision actually in a grove of tress. It was magical to see as I walked through the grove, the sun came out and shone right on the three figures. If that isn't magical I don't know what is. It just cemented my testimony as I felt the spirit in that little grove of trees even with other people all around me. Then, as I walked back out to the sculptures of Christ I stopped and watched for a minute. I watched as little kids reached up to feel the prints in his hands or the mark on his side. I watched as people who were laughing and running and playing through the park walked up to these statues with reverence. 

I walked out of that place feeling the Spirit stronger than I had been before. It was the perfect thing to do in between conference sessions and when I was having a hard time understanding why certain things were not going the way I would like them to (but what's new with that?). My little brother got the package I sent him this morning, I am halfway through with my internship, and there are only 64 days until I graduate. I am progressing. With His help, I can make it. 

Beautiful Savior

I just wanted to share a few beautiful fall photos because everyone needs a little autumn in their lives even if they don't get to see it in person (yes, I'm talking to you, Texas people). 

 Now that you have seen so many beautiful colors, I am going to show you more. I was introduced to this artist on Sunday in the best Relief Society lesson ever. They are of Christ walking by sheep and carrying a sheep on his shoulders. It reminds me that no matter what He is right there by my side, and when I feel like I cannot go one more step (because we all hit that point) He is there to lift us up. Always.

Art by: Yongsung Kim

A Third of the Way Through

This fountain is pretty, but it doesn't really have anything special about it. Maybe not to you, but it did to me the day I saw it. I went to Temple Square and took no pictures of the temple. All because I was so focused on this fountain. Let me tell you why. It reminded me that life is made up of highs and lows, but that is what makes it beautiful. It can run fast or slow at times, but it is ever changing. 

It has been a struggle, but I love it. I am exhausted, but I am thriving. Somehow I am still doing well in school, my supervisors are always impressed with how I handle things and my weekly journals, I am learning so much, and I still have time to spend with my sweet Vivi Leigh. 

This is from when I hiked Bridal Veil Falls. Somehow Becca and I missed the very obvious trailhead. We started hiking what we thought was it. It went straight up and was just loose rock. It was terrifying. About halfway up, we ran into the trail and realized what happened. We survived, and it was as beautiful as ever! 

These pictures are from the Alpine Loop. You drive up the mountain when the colors are changing, and it is magical. The pictures don't do it justice, but just know it is gorgeous. 

 This is from the day the waffle truck came to the outpatient clinic building. Oh my, waffles! I got the sunshine which had raspberries, whipped cream, and lemon curd. I definitely ate the whole thing and regretted absolutely nothing! I am so thankful I have Carrie as a supervisor and Jenny to work with every Wednesday-Friday!

This is the box I put together for my little brother. Everyone pray that nothing explodes or anything because I would like it all to remain in tact! I hope he likes it and that it's a fun surprise for him. He just asked for journals, and they are in the very bottom of the box!

The rest are just randoms from my time here in Utah!