This week started in one of the most amazing ways. I went to church. Now, sometimes I do not have the right mindset and three hours seems like twice as many of torture, but this week was different. This was three divine hours with the Spirit there the whole time. I started off reading the quote on last week's program. President Thomas S. Monson said, "Times change, but truth persists. When we fail to profit from the experiences of the past, we are doomed to repeat them with all their heartache, suffering, and anguish. Haven't we the wisdom to obey Him who knows the beginning from the end-- our Lord, who designed the plan of salvation." I absolutely loved that quote. Truth persists. Being so excited about that quote, I read the one for this week. Elder Richard G. Scott said, "When faith is properly understood and used, it has dramatically far-reaching effects. Such faith can transform an individual's life from maudlin, common everyday activities to a symphony of joy and happiness." Wow. He almost one-upped President Monson. A symphony of joy and happiness. Beautiful, let me tell you. Sacrament was extra special. In thinking of Christ, I read through some of the hymns, and I came to one I had never noticed before. Prayer is the Soul's Sincere Desire is a beautiful hymn that we never sing. "Prayer is the soul's sincere desire, uttered or unexpressed, the motion of a hidden fire that trembles in the breast. Prayer is the burden of a sigh, the falling of a tear, the upward glancing of an eye when none but God is near." Holy moley. Why do we not sing this song? Then, we got to the speakers. I loved the talks. I actually learned something from each one. One speaker pointed out a scripture. It was 2 Timothy 1:7. It says, "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." God gives us the spirit of power, love, and a sound mind. I am so thankful for that. I actually enjoyed Sunday School which is an odd thing for me. At one point I felt my glow, a huge, dazzling smile broke across my face, and I had to share it with some friends. True happiness that comes from the warmth of the Spirit in that all too cold room is the best happiness. Then, Relief Society was just something special. A good talk with Bishop just made the day complete, but movies, ward prayer, and a game of Bang! just made it better.
Monday was odd. I still wanted that glow, but I was so worried about seeing Andrew again I let it fade away. I went to Seven Peaks with Dani. My worn out beach towel and a swim suit hanging to dry are becoming constant companions of my towel in the bathroom. The coconut scent of my sunscreen never fades from my room, my hamper still smells like the lake, my cheeks are always sun-kissed, and my muscles were still sore from rowing a boat. We just laid in the sun. Best idea ever. It was lovely. I loved the way the sun glinted off my hair as we walked back to the car. That is my favorite thing about summer. Once we were back, I got ready for my night with Andrew and waited... and waited. He never said anything. So, we didn't go. I am done. That kind of pushed me over the edge. Monday night I went to FHE to see if I would feel better. No such luck. I did have fun, but the weird numb feeling never quite went away. I came home with the smell of campfire stuck in my hair and ooey gooey marshmallow all over my shirt from the one s'more I had. Oh well.
Tuesday it was cloudy all day, so I decided it was best to sit, read, and watch Body of Proof. Good plan. Mallory dyed the tips of my hair a deep, auburn red. You only notice it if you are looking for it, but I love it. Really. I love it. It was a surprise that afternoon when Justin asked me to go sailing with him. I had nothing to do, and he is a fun guy, so I went. It was starting to get stormy, and we decided to go to Guru's instead. Good choice. I had never been there, but the food is AH-mazing. Sweet potato fries and cilantro-lime quesadillas left me insanely full and content. Wednesday, Justin asked if I wanted to go to the pioneer day concert with him. I had tickets, and I wanted to go with Dani and Tyler. But, I decided I did want to go with Justin. It all worked out though. Jake and Anna used my other two tickets so Dani and Tyler had another couple to go with instead of just me.
Friday came sooner than I thought it would. It was the day I had been waiting for all week. I got Dani, Tyler, and Melissa (another girl from the ward) in my bug, put the top down, and we made our way to the lake. We had a lot of fun kayaking and just playing in the water. There is something about the way the mud squishes between your toes that just makes it an interesting, to say the least, adventure. Dinner was grilled hamburgers, chips, fresh pineapple, and cookies. I love summer food! After we ate, we went back to the lake for more fun. As the activity was winding down, I got to go sailing with Justin. He taught me how to steer the boat and work the sail. We sat and talked for the 40 minutes we were out there (I kind of lost track of time because I was so excited/happy, and I was terrified that I was going to kill his boat). We watched the sunset on the lake and finally decided to go back in. I was in a dreamlike trance all the way home. We got back and watched "The Prestige" with some friends. Between popcorn, Calypso strawberry lemonade, and peanut butter M&Ms I managed to stay awake. The movie was really good, and I just had a fun night. Dani and I went back to our apartments and had a sleepover. We watched "Emma." Well, we talked while it was playing. When we stopped talking, we both fell asleep. There is no telling what time that was at. We didn't start the movie until one in the morning.
Waking up this morning was rough. I just did not want to move or think or move. Dani and I did finally get up and we had a good breakfast of pancakes, buttermilk syrup, and vitamin waters. Dani, Tyler, Anna, Jake, and one of their friends were all present. After breakfast I went to take a nap (which didn't happen) and get ready. Going to the pioneer day concert in the conference center was beautiful. First off, the lighting and the stage design were beautiful. I loved it. Then, Nathan Pacheco is absolutely amazing, with his voice that is like butter because it's so smooooth (that was just a joke for my little brother). Lindsey Sterling was... interesting. Her outfit was atrocious, and her violin squeaked a few times. I just had to like her because watching her all I could think about was my cousin, Aleah who is on her mission because she adores her. Justin and I had some really good conversations, learning about each other, making each other laugh, teasing, and just having fun. There was never a dull moment. After the concert we were hungry, so we went to Sammy's for dinner. I love pie shakes. So much. The food was good too though. Justin was a real gentleman. Bryon is the only other guy that has told me to wait so he could open my door for me every time. I appreciate when the door is opened for me. I had so much fun last night!!
That brings us to Sunday once again. Nine o'clock came way too soon after getting home around midnight. Church was once again better than usual. I mean, I liked the speakers until our high councilman spoke for way too long with his monotone voice. It made me want to go to sleep. Then, marriage prep and I have a love/hate relationship. We always have, and we probably always will. Relief Society was remarkable. We talked about having the faith to not be healed once again. We all go through different things in life, but sometimes we have to say our prayers with the faith that things are not always going to turn out the way we would like. With God, all things are possible but not necessarily easy. I also actually opened the manual (well, pulled it up on my phone) and read the lesson. At the very end it says, "This having been so in the past, we can well believe that our future progress will depend upon our determination to do the will of God under all circumstances and the aid which He shall give to us." We all just have to keep the determination to do all God asks of us enduring it well rather than just enduring, and we must remember that without his help, we can do nothing. After church I had dinner with Dani, Tyler, Drew, Jake, and Braden. It was really good, and it is always nice to be surrounded by friends.
It was a wonderful, marvelous, exciting week. I learned a lot and had fun. I did decide that it is time to get going on my summer bucket list. I may just have to do some things alone, but I will start crossing things off. I want to be able to say, "Box checked. Nailed it." I found more things to do in Utah. Look at this or this or even this. I won't do them all this summer, but at least I know they are options for the future! After this week, I am seriously just as giddy as a jellybean, and it is because of things I didn't plan on happening. I'm just going with the flow.
Friday came sooner than I thought it would. It was the day I had been waiting for all week. I got Dani, Tyler, and Melissa (another girl from the ward) in my bug, put the top down, and we made our way to the lake. We had a lot of fun kayaking and just playing in the water. There is something about the way the mud squishes between your toes that just makes it an interesting, to say the least, adventure. Dinner was grilled hamburgers, chips, fresh pineapple, and cookies. I love summer food! After we ate, we went back to the lake for more fun. As the activity was winding down, I got to go sailing with Justin. He taught me how to steer the boat and work the sail. We sat and talked for the 40 minutes we were out there (I kind of lost track of time because I was so excited/happy, and I was terrified that I was going to kill his boat). We watched the sunset on the lake and finally decided to go back in. I was in a dreamlike trance all the way home. We got back and watched "The Prestige" with some friends. Between popcorn, Calypso strawberry lemonade, and peanut butter M&Ms I managed to stay awake. The movie was really good, and I just had a fun night. Dani and I went back to our apartments and had a sleepover. We watched "Emma." Well, we talked while it was playing. When we stopped talking, we both fell asleep. There is no telling what time that was at. We didn't start the movie until one in the morning.
Waking up this morning was rough. I just did not want to move or think or move. Dani and I did finally get up and we had a good breakfast of pancakes, buttermilk syrup, and vitamin waters. Dani, Tyler, Anna, Jake, and one of their friends were all present. After breakfast I went to take a nap (which didn't happen) and get ready. Going to the pioneer day concert in the conference center was beautiful. First off, the lighting and the stage design were beautiful. I loved it. Then, Nathan Pacheco is absolutely amazing, with his voice that is like butter because it's so smooooth (that was just a joke for my little brother). Lindsey Sterling was... interesting. Her outfit was atrocious, and her violin squeaked a few times. I just had to like her because watching her all I could think about was my cousin, Aleah who is on her mission because she adores her. Justin and I had some really good conversations, learning about each other, making each other laugh, teasing, and just having fun. There was never a dull moment. After the concert we were hungry, so we went to Sammy's for dinner. I love pie shakes. So much. The food was good too though. Justin was a real gentleman. Bryon is the only other guy that has told me to wait so he could open my door for me every time. I appreciate when the door is opened for me. I had so much fun last night!!
That brings us to Sunday once again. Nine o'clock came way too soon after getting home around midnight. Church was once again better than usual. I mean, I liked the speakers until our high councilman spoke for way too long with his monotone voice. It made me want to go to sleep. Then, marriage prep and I have a love/hate relationship. We always have, and we probably always will. Relief Society was remarkable. We talked about having the faith to not be healed once again. We all go through different things in life, but sometimes we have to say our prayers with the faith that things are not always going to turn out the way we would like. With God, all things are possible but not necessarily easy. I also actually opened the manual (well, pulled it up on my phone) and read the lesson. At the very end it says, "This having been so in the past, we can well believe that our future progress will depend upon our determination to do the will of God under all circumstances and the aid which He shall give to us." We all just have to keep the determination to do all God asks of us enduring it well rather than just enduring, and we must remember that without his help, we can do nothing. After church I had dinner with Dani, Tyler, Drew, Jake, and Braden. It was really good, and it is always nice to be surrounded by friends.
It was a wonderful, marvelous, exciting week. I learned a lot and had fun. I did decide that it is time to get going on my summer bucket list. I may just have to do some things alone, but I will start crossing things off. I want to be able to say, "Box checked. Nailed it." I found more things to do in Utah. Look at this or this or even this. I won't do them all this summer, but at least I know they are options for the future! After this week, I am seriously just as giddy as a jellybean, and it is because of things I didn't plan on happening. I'm just going with the flow.
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