As of Late...

So. The first batch of midterms is starting to hit. Blegh. Sometimes I wish the University would grant me educational immunity based on how many credits I have at this point (uhh... something like 180) and not require me to take midterms. Of course, I also wish that "educational immunity" was a real thing and not just something invented my my homework-weary soul :) Still, lack of educational immunity considered, this semester is turning out pretty awesome... I have amazing friends, I have really funny and chill roommates, and I am graduating in APRIL! This month alone has been oodles of fun--I've already made several yummy treats, including panda bread for Chinese New Year,

and miniature lemon bars (for fun).

I played dress-ups at the mall with Casey & Dares,

(hahaha... my nose crinkled in this shot! it happens sometimes when I laugh...)

and I watched the boys play an excellent set of dodgeball games.

Oh, and today Eric called and woke me up in time to catch women's gymnastics vs. Boise State. Amazing. I am constantly blown away by all the talent out there in the world!

Fun stuff, right? :) Anyways, I found this song today and it made me happy so I thought I'd share:

So cute... it talks about how sometimes you have to put yourself out there a little and take a chance in order to get somewhere in life, how sometimes you have to have faith and courage to stop holding yourself back and live the life you've always dreamed of. It reminded me of a talk given by Sister Elaine Dalton in the General Young Women's Meeting of April 2010. Sister Dalton said:

Young women of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, remember who you are! You are elect. You are daughters of God. You cannot be a generation of young women who are content to fit in. You must have the courage to stand out, to “arise and shine forth, that thy light may be a standard for the nations.” ¹⁰ The world would have you believe that you are not significant—that you are out of fashion and out of touch... If you can be dismayed, discouraged, distracted, delayed, or disqualified from being worthy to receive the guidance of the Holy Ghost or to enter the Lord’s holy temple, [Satan] wins... We simply cannot do the work we have been reserved and prepared to do unless we can access the strength and confidence that comes by living a virtuous life.

Wow, don't you just love our church leaders? And don't you just love the message of the gospel? For me, the gospel is such a beautiful message of faith and optimism and courage and strength and the resounding belief that the best is yet to come. I think sometimes I get a little bit overwhelmed at the idea of growing up and accepting new responsibilities, and I'm grateful that I have the gospel to remind me that as long as I am doing my best to keep the commandments, the Lord will help me and things will work out.

Anyways, sorry, didn't mean to get on a soapbox there...

Have an awesome weekend,

me