Life Is a Highway

Okay, okay. Final post. It's not my fault there's been a lot going on lately and that I fell behind in updating during finals. But I couldn't go to bed without finishing my report of the major events of the past few weeks. And this one is a doozy, albeit a very small doozy. My car broke down. On the way home. Katie-cakes and I thought we were going to be stranded in the middle of a great big Utah desert. But we ended up getting lots of help. First from a state trooper and a tow truck who both just happened to spot us along the side of the road...

And then from the policeman who stopped to check on us because he thought we were trying to break into a bank when we got lost and stopped in the parking lot at 10pm to let the engine cool off... ^_^ Katie-cakes and I had fun pushing each other around doing doughnuts in a church parking lot, even though she claims I didn't push as fast as she did.

Oh yeah, and did I mention that I made her hide with me any time a car drove by when we were parked on the side of the road? You can't be too careful–you never know when you might encounter an axe murderer, or worse, an overly helpful passerby who offers you a lift (STRANGER DANGER!!!!). ;) Sorry, I shouldn't joke about such things...

We ended up staying with some college friends of my mom, and my dad and grandpa drove 3 hours at the crack of dawn the next day to come rescue us from our stranded state. Have I mentioned before what an amazing dad I have??? Or how very talented my grandpa is at solving any kind of car problem? A girl doesn't get much luckier :) Very glad to be home.

Love,

me

Graduation!

So. I graduated this week. And I know that probably means I should be all grown up and have all the answers to the universe or something. But I don't. Bummer. ^_- On the plus side, I did get to hang out with some of my most favorite friends and family members.

V, me, & Eric. He has a great smile when he decides to, just fyi. ;)

My familia!

The grandparents.

I thought about cropping this last one down so I could have a graduation picture with a baby like my mom and all my aunts did, but I decided that might raise too many questions with my bishop... ;)

Anyways, graduating brought a bittersweet sorta' feeling... it's strange and more than a little bit scary most days to think about all the big changes this will bring. I mean, I have to find a job and fall housing and start applying to PA school, and only heaven knows where I'll be a year from now. Lots of big decisions. And moving. And having to make new friends. And did I mention big changes?!?! Yikes! But I guess it's exciting, too. I get to finally WORK. And not do homework (yay!). And make new friends. And have new adventures. So yeah. Bittersweet. But as daunting as "real-life" seems to me right now, I know things will work out. I guess it's like in Jacob 4:7. It says:

"The Lord God showeth us our weakness that we may know that it is by his grace, and his great condescensions unto the children of men, that we have power to do these things."

There's something about growing up that has made me increasingly aware of my weaknesses... I remember feeling a lot more awesome as a little kid than I do now. On second thought, maybe that's a really good thing–I was probably a little TOO confident as a child :) Anyways, the point is, the older I get, the more I realize how far I still have to go before I figure life out. And I am grateful for a Heavenly Father who is willing to compensate for my shortcomings and help me overcome my weaknesses. Speaking of, if you get a chance you should go read THIS talk.

To my family and friends, thanks for all your love and support the past four years. I am so grateful for all your help in getting where I am and becoming who I am today. You teach me daily what it means to be a better person.

Love you muchísimo,

me.

You've Had a Birthday, Shout 'Hooray!'

Somebody turned 23 this last week. No, it wasn't me. I think you can guess who it was. Yep, it was this guy:

To make up for having his birthday land in the middle of finals, we celebrated as robustly as possible–we sang to him at Olive Garden, and later that night we threw him a Western-themed party. Because come on, what boy hasn't wanted to ride off into a John Wayne movie at least once in his life?

His mamacita was kind enough to give me the recipe for one of his favorite desserts, pudding cake. Or as he calls it, "the cake that magically makes its own sauce on the bottom". Yeah, try calling someone and asking for THAT recipe. :) We tried to put the candles in a little too early, and they melted. It was kind of sad. So we put them in a tupperware full of Western-looking pebbles instead.

Lots of fun! Happy birthday, Eric!

Love,

me

Easter Weekend Activities

V & I decided to try and "really celebrate" Easter this year... We decided this could be best accomplished by baking Resurrection Rolls and Easter Story Cookies. And...

...they flopped. Well, kind of. They tasted great, really they did. But somehow they just didn't quite look like the ones on the website. Oh well.

In other news, we got Front Row Fanatic tickets to the men's volleyball game from my high school friend Spens (thanks!), and V got to try her first ever J-Dawg. Yum!

Oh yeah, and we dyed Easter eggs. How very traditional of us :)

Oodles of love,

me.

He Is Risen

This movie is a bit longer than some I've posted, but I wanted to share with you all the beauty of the Easter story... the beauty of a Savior whose life and sacrifice make it possible to live with our Heavenly Father again someday.

First Nephi 21:16 says:

" Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands;

thy walls are continually before me. "

I am so very grateful for that message—the message that Christ knows me. He knows of my existence, of course, but more than that He knows who I am—the things that make me happy and the things that are hard for me and all of my weaknesses and strengths. And He knows that because He felt it. President Henry B. Eyring taught,

“It will comfort us when we must wait in distress for the Savior’s promised relief that He knows, from experience, how to heal and help us. And faith in that power will give us PATIENCE as we pray and work and wait for help. He could have known how to succor us simply by revelation, but He chose to learn by His own personal experience.”

I can't adequately express my gratitude for His choice to become our Redeemer, for His infinite love and sacrifice, and for the knowledge that "His arm is stretched out still" (Isaiah 10:4). I am especially grateful for the many shortcomings that the atonement covers—as Elder Bruce C. Hafen said,

"The Savior's is the healing power not only for sin, but also for carelessness, inadequacy, and all mortal bitterness. The Atonement is not just for sinners."

To one as inadequate and imperfect as I, the Savior's atonement brings much hope. I hope that this Easter, some of that hope makes its way to you.

Much love,

me