Friend

My friend. Her name is Amanda Johnson but I call her friend; because that's just exactly what she is and what she will always be. Friend has been a tender mercy to me ever since I can remember. When I was a brand new missionary struggling to adjust to the lifestyle she sent me a letter that saved me from running as fast as I could back to the U.S. Friend and I seem to experience many of the same trials, events, and experiences at the same time--which has become my saving grace. Knowing I have someone to chat with that feels the same about life right now as I do is basically priceless and indescribable.

You see friend and I are the last of our group of college friends to get married. (sorry for bringing the attention of that to everyone friend) and I just don't know what I'd do without our consistently lengthy chats about guys and dating and marriage. A definite lifesaver!

Friend and I graduated from college together and shared our graduation dinner at the Chef's Table with our families. We wanted our families to meet because we are family. I call her friend but really she's more like a sister. (we even both invited "guests" that probably should not have been in attendance...haha)

Friend and I served missions at the same time so we've always had such great memories to share! Luckily she started a little before me and could lay out a little bit of a map for me.

I would suggest you all meet my friend. She's wonderful and I know you'll all love her just as much as I do.

Happy Fall Ya'll!

I feel I can say with a strong conviction in my heart...there is no where more beautiful than Utah during the autumn months. The trees start turning and the colors up the canyons will literally just stop you in your tracks.

Today my Mom and I went up American Fork Canyon on a drive to see these beautiful landscapes. I know the pictures don't even begin to do it justice but I wanted to share a little of our outing! I love how appreciative my Mom is of nature. Everything spectacular she sees she thinks of heaven and our Heavenly Father. I know I've said this before but she truly is the most amazing mother and woman. She teaches me to be grateful each and every day for all the marvelous blessings I've been given.

Thoughtful thought

"Hermana sigue con animo aun cuando parezca que no se ve la luz que alumbra el camino"

Can't sleep.

I am laying in my bed trying to fall asleep. I know I won't be able to do so for a while. It's a vicious cycle that I experience at night when I'm tired but not exhausted. First I focus on not thinking of anything but that naturally leads me to think about something and the chain begins. One thing leads to the next and then here I am at 1:15 am remembering one of the most compassionate events I've ever witnessed.

Towards the end of my mission I became ill will appendicitis. At the time I was companions with Hermana Sarah Johnson. A sweetheart of a girl to really say the very least. She was so kind to me. After I had been in bed for about 2 or 3 weeks I began feeling very VERY discouraged. I remember that at night I couldn't sleep (much like what is happening to me now) and my mind would begin to race around thinking of all the things I wished I could do or should be accomplishing. I was a missionary darn it! I was there to serve...not to be served!

One night probably around 2 in the morning I was laying in the dark in my broken little bed feeling the terrific pain of what had come from the surgery. I began to cry. I hardly ever cry but it was somewhat inevitable at this point. I was sad, mad, confused. And that's when I discovered the true heart of Hermana Johnson. By this point she had helped me through more physical obstacles than she had obviously signed up for as a brand new missionary due to my illness. But that night she helped heal my heart. I remember she explained to me the many different reasons why I could have been experiencing this particular trial. I remember she pleaded with me to believe I wasn't a terrible missionary for having to stay in bed from the appendicitis instead of preaching the gospel. I remember she brought comfort to my heart. She was a true servant of the Lord on the day--and each day that I learn more about her I love her more and more.

Happy Pumpkin Day!

Well it's official...fall is upon us! I'm not actually sure where the last 2 months of my life have disappeared to but I'm glad to have a few minutes to sit down and get a blog posted. I've been working A LOT lately and although I'm not positive I love to admit this I think I take after my Dad in the whole "workaholic" sense.

Yesterday my Mom was all excited to go into her garden and check out her pumpkins she planted earlier in the year. Little did she know we would find all of this waiting to be picked...