The life.

This week. Whew. Am I glad that it's over! These past few weeks have been incredibly challenging. The beginning of the semester was pretty tough. I became super stressed as I tried to figure out my schedule and get back into the swing of things. After a week, I thought I had it pretty well figured out and then my little world got turned upside down again. I will not go into the details of what happened, mostly because they unimportant. What is impotant, however, are the things I have learned in the past few weeks. God's hand has been very visible in my life. I have been very humbled as He has carried me through these struggles. 

One lesson I have been taught through this experience is a great lesson from Mary, found in Luke 2. You may be familiar with the story of the birth of Christ found in this chapter. My favorite verse is 19 which reads, "But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart." I love the lesson that this teaches. I love to talk and share all the details of my life with people. The fact that Mary had such a wonderful, marvelous event in her life must have been something that she wanted to talk to so many people about. And yet, she chose to ponder the things in her heart out of love and respect. It shows her faithfulness to God and is a great measure of her character. As I review the events of the past week, I have chosen to set aside many of the details to ponder in my heart. This way they may remain private and between me and my Father in Heaven.

Lesson number two comes from the example of Sariah in 1 Nephi 5. In the beginning of the chapter, it talks about Sariah's suffering in the wilderness. Verse 3 says, "And after this manner of language had my mother complained against my father." Lehi responds in a completely different "manner of language." The scriptures say that he comforts Sariah and after this, she changes her "manner of language" and even goes on to share her testimony. Understading the importance of changing the "manner of language" has been crucial to me this week. It would be so easy to complain or put the blame on other people, but I am striving to watch the manner of language that I use. This way I can uplift myself and those around me.

Last weekend I was able to sing with Latter-Day Voices at a stake conference in the area. The notes I took at that meeting have been an immense blessing and comfort. Some of my favorites include:

- The Lord has made promises to you. Keep doing what you're doing and He will bless you.

- Trials help you help others.

- We have to be obedient and obedience takes work.

I am not 100% back on my game, but that's okay. Because I'm still moving. Even though I feel like I keep getting knocked down, I am so grateful for the knowledge that this is Heavenly Father's way of refining me and making me the best Emily that I can be. 

Thanks to everyone for the thoughts and prayers. I am not lying when I say that I have been carried throught these weeks. If I look a little down when you see me, just know that I'm trying and just give me a hug.

Peace and blessings.

A Year in Review

Alright friends. As this year comes to a close, I'm just in awe over all the many things I have learned this year. Time has flown and yet I feel like January happened years ago (well I mean...it did...it's kind of an annual thing) Anyway, this post is merely for me to review all the things I've done this year so I can feel a little bit better about my life. 

January- Logan visit from Aaron, new semester, surviving

February- Solo in Assembly Hall on Temple Square, started work at Macey's, began mission papers, still surviving

March- Logan visit from Katie and Rach, spring break, put mission papers on hold, decided on beauty school, learning how to thrive

April- 19th birthday, 2 Logan visits from mom and dad, Easter dinner with the roommates, life changing seminary visits with Latter Day Voices, spring show and tour with Latter Day Voices, work crushes, finals, moving home

May- Home for 1 day, jumped on a plane to North Carolina, spent 16 days in the most beautiful place with some of my favorite people, temple visits, Segway dates, preschool graduations, Eva's farewell

June- started work at Farr's and Eden's Landscapes, boating with Daniel Bean, Mom plays organ at tabernacle, secure housing in Logan, work festival with Damsel in this Dress, Dad has heart attack, Ben's farewell

July- Carly's farewell, so many tears saying goodbye, 1 week in Logan training at ASSERT, got the job, lots of joy, lots of work

August- Time with family, camping, more work, trip to St. George with Katie and Rach, moved back to Logan (finally), did hair for a wedding, Rachel's farewell, 3 semester of college begins!

September- LDV retreat, lots of school, Ogden Temple open house, dates, Peach Days, Hymnfest, fall approaching and it is so wonderful

October- 4 babies born (3 nephews, 1 niece), conference weekend, cabin weekend, boy drama, fall break in Yellowstone, in love with Logan in the fall, blows to the self-esteem, Halloween at ASSERT and at home

November- Retail therapy, run away trips to Kaysville, photoshoot with Chelsey, seminaries with LDV, friendships formed, Thanksgiving with the fam, auditioned to be a YPM in Nauvoo

December- Christmas LDV show, no callback for Nauvoo, Christmas outfits with Alyssa, finals week, work, switched apartments, home for Christmas, time with the family, CHRISTMAS!

This year has been long and hard, but I have learned so so much. I have gained such a strong testimony of the Atonement. I feel so blessed that I have the ability to start over clean slate when I make a mistake. I am grateful for the ups and downs that life brings and that I've learned more and more to accept them and learn how to work through challenges. I have gained such a strong testimony of the temple. I love that place more than anything. I consider myself so blessed to be as close to a temple as I am. I have learned that the sweetest blessings come from hard work. I have become so grateful for my eternal family and am I so grateful that we were all able to spend time together this year.

I am not where I thought I would be one year ago, but I am so glad that I am where I am. I am so excited to see what this new year brings!

Finding Joy in the Journey

"All that is unfair in life can be made right through the atonement of Jesus Christ."

Today feels so good.
I'm learning that winter isn't so bad after all.
I'm remembering that I like sweaters.
I'm remembering that I'm not perfect. And I like that.
But I'm also remembering that I am of great worth.

"As you submit your wills to God, you are giving Him the only thing you can actually give Him that is really yours to give. Don't wait too long to find the altar or to begin to place the gift of your wills upon it!" - Conference Report April 2014

Being Flooded in a Desert

I've been planning on writing a post for the past 4 weeks. But every week something drastic has changed, something that would change the whole mood or purpose of the post. So I come to this blank post now with NO idea what to write about to explain what has happened in the past 4 weeks. So I won't say anything about it at all. Except this: Once upon a time Emily's dating life was like a desert. And then all of the sudden it was like a flood and she had to learn how to build an ark REAL fast. And then the one person that she actually wanted to keep on the ark got nervous and jumped ship. That is all.

Moving on.

I've been in complete denial that winter is actually happening right now. It has snowed quite a bit up here in Logan the past few days,yet I keep expecting to wake up and the snow be completely gone and the weather to be all warm and balmy. I know that's not going to happen....but I'm still in denial about it.
I was discussing this with a good friend last night and I had a sort of realization.
This past season, I have been stretched and grown in so many wonderful ways. From spring to fall I have really changed. Or maybe not changed, but slipped into the skin of someone that I really love and want to be. Me. I'm finally comfortable. But, just like the seasons change, so does life. This season of my life has served its purpose. I've grown and stretched in all the ways I've needed to. Now it's time to move on. I have to completely let go of that old me and get to work with the new me. It's time for a new season where the sets of trials are different and hard. And let me tell you, that is HARD.
BUT.
If there is anything I've learned through all of the above things that I'm dealing with, it is that my Heavenly Father loves me and is aware of me. Countless times these past few weeks I've received calls, texts, and little notes of sweet people telling me of their love for me. All of these have been tender mercies. All came at perfect moments when I really needed to feel loved. So thank you if you were a part of that.

On a completely, not so unrelated note, I have decided to stick with Elementary Education and a minor in Theater! For now.....;) #collegedegreeprobs

Life is overflowing with great things.

My dearest friend, Sister Carly Lewis, challenged me last week to post about things that I was thankful for. This was a great experience for me as I was able to review my day at night and think about all the things that had happened to me during the day, and then express my thankfulness for them. But I thought I would re-share some of my thoughts in an effort to catch you up a little bit on the things I've been up to!

My cute roommates. I wondered if we were going to make it out okay at first, but they have proved to be the best thing that could have happened to me. I would give my life for these girls. I just love them too much. 

This is ice cream, but I'm also thankful for it because my roommate brought it to me after I said goodbye to my bestest friend who is pictured below. 

I am so thankful for Rachel Titensor. We've been friends since birth and she has taught me so much about life. I couldn't have mad it this far without her. 

I'm thankful for friends old and new! I've only known this girl for maybe 3 weeks, but I feel like I've known her my whole life. We may or may not sent pictures of cats to each other every morning. It's a thing. 

I'm thankful for laughter. For snapchat. And for my dearest Amy who I miss so much. 

And this. I'm thankful for this. 

I'm thankful for the feral cat that lives under my car? ((This one's a stretch))

I am thankful for God's beauty on this earth. I'm thankful for sun rises and sunsets. For crappy iphones that still manage to capture a portion of this beauty.

These CRAZY people that I get to work with on the Latter-Day Voices presidency. I'll be the first to admit that I never would have put the 4 of us together, but as we've been able to get to know each other and learn from each other, I wouldn't have it any other way. 

More of God's beauty. 

I am SO thankful for the temple. I never feel more at peace or at home than when I am here.

And the best of all the friends. I miss this girl oodles. I am so thankful that she chose to serve the Lord. Her talents and gifts have been so useful in turning others towards Christ. Her emails are the highlights of my week. She challenges me to love the Lord and keep going every day. I love ya, Sister Lewis!!

How I Survived my First Year of College

This is my advice to the average college freshman. I realize this is a little late...but I feel like it wouldn't hurt to share!

1) College is exactly like High School on steroids. More people, more school, more freedom, more homework, more tests, more drama, more fun.

2) Everyone is different. Not everyone is going to have the same "first year" college experience that you have! This was so hard for me to understand. I had so many people telling me what my first year was going to be like and when things didn't happen like that, I was so confused. Just realize that this year is for YOU. You're here to figure things out about yourself and your life. I had a great first year, but I didn't really get it all figured out until 3 months before the year was over. So just take your time, be yourself, and be different.

3) Be involved. There are SO many ways to be involved, find the way that works best for you. I love to sing and so I chose to audition for a choir through the LDS Institute. This is where I made most of my friends and where I spent most of my time. All campuses provide a wide variety of clubs and activities. If that doesn't really sound like your thing, try something else! Get a job or find something in the community. It just really helps to have a smaller group of people to interact with.

4) Don't shop at Walmart. Hahah jk. You can shop wherever you want. But here at USU, we have TWO Walmarts in the area! So pretty much that's where everyone shops. Halfway through the year, I got a job at Macey's and started doing my grocery shopping there. I saved SO much money! Part of this is because I was simply more familiar with Macey's and their items and their sales. I planned better when I went there and I ate healthier too. Find stores that you are familiar with and don't be afraid to take some time to make grocery lists or compare prices.

5) Make Institute a Priority. I can't believe I'm saying this because I feel like it is contradictory to my beliefs as a freshman. But seriously, Institute is crazy important. It's a place to meet people who share your beliefs and values. It's a place to join in activities that you know will be good, clean fun. PLUS it is a great place to be edified by the spirit. To take you out of the world and the university and just feel good. To learn more about institute or to register for classes, click here.

6) Develop good relationships with your roommates. I definitely got SUPER lucky with my roommates my freshman year. Our personalities meshed well and we just had lots of fun together. We didn't always do everything together, but one of my favorite things was we watched "The Bachelor" together on Monday nights. Just a little, simple thing that we could all talk and laugh about once a week.

So that's about it! Some lame advice from me. Do with it what you will. :)