Tribute To The Past

 E.F.Y.

Especially For Youth

 This was the greatest week of my life, still to this day I think. I just had so many amazing experiences there! It was so amazing. I learned so much about myself and my true testimony. My life has been changed for the better because of this week. I met some amazing people that week as well who still help me today! :D

 My brother came and I was beyond glad he came! We had a blast driving down together and spending time with each other throughout the week!

Derek was in my group and somehow we just clicked right away! :] That summer I went to worlds of fun with him and last year I went down to where he's from which also happened to be where EFY was (Columbia, MO) for a weekend before he left for his mission in Germany. I like to say we were pretty good friends, but obviously I can't speak for him. He really means a lot to me even though I haven't heard from him in quite some time. It's okay, he's focusing on his mission which is exactly what he needs to be doing. But, I'm sure I've done something wrong along the way with my letters while he's been out. His birthday was last Monday, so I've been thinking about him quite a bit. It's kind of nuts to think he's almost been gone for a year and now he's 20! But, I'm sure he's doing well. He's in the Lord's hands and I'm sure he's being taken care of. Wow, I just rambled way too much but he's great. 

I had the best group EVER. And yes, I'm sure every group says that about there group, but my group really was the best. 

But, truthfully I had the greatest guys in my group. Mostly Derek and Nick though :] I never kept in contact with Nick (I'm not even positive if that's how his name is spelled... it's been two years...) though, such a shame, but I've survived. 

Jacob (the red head) I met either Wednesday or Thursday during the week. So, I didn't really get a whole lot of time to get to know him. But, just this year mostly somehow we reconnected and started talking quite a bit. He's on his mission right now and we keep in touch great. His letters are really uplifting. I love reading them. He's only been out for less than six months, but I've seen a marvelous change in him! I MISS EFY 

Everything happens for a reason

I choose to be happy :]

Missionary Letters

                                        

Oh boy, missionary letters. I could go on for HOURS about this I guarantee. Writing missionaries is a recent hobby of mine. All the missionaries I write are very faithful writers and send great spiritually uplifting letters. I can only hope mine are the same, or at least close to the same. I know a lot of my life isn't necessarily spiritual like theirs (it's not supposed to be even close to theirs anyway) is so it's a lot more difficult to do that for them. But, getting letters sure does just brighten my day! :D I love every second! But, this week I got the longest letter I've EVER GOTTEN, EVER!!! haha. It was quite intense. It was 14 pages long, front and back. There was quite a bit to read! haha. But, it really made me think about what I was doing writing these missionaries. I definitely think that I'm giving them the wrong ideas. But, I'm going to have to fix that soon enough. We'll see what happens. I want to give the right idea and make sure we're on the same page. It's been running through my head like crazy this week since I got it! NUTS! But, it's good I need something else to run through my head besides IDAHO. I've been thinking about Idaho way too much!! I need to focus on where I am and what I'm doing here in Nebraska. That's just been a little difficult. But, that's alright. I'm working on it. [jumping the gun, sheesh. what the heck am I going to do with myself!] Well, just because I've been thinking too much doesn't mean I'm not incredibly happy. Because I sure am extremely happy! Because I choose happiness of course!!

Just too cute!

This might be one of the cutest videos! :]




Tom and Joyce are my favorite! A ladle full of love everyday... so AWESOME!! :D This kind of stuff just makes me smile. :] I love it. I love Elder Scott, what he did for his wife was absolutely adorable. Guys like that are worth it, worth anything. Things like this really help me choose to be happy!! :]

Motivation

I know I've already posted today, but I had some time to think while I was on a bike ride with my brother today. I was absolutely dying while I was riding. I'm beyond out of shape right now and yet I want to do all these things that are athletic. I'm ridiculous to think that I can do things when I haven't been exercising regularly or even at all. So, while I was struggling to make the 4 or 5 mile bike ride and keep up with my brother I started to think. What would help me to go faster, do better. Maybe the option of getting rid of my little extra weight on me? Getting home and going to my bed and just being able to rest? Catching up to my brother who kept having to stop and wait for me? Getting ready to actually achieve my goals? Nope. I couldn't do it, I couldn't get deep enough in my brain to find any motivation. I kept thinking I can't do this. I just can't. It was horrible. Because obviously I could do it! I did, I'm here I made it through. But, what could I have done to have done it all a little better? Or to have been okay with it while I was out in the heat? I needed better MOTIVATION. I couldn't wait for it to be over, but that's usual. I think so many people can agree doing something that's difficult for your body to do it's really hard to overpower your mind over your body. It's such a huge deal. As my old track and cross country coach used to drill into our heads, "don't be a mental midget." A mental midget is what I definitely was today. I couldn't find a way for my mind to over power my body. I couldn't find a good way to be motivated. But, I'm going to. Tomorrow I'm going to redeem myself I hope. I'm going to dig and find my motivation, I'm not sure what is yet but I'm determined to find it! I kind of know what my goals are. So, I need to find a way to achieve those goals. But, of course before I can get motivated, I need to be happy. So, I choose it! I choose happiness.

Mixed emotions

Being home is such a shock in a way. I don't know what to do with myself. But, at the same time I love it. But, there's so much I miss about Idaho. I don't know what to do really. I don't want to move in because I feel like I'll be leaving so soon that it doesn't even matter. I want to know what's going ot happen in the near future. I would love to know what this fall will really mean for me, but I have absolutely no idea! I miss my younger years where decisions I made didn't really affect the rest of my life. But, that's okay because at the same time when I miss it I'm really excited for the big decisions. Sometimes I just wish I knew what to decide. Nursing, special education, recreation, what the heck am I going to major in? I guess sooner or later I'll figure that one out. These 7ish weeks (well 6ish now) will be great for decision making. I have much more time to myself.  A lot of time to think, lots of quiet time I don't know what to do with. But, for now I'm choosing to be happy. Because honestly I don't have anything not to be happy about really. Now, I'm heading out for a bike ride with my brother :D It'll be great to get out into the humidity and sweat ridiculous amounts and get some exercise. I love being happy :]