Update of da life

Currently I am in stress mode. Finals are currently happening. I'm moving in three days. I am going to work more hours after Wednesday. I have a job interview next week. Oh and I'm planning a trip that's happening in three weeks. It's crazy right now. I just want to scream and look away. Two more days. Two more days. I'm going to be in school mode. Adios life. 

In Response to Yesterdays Incident

Yesterday the city of Boston was shaken up by bombings at the Boston City Marathon. How did I find out about? Facebook and Twitter began to fill up with thoughts, concerns and prayers for the victims and families. My first reaction was "how could there be such evil in our world" which many of you thought. But then I began to read about those who responded to the tragic incident by volunteering themselves to carry victims, offering their homes to those who couldn't go back to their hotel, their businesses to offer a place of comfort and refuge and those runners who finished the race and continued to run to the hospital to donate blood. Then I thought to myself "there are still good people in world today." I wish people would use their hands and mind to do good rather than to hurt others. In less than a year many people have been affected tragically due to someone else's action which includes the shooting in Aurora and Newtown. Now this? Those runners, bystanders and others at the marathon were there to enjoy a race, watch their love ones, and just enjoying a day in the city of Boston. They shouldn't have been hurt such a manner. I hope they catch the person or people involved in this so justice could be brought to the victims and their families. At the same time remember there are still a lot go good people in our world today. Hopefully we surround ourselves with them. Lets keep the people of Boston in our prayers and thoughts.   

Are you pushing your handcart?

I should be finishing my essay but the Spirit is so strong that I can't ignore it. Today in my Sociology of the LDS Church class we discussed the Church in regards with media and film. We watched the following clip.

I usually do not like to show my emotions in public. I will cry in front of certain people but at this point I did not care. As I watched this I couldn't help but cry. It's one of those video that really gets to you. The words of the hymn "Come, Come, Ye Saints" speak so powerfully and when it's combined with a depiction of the Saints the words just become alive. The early Saints had to go through so much when they crossed the plains into a land they did not know much of. The faith they must have had is a testimony in itself. They crossed in the cold freezing winter, in the heat with at times little food and water. They crossed the plains to worship freely and live the gospel freely. We have so much to thank for those Saints. Without them we wouldn't be here today with the gospel, with so many faithful missionaries and many temples where we can receive so many blessings.

I am just going to be honest, it would have been hard for me to have the faith as those Saints did. Am I ashamed of it? No. Each one of us is brought to this earth at a certain time because our Heavenly Father knows we can endure the trails of the time. I know He put me on this earth at this time for a reason. He knew I was strong enough to get through this life right now. I just have to realize for myself that I am strong enough. I may not have to push a handcart of all my possessions across the plains but I do have to push a handcart of my faith through this tempting time in our world. I feel as though I was sent here right now to face all the worldly things going on from drugs, immortality, and other things that do not meet the gospel values. It's a hard time to live in the world being surrounded by so many temptations  But if those Saints came push through a cold river in the middle of winter I can push through a street filled with immoral things.

Times are going to get worse. The thought that my children would be probably see more horrible things than I did growing up scares me. It truly scares me but I know if I prepare myself to teach them to push their own handcart through it all they can protect their faith. Yes I know that won't be for a long time until I have children but the time is now to prepare.  I have made choices in my life to make sure me children and their children will have the gospel in their lives. Some of those choices included leaving people behind who didn't help me push my handcart. About a year ago I decided I needed to prepare myself for the time to come. Everyday I am trying to push my handcart through it all. I know if we put our faith first we will be blessed and it turn out okay in the long run. We just have to remember to put our trust in the Lord through all our trails. At first it may be hard but He will be there with us through it all. 

My question to you is if you're pushing your handcart hard enough?   

Crazy Times at BYU

Well you guys it's that time of year...finals! AHHHH!! The thought just makes me want to cry. I am pushing through these last couple days of classes but let me tell you it's hard. The other night I pulled an all nighter and did not sleep at all. I am still feeling the side effects. It's a stressful time with final papers and last minute projects in my classes but I'm keep my head up high. Two weeks from today I will be done with school for this semester! I will be moving into a new apartment which is stressful but not that stressful like school. I have been wanting the end to be near for so long. I just need to push through. I can do this! 

Summer plans you may ask? Well lets see work, work, work and two classes during summer term. Fun I know. I plan to work a lot this summer and save money for the next year school year but most importantly for next summer! Right now Mexico is up in the air but I know that I want to go somewhere next summer. Besides work there are a lot of things I want to do this summer in Utah. There are a couple of trails I want to do such as Mount Timp, the red rocks in St. George and I really want to go to Moab. Although I need to find an adventure buddy. 

Besides working and having fun adventures one thing I hope to get out of the summer

is knowing myself better. This will be the first time I spend a whole summer away from my family. While the majority of the student population at BYU return home for the summer (or go on a mission) I will be here until I see my family for a week in June. I will be doing a lot of things on my own this summer but I'm up for the challenge. 

P.S. I am starting another blog and it's going to be a beauty blog which will have all sorts of fun stuff. So keep an eye out for it! 

Preparing for this weekend

Well it's that time of year again, General Conference! I am excited to hear what the prophets, apostles and church leaders have to say to us this weekend. Each time I listen to  conference I think to myself we are truly blessed to live in a time when the true gospel is fully restored to earth and we have ability where everyone can hear the messages that are inspired. 

In preparation for this weekend I began to listen to talks from the last General Conference. Today while I was cleaning some dishes I opened one of the talks on my phone. Smartphones are quite handy. This morning I listened to the talk by Elder Neil L. Anderson, "Trail of Your Faith." I choose the talk at random but I am so happy I choose it. The talk really comforted me at this time when I am going through a lot. I encourage you to read it if you're going through a difficult time in your life at the moment.

As the week goes on I am going to continue to listen/read a talk a day. And remember as Elder Neil L. Anderson said, "With faith come trials of faith, bringing increased faith."

Lets wrap it up!!

Papers. Finals. Stress. That is what has been on my mind lately. School has been crazy and I just want it to end. I am really looking forward to the end of the semester and the start of summer. I hope this summer will top last summer. Sadly I will be here in Utah still but I don't mind because there are certain things (and people) who make me want to stay here.

I am at that point where I am getting summer excitement/laziness but I have to push through for another 24 days! I can do this. Tell me I can do this. I just need a little encouragement. 

I'm planning to take one class during spring term and it's actually just .5 credits. I need to take private music lessons so I have to do it! It's all good. I actually like to play my instruments and don't see it as a hassle like homework. Band geek for life! 

This spring and summer I'm going to work, work and work. Fun right? I need that money for things, stuff, places and other stuff. The MTC Cafeteria will be so much fun this summer....yeah I will leave it at that. 

Lastly take a look at what I did this weekend! Happy spring everyone!