Mustache Power

I've joined the craziness.....

Thanks Raquel

for making my hair look AWESOME!!!! I have always loved french braids. 

 

and all of my hair color is natural- can you believe that? I always get asked if I have highlights/streaks in my hair, nope I'm a lucky girl! :)

One Year Ago

on May 1st, I returned home from my mission.

 

When trials are not consequences of your disobedience, they are evidence that the Lord feels you are prepared to grow more. He therefore gives you experiences that stimulate growth, understanding, and compassion which polish you for your everlasting benefit. To get you from where you are to where he wants you to be requires a lot of stretching, and that generally entails discomfort and pain... this life is an experience in profound trust- trust in Jesus Christ.

 

In one year I have:

• suffered from post traumatic stress disorder and anxiety greatly to having overcome.
• gone from eating pretty much nothing to having a normal diet for the most part.
• felt more frustration, anger, hurt, and loneliness than I thought I could bear.
• had my heart broken.
• gone from a normal body weight to being rail thin and then back to a normal weight again.
• taken countless benadryl.
• had many meltdowns with lots of tears.
• moved out and moved back home.
• had a paper route.
• had 3 jobs.
• completed 2 semesters at SLCC.
• Seen too many doctors.
• experienced lonely holidays.
• ran a 5k
• overcome fears
• had many new experiences

And this is not all but the #1 thing I have learned is to Give it all to God. In Faith, I have turned everything over to him and let him take over. And because I did this miracles have happened/are happening in my life and I could not be more happy.

 

 



I hope this feeling won't go away....



I posted this on facebook on Wednesday, March 20th:

I am in awe of all the events of this week. I can have milk again, I have accepted a position at Peak Seasons, Inc. as an Accounting Manager, and I was able to donate blood today! To end the day I was able to have dinner with Marlene Crookston Willis and attend a mission call opening (Congrats Jonathan!) It always amazes me how involved the Lord is in our lives down to every last detail. My cup truly runneth over. 

March 18, 2013. I try milk again for the first time since last April and I was ok! I'm very happy and excited to bring milk back into my diet. However I have been sensitive to some milk products and need to take Lactaid pills. But after this past year I'm not complaining!

March 22, 2013. Family Game night at the church.

Crazy wheelchair rides around the gym were definitely the highlight.

March 20, 2013. Donated blood for the first time despite my fear of needles

Thanks for your support Whitney! (I will forgive you for forcing me into it)

March 21, 2013. Toured the State Capitol and Pioneer museum with old mission companions.

 The Lord has been so good to me. 

Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)

Chris Tomlin- emphasis added by yours truly

 

Amazing grace

How sweet the sound

That saved a wretch like me

I once was lost, but now I'm found

Was blind, but now I see

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear

And grace my fears relieved

How precious did that grace appear

The hour I first believed

My chains are gone

I've been set free

My God, my Savior has ransomed me

And like a flood His mercy rains

Unending love, Amazing Grace

 

The Lord has promised good to me

His word my hope secures

He will my shield and portion be

As long as life endures

 

(2x)

My chains are gone

I've been set free

My God, my Savior has ransomed me

And like a flood His mercy rains

Unending love, Amazing grace

 

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow

The sun forbear to shine

But God, Who called me here below

Will be forever mine

Will be forever mine

You are forever mine

 

 

God lives. His tender mercies are real. I could not have made it through the past year without him.

My chains are gone and I've been set free!

 



2012 Question & Answer

1) What did you do in 2012 that you'd never done before?
Went to Moab and rappelled, developed severe food allergies and made two trips to the ER, ran a 5k, taught primary, slept under the stars while camping, became an aunt, got a paper route, was in three parades in a two week period, attended a live conference session, attended a temple openhouse and it's dedication a few weeks later, went to a midnight movie showing, went to Lagoon five times in one year and rode almost everything, started college, went to black friday (actually it was thursday), went to a movie on christmas.

2) Did you keep your new years resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don't remember if I made resolutions but I did reach several of my goals. I have made resolutions for 2013 and am determined to stick with them.

3) Did anyone close to you die?
One of my relatives died during the summer.

4) What countries did you visit?
Zilch.

5) What would you like in 2013 that you lacked in 2012?
More control over my life, less stress and worry.

6) What date from 2012 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
May 1st, the day I came home from my mission.

7) What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Finding a job I love, finishing my first semester of college with good grades, working through food allergies and all the stress and anxiety that came with it.

8) What was your biggest failure?
Not handling some situations in the right way, letting fear take over at times.

9) Did you suffer illness or injury?
Reactions from severe food allergies, a bad cold, and some physical side effects from too much stress.

10) What was the best thing you bought?
My tuition for school.

11) Whose behavior merited celebration?
I'm going to toot my own horn here, MINE!

12) Where did most of your money go?
School

13) What did you get really, really, really excited about?
All the foods I can eat that I thought I couldn't, that I found yogurt, butter, cream cheese, and sour cream that I can eat, how well I did in school, and several other things.

14) What song(s) will always remind you of 2012?
Some of the EFY songs. It has helped inspire me and find the motivation to keep going.

15) What do you wish you'd done more of?
Exercising, serving others

16) What do you wish you'd done less of?
focus on myself, worry

17) How did you spend Christmas?
Alone. The holidays were very difficult this year for many reasons.

18) Did you fall in love in 2012?
As in a boyfriend or something? No. I spent most of my time trying to survive.

19) What was your favorite tv program?
I don't watch tv

20) What was your favorite candy?
Starburst (original kind), licorice, candy pumpkins

21) What was your greatest musical discovery?
???

22) What did you want and get for christmas?


23) What was your favorite film of this year?
I don't know but definitly not Twilight Series!

24) What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 22. Day was spent swimming with the Winegars, exercising with Julie, a few visits from friends, and pizza for dinner.

25) What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
No stress/worry/anxiety/frustration over food allergies!!!

26) How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2012?
Lame

27) What kept you sane?
My amazing friends in the ward.

28) Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
I don't keep up with that stuff

29) Who did you miss?
Mom, some of my friends.

30) Who was the best new person (people) you met?
Kendra

31) Tell us a valuable life lesson(s) you learned in 2012:
This year I was reminded that my body IS mortal and is subject to getting sick or hurt. Never take your health for granted. I learned many lessons but one of the most important, don't take ANYTHING for granted! Life is so precious.

32) What was your favorite restaurant(s)?
? Most of the year I couldn't eat anything:)

33) Quote a song lyic that sums up your year:
I'll do two:
every day is a winding road.... and you get a little bit stronger!
I'll do whatever it takes.....

Miss you mom.