Always Remember

This semester I took a religion class focusing on the Synoptic Gospels of the New Testament (Matthew, Mark, Luke, & John).  I have learned more in this study of the text than I have ever before.   I truly believe that I have a greater appreciation for my Savior and what He did for me as well as a better relationship with Him.  Here are several things that I learned about Him and His character:

He had a step-parent.  Yes, I knew that Joseph was not Jesus’ real father, but I don’t know why it took me so long to put that fact into these terms.  People who did not believe on Christ also ridiculed and mocked Him because of his alleged “illegitimacy”.  However, Joseph was given the special mission of caring for Jesus during the time when He would be most vulnerable, and Jesus never regarded him as any less than an earthly father.

He had family members who were not necessarily believers.  On several occasions, His own brothers teased him about who He claimed to be.  He was even rejected two times by the people of Jerusalem for professing His Messiahship.  These are the people he grew up with, the people he really loved from the time He was born.

His disciples were not perfect – they made mistakes too.  Christ chose them in part of their faithfulness, but by no means were their choices and actions ideal. Jesus chose them not because of what they were right then, but of what He knew they had the potential to become.

Christ’s memory was also hidden by the veil of forgetfulness upon his mortal birth, just like the rest of us.  He did not always have a perfect knowledge of His pre-mortal life, and I am sure He had to work at gaining it back. 

I had always heard these truths but I had never really thought about them in depth.  I know that the because of the Atonement Christ has felt every pain or sorrow anyone on this earth has ever felt and more.  I know that He knows what we are going through, and that He can heal our pains, whether they be mental, emotional, spiritual, or physical.  I know that His suffering will not be in vain.  I know these things are and have always been true.  What I didn’t know was that Christ’s mortal life circumstances were similar to the ones that I have.  He knows EXACTLY what it is like to be in my situation, because not only did he feel it during the Atonement, but he experienced it in His own life.  In this respect, I have a greater appreciation for Jesus’ mortal life as well.  I think about the common experiences we share, and I cannot even begin to imagine the degree of pain and hurt He felt every single day of His life aside from the Atonement.  But I know His suffering was not in vain. 

I cannot stress to you how much Christ loves each and every one of us.  I know that the Atonement was made especially for us individually and not just collectively.  He knows exactly what it is like to be in your situation, not just one pain that many people may feel.  He knows that it feels differently if your black and white spotted dog dies than if the kid down the street’s brown dog dies.  There is no categorizing and generalizing when it comes to the effects of the Atonement.  I love the scriptures and the peace, joy, and knowledge they bring to my life.  They are the way by which God answers prayers and gives comfort to those in need.  There is no better source of happiness than the message and accounts of the Savior’s life and teachings found in the scriptures.  Christmas is approaching, so take the time to reflect on the Savior’s divine birth, and especially all that He has done for each and every one of us.  If He didn’t love you and know you, then why else would He give His life for you?    

Let's Talk TR!

In case you were unaware...

I LOVE MY MAJOR.

Yeah, I know that everyone says that, and that's probably because they're in their respective majors for a reason.  My senior year in high school, I had my life planned out.  I was going to major in Psychology, go to grad school and pursue a degree in Marriage and Family Therapy, and I was going to make the world a better place.  I was going to leave my mark on the world.  So that last part is still part of my plan, but the rest has definitely changed.  Then, I had never even heard of Therapeutic Recreation.  I had never considered working in state hospitals or rehab centers, or with children with disabilities.  I was going to work with people who were seeking advice and consultation on improving their relationships...

Fast forward to my first ever class in college - PSYCH 111.  At 8:15 am.  For 2 1/2 hours.  (Just a little side note - don't EVER torture yourself by taking an early class that also happens to be forever long...Is it common sense? Maybe.  But don't think that "Oh, I got up earlier than that all 4 years of high school, it will be okay!" NO.  It will NOT be okay.  In high school you also weren't adjusting to a new sleep schedule, or lack thereof, or destroying your good eating habits with Ramen and ice cream.  Just don't do it.)  Anyways, I loved my Psychology class. I really did.  But I came to realize that it is not what I wanted to do.  My mom had told me about TR before I came to BYU, and I had considered it, but I had my life planned out.  I thought I knew what I wanted to do.  "Thought" being the key word.  Isn't it funny how things hardly ever turn out the way we plan them to?  So I decided to learn more about it.  I took a Careers in Recreation class in Fall, and thus, I fell in love with the idea of TR.  I can help people, have fun, and get paid.  But really.  People get paid to do what I am going to do!  It may not be much, but what does it matter if you love your job?

For all of you people that think that Therapeutic Recreation is not a real major...think about this.  How often do you participate in a recreational activity for your own benefit?  To de-stress, or gain confidence you didn't previously have by accomplishing something you didn't know you could do?  Now think about that in terms of people with disabilities.  We all have impairments, which are things about us, such as poor eyesight, that are abnormal.  A disability is a restriction or lack of ability to perform an activity in a way that is considered normal.  A handicap is a barrier that is caused by a social or societal stigma of one's disability.  We don't have to treat people with disabilities differently, but we do anyways.  We all too often define them by what they can't do as opposed to what they can.  We think they need our help or assistance, when they may very well be more capable than we are in completing some tasks.  They may already have an impairment, but we don't have to give them a handicap. Think back to what recreation does for you.  Now imagine how much greater of an effect those same activities would have if we but gave people with disabilities the chance to participate in them.  They can gain confidence, overcome social barriers, learn new skills to perhaps keep them out of further trouble, and most of all improve their quality of life.  

As a CTRS (Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist), I would function first as a therapist, then as a counselor, then lastly as a resource.  I know there are so many people with disabilities who don't think that there are options for accessible recreation available to them.  By making these options known and helping them to  participate, the self-perpetuating cycle, or self-fulfilling prophecy of personal and societal reinforcements, would be broken and optimism, confidence, and self-worth would be abundant.  

If you still think that my major is just arts and crafts, think again.  Recreation is of the upmost important aspects of one's life, and a life without recreation would not necessarily be fulfilling.  Don't put anyone down; look past their disability and see a person who loves to play and have fun just as much as you do, for it is equally, if not more important to improving their quality of life.  And most of all, remember that they are God's children, your brothers and sisters.  They're human beings sent to this earth with trials, as we all are, but their's are perhaps manifested in a different way.  We can show our love for them through service, kindness, and respect.

If you struggle with understanding disabilities, please read these articles.  It sheds light and love on how we can be more accepting of those that are different than us. :)

Simplicity

I really enjoy the little things in life I've realized.  Maybe I'm just more detail oriented, or maybe I'm just easily amused.  Let's be real though - they are what make life bearable among the storms of the adversary.  I enjoy the sunshine and the brisk cold of the mornings.  I like getting that sudden rush of adrenaline when you wake up realizing that you've overslept.  I enjoy the dry humor of professors, and the things that I learn that will haunt me for the better in my daily life (eg. people-first terminology or different aspects of architecture).  I love the songs you hear that apply to your life so perfectly that you just listen to them on repeat non-stop.  I appreciate boys that hold open doors for girls (you may think this is a given, but I've noticed it more and more that people out West don't do it as much as they do in the South...).  I love walking around campus without headphones and realizing the beauty of my surroundings, and I especially love the apple trees I see and smell while walking to the Utah State Hospital.  I find joy in the smile that I can't contain when I see someone on campus that has no shame - the ones that are so comfortable with themselves that they will do just about anything to brighten someone's day (eg. the boombox guy - I'd like to see anyone tell me that their day is worse after seeing him and getting the Fresh-Prince song stuck in their head!).  I thrive off of the sudden bursts of knowledge and truth manifested through the Holy Ghost that give me strength and comfort in my decisions.  I admire the power I am given to feel my Heavenly Father's love for His other children.  I am so thankful for religion classes and the new things I learn regardless of the amount of time I have spent studying on my own for years on end.  I like seeing people I know on campus, or even getting smiles from random strangers.  I gain comfort in the random acts of kindness, whether it be through service or unexpected texts from friends.  I love love love the temple and the immediate serenity that I feel as soon as I enter the grounds.   The list could go on and on, but I decided to have a simple post this week, so I hope you appreciate it as much as I liked writing it. :) In short, you will increase your happiness if you take the time to slow down and recognize the simple joys in life - they're always there whether or not we recognize them.  Remember, by small and simple things are great things brought to pass! 

"When faith is properly understood and used, it has dramatically far-reaching effects.  Such faith can transform an individual's life from maudlin, common every day activities to a symphony of joy and happiness." - Elder Richard G Scott

Spiritual Peace

Disclaimer: I hope these things make sense to all who take the time to read it.  There are so many thoughts racing through my mind, I can hardly gather them in a manner that is concise.  I hope I do them justice in this post. :)

Let's just say that this weekend has caused me to completely rethink my entire life plan.  And after thinking about it for a whole session of conference (about 2 hours), I threw it out the window.  Needless to say, those of you who heard the news about the changing of the missionary ages for males and females know why this is so.  

You guessed it, I have decided to serve an 18 month mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  I am not doing this simply because now I can, or to prove to anyone that girls can do what boys can do, or even to show my diligence in taking advantage in this push for "women's rights", as some might put it.  I am doing this because the Lord has made it very plain to me that this is what He would have me do.  I have had some challenges lately, and until this point, I didn't quite understand why.  However, upon hearing the Prophet of God announce that I am now able to serve a mission, 2 years earlier than previously thought of, I have no doubt that this is the best way to spend my time.  He has been preparing me for this for quite some time now.  I hope that perhaps most of you will understand why, and trust me when I tell you that I know this is right for me.  Giving up everything worldly to devote my life fully to the service of my Heavenly Father and His children is something I could never regret.  I just have to make sure that I go with the right intent, not expecting it to be easy by any means.  It's going to be harder than anything I could ever imagine, but I know that Heavenly Father will take care of me as long as I am doing what He would have me do.  Everything that He has planned is better than anything I could ever plan for myself.  His will and timing are supreme, and although we may not understand it at the time, it will all work out for the better in the end.

"If you will respond to share your beliefs and feelings about the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, a spirit of love and a spirit of courage will be your constant companion, for perfect love casteth out fear." - L. Tom Perry

I cannot even begin to tell you how much I love this.  I love my family with all my heart, but to be able to take 18 months and focus it on enabling other families to feel the joy and receive the blessings of being an eternal family is an opportunity that I could never forsake.  There is nothing more fulfilling than knowing that someday you may be reunited with your family once more, even after we have since left this mortal life, never to be separated again.  I want every family who has ever lost a loved one to know that there is hope after death.  Through the blessings of the temple, all things are possible.  

If there's anything I've learned the recently, is that once you're off balance, you don't get to choose what happens to you, but you get to choose how you deal with it.

"Let us simplify our lives a little.  Let us make the changes necessary to refocus our lives on the sublime beauty of the simple, humble path of Christian discipleship - the path that leads always toward a life of meaning, gladness, and peace." 

- President Dieter F Uchtdorf

So by learning that I am supposed to be on a mission has finally granted me spiritual peace.  I can now simplify my life and get on the track to where Heavenly Father needs me.  I could not be more thankful for this opportunity I have been given and I know that Heavenly Father had me in mind when He inspired our Prophet to make this monumental change.  It's just a further witness to me that He knows me more than I know myself and that He wants the best for me.  And I can tell you with a surety that He loves you and knows you just as well.  Even when you are feeling down or alone, know that He will never leave you comfortless.  He is always there, hands stretched out to each and every one of us, waiting for us to reach up and receive His help.  You're of such great worth to Him, no matter how far you may have strayed from the path.

"This is a paradox of man: compared to God, man is nothing; yet we are everything to God.  While against the backdrop of infinite creation we may appear to be nothing, we have a spark of eternal fire burning within our breast.  We have the incomprehensible promise of exhaltation - worlds without end - within our grasp.  And it is God's great desire to help us reach it." 

- President Dieter F Uchtdorf

If you want to know more about the LDS (Mormon) Church and especially missionary service, please visit mormon.org/missionaries

Creating a Good Life

Guys.  I think I'm addicted to blogging.  Just about every day I think of something new I could post about.  I don't feel so bad taking the time to do it right now despite all the things I should be doing, however.  Let me just fill you in as to why.
Today I had to go to classes and somehow still fit in the time to study and possibly take a midterm before work. I went straight to the Cougareat after class to study for my Creating a Good Life Through Recreation class (which I think is ironic since we discussed how testing crushes your intrinsic motivation to actually learn...).  Anyways, so I went to study, was super productive and then at about 1:15 I thought it was best to start heading to my Intro to TR class.  I made it to the RB stairs only to have this sudden realization that my class starts at 12:30 not 1:30.  After checking the time in disbelief and panic several times, feeling a little disoriented by not knowing what to do or go next, I just starting laughing (thus adding to my aurora of insanity probably perceived by all that were so fortunate as to pass me).  You have to know that I never  miss class, not even intentionally, let alone unintentionally.  I think this is what stress and having an on-call job does to me. I went on to take my test, because I just honestly couldn't take studying for it anymore.  I did as well as I could have anticipated.

Now for the somewhat related lesson of this post:

"The true meaning of being alive is not just to feel happy, but to experience the full range of human emotions." - Edward Deci  

I have noticed this semester more than ever before that it's okay to feel emotions other than happiness.  I've had some not so great days, and although I can find the good in them I find joy in knowing that I am capable of being in a state other than that of elation.   This wasn't the case at first - I tried to suppress them and act like they weren't there, because I'm supposed to be happy all the time, right? WRONG. It's okay to feel down - it's part of our mortal existence.  If we avoided every hard thing that we were faced with, then we would have nothing to show for our lives - we would never improve or gain strength or courage.  I had previously wrongly associated unhappiness with being spiritually unfit, you know, the whole "wickedness never was happiness" deal. This is not always true, however, as being unhappy does not have to be directly associated with sin - that type of unhappiness is self-inflicted. As long as you are experiencing a perhaps unfamiliar range of emotions, don't be afraid of them for fear and faith are incompatible.  Have faith that the hard times will pass.  Facing trials we are given with faith enables us to realize our divine potential when we succeed in overcoming them.  If we avoid hard things, great things will inevitably avoid us.  Sometimes things may not work out the way we want them to or plan for them to, but that does not indicate that we are unworthy to receive certain blessings, or that our Heavenly Father does not love us.  Instead, we should think of it as a means by which we can learn about ourselves.  His plan is always better than anything we could ever imagine for ourselves.  In the end, I can promise you that as long as you allow for Him to guide you in all your endeavors you will have absolutely nothing to complain about in the end.  Life can't always go the way we want it to, for Heavenly Father's will always trumps ours.  These experiences will be ones we look back on as examples of when our faith has carried us through difficult things.  Feeling discouraged is not an emotion only the weak encounter.  

Think about it.  What is our purpose on this earth?  To gain a physical body, right?  Consider this scripture  found in D&C Section 138 (The context of this is a revelation given to Joseph F Smith concerning Christ immediately following the crucifixion, where upon ascending into Heaven He visited the spirits of those who were awaiting their Resurrection):

50.  For the dead looked upon the long absence of their spirits from their bodies as a bondage.

You would think that this would be the opposite.  Our bodies do indeed pose some limitations, but without our physical bodies, we lose the ability to express our emotions tangibly.  We would not be able to hug, laugh, or cry.  I don't know how our spirits experience emotions, but think about a baby.  When they are first brought into this world, it is the first encounter they have with the ability to express their emotions, the first time they are able to cry.  Ultimately there is something you need to understand: Satan is jealous of our bodies and our abilities to have concrete expressions of our emotions. Let us not forsake our bodies and the ability they give us to feel emotions, even if they are not always the most comfortable ones to experience.  I don't know if this is doctrinally correct, but I believe that Satan can tempt us to suppress our mortal experiences - we shouldn't feel guilty for feeling emotions our bodies are made to feel - we were given the opportunity to have mortal bodies knowing full well that we would go through hard times - our emotions can be considered a means by which we identify them.  No person has ever made it through this life without feeling sorrow, not even our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  In short, love your body.  Love your mortal abilities and the lack thereof.  Be happy for the capacities you have to feel happiness and pure joy as well as those not so pleasant emotions - they allow for growth and more importantly they let us be grateful for the good times we experience.  But most of all, remember to be thankful for all that God has done for you. Do not forget the tender mercies He provides, for those are the constant reminders of His love for each and every one of us.  Be realistic about your expectations, and don't become too discouraged when we cannot be perfect at everything we try, although perfection is our ultimate hope.  In the meantime, it's okay to have bad days, but do not fall into the rut of discouragement, for that too is Satan's way of dragging us to His level.  Rely on your Lord and Savior, for He is the one that can remove all our doubts and sorrows, all we have to do is have faith in His Atonement.  He loves you, and I love you.  Remember who you are and what you stand for. :)

"There will be nothing in this world that can defeat us.  My beloved brothers and sisters, fear not.  Be of good cheer.  The future is as bright as your faith." - President Thomas S Monson

Angels among us

I'm supposed to be the Big Sister here...

Josh is literally the best
brother any girl could ever ask for.  We've been through it all together, and even though things were often hard, we together learned how to smile despite it all.  He was the one and only reason I ever doubted coming to BYU.  I was afraid to be away from the one person in my life that was always there for me.  Little did I know that being so far apart could bring us so much closer together.  I just can't believe how big he has gotten; he's 16,,driving, and dating! I hate that I am missing his A Capella concerts and all the things that are important to him and subsequently are important to me (with maybe the exception of video games :).  In my psychology class we talked about how sibling relationships are the longest ones you will ever have - longer than the one you will have with your spouse and even your parents most likely.  I am so thankful that Heavenly Father gave me this boy to be my lifelong best friend, the boy I can always count on.   

Sabrina is my amazing fantabulous cousin/sister-can't you see the resemblance? :).  We grew up together wearing matching dresses, having sleep overs and tea parties, and playing dress-up in our moms' old prom dresses.  I guess you could say that we were pretty inseparable.  We had our rough patches (like all relationships do...) but we were always able to overcome them and gain a little more understanding of each other.  She is currently a Senior at Auburn University and not getting to see her very often is definitely hard.  When we do get to hang out, there's often so much to catch up on that we don't even know where to start!  As far as I'm aware, we are currently planning to travel/conquer the world together, no biggie.  We both have a desire to serve, travel, and take advantage of our "free" time and do all that we can as the opportunities present themselves.  She is such an inspiration to me, and I really do admire her.  If only we lived closer!

  Samantha Paige Cassell is one of the single-most important people to ever come into my life.  This girl.  I cannot imagine my life without her for a minute. I know that God gave her to me for a reason.  When something goes awry, I know that I can always count on her to be there for me, to pick me up, dust me off, and set me on the right course where she'll be by my side every moment of every day.  We met at Wetumpka High School in August of 2007 - I was a freshman and she was a transferring sophomore.  It was her birthday, we were walking out to the band practice field and we automatically hit it off.  You know those conversations you start with random people that just have the element of flow?  You could talk for hours and hours and never even think to look at the time?  That is Paige.  She is so so so much more than my best friend - she is my sister.  My un-joined twin.  Okay, so there's not really an obvious resemblance, but forreal, we have twin telepathy.  We have no boundaries.  We are essentially one person.  She gets me more than I get myself, and I'm okay with that because there are times that I need someone to give me the necessary advice.  We have big plans together.  We are going to live really close, and our husbands will be best friends, and we will essentially share children.  :)  I cannot wait for that time in our lives, when we think things will be easier (chances are out of the question - it's going to be hard) and we believe we have everything we could ever want.  We talk on a daily basis, and she is one of the main sources of my happiness.  Her approval is everything to me, and I could not ask for a better judge of character when it comes to boys. ;)  Her boyfriend, Jacob Wadsworth is my brother, and I am so thankful that they have each other (in case you didn't know, they were made for each other.)  I love this girl to death and I would do anything for her, and I know that she would be willing to do anything for me.  Don't let her size fool you, she packs a mean punch when she needs to. :)  Oh, and have I mentioned that I haven't seen her in over 2 years.  It says a lot to me that we can remain so close while she's currently living in Washington.  I miss this girl with all my heart and I would give just about anything to be able to hug her! But the good news is that we will finally be reunited in December for a short while in Alabama, and boy I can't wait!  I could go on forever telling stories about Paige and I, but I think this is sufficient as far as y'all are concerned. Just know that I love her dearly and am so thankful to have her as my best friend and sister, my better half. <3

Forrest is pretty much ah-mazing! We met a long long time ago at church, and became really close during our high school years.  She graduated a year before me, but once I graduated we were BYU BOUND!  It was so great going to college with someone you already knew, especially since we were going so far away!  I am so thankful to have had here this past year or so.  I don't know if I would have fared so well without her!  When you don't have family living close by, it really helps to have someone there who understands what you're going through and where you come from.  She knows me so well, and I could not ask for a better friend to come to college with! We've both grown so much since being here - it's awesome! :)  We love experimenting and charming the boys with our cooking skills... it's a Southern Thing. ;)  She is such a great friend, and I am thankful to have someone here with me that understands me so intimately.  She always knows how to give the best advice, and I know that I can count on her to keep me in line. :)

Rachel & Lauren...where do I even begin? I can attest fully that without these girls, I would  not have survived high school. Rachel is just flat out the best thing since sliced bread!  In case you didn't know, she is my twin as well!  She is one of my all-time best friends.  Okay, so I say that about a lot of people, but Rachel, she really is different from the rest of them...in a good way. :) She is always willing to listen, and when you get us together, we really don't shut up.  However, I think we are closer now that we are out of high school! It's crazy what distance can do to relationships.  I love her to death and I hope that we will continue to get closer as the years go by!  Rachel's is definitely a friendship that I never want to lose.  Not even boys can tear us apart. And if they try, then they better know what they're dealing with! ;)   If I had gone to Auburn, Rachel would have definitely been my roommate.   Oh well, I guess twins will have to do! :)  Lauren, that lucky duck, is Rachel's roommate at Auburn!  She is flat out amazing.  We were dates at our Senior Prom together. ;)  She's such a great and dependable friend, and I know that I can count on her to be there for me, no matter what.  She is always so understanding, loving, and caring. She really is like everyone's second mother!  I can't imagine not having known Lauren, for she truly is an amazing individual who has helped me through so much.  I hope to continue build our friendship for years and years on end.  She's always so busy between school and band (she's an awesome mellophone/French Horn player by the way...) that we don't really get to talk all that much anymore, but I know that if I needed her, she would be there in a heartbeat, and  I would do the same for her!  

Gah, I love these girls. :)

Emily...oh Emily.  This girl is definitely something else! I think this picture truly captures our friendship (Who knows what we were laughing about this time.) We are always laughing and joking.  We literally never stop.  We have so many inside jokes it isn't even funny.  Sadie Hawkins Dance.  Sailboats.  Tourettes.  Good times.  :)  We are different, yet so alike that we just mesh! I loved spending time with her this summer, especially since I missed the summer after my Senior year of High School.  We always have so much to catch up on, that like most of my friends, we could just talk and hang out for hours, making friendship bracelets, swimming in the lake, and all that jazz.  I seriously miss this girl so much!  I hate that it gets so busy that we don't get to talk very much, but I hope she knows that I love her!

I LOVE this picture.  I don't think she'll
 mind it too much. ;)

Ashley. My goodness, I would be a wreck without this girl, no joke.  She is the first friend at BYU that Forrest and I made... even though we were kinda scared of each other at first!  It didn't really take us too long to find our connection made in the Premortal existence, however!  I truly believe with all my heart that it was pure fate that we became roommates in June 2011.  She is so amazing, and I love just sitting with her and talking about life.  She is amazing at giving Gospel-centered advice.  I am so thankful that even though we aren't living in the same apartment this year, she just so happens to be my next door neighbor.  She kinda, just walks in whenever she feels like it! (Well, except for when the door is locked.. :).  I don't know what I would do without her. I definitely consider her to be one of my "soul mates", in a non creepy way.  She gives amazing hugs, and always knows how to make me feel better.  Let's just say she's pretty dang awesome, almost better than eating a half gallon of Graham Canyon! Oh wait, she was the one I did that with on a weekly basis... ;)

This is the essence of our relationship...
in balloon form.

ChrisTopher.  Oh my, this kid is a mess. Yet, he is one of my greatest guy friends!  He is Ashley's brother, who upon getting home from his mission started going to BYU Winter 2012.  At first I wasn't sure what to expect of him, but he's so great. We found out that every time we are together, Ashley is off somewhere in turmoil and need of rescuing...not that she can't handle herself or anything, it's just easiest when there's someone else to help out. :)  Topher (I don't like calling him Chris) is just awesome.  He is so easy to talk to (most of the time...) and he is always good at giving advice.  I think one of our biggest debates is whether or not he should buy me ice cream on a regular basis... I think you can guess what side I'm on. ;)When I need a guys opinion about something, I call him up and he is always willing to escape his homework for a while to talk.  Also, he can't resist my sad face, so I can't help but to use it on him! Hehe :) 

~This next section is dedicated to these beautiful girls-
my amazing roommates of 212 E Richards!~
These girls got me through my first actual semesters of college (Fall 2011-Winter 2012)! They gave me the right balance of study and play time.  I love these girls with all my heart.  I am so thankful to still be so close to them and talk to them on a regular basis.  I can't believe how awkward we were at the beginning of  Fall semester... who would have known that we would become such close friends? :)

Kim is just...Kim.  She is so unique and man do I miss her!  (She only lives on the other side of campus, guys, but we seriously do not get to see each other enough.)  She is in the BYU Nursing Program (yeah, she's that AWESOME) so she stays pretty busy.  She helped me to eliminate my stigma with people who were unlike me understanding what I have been through.  She is so understanding, and I love the deep conversations we can have with each other, especially those we had in the bathroom after saying we should probably go to bed 5 million times. :) Any time we said that we would just keep on talking until the late hours of the night/morning.  When I'm going through a hard time, I always have a strong desire to call her - she really knows how to put my trials into an eternal perspective for me, and I am so thankful for that.  She's also just so cute, guys!  I don't know what I would do without her helping me pick out my clothes and curling my hair for me.  I seriously miss her and admire her more than anything.  There's nothing better than eating cereal (that we got from a guys apartment...)at 2 am with tablespoons when all of our spoons were gone... oh man.  Have I mentioned how much I miss this girl??

Kennedy is so inspiring.  She is living with us again this year at Glenwood, and I am so excited! Kennedy is seriously one of the most musically inclined people I have ever met.  And not to mention she's flat out hilarious.  I am so thankful for the opportunity I have to be able to get to know her better.  She's amazing and strong, and I know that I have been blessed by having known her.  She's always so inviting and ready to include everyone, and I really admire that about her.  Kennedy is incredibly smart and caring towards everyone she meets, and I'm excited for the opportunity we have to make new memories this coming up year!

Cecily is my role model.  Like forreals.  She is incredible on so many levels, and you'd be lucky to have her grace your presence!  She's so amazing, and I look up to her immensely.  I am so thankful to have had her as one of my roommates.  She is so responsible, yet she knows how to have fun!  There's nothing better than starting random dance parties to the end credits of Monte Carlo, which turns into model walking lessons in pajamas, heels, and red lipstick.  I miss those days.  She can be shy, but seriously once you get to know her, she is a person that you want to be around all the time!  She is so loving and caring towards everyone, and is such an inspiration.  She always made my day so bright when she took the time to ask how a test went or how a certain event in my life that shouldn't matter to anyone, yet she remembered and actually wanted to listen to me talk about it.  Yeah, Cecily is awesome. :)  

Kristiann. Oh, Kristiann.  Where can I even begin.  So...we're awkward.  And obnoxious.  But it's okay, because believe me, we are fully aware of this.  I love this girl so so so so much.  From the late night study parties at the library to staying up talking about who knows what, or having awkward conversations in the corner.  Or putting packing- paper stapled together as hats on our heads and popping out from behind corners to scare our roommates, or facebook stalking people (come on, we all know you do it too), or listening to 'Call me maybe'  and trying to project it through the bathroom "speakers" to the kitchen... in case you couldn't tell, she just gets me.  There's no pretending when it comes to my friendship with Kristiann.  We were mutually awkward at first, but once we started to get comfortable, we eliminated all boundaries present.  And I mean ALL of them.  She is such an amazing friend, and she has completed my BYU experience.  We've had at least 6 classes and a lab together, so that just goes to show how much I love being around her!  I love that she is weird, because we all know that I am too.  She's helped me to get out of my comfort zone that I create with people other than my family.  I know that it's okay to be loud and eccentric sometimes, because that is what college is all about right?  She has helped me to find myself and I am so grateful for that.  I know that my Heavenly Father was watching over me when He willed us to be roommates.

CONGRATULATIONS, YOU REACHED THE END!  If you made it this far, to be quite honest, I am really proud of you.  I'm also glad you took the time to read all of it!  I hope you found it interesting, as these are the people that I most hold near and dear to my heart.  People whose friendships I will always value, and ones that I know will not be for a season, but for a lifetime.  These people have left lasting impacts on my life and I am so thankful for them.  They truly are angels sent from above to keep me on the right track and help me to see the brighter side of life when the rest of the world wants us to focus on the darkness surrounding us.  These people are my inspirations and my beacons.  Writing these made me realize how much my Heavenly Father does know what we need in life, and that He cares for each of us so much - I could not be more thankful for these blessings in my life, for whether I am in Alabama or Utah I know that there are always people there for me who love me and care about me.

P.S.  If you are not included in this, that does not mean that I do not care about you, because I do. :)

Not just any blogger

So... I never thought I would be the blogging type.  Not that I really know what one must do in order to qualify for that "type".  My main reason for blogging is so that my family and friends can keep up with me even when things get too busy for a long detailed phone call.  Also I generally believe that I get my thoughts out better when I write them.

A little explanation about the title: well, my name is Amber (obviously) and I am more than tree sap.  My brother, Josh, was definitely a big part of my inspiration in creating this title.  He's pretty much the best ever. He would always joke about how amber is literally just tree sap in which bugs and random things got stuck in.  While this is true, it is also amazing in that you can make beautiful jewelry out of it. It is like my own spin on the saying "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade, yada yada." We've all heard it before. Anyway, this "motto", if you will, has become a model for my life.  We aren't always given the most admirable substances to work with at first, but with a little optimism and hard work it can become something wonderful and far more valuable.

I am a Sophomore at Brigham Young University, where I have had the best time of my life.  I do indeed love the south, but there is just something amazing about being so close to the mountains.  Moreover, I love being able to get a creditable college education taught in a Gospel-centered approach around people with the same beliefs and standards as I hold.  I would not trade moving to Utah, 2000 miles away from my family, for anything in the world.  It has taught me so much about myself - things I don't think I would have figured out as easily had I stayed home in Alabama.  It is often really hard being so far from home, especially when you only get to see my family twice a year, but it is so worth it.  I know that they will always be there for me, but you can't always expect to be able to do what I am doing now - enjoying being single, going to college, and just loving what life gives you.  I only have myself to worry about in addition to relatively low responsibility in comparison to what it will be like in the future.  I have learned that when opportunities come your way, it is best to take advantage of them while you can!  There are so many memories and friendships I have made that are precious and I can't believe how much of a change I have observed in myself upon coming here in June 2011.  Here's a little recap of my year!

• I lived on my own! I didn't go home for 2-6 month increments, and to be quite honest, it was exhilarating, and definitely exhausting at times. 
• I bought my own groceries, cooked my own meals, and lived to tell the tale.
• I had a total of 15 roommates (including my current ones), all of which are amazing girls that I am so blessed to know.  
• I moved 5 times, and lived in 4 different buildings.
• I got my first job (which I still have today!) working at BYU Catering.
• I made lifelong friendships.
• I stayed up too late, watched too many movies, laughed to the point of tears at too many Youtube videos (Glozell), and ate a little too much sugar... on a regular basis.
• I had my first surgery ever this past summer, package complete with an IV.  Wisdom teeth are awesome.
• I missed my family more than ever and I can't even begin to describe how much more grateful that made me for them.
• I flew by myself for the first time.
• I learned (okay, so I'm still in the process of learning) how to work the Utah Transit System.  I only got lost a couple of times...
• I completed a total of 39.5 credit hours and after being in school from June-June, and I only changed my major once. 
• I asked a boy out! Mormon dating is so much fun. ;)
• I ate too much ice cream.  And that's an understatement... you think I'm kidding.  Graham Canyon is my kryptonite.
• I touched dead bodies! It was awesome. Mom hates it when I talk about it, but oddly enough that doesn't stop me from doing it. Sorry, Mom! ;)
• I saw real snow! Yes, my first winter in Utah was a fake-out, but it was exciting! However, I am reluctant to say I am ready for this upcoming winter...
• I went to General Conference for the first time last October in Salt Lake.
• I had the ability to go to the Provo temple weekly in past semesters.  It is such a blessing to live so close!
• I came to college with maybe 2 bottles of nail polish and ended up with 12 by the end of this summer (it may be more than that...don't judge!).  I blame it on living with girls. ;)
• The highlight of my year was definitely getting sealed to my family in the Birmingham Alabama temple in December.  It was a truly amazing experience and I am so thankful for the joy and blessings the Gospel brings to my life.
• I made some self-discoveries...it's amazing the things you don't know about yourself.  More to come on that later. :) 

This list could literally go on forever.  Hopefully I kept you intrigued enough in telling you what I consider to be important (and hopefully you don't think I fit the stereotype of a typical blogger...you know, the ones that write so much but say so little? Yeah, I don't want to be THAT blogger.)  Stay tuned for more about me trying to make the best out life as it comes. :)