Oh, it is wonderful.

I am so simply amazed at how much Heavenly Father knows that I don't. That may seem completely, blatantly obvious. But think about it...

via: pinterest.com

HE MADE THAT. From all the stars in the world, all of the planets that didn't just "happen" to come together...my Father knows me. Not only does He know me, but He loves me perfectly, too. And it's not something He just learned overnight.

I recently finished a book entitled, "The God Who Weeps." No, it's not a sad book at all, don't worry! It's specifically for those who love to think a little bit deeper about how much God really knows you. I would highly recommend it. It taught me more clearly that He is a person, He is your Father, and He gets it.

There is a whole grand scheme of things that is specifically tailored to each of us. None of us understand it all, nor have the same Grand Plan, and it's up to us if we actually get there. We let go completely of our will, and turn it over to Him. But guess what? When you do that--He gives you more than you could ever dream possible. I've trained myself to think when something bad happens, I never feel like He has ever let me down. I feel as if He has lifted me up to a higher plane of thought and opportunity. And that is the best feeling in the world.

It really all comes down to one word: hope. He knows what you want. He just wants to turn it into something even better.

Be in love.

Food storage.

I'm not baby hungry, I promise. 

I'm just really taking advantage of the whole holding-kids-post-mission thing. 

I got to have dinner and FHE with my best friend's brother and sister-in-law this week, but what I really loved was them giving me priceless advice after the kids went to bed. I really liked the analogy that I'm building up spiritual food storage at this time in my life. There will be a time where I will need to use my food storage, but because I can afford it in mass amounts right now, I need to really stock up. They have a fantastic family, so I take everything they say pretty seriously!

I also got to go to Temple Square with some of my mission friends, then see the ACTUAL Smith Patented Printing Press that printed the first 5,000 copies of the Book of Mormon. I can't tell you how many times the words,"no, that's not the original, it's in Salt Lake City," came out of my mouth in New York. I just felt very proud seeing it, and knowing that Alison and I got to be two of many sisters that defended what happened on that press.

That's pretty much my weekly update, with lots of working  at BYU in between. I just found out I get to work with the media back in D.C. along with being "the intern," so that's pretty exciting news. 

So yes, I am building my food storage--one scripture read and one little miracle written down at a time.

Ten things about one miracle.

So it's my last week being underage. Which in Utah, really doesn't mean anything. I'll just have the title of not being "underage." I've made it to official adulthood without an M.R.S. degree. I've also been overwhelmed lately about how pleased I am in the direction my life is going. So, it can only get better with my horizontal driver's license! 


Why my life unquestionably is a miracle:

1. Seeing people who are confident in themselves. 
2. Knowing I have a place somewhere. 
3. Having a love of music. 
4. Knowing what I'm doing when I walk into work. 
5. The snow. Skiing. Mountains. Everything about it.
6. Being able to go home after a long week.
7. Making life goals and dreaming about them. 
8. Having the ability to exercise. 
9. Adapting to change.
10. Being the oldest of an indestructible family. 

Favorite song of the week: Fix You by Coldplay

"When you lose something you can't replace, when you love someone but it goes to waste, could it be worse? But if you never try you'll never know, just what you're worth. Lights will guide you home, and ignite your bones. And I will try to fix you." 

Dig a bit deeper.

"Moreover, states that spring up overnight, like all other things in nature that are born and grow in a hurry, cannot have their roots deep in the soil, so they shrivel up in the first drought, blow over in the first storm." -Machiavelli's The Prince


I'm reading The Prince for one of my Poli Sci classes, and little did I know how interesting it is. Machiavelli says it straight to the point, and isn't afraid of what other people think. He's really the first modern politician that brought about this new way of leadership. He clearly states how he sees the government and how it should be ruled. It's a must-read for anyone remotely interested in politics...and I'm only a few chapters in.


Anyway, while I was reading, I came across this quote that hit me pretty hard. Machiavelli is discussing how the states within government don't pop up themselves. They take time and patience. It's like I'm being hit in the face with Someone trying to teach me patience. I think that everything should happen now and if it doesn't happen now then it will never happen. It's actually quite the opposite. The longer I dig those roots in the ground, the more stable it'll be, and won't blow over in that first little storm. They'll eventually be able to withstand any big storm. 


I've learned the most important things in life take that same patience. It's not always going to come in the first try, or maybe even the second. I have first hand knowledge that my "third time's a charm," actually means "thirtieth time's a charm." Don't hold back anything if you believe in it. It's never taken by force, however, but always with patience and love. Once we master those two things, we can master anything.

First day of school.

I have three more.  Only three more times I get to wear the best outfit in my closet. (Some things never change.) And of course, today I got to buy all new notebooks and pens, plus get a brand-new planner. One of my favorite things could very possibly be looking at an unmarked planner, and wondering what actually will happen on those days. It's just so exciting! Anyway, I didn't have class until 4 today, so I got to hit up the gym and the temple before I had to go into work. It's been a very productive day.


To make things even more productive, Rebecca and I had a great conversation last night about what our priorities in our 20-year-old lives are. (Almost 21-year-old lives!) We decided on this list, and will make posters tonight to hang in our rooms as a daily reminder:

• Church. Jesus Christ, Ward callings, and weekly meeting/temple attendance.
• Family. Always being there for family members.
• School. I am in Provo to get an education, ya know.
• Work. I have arguably the coolest job on campus, but also requires a LOT of work.
• Sleep. As many of you know, my ideal bedtime is 10:30.
• Social life. This includes dating, and blowing off all homework to go to a party.

So, this is what will be displayed in my room. It is sad that my social life is number six, but at this point, it really needs to be. I'm totally not worried about not having friends--what do you think broadcast journalism majors do all day? Every class period is social hour. (Yes, we get work done, don't worry.) I guess we could interchange numbers five and six...if, say I was talking to a cute boy...but we'll deal with that when it comes. For now, this is what it is. 

I have some other exciting news. I was officially hired today as a reporter for True Blue! I'm still going to be producing and that will take precedence, but I get to do a couple stories a month in front of the camera. I can't wait, it will be so much fun. I love that at BYU Broadcasting, they really want input from the students, and they want us to get to our full potential. It's perfect, really. 

I hope everyone else had a great first day of school!

Procrastination.

I wish this wasn't my best talent. I am professional at procrastinating. 


However, I recently discussed with a friend that procrastinating can be good. You see, I'm awesome under pressure. I get things done, and I get them done well. So basically, I'm creating situations for myself where I can succeed...by procrastinating. Really though, I'd rather just wait until the night before, and have one long block of working on a paper. If I don't, instead I'd have to break it up into small chunks of time and change my mind a million times. That sounds horrible. Right? Yeah, I'm just going to convince myself that it's normal.


It would be nice to get everything done ahead of time and have a lot of time to myself. (Time to myself? What does that mean?) I could take my time at the gym, play the piano more often, start knitting...etc. If I didn't procrastinate my huge research paper until this weekend (because let's be honest it won't get done until Saturday night) I could have a lot more fun this weekend. But will I? No. I'll be boring. And I'm going to plant myself in my room with a big bowl of popcorn, and write it. I'm determined to succeed.


...and I'm still writing this blog post. I could have gotten an awesome start on my paper. Oh well, procrastination it is. 

Bucket List.

I don't know why I haven't written this down sooner. It will be added to as the years go on, but for now in my 20 years of life, this is my bucket list. Obviously, the ones crossed off have already been done. And really, these are things I will do. Not just things I want to do. Mark my words.

-Open my eyes on the Terror Ride at Lagoon.

-Work on a presidential campaign.

-Road trip across the contiguous 48 states. On the back of a motorcycle.

-Jump the wake.

-Go on a safari.

-Read Mere Christianity.

-Skydive over Jackson Hole. 

-Go on a horse trip in the Tetons. 

-Be a lead in a musical.

-Graduate from college and go on to earn a Master's degree.

-Visit the smallest country in the world.

-Cook a Thanksgiving meal by myself.

-Watch ESPN live backstage.

-Backpack through Europe with my husband. (And kiss on the Eiffel.)

-Attend James Taylor and Carole King concert.

-Ski the Swiss Alps.

-Learn to drive stick shift.

-Live on a budget. 

-Publish an article in the newspaper.

-Become a sideline reporter.

-Raise children that know how to work.  

-Sing "16 going on 17" in that one gazebo in Austria. 
Take a nap in Central Park.

-Learn to Juggle.

-Always be in my best shape. 

-Write letters to a pen pal.

-Travel to 6 continents (except Antarctica. No desire.)

-Become an amateur photographer.
-Travel somewhere with all of my best friends.

-Live so my daughter will want to grow up to be just like me. 

-Marry a man who my sons will want to grow up to be.

-See Wicked on Broadway.

-See Les Miserables on Broadway.

-Teach the Gospel overseas.

-Scuba dive with sharks.

-Interview a world champion.

-Plant a garden. (And keep it alive.)

-Attend a concert at Carnegie Hall.
-Eat at one of the oldest restaurants in the world.

-Visit 3 more of the Seven Wonders of the World.

-Hear my future husband and kids say, "you're the best cook in the world!"

-See The David and the Mona Lisa.

-Have at least a 5 minute conversation with someone in Spanish.

-Learn to play chess.

-Shop at Harrods in London. 

-Own a Steinway.

-Get sealed to my best friend and love of my life.

Notice that nothing has to do with science or math. I leave that up to the smart ones who have numbers and formulas running through their veins. I just trust them to tell me what I need to know. I figure if there's anything crucial...I'll put it on the news, right? 

It's interesting to think how long we have to get these things accomplished. None of us actually know, so now would be the perfect time to start.

Traveling with all of my best friends. NYC 2009

Eating at the St. Peter Stiftkeller, founded in 802 A.D. Saltzburg, Austria.

Working on the Mitt Romney presidential campaign at HQ in Boston. Go Mitt 2012!

Growing up and wanting to be a clone of my mother.

 "Dream as if you'll live forever, live as if you'll die tomorrow." -James Dean