That Time When I Went To High School

Alright so that was crazy, I blinked and my senior year was over and I was walking across the stage to graduate. WEIRD. It feels like yesterday that I was writing my "Last First Day of School Post". In that post I said that my first day of school went smooth and I remember while I was writing that I said a little prayer asking for all of my days to go like that. I promise you they did not. Don't get me wrong, my senior year included lots of great days but it also included days that involved mental break downs and lots of tears.

Through all the bad days and all the good days I learned so much through my senior year. I learned academic stuff,  that I love chic fil a too much, but most of all I learned that I have so many people in my life that love and support me. I made so many new friends and strengthened friendships that I already had. I look back on my senior year and I think about everything and I realize that everything happened for a reason.

My senior year brought so many lasts and honestly, a lot of them made me super sad. I tried to act like I was fine but they hurt. They hurt me just like they hurt everyone else. I had to look around and tell myself that I was not the only one going through this. I am not the only one that is growing up. I am also not the only person that has had to do this.  That is part of how I got through my senior year, looking around at all the amazing examples I have in my life and telling myself I could do it because they did and they all turned out great.

 I took early morning seminary because I'm kind of crazy and I loved every second of it. I made so many friends and got to start my day with feeling The Spirit. Taking early morning is definitely one of the best choices I have ever made. I met so many amazing people that have changed my life forever.  I owe a lot of the great days during my senior year to my early morning class and my seminary teacher.

If my kids are reading this, remember you can do hard things. That includes high school. It is a weird kind of hard that feels like it shouldn't be hard but it is. I promise you can do it if you put yourself in the right situation. Surround yourself with great friends, great values, and a great testimony.

Some of you may ask what is next for me in life. Well that is college for a year and then a mission. After that I have a pretty solid idea what I what to do but nothing is set in stone. Thank you to all that helped me get through this chapter in my life.You guys are great.

Also, here are some graduation pics.

That Time When I Played High School Softball

I've played softball for around 12 years but if you include running around the bases at a baseball field after my brothers games, it's been as long as I could walk. Softball has been a huge part of my life for as long as I can remember. Since I was eight years old my summers were filled with dirty uniforms, crazy tan lines, and softball games after softball games. There were some summers when I had a tournament almost every weekend. Obviously softball was a huge part of my life, a huge part of me.

Ever since I was 11 years old I dreamed of playing on the Murray High School softball team. I remember going to the games and thinking that the players were superstars. I couldn't wait for the day that I got to wear the orange and black uniforms.

These exact uniforms. This is what I looked forward to. 

My freshman year, I made the team and I could not have been more excited. We started playing and had a pretty solid season. This year started a whole new journey in my life. Softball has always been my pride and joy, since I was six years old. Then something happened, I didn't play as much as I wanted. I played all of JV but I only ran the bases in the varsity games. I actually didn't play all that much until my senior year. Some people might say that I improved a ton through my high school years, but that wasn't really the case. I just needed to be more bold and confident in my abilities on the field.  High school softball taught me so much because I learned that even when you think you deserve something, you may not get it because that decision is not yours to make.

Since I didn't play much my first couple of years, it actually made me reconsider my self worth. This was hard for me to go through. It took me through a horrible roller coaster ride of me constantly asking myself if I was good enough, and not just at softball but at life. I know that sounds dramatic but its true. I let my softball playing time define me. Now that I look back on it, I'm  positive that the people that truly care about me didn't think less of me because I didn't play, but I sure did. I felt like I had let my family down (they actually didn't care that I played less), but most of all I felt like I let my younger self down.  I now know I didn't let myself down, my plan for myself just changed. As a kid, I always told myself I would be playing college softball. Could I be playing college softball next year? Yes. I'm not going to and that is my decision.  I am going to go to college to receive an education and somehow impact this world in a positive way. I want to serve a full time mission and spread the gospel to children of God. I'm not sure I would be able to do these things and play college sports. I'm sure it can be done but it just isn't the path for me. It wasn't until I realized this completely did I start to get the amount of playing time I wanted. Some people may call this a coincidence but I really think it was a way for my Heavenly Father to tell me that He had a different but equally amazing plan in store for me. 

 I could probably write four blog posts about everything softball has taught me but I won't bore you to death.  I just wanted to thank everyone who was apart of this experience for me. All of my coaches, teammates, any fans that came and supported me, and my family. I cannot think of a single game where I didn't have at least one family member there to watch me play. I am so incredibly thankful for this opportunity and wouldn't trade it for anything. I have grown as an athlete and as person because of this sport and everyone involved with it but most of all it has helped my relationship with my Father in Heaven.

 Thanks for reading, and yes I was safe. ;)

I'm Strong. I'm Capable. I'm Talented.

Holy cow. Its been a while. I've been wanting to write this for a while but I've been going a million miles a minute with zero time to sit down at a computer and do something that isn't school related.

 About a month ago I was at softball practice and we watched this motivational video and had a discussion about motivation, fear, passion, and confidence. I love talking about these topics and so when we started the discussion, I listened intently and soaked up everything that was said. Different people brought up many great points, but my favorite thing that was said was mentioned by one of my coaches. She said we need to look at ourselves with confidence and every morning when we wake up and before we go to bed say to ourselves: "I'm smart, capable, and talented."

When she said this, I really thought about it and took it to heart. I started that night by telling myself  "I'm smart, capable, and talented" right before I went to bed. When I woke up the next morning the five word phrase was the first thought through my mind. It came to me again right before I started my math test, and again before I started a tough assignment for school.  

I started doing saying this before I did anything that could possibly make me doubt my self confidence. Then I was in playing a softball game, approaching home plate and I whispered the words "I'm strong, capable, and talented."
This phrase has stuck with me and given me the little bit of extra courage to do hard things and to get through the past month. I believe it a little more each time I say it too. I have realized that each and every one of us has our own strengths and talents. It has come to me that we are all capable of accomplishing countless amazing tasks in this life. It gives me self confidence and the reminder that my Heavenly Father blessed me with strength, talents, and so much more. So please remember that each one of us have been blessed with talents to do amazing things in this life.
 I’m Strong. I’m Capable. I’m Talented. 

Easter

Easter is one of those holidays that gets overlooked, but every year I gain a greater understanding of the holiday which makes me love it even more. Thinking about Jesus Christ dying for us gives me the chills, every time. Jesus Christ suffered for EVERY SINGLE one of us. Knowing this brings me comfort. Knowing that He knows how I'm feeling at all times brings me more comfort than anything else can. The atonement is the greatest gift that has been given to us and we should use it DAILY.

He died for me so I can live again. 

He suffered for my sins. 

He sacrificed himself because he loves me more than I will ever be able to comprehend.

I love my Savior, Jesus Christ very much and am forever thankful for his great sacrifice. I would not be able to live this life happily without Him. He died for us to live, so live life with a purpose. 

I would like to leave you with two of my favorite songs that speak about Jesus and His amazing act of love. Gethsemane performed by Reese Oliveira

I Stand All Amazed performed by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir

That Time When I Played High School Basketball

About two weeks ago my high school basketball career ended. If you read my post about cross country you know that I was excited for cross country to end but that is definitely not the case for basketball. I knew as the season started it would eventually come to an end, but I didn't think it was going to go by that fast. It honestly feels like yesterday when I was at my first day of tryouts as a freshman.
A year ago there would have been no way I would have been ready to give up basketball. I would have done anything to make it extend, and I guess that is why Heavenly Father gave me four years and through that fourth year He helped me grow so much so I would be ready for this hard time. Right when it ended it was difficult because our season didn't end on a happy note but as hard as it may seem to believe, I only cried for a second. ;) I love basketball and I love my team but I know that there are bigger and better things in store for me. Every time I get sad about it ending I tell myself that I am so excited for my mission and in order for that to happen basketball has to end.
This is definitely a bittersweet time for me and the rest of the people on my team. Basketball has taught me so much about life. I have learned how to work well with other people and how to push through physical barriers. During my high school basketball career I had to make a lot of adjustments which I don't like to do. I'm not one for change but basketball has helped me get use to that. I could write an entire book about everything my teammates have done for me. They have all been so supportive to me on and off the court and I love them all. We have gotten so close and some have turned into some of my closest friends. I know I could turn to them with anything and they would help me out. I'm really going to miss that, especially once high school ends. I already miss seeing them everyday and all the jokes that were made every practice.

My fellow seniors and me

I am going to miss all hard work, sweat, close games, made shots and missed shots. I am even going to miss all the running during practice. It is so strange to think that next November I will not be at basketball tryouts running ladders and preparing for another intense season. Instead I will be in college and preparing for a mission, moving to the next phase of my life. I look forward to what Heavenly Father has planned for me. Basketball has definitely strengthened my testimony of hard work and so many other things.  

Thank you to those who have supported me at any time during my basketball journey. I am extremely sad to see it end because basketball has taught me way more than just basketball. 

Ugly Ducklings

This post is inspired by the Mormon message by President Uchtdorf, it is amazing and if you do not want to read my post, that is fine. I do ask that you watch the video.

This video expresses our great worth. President Uchtdorf tells us where we come from and what that means. We are all children of God and He loves each and every one of us more than we will ever know or even be able to comprehend. His love for us is infinite. It will never stop being there and it is something we can always turn to. Some people feel like they have no one. Thinking about someone who doesn't have a family or any friends makes me extremely sad. Then I remember, that person has God. Whether or not that person knows this, I don't know. What I do know is this, Heavenly Father is there for them, He loves them, and He is mindful of them. He is mindful of every single one of us at every single moment of every day. Please keep this in mind as you go through your week.

Anyone that sees themselves as this swan saw himself when he was with the ducks is normal. I think at one point or another we have all felt out of place just like this duck. I know  I have. Now as I look back on the situations where I felt out of place or unwanted, I realized I have never really been out of place. I am always surrounded by my brothers and sisters. We are all children of God and we are fighting for the same thing. HAPPINESS. We are all on a journey for happiness. I know that this gospel brings happiness and can bring true joy to every single person's life.

I leave you with a message from me, I know this gospel is the true gospel and can bring people true happiness and joy. I know I am where I am suppose to be and I am with the people Heavenly Father wants me to be with. I know that Jesus Christ is my savior and redeemer. I love my family and the gospel more than anything.

Thank you so much for reading. (:

The Power of Music

A few days ago I was in my car driving to the dentist with my mom. I was extremely nervous for the appointment because the dentist's office is my least favorite place. We were listening to music and it calmed my nerves within minutes. That's when I asked myself, what is it about music that can impact my mood so much? I couldn't get my finger on it. So I turned to my mom and we talked about it for a while but could not come to the conclusion.

 If you're anything like me, you can  listen to a song or two and it can change your mood in a matter of minutes. Whether it is from happy to sad or sad to happy, it changes quickly. Some people are impacted by reading words but for me, simply reading the lyrics of a song is not as powerful as listening to the song. I did some research on the internet and got a few scientific answers but the answers I enjoyed most were the answers I got when I asked a handful of people why they thought music is so powerful and I got quite a few different answers. I got  few "I'm not sure why but it is really powerful."Some said that the beat speaks to our souls and songs with words add a special message. Others said it is a form of communication that we don't always understand. Music is a way our Heavenly Father sends messages to us. It is apart of us and somehow speaks to our soul through our brain. I don't have the exact answer how it works and if you have any other ideas I would really love it if you told me about them. (:

Music has been a huge part of my life the past six months. I turn to it whenever I need to be uplifted or if I want to wallow in my sadness, which probably is a horrible idea because sad music can make me so so sad. Anyways, I am honestly so thankful I have seen how positive music can be in my life. I used to not like listening to music, not because I didn't like music but because I didn't like how it made me feel. I hated the fact that I could listen to music and it could change my mood faster than I could. I guess you could call me a control freak, but I wanted to have all control over my emotions and I felt like music took that away from me. Now I turn to music at almost any time, sad, happy,upset, or nervous. Music has saved me in times of sadness, anger, and distress.I know I have my Heavenly Father to thank for creating such an incredible way to deliver messages to me. Music is another way to communicate with Heavenly Father and I will be forever thankful to have music in my life. I know music is a way to express feelings and emotions and I love it. I love listening to people express the way they feel in such a beautiful way. Thank you to those that are musically gifted and use their talents.