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.

My Favorite Feeling

On Tuesday I had the coolest experience! It all started in the morning with basketball practice. At practice I was really frustrated and when I was done I was extremely angry. I was planning on going to the temple after practice but I was fighting myself, which isn't normal because I am always down to go to the temple. I had texted a few people and none could go with me so I thought that maybe I shouldn't go. So I sat down and made me some food and continued being angry. At this point I was annoying myself because I was being so negative, so I thought "I need to stop feeling sorry for myself, what can I do to fix this?" Then it  hit me, I needed to get my lazy self to the temple. I got ready in a hurry, so I wouldn't change my mind and drove to the temple. On the way there I was thinking it wouldn't be super busy because the weather wasn't all that great. I was excited about this because my appearance was not all that wonderful and my outfit was not the cutest. I walked through the doors and I see a handful of people from my early morning seminary class there. So visited with them and then one of my friends said "You have like a two hour wait ahead  of you." I got a little nervous but then I assumed she was exaggerating. So I walk down the steps to the baptistery and realize that she was not joking in any way. The temple worker told me about the wait and I told her that was perfectly fine but on the inside I was a little nervous. I continued to go get my clothes when I saw more of my friends there, and that the temple was completely filled. Seeing the temple filled with so many willing people to serve made me beyond happy. I was thrilled.

When I went into the locker room I ran into a friend who was walking out of the changing area. Whenever I see this friend it makes my day. We immediately hugged and and that is when I was reminded that Heavenly Father is always looking out for me. He knew that if I saw her my mood would be improved. So I finished changing and went and waited. The wait was absolutely amazing. Scripture reading, pondering, and lots of praying. While in the temple I finished The Book of Mormon. At the end it tells you to ask if it is true so I did just that. I prayed and asked and I knew without a doubt, The Book of Mormon is true. Every word. After my two hour wait I got to finish in in the temple and the spirit was so strong. Everyone there was beaming and as you looked around you could tell everyone there wanted to serve. I left the temple that day much happier and spiritually uplifted.

       I love the temple so very much. 

CHRISTmas

Christmas season is in full swing and I am pumped. I have always loved Christmas and each year I gain a greater appreciation for the holiday. I love how everyone always seems to be serving others and creating ways to help other people. I even enjoy the commercial side of Christmas, the gift giving, the decorations, and Santa Claus. Lets be real, the best part of this season is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.  I have been thinking a lot about it lately and I realized that this is one of the most important days in the history of the world.  The day that we celebrate is the day when the most amazing person to walk the earth entered it. Isn't that crazy? The day He was born  was the day it all started. Because of this day The Savior did so many amazing things, healing the sick and raising the dead. One of the greatest things Jesus Christ did was go into the Garden of Gethsemane and take all of our sins, pains, and afflictions upon Him. I will be eternally grateful for the atonement. I know I would not be functioning without it. I feel like I will be in debt to Him forever. People say the best way to repay him is to live and spread the gospel. I am trying my best to do so because I know that I owe so much to Him. The older I get, the more I realize this.

Since I am becoming more mature, I feel like I am appreciating having the knowledge of Jesus Christ and the gospel in my life. I have been trying to make my life constantly like the Christmas season. Being happy, finding ways to serve, and trying my best to always be kind. I would encourage anyone I talk to, to do these things because we could make this world a better place all the time. (: As this season continues I would encourage everyone to be thinking about The Savior and all He did for us during His life on earth, I know I will be. I know this is totally cliche but if you haven't seen this video you should totally watch it. . If there is anything I can do for you during this busy time please let me know. I hope everyone has a very merry CHRISTmas!! (:

Addicted to Happiness

Hi friends. Everyone loves to be happy right? Recently, I have found that I am a happier person and definitely a more pleasant person to be around. This is because  I have actively  changed my attitude. I have done this because I grasped the concept of: HAPPINESS IS A CHOICE. In any circumstance I can make myself happy. Did you know that there are studies that show if you just smile, you will become happier. Sometimes, I seriously have to "fake it, to make it" but it works. I slap a smile on my face and BOOM I'm so much happier. I love it. I am changing from a pessimist to a realistic optimist. I say realistic because I don't want to get crazy and think things are all fine and dandy when they are not. But when things aren't fine and dandy, my favorite thing to do is to find at least one thing that is positive from the situation. That one positive thought can go a long way, I promise. I encourage whoever is reading this to find those things that make you happy and keep them in your life. Make them common events, people, or things in your daily life. I am addicted to happiness. I can make anywhere my happy place because I have realized that there is no happy place. Happiness is a state of being and anywhere can be your happy place if you want it to be. Choosing to be happy is the best decision I make each morning.
My sources of happiness are infinite but a few things that I can always count on are my friends, family, and the gospel. I know I can always find a member of my family and they will put a smile on my face. I know that I can fall to my knees in prayer and become happy, I know that I can go to the temple and be instantly happy, and I know reading the scriptures and reading conference talks will always make me happy.
Thank you to those that have ever made me happy. Which is probably most of the people reading this because people who read my blog make me happy.

Here is a lovely picture of my wonderful family. They make me so happy and this picture not only makes me happy but makes me laugh and laughing is one of my favorite parts of happiness.