C.A.S.A.

So I have decided to volunteer with a program called C.A.S.A. It stands for Court Appointed Special Advocates. There was a service fair in one of the hallways at UVU, and this was the first stand I went to. I will basically be working with children who have suffered from neglect and abuse. Now I know what you're thinking-"Are you sure you want to do that? It's going to be sad!" I think just about every person I've talked to about it has said that to me. I'm not going to lie, it really frustrates me when people give me that response. Of course I know it will be hard! But I'm not thinking about me. These kids have been through so much that I can't even begin to comprehend, and I think that my being sad for awhile doesn't even compare to what these kids have had to go through. They have been neglected, abused, and taken out of their homes and placed with complete strangers. Who cares if it makes me sad for a little while, they need someone to talk to and to love them, and that's what I'm going to do. I will be assigned to a child's case and my job will be to take that child and do different activities with them a couple times a month. Pretty much just be a friend to them. I'm in training right now and they said at first the kids are a little shy, but after a couple months they will open up and tell us how they are really doing. I will work along side the child's therapist, attorney, teachers, and foster parents to make sure the child is progressing. I will also have to report back to the C.A.S.A. coordinator and the child's attorney every month to let them know how the child is doing. I'm so excited to start this and to meet the child that I will be working with!!! It's going to be a wonderful learning experience, and it will keep me serving until I go back to Africa!

My Favorite Quote EVER!!

"I am part of the fellowship of the unashamed. The dye has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made; I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I won't look back, let up, slow down, or be still. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is secure. I'm finished and done with low living, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tinted visions, worldly talking, cheap giving, and dwarfed goals. I no longer need pre-eminence, positions, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don't have to be right, first recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded. I now live by faith, lean on His presence, walk with patience, am lifted up in prayer, and labor with power. My face is set, my goal is heaven. My road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions few, my guide is reliable, my mission is clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, divided or delayed, will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the adversary, negotiate at the table with the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity. I won't give up, shut up, or let up until I have stayed up, stored up, and paid up for the cause of Christ. I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till all know, and work till He stops me and when He returns for His own He will have no problem recognizing me."

-President Eyring

Lovin' Life

So I've lived in Provo for six months now, and oh how time flies!! So much has happened here and I am so grateful for all of it. I have learned SO much and I am a different person now then I was before I moved here.
I was really nervous to come here at first because I would always hear people ragging on this place and how it's like living in a bubble. While it has it's bubble aspects, it's not what people say it is at all! Whenever I told people I was moving here they would look at me with such confusion and disgustedly ask me why in the heck I would do such a thing. I needed a change, that's why!! And what a great change it has been. Provo is a beautiful place, and I'm so happy to be here!
I really feel like I have become such a different person since I moved. I have grown up SOOO much which is kind of a scary idea to me, but so exciting at the same time. I see it in myself, and those around me have mentioned they see it too. I am finally ok with leaving my childhood behind, and stepping into adulthood. When I graduated high school I felt like the fun part of my life was over, and that it was all down hill from there. It has taken me two years to realize that my life is only beginning! So many opportunities await me and I'm finally excited about my future instead of wishing I had my past back. It's such a great blessing to finally feel that way!

These are some of the most important things I have learned while being here:

1. The gospel really is the way to find true happiness. Period.

2. I am not able to keep everyone happy all the time. It's just not possible, so it's not the end of the world when someone doesn't like something I do or a decision I make.

3.It's ok to go places by myself. It doesn't mean I'm a loser with no friends. In fact, I'm starting to prefer going places alone every once in awhile!

4. It's ok to say no! Even if the person I'm saying no to is not going to like it. This kind of goes back to not trying to make everyone happy with me all the time.

5. Love isn't such a scary thing, and I don't want to puke every time I think about being married now. I'm slowly warming up to the idea that someday (In the very distant future) I will be married. Ha ha :)

6. I am confident about who I am. This is such a huge thing, and I feel very lucky to be able to say that!!

7. I am constantly getting a better idea about what I want, and what I don't. This is a continuing thing for me, and I'm guessing it will be for pretty much my entire life.

8. Quality of friends is more important then quantity. I have finally been able to cut out the "friends" in my life that have been a burden on me for years. What a relief that has been!!!

9. A true friend is extremely rare!! Luckily, I have been blessed with some, and I'm so thankful for them!! I've also learned that to keep a true friend, I have to be one myself. A good lesson to learn early!

10. Being a "player" isn't cool. While it's talked up to be a good thing and proof of how cool someone is, it's not. It creates so many problems, and messes with other people's feelings. I'm glad to see thru that whole image now.

Basically I have just become a more secure, much happier person. I am loving life, and I am so glad that the Lord led me here. I just want to say again that the gospel is the key to a happy life. THAT is probably the most valuable lesson I have learned here.

Never Forgotten

"Don't be dismayed by good-byes. A farewell is necessary before you can meet again.
And meeting again, after moments or lifetimes,

are certain for those who are friends."
Richard Bach



I will never forget the sweet spirit that taught me so much in such a short time.
I love you Carol!! You will be missed.

Date Night

So Friday night I had a date with Josh and he took me to Tepanyaki. One thought-Why have I never been there before?! It was AwEsOmE!!! The food was delicious and the atmosphere was so fun!! I've been missing out man! We had the funniest chef, which I'm super grateful for. The table in front of us had an older chef that moved as fast as a snail, and he seemed kind of boring. So we lucked out! And yes, I caught the shrimp in my mouth when he threw it to me. Not until the second try though...but I caught it! I for sure want to go back there soon. Yum!!!

Flaming Gorge 2009!!

This past weekend I had a wonderful time at Flaming Gorge with a bunch of my friends, both new and old. It was such a blast!!! We had a few mishaps, but they just added to the adventurous spirit of it all!
We had planned to stay on an island that you could only get to by boat. It was so cool! We had to boat all our stuff in, but on the first load out we experienced our first dilemma. Right by the dock where Josh was pulling up, there was a huge rock, and it managed to bend the prop of the boat pretty good! The boys got top speed of 5 miles per hour on the way back to the loading dock. Needless to say we didn't get to boat that first day. Luckily, he had an extra prop at home, so he called Dallin and told him to bring it up with him when he came later that night. We ended up staying at the KOA the first night. It wasn't much like camping because there was a playground, a pool, and pretty nice bathrooms, but it was still really fun!! Josh had brought a projector and a screen so we watched Get Smart. Funny movie! And of course it wouldn't be a camping trip without a fire and s'mores!
The next day everyone got up pretty early because 1. Ben was snoring so loud no one could sleep anyways and 2. Josh wanted to get an early start on finding someone to help us with the prop. He found someone who would put the new one on for free, but he wouldn't be back until around noon. We decided that a nice little hike would be a good way to pass the time, so even though most of us were in flip flops and our swimming suits we set out on a hike. Noon rolled around and we called the guy that was going to help us, but he was still not back and didn't think he would be for a couple more hours. So we decided to go sit and have lunch and play Apples to Apples. I like that game, but after hours and hours of it I don't think I will play it for a while now ha ha. The fix-it man didn't get back until about three, so we only got to boat for a few hours the second day. We found some really cool rocks/cliffs to jump off. I was suprised at how nervous I was to jump because I'm usually all about things that give me adrenaline!
We took the wave runner out that night too, and that's were the second problem happened. A couple of the guys took it out for a spin, and then I took a turn. Within about 3 minutes of me riding it the dang thing just turns off and won't start again. Of course!! So I sat there in the middle of this huge lake waiting for someone to come by and give me a tow. I ended up in a boat with a couple of drunk boys and their dads...that was an interesting ride back to the island! Luckily Josh came and found me and rode along side of us so they couldn't kidnap me or something haha.
The third day was the best!! We got up really early, and were one of the first one's on the lake. The water was so nice, perfect for wakeboarding!

This is the wakeboard that Josh bought for me. He's such a sweetheart!! It's the cutest board and he got a cute lifejacket to go with it. I have to share it of course, but I guess I can handle that.:)
We found this huge rope swing on the side of our island that everyone goes to. That was pretty scary too, but of course I had to do it. I couldn't chicken out! The first time I went was really fun, but the second time I did thee worst belly flop I've ever done. After that I had had my fill of the rope swing.
I also tried this new thing called a wake surf. I must brag...I got up on my first try and I'm not half bad. It's really fun!! Some people are good enough that they can throw the rope back in the boat and just surf on the wake, but I don't think I'm ready for that just yet.
All in all it was a great weekend, and I made some great friends. It's an absoultely beautiful place, and I defintely want to go back. I'm so grateful for Josh and all the planning that it took him to make this all happen. He's so great and I'm lucky he's my friend! Hopefully next summer we will all get to go again!!!

Alexa needs...

As I was looking at some of my friend's blogs I found this. It looked interesting, so I tried it. What you do is you put your name into the Google search bar and put needs after it (ex. Alexa needs) and then see what it comes up with. These are my results-

1. Alexa needs to do garbage collection....I'll get right on that...

2. Alexa needs middle name...I like the one I have actually, so I'm good!

3. Alexa needs numbers....if those numbers are from attractive boys, then yes! I agree 100%

4. Alexa needs to pee really bad!!....Um, not so much, but I did just down a bottle of water so probably soon!!

5. Alexa needs a BFF....Luckily this is not true. I already have lots!!:)

6. Alexa needs you.....This reminds me of a song by Leann Rimes...eww.

7. Alexa needs more neutrals from MAC...I actually just got some! So this one is false too.

8. Alexa needs some help....Ha ha in more ways than one...

9. Alexa needs to be clipped....Ouch! Please no! That doesn't sound pleasant.

10. Alexa needs to be brought back....Don't worry, I'm still right here.