A frustrating current...at times.

Is that not what life feels like at times? A frustrating current? Sometimes you just want everything to stop, to pause and give you a little time. Other times, the current is your saving grace. It moves you through trials and helps you to avoid those stalker-ish people. ;) Today I feel neutral about this current...I actually am not sure how to feel. My life has brought me so many amazing experiences. I have loved the progression that I have made in the past 12 years since I started my oh-so-wonderful public schooling, and now I have to move on to start my next chapter. My current just rushed me through the past 12 years. I have fallen in love, had amazing experiences, learned new music, made new friends, lost some, and everything else along with it. My current helped me especially through this past year...days and days on 4 hours or less or sleep, one test after the other, college music auditions, a new tests every week, commitments, appointments, trying to have a social life, AP tests, huge decisions....the list goes on! But it isn't the destination, it is the journey there. I guess what I am eventually edging towards here is that we HAVE to just enjoy the ride. Enjoy your trip down the river of life. Admire the scenery, be patient through the rocky parts and storms, and let the whole world see your smile through it all. All in all, let God be a part of your life, and accept your circumstances for what they are. Embrace new change and growth, treasure memories, and live a beautiful, fulfilled life. 

What makes you beautiful?

Today, as I skimmed my Facebook news feed, I was admiring all of my beautiful friends. All of the amazing people that I know. I read a comment on a friend's photo of mine where her mother had written "beautiful, inside and out." I couldn't have agreed more with this comment about this girl. Even though she isn't a super-model with perfect hair and make-up, her inside is what shines out beautifully. So many girls think that they need make-up and perfect hair to be beautiful. How I wish they could see the truth. It is your INSIDE that makes you beautiful. It is the smile that you wear on your face, the time that you stopped and helped someone pick up their dropped books, the comforting hug that you gave to a friend who needed it....Do you see where I'm going? Your actions and compassion for other people are what shine out...not your shiny lipgloss and perfect eyeshadow. As these past few weeks have gotten busier, I have given up on the whole make-up and hair thing. I maybe go to school with make-up once a week. My friends who are truly beautiful look past it and love me anyway, even the boy that I love. :)
Girls, you will always make the truest friends by showing up to school with your hair in a bun, no make-up, sweats, and a smile on your face. Don't base your confidence on your looks, but rather your character. Those who are true and real will love you no matter what you look like. Believe me. :)

New Experiences EVERY Day

Do you ever have those moments where you learn something new, and it just hits you that it's a reality? It exists, it's real, it's TRUE. I had one of those moments today. My dad read me an amazing story about a young boy today, and it strengthened my testimony of angels and their ever-constant presence in our lives. (I would go to this link and read it...you won't regret it) http://www.snopes.com/glurge/birdies.asp
I felt the spirit so strongly as he read this story to me, and I gained a greater appreciation for the temple and for our deceased ancestors and friends. I know without a doubt after today that we have angels that are always with us. They protect, help, and comfort us. Isn't it beautiful to know that we are never alone? I also know that temple work is so vital to our salvation and the salvation of those who came before us. There are people waiting, yearning to have their temple work done. They want it so badly. I feel so strongly that we will be blessed for going to the temple and doing the work of our kindred dead. Just think about the day you were baptized, or the day you were sealed in the temple (I haven't reached that one yet haha). Imagine if you had gone your whole life without that, died, and then realized in heaven what you had missed out on! Would you not give anything to be granted those blessings? It is our duty and obligation to free and help our kindred spirits. I have no doubt that we will be blessed and guarded for helping them. 

Light at the end of the tunnel

As I was practicing my cello today, I was thinking about life, my future, etc. This tends to happen often when you are drilling the same 4 measures for 50 minutes or so. As I was thinking, I realized that I am excited to find new adventures in life. I have been scared to leave for college for a long time, and I think I am finally beginning to look forward to it. I have been working hard through high school with my grades and music, and it has all been focused on this--college. Now it's finally here! All of my hard work has paid off in scholarships and experience. I have gained so much from pursuing good grades and a talent on the cello. My instrument brings me more joy than I can express in words. I know for a surety that there is so much beautiful music on this earth that would not be here had God not placed melodies into the heads of Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Liszt, etc. Music is POWERFUL, and I get to study it in college; that will be my homework! All of my work has finally paid off, and I can at last see the light at the end of my tunnel. :) I will miss my friends who are leaving, but BYU isn't an eternity away from USU. 

Hard Work....who likes it.

I went to the Utah Symphony tonight and was blown out of my mind. I am every time. :) I watched a 13 year old violinist play the entire, 45 minute Tchaikovsky violin concerto. Her tone? Beautiful. Her intonation? Perfect. Her work ethic? Wilder than you can even imagine. This girl practices 5 hours every day, and she skips school to prepare extra for lessons and performances. She doesn't ever miss a day of practicing, and she smiles the whole time that she plays. As I watched this girl play, my confidence just shrank, and shrank some more. I have so much respect for people like this. Being an instrumentalist who struggles to get 3 hours in every day, I am just amazed at the level of dedication she has. People who are dedicated to something and give everything up for it are some of the most successful.
Then I got thinking about that. People who sacrifice more than they ask in a relationship always make it farther and enjoy the journey more. They have stronger bonds with their spouse/significant other. I hope that I can be more dedicated in every aspect of my life: relationships, practicing, school, and most importantly, God, my country, and my family.

Revelation...sweet moments.

I realized the other day what a true friend is....I mean really, don't we say "oh, she's my BEST friend" all the time...but do we mean it? I think I do.
A friend is someone who can appreciate silence. A friend is someone who pops in for random visits, unexpected, when you need it the most. A friend is someone who laughs at your silly mistakes and then does the same thing. A friend is someone who supports and respects your parents, someone who supports you. A friend always has a spare shoulder to cry on. Camille and Bekah are my favorite ones. ;) A friend always stands up for you EVEN when you aren't there. A friend can just smile and tell you an entire story. Although the list goes one, a friend shares their testimony with you and encourages you every day to be a better person by their actions.
I love and adore all of my friends. I will miss all of the ones who leave me for BYU this year.... :(