friends

I am not lying when I say that pretty much all of my friends right now are my seven-year-olds that I am with all day. Each week, I grow to love these sweet, innocent spirits and when they leave it makes me strangely sad. Thank goodness I get new ones every week. They teach me so much about the gospel and how to be happy and have fun. and they love unconditionally. I am glad that there is always some cute Cub waving to me at meals, coming up to hug me, and making me feel like the awesomest person in the world

bucket list update and teaching primary

  things I have done on my bucket list: 

 

-gone to a fair

-found a new scripture study method, still working on making it a priority

-hiked Cascade Springs

-spending money: I have been spending less than 10% of my paycheck, except I buy one fun thing every paycheck. I would say that is pretty good. 

-laid in the hammock

-party more (this is so/so, sometimes I do, but I don't really have a lot of people that I like to party with yet) 

 

things I have yet to do/will continue to do: 

 

go to seven peaks
watch fireworks on fourth of july
go on a date or two
hike Timp

 work hard to make every week awesome for the Cubs and not let 

my own desires ruin their vacation
find new ways to study scriptures and make it a priority
index 3 batches a week
spend 10% or less of what I earn
be more daring

read at least 3 books (one spiritual)

lay out and watch the stars/meteor shower

magnify my calling

start listening to the Harry Potter books

be more friendly and party more

 

For my calling, I teach the Valiant 10 class in Primary. I love it. Some weeks can be a real challenge because they just try to play all the time. This week was a pretty good lesson. So many of the kids I teach have good testimonies and good answers and good stories. I learn so much from them as I teach. Today, I asked them to share stories about when they had been prompted by the Spirit, and they all had amazing examples. I am so grateful for all they teach me! 

life as of late....

Aspen Grove staff bowling

Sammy's run

eating lunch with my cubs/getting hugs from them :)

trailer reunion with Kelli and Nico 

going to see Brave 

hanging out in the hammock and laughing

wearing shorts

seeing my sister for about 2 whole minutes... made my day

zumba dance workouts

staying up late with my bedding standby, making awkward jokes

being exhausted 24/7

going back on campus and realizing how much I miss it

tomorrow... sleeping in, playing WarioWare/Korra finale with Arianne, laying by the pool, primary meeting, and napping are all happening. hopefully I can fit it all in :) I love days off!

I am so inspired...

...by those amazing Paralympian athletes.

They train hard for hours and hours. They are gorgeous inside and out. They never give up. They can do hard things.

I am so lucky to have known one myself. Just like the girl in the video I linked to, she has never given up. I believe she is the only Paralympic swimmer that is going to college and training at the same time. She is such an inspiration and an example to me. Swimming was a form of therapy for her that helped her to become stronger and develop self-confidence. Something to dedicate herself to that definitely paid off in the end.

Good luck in the Paralympics, Cortney Jordan! You are the most amazing friend ever!

(here's some footage from her at the 2008 Paralympics in Beijing. watch it.)

little blessings

Dear sweet little 8 year old girl who I just met today,

thank you so much for giving me the flowers just because. It was just what I needed to cheer me up after a day where I was pretty emotional about everything and was in a sad mood.

You made my day.

highlights of the day

playing body body for the first time this summer (+ Ben's creepy sound effects) = awesome

early morning swim

biscuits and gravy for breakfast :)

my seven-year-olds thinking I am the coolest person ever for no reason

 feeling exhausted in the best way possible 

P.S. here's a picture of two of the kids in my age group this week.... so cute. He was especially concerned about the girl all day today. and it just made me crack up

two small reminders

I'm so grateful for a loving Savior. and for unlikely answers to prayers.

I was feeling lonely. and like I wasn't doing well enough spiritually.

on the way home from my grandma's, I saw the temple. and I thought that I need to make an effort to go more often, even though I am stuck in the mountains. needed that reminder.

then when I got back to my cabin, my roommates had just finished saying roommate prayer. my one roommate said nonchalantly, "oh, you made it home safely! we just prayed that you would!" It was nothing big but it definitely was a good reminder that I have people praying for me. and it felt good.

I am so grateful for this life and all its crazy ups and downs! I love the peace the gospel brings!