Mostest Postest Friend

Today my mostest postest friend Zack Carnline goes into the MTC (Missionary Training Center). He is going to be serving the Lord for the next two years as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I know he is going to do an amazing work while he is in Florida.  

Saying goodbye is always hard and never fun. Zack has been a part of my daily life for the past two years. Every day he has been there to give me encouragement and to make my life easier. It will be hard being able to communicate only through letters once a week when we are used to talking on the phone and skyping every day. However I know he is where he is supposed to be and he will bless many lives through his service.

Here are just a few of my favorite pictures with my mostest postest friend :)

Some of you may be very confused about how I came up with "mostest postest friend." Zack's niece always says "love you mostest postest," which is greater than "most" or "mostest."  Because of that Zack and I decided a while ago that we were each other's mostest postest friend because we are closer than just best friends.

He makes me so happy no matter what else might be going on in my life. I am so blessed to have him in my life, even if we are separated most of the time because of school or missions. I know he will be a wonderful missionary.

Midterm Week

As many people know, midterm week is something to dread... and then during it, you just kind of want to die a little bit more as the week progresses. It is the week in the middle of the semester (which it is super crazy that we are already half way done by the way) when almost ALL teachers figure that their students have nothing better to do with their life than to take a test, write a paper, or complete a project. REALLY!?!?! Do they not realize that Halloween is just around the corner and some of us might want to do something fun and festive instead of just study, take tests, and write papers?!?!? This last week I had 2 tests, 1 paper, and 3 assignments/projects due. WHY!?!?!?!? 

Yes I know that it is the middle of the term meaning it is the perfect time to test your students so you know how well they are doing... and then you can have half of your information covered on one test and then the other half on the final..... but I still don't like it!!! I mean why can't all the teachers decide to be spontaneous and pick different and random weeks to have tests!?!? Only one test a week would be wonderful! 

Anyways.... in order to relieve my stress this week I have been doing a lot of guitar playing. I am SO happy I have a new hobby! I remember last year I went through piano withdrawals. I would go about once a week and just play for an hour because I missed it so much. This year I have my guitar right here in my room that I can play whenever I want to relax a little. I LOVE MUSIC!!!! How blessed we are to live in a time when music is all around us and easily accessible. 

Also, I have to say that having great friends who encourage and help me when I get a little stressed out is such a wonderful blessing! They always know what to do or say to make things look better.  They help me find the silver lining. And to quote one of my favorite songs, "Isn't it nice to know, that the lining is silver? Isn't it nice to know that we're golden?" (Relient K - The Lining is Silver)

I must also say that I have recently had a great amount of peace in my life. Life, apart from school stress, is so wonderful! I am so blessed to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. It saves me so much heartache and provides me with information that is crucial to my happiness here on earth. It is this gospel, my belief in Christ, and his guidance that brings overwhelming peace into my life.

I am so blessed to have my great family, who had an addition to it this week. That's right, I now am the proud aunt of 14 nieces and nephews!!! The newest addition is Spencer Mark Weed who joined us early Thursday morning. I am so blessed to have been sent here in a family. Family is central to happiness. I love my parents. I love my siblings. I love my nieces and nephews. I love my grandparents and other extended family. I love all of my ancestors and owe so much to them. Because of them and the work they did while alive, I am the person I am today and I have the opportunities I do. I cannot wait to one day have my own family and pass on the blessings I enjoy.

Jesus Christ, our Savior, lives. He loves us and wants what is best for us. With that, I hope you all have a wonderful week and you can try to see what blessings surround you every day.

Life is Good :)

It never ceases to amaze me how wonderful General Conference is!

For those of you who do not know, General Conference is an event in my church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (AKA: Mormon), that happens every six months. It is two days where we have the privilege to hear council and spiritually uplifting messages from the leaders of our church. Our church believes in living prophets. We believe there is a living prophet today, Thomas S. Monson. He and his two counselors, and a Quorum (or group) of Twelve Apostles, just as when Christ was on the earth, lead and direct us today.

The Prophet, Thomas S. Monson, (seated) and his two counselors Henry B. Eyring (Left) and Dieter F. Uchtdorf (Right)

The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

These men are so inspirational and I love them so very much. Even though I don't personally know them, they have helped me in many situations throughout my life because of the words they share with the world, that can at times seem specifically directed at only me. Their messages are centered around Jesus Christ and his gospel, and how it can help us in our daily struggles. These messages are broadcast all over the world and translated into many different languages so that everyone can have access to them. After they are televised, they are published in a church magazine and posted on our church's website, lds.org, so we can all watch or read them at any time.

But as I was saying... I LOVE GENERAL CONFERENCE! I come away with so many good ideas about how to approach situations in my life. God is real. God communicates with us through His chosen leaders today as well as through His chosen leaders from the past through the scriptures. Jesus Christ is our savior and redeemer. He died on the cross and suffered the atonement for each and every one of us. He did it so we would never have to be alone, so we could always have someone to turn to who can truly say "I know how you feel". He knows our pains, sicknesses, griefs, and sorrows... but he also knows how to make it better. He knows how to help us receive a fullness of joy in this life.

I wish I was a more eloquent writer so you could all understand how much this truly means to me. But I guess this post will have to do for now. Just as long as you know that I am so grateful to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and for the joy the gospel and my belief in Christ brings into my life. "I am a Mormon. I know it, I live it, I love it." <3