YSA 17th Stake Triathlon

Here's just a sneak peak of the AWESOMENESS that was our stake triathlon! Some people did the triathlon individually, others were in teams, but everyone had a great time!!!

Cute girls!!! Cathryn, Bethany, Susie & me

My fantastic team! Cathryn ran the 5k, I biked the 13 miles, and Rose swam ... I forgot how far. Anyway, we rocked!!!

Bishop Nelson and Brother Sandberg

Caitlin, Beth and Michelle

Emily's awesome sunglasses!

Singing Happy Birthday to our very own ROSE!!!

Beth and Johanna. What cuties!

War paint!!!!

Gettin' ready to race on my brand new road bike!!! Woohoo! Pictures of the bike to come..

Michael B. volunteering in his gear. Had the flashing lights on his car and everything. :)

Sister Nelson

Sus!!!!

Valerie and Jana showing a bit of the spirit of fun!!!

Don't you wish you were there? :)

Locked out of the Bathroom

Last night I got locked out of my bathroom!!!! Was watching a movie with the siblings, and my eyes were bugging me so I went to take out my contacts. Imagine my surprise to find the door was shut and locked! After a quick examination, I realized that my roommate had shut the bathroom door and not realized it was locked. We always shut the bathroom doors when the swamp cooler is on because the air flows through the apartment better that way. What to do? We have a second bathroom, but all of my stuff was in my bathroom. I couldn't sleep with my contacts in, and what would I do without my makeup and hair supplies in my bathroom? I couldn't exactly go to church looking like a bum...
So, we decided to try to pick the lock! First we tried the card sliding trick that you see in movies. No luck. We considered breaking the door down, but then we'd have to pay for repairs not to mention that we'd have a missing bathroom door for a couple days. We thought about calling the landlord, but that would be a terrible crime at 11 pm on a Saturday night. Then Chere (my roommate) got a bobby pin and started jiggling it around in the lock. After several minutes of near despair, the lock suddenly opened!

What I learned: bobby pins really truly open bathroom door locks!!! Yay!!! Chere and I should try it on bank locks now.... ;)

When it Rains it Pours...

Recently my friend Jason shared a Japanese saying with me: "In life there are mountains and there are valleys."
I guess I've been enjoying a valley long enough now that it's about time to begin climbing another mountain. Trouble is, I don't particularly want to travel a mountain right now, particularly since part of it is old familiar ground. Every time I think I'm past it, it happens again.
Got the unexpected yet not surprising phone call today that a particularly lovely valley was over. Wasn't too happy about that, but it's not something that I can control. In some ways that makes it easier, but in other ways it makes it more difficult. Planned on going running to get out my anger, but instead talked with my sister Alyssa and tried a new hairstyle on her. She had a good cry during which I tried my best to be strong. I cried a little, but not as much as I wanted to inside. Good thing I prevented the dam from breaking or there would have been a flood!
Even though I'm not happy with events taking place right now, God's timing is as always impeccable. Further events which are to take place in a couple days are forcing me to deal with things sooner than I would otherwise choose, which is good for me. Not to mention the interesting service opportunities which have been placed in my way lately. Helping a new girl in the ward who is 19, pregnant, and whose boyfriend is currently incarcerated. Made me have a new perspective of life. And the incredible thing is how much God's hand was in the visits with this girl. The home teachers prepared the way, and then my sweet friend Susie came with me to the visit. She was literally a gift from God. She was supposed to be there with me because Susie's personality and experiences can touch this girl's life in ways that I cannot, nor can anyone else. I'm grateful for God's guidance during our lives--even when we can't see his hand until much further down the road.
I'm substituting in the Temple tomorrow, which is an incredible blessing. My soul needs to serve in the Temple right now. And I'm grateful for people who love me and want to be my friend even when they are hurt by those who should be the greatest love and support in their lives.
Despite the awful news this morning, I had a beautiful day, which in itself was full of mini mountains and valleys. Lyssa and I went to the local waterpark, Seven Peaks because we needed to relax, and that was fun. Afterwards a bunch of friends came over to listen to Brad and his friends jam jazz music on the back porch. We ate ice cream and had a spectacular time. It was very needed, and very healing.

Francis Hodgson Burnett said:
“Hang in there. It is astonishing how short a time it can take for very wonderful things to happen.”

I guess it's time to just hang on and just keep on climbing. Pretty soon there may be an incredible view which I would not have been able to see from the valley.

River Rail Relay

May 12, 2012

50 Miles Total + 3 Friends + a beautiful Saturday = Lots of fun!

I was invited to do the River Rail Relay with my dear friend Sanita. We were roommates in the training center before we went on missions for our church. She went to Frankfurt, Germany, and I went to Zurich Switzerland. We became running buddies while in the training center, and we picked up where we left off once coming home. We try to go running together every Saturday, but some weeks (months) are better than others. This was my first relay race, and it was a blast doing it with her!!!

Joe and Andrew

My first leg of the race was 6 miles along a river, and then my second leg was 7 miles on a flat running path in the midst of farms. I've never run more than 6 miles in one day before, so it was an adventure! Luckily, I found a running buddy for the second leg. We chatted and kept each other going, and I was grateful she asked to run with me!

Here we are at the finish line, tired and sore but happy!!!

I've never realized how far 50 miles actually is. I've passed these areas many times before, but running gives you a whole different perspective. I'm grateful for cars to get us places quickly, but I love going on runs and enjoying the beautiful world which God has given us! This race was great because it was individual, yet connected with a team. We had to do our legs of the race by ourselves, but we were motivated knowing that our friends were waiting for us at the end of the leg, cheering each other on and supporting each other. It was a great reminder that we are not alone in the race of life! We have friends and family, seen and unseen, who love us and want us to succeed!!!

Breakfast Feast!

I love these wonderful girls soooo much! We had a little breakfast celebration together a couple weeks ago complete with pancakes, homemade syrup, nutella, fruit, scrambled eggs, juice, and fantastic company. The occasion? Friendship, love, and presidency members. I'm so grateful that I get to work with Rachelle, Elizabeth and Kjersten. I am learning so much from them about being a happy, courageous, sensitive, loving, spiritually in tune woman of God.

Cinco de Mayo

I haven't posted in a while. End of the semester was hectic, then the last couple weeks I've just been enjoying not having to do anything other than work and church. I was also a bit discouraged because there have been several photos I wanted to post, but I lost my camera. I've searched the entire apartment without any luck and I'm getting frustrated. Next on the agenda is searching the Mom's house to see if my camera was misplaced there. Keep your fingers crossed!

Since I don't have my camera, I thought I'd post some pics that Dave took at the fabulously fun ward Cinco de Mayo on Saturday.

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Bethany sporting a fabulous Moustache. The lady of the hour for planning this whole shebang.

The activity in question took place in a park in the canyon which is full of good memories from growing up. In these photos: Bradman, Jameson, Chere, Elizabeth, Jordan & Me.

Johanna & Cassie from Chile. The back of Amy's head. I just love these girls!!!

My munchkin!!!! Aka my little, loud Asian roomie!!! I love Chere! ;)

Me & Elizabeth. I want to be like her when I grow up!

Cassie, don't know, Kim, Amy, Johanna. Gotta smile at these beautiful faces!

I love these girlies!!! Missy, Chere, Cathryn, me & Kim. Aren't we hot in those ravishing Moustaches?

 Pinata Bandit

This pretty smiley lady, Susie, always makes ME smile!!!

ZUMBA!!!!!!!!! Check out our great instructor, Richard!

p.s. I'm seriously LOVING having my little brother Bradman home!!!!

20 Days!!!!

In 20 days, Winter semester will be officially over. No more papers, tests, projects, assignments...until Summer term anyway! But there are a lot of exciting things that have been set in motion and are hopefully happening Spring term. More to come when it's all final...
Actually, here's the best part: 20 days until my FABULOUS lil' brother Brad comes home!!!! Yaya!!!

He has been living in Panama for the last two years serving as a volunteer missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. However, I haven't seen him in 3 years because he left for his mission shortly before I returned home from MY mission in Switzerland. I love him soooo much and am really looking forward to playing with him! He'll be home (which is down the street from my apartment) for the summer, then he'll head back up to Logan to continue his studies at Utah State University.
Here are my plans for him this summer (which all revolve around me of course, haha):

• Brad will give me guitar lessons
• We'll learn the ukelele together (my lil' sis' just bought one)
• Brad will teach me spanish
• I'll set Brad up on dates (maybe we'll do some doubles) or at least I'll invite him over when girls are over hanging out
• Brad will come to church with my to my fabulous singles ward
• Brad and I will attend the Temple together once a week
• I'll help him find a job (that's right, I'm an awesome sister!)

Yeah Bradman!!! I can hardly wait! :-D

Now I just need to survive the next couple weeks until finals....

Spring is becoming very distracting--especially since all I want to do is enjoy the sunshine, flowers, and go running! 6 miles today, woohoo!!!!

Today was a FANTASTIC spring day, but the best part about it was going to Salt Lake City to watch General Conference and hear modern day Prophets speak to us! I felt like many of the messages were directly from God to me. I can't wait to hear more tomorrow! Tune in on lds.org!!! For more about our beliefs check out www.mormon.org! Happy conference!!!