Tender Mercies

It's interesting to think about the different places that we each receive our inspiration.

I usually just jump on the band-wagon and copy all my friends...

But today, I really wanted to just express my absolute gratitude!

The point is, I could start a "Tender Mercies" Blog and have something to post 

EVERY DAY.

That is how much the Lord has been watching out for me!

 I don't know if I just never noticed before...

But I am definitely aware of sooooo many great things that I just want to shout them from the rooftops!

1) I got to serve a full-time mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

2) I survived 18 months! (Hardy har har... hard hard.)

3) I'm now at college again! Taking wonderful classes that I love!

4) I have my own room even though I pay less for a shared-room! (Woot!)

5) All my roommates are saints.

6) My scholarship that hadn't lasted through my mission has been blown out of the water by some miraculous grants that God (or the "Grant Fairies") have blessed me with

7) The laundry at my apartment is now FREE! (And believe me... it adds up!)

8) My counselor from before my mission is still available so she's helping me overcome difficulties

9) My mentoring job is literally the best job for me in the WoRLd! I love it!

10) Even though I'm alone, I'm not lonely. That has been the greatest tender mercy... 

PEACE.

I promise that if you start counting your blessings, you will be overwhelmed.

The greatest blessing that I have is my relationship & testimony of Jesus Christ. 

He's so real! 

He's sooooooooooo loving & caring & willing. 

I am so grateful.

And to end it all... A photo that still has me laughing:

Wedding Bliss

I've decided that one of the most thrilling, beautiful and perfect experiences that a girl can have is this:
Watching one of her best friends get sealed in the temple to her fiancé.
It is amazing.

The romantic and heartfelt moment when they walked out

She's beautiful.

Her face when she saw me for the first time!!

Chesney & I

Soooooo much kissing. Hah!

My little babies are growing up!

Ahhh. My other family. xoxo

Bridesmaids. How beautiful is Maika?! Ahh

Their faces! So much love.

You know that's right! Included in the slideshow!

This lady. My mom/grandma/friend and loving example.

The fantastic table decorations that Chesney made!

One of my favorite moments! Brother got to Skype from his mission in Mexico!

Dancing. To their beautiful wedding song.

Cheek exercise from hurting so much. Right before the Daddy-Daughter Dance. 

This is Aaron's sweet Papa. My favorite moment of the night was looking over at him during the Mother-Son Dance and he had tears in his eyes. 

Traditions....

Running through the bubbles! Their faces are priceless.

Goodbye Mr. & Mrs. Virgin! 

Change.

I love my friends.

My mom always tells me the story of my baby blessing.

Apparently, it was said that friends would be number one priority for me.

Silly, but so true.

I don't know what I would do without all my FANTASTIC friends.

Change is inevitable but it can still be a tad difficult.

Netty Nutster is on her mission and doing great things.

Mykakaka is planning her wedding and I'm SO excited for her.

Isn't it weird-ish?

All this change.

But something I always know...

God is in charge and

LIFE IS GREAT.

Daily Truths

I love this blog.

I feel like each "compliment" speaks directly to my heart.

These are just a few that have connected with my lately.

These People I Know.

There are a lot of people in this world 

but thankfully, God gave me my friends.

I have no idea where I would be without my mexican soul sister.

we've had a few good times, I guess.  

My mentoring group is my soul support at college.

I'd probably be headed for a math degree or ever worse, without them. 

MY DEAREST KAKA got engaged.

To her best friend and lover.

Ahhh how happy I am for her. 

Oh Little Black Foot.

Oh Netty Nut.

No words could ever fully express my appreciation for you in my life.

xoxoxo

Toothpaste Preview

"Feast" Your Eyes

There's nothing quite like the feeling of art.

and being artistic.

I love photography, oils, acrylics, calligraphy and so much more.

but ESPECIALLY photography.

this little photo was part of a friendship shoot that I did over Thanksgiving break.

beautiful.

"You don't take a photograph, you make it." 

-Ansel Adams

Two Cats Walk Around The Block...

"We call that person who has lost his father, an orphan; and a widower that man who has lost his wife. But that man who has known the immense unhappiness of losing a friend, by what name do we call him? Here every language is silent and holds its peace in impotence."

-Joseph Roux

"When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives means the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a warm and tender hand."

-Henri Nouwen

"Nothing but heaven itself is better than a friend who is really a friend."

-Plautus 

"In everyone's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit."

-Albert Schweitzer

Netty Net-Face

Tomorrow is this girls 20th birthday.

(mini freak-out!)

Where has time gone?!

I love her laugh.

I love her happy demeanor.

I love her facial expressions.

I love how she can do anything she puts her mind to.

I love that she understands me in a way that no one else can.

I love that she always brightens my day and can make me laugh.
(pig tied to a tire...)

I love her beautiful face and GREAT personality.

I love the adventures we go on.

I love how she is genuine and herself in any circumstance.

I love how thoughtful she is of others.

I love how loyal she is.

I love how much she cares for her family and friends.
(aka me.)

I love how she is such a positive, uplifting spirit that God sent to this earth.

I love her.

Happy Birthday To My Best Friend

The best years are yet to come!

Overload

Psychically, I'm not that overloaded.
Not even mentally or spiritually.
BUT emotionally.... I'm lacking a tad.
It's hard to drag yourself out of bed at 5:30am to get ready for work.
It's hard to feel soo lost in a world of craziness.

But some great things that help me stay semi-normal:

Hanging out with my "bestie"

Laughing and spending time with Mykaka

Being with my family... oh and Webby

Joking around with my roommates.
Hilarious.

I hope everyone is having a GREAT Monday!