This weekend I saw one of my fave high school teachers while out and about. We had a quick conversation about how school was going, what his family has been up to, and just what's going on in my life. He mentioned how he was spending time with his children and we talked for a few minutes before saying goodbye and Merry Christmas. After talking about how school was, dating, and talking about the usual things relating to college, he unknowingly offered some words of wisdom to me. Reay said, "we are all on different paths in life." It was so good to see him and catch up for a few minutes, but I will never forget that line.

The topic of different paths has been on my mind for a couple months. College is such a fun, exciting, scary, (awkward at times), and difficult part of life. I've met some pretty amazing people in college. I think it's fascinating that of those people I've met, there's such a wide range of ages, relationship status, and progress in school. Everyone is on a different path than the next person.

When I look around at the people I'm surrounded by and especially my friends, I notice numerous differences in the paths of our lives. Many of my friends are married, engaged, or dating someone. One of my best friends just had her first baby. Some are doing really well in school, a few are even in grad school. And nearly all my friends have jobs and are working. We are all around the same age, in our twenties, yet we are so different. It can be so easy to look around and compare my life, and the path that I'm on. At times it seems that my path is going nowhere and that I will never get on the other paths that my friends are on of dating and working.

As I compare differences, it leaves me frustrated and sometimes annoyed. The way I think about it needs to change though. As my old teacher said, "we are all on different paths in life." We all started on the same path, but went different ways and ended up on different paths. Right now I'm on the path where I'm just focusing on school, and that's okay. One day I'll be on the path of dating someone, then eventually getting engaged and married. After I get married I'll have kids and start on a new path. I'll start on the path of being in the workforce full-time after completing my degree next December. I'll be young when I graduate, but that makes it all the more exciting because I have more freedom because I'm younger and will only be 21 when I graduate from college.

For now I'm going to focus on the path I am on right this minute and not compare it to the paths of others. I may be on the seemingly boring and difficult path of being in school and focusing on my classes, but it is where I need to be right now and the particular path I need to be on. My time will come when it's right for me to be on a different path. There is no need to rush anything. The time will pass anyway, so might as well enjoy the path I am on. 

Whichever path of life you may be on right now, I encourage you to enjoy it and not spend your time wishing you were on a different path. Because we are all on different paths, you can't compare your path to anyone else's because it is so different. It would be like comparing a rollercoaster to a merry-go-round. It just is so different and unique that you would end up frustrated every time you compare. We are all on different paths of life. Your time will come when it is right for you to be on other paths. You are where you are right now for a reason. Stay on the path of life you are on for right now until a different path intersects and directs you onto a new path. The new path will come only when you are ready and when you are supposed to be on a different path.

Follow Your Promptings

A few of you may remember this experience I had a couple years ago. It has been going through my mind quite a bit lately and I thought I'd share it again, especially as Thanksgiving is nearly here.

This experience happened a couple years ago. I was driving home for Thanksgiving break by myself because Jeremy was already home. I had one class on that Tuesday and couldn't leave until after class. Our class got out early & I hurried to my apartment to get my things and head home. Before I left to go home, I had a few small promptings to do some things before I left. I decided to quickly check the mail before I left (who knows why, I rarely got mail, haha) and I stopped at a gas station to get a drink. After that I left to go home. While I was driving, I had the best view of the mountains. I've seen that view while driving to and from home countless times, but just this one time I decided to stop and pull off to the side to take a few pictures since I had my camera with me. I kept driving, and knew I had enough gas to get home, but also knew that fuel was cheaper in Downey. I stopped there to fill up my tank.

I was trying to make good time and get back in time to make cookies with my aunt and cousins, then go to the new James Bond movie with my family that night. I was about 10-15 minutes away from home, when I passed the Fort Hall exit and traffic came to a halt on the interstate. I called my dad to see if he could look online or knew if there was an accident or construction. He looked online and didn't find anything. Some family friends who were driving south saw why traffic was stopped. There was a bad accident about a mile ahead of me: a semi truck driving southbound had blown a tire and lost control. The truck driver crossed the median into oncoming traffic and struck a pickup truck driving northbound. A mom and a few of her kids were in the pickup truck. One of the children was killed in this accident.  I was stuck waiting on the interstate for two hours while the victims were taken care of medically and the debris and everything from the accident was cleaned up.

At first, I was very frustrated that I was waiting there with nothing to do. I was annoyed because I couldn't do anything, couldn't turn around so I could get home the back way, and I didn't want to miss my plans for the night of making cookies and watching the new James Bond. My perspective on it changed the longer I thought about it however. Since I was not far back from the accident, it could have very well been me. I followed all of those tiny promptings to check the mail, get a Dr. Pepper, take pictures of the view, and fill up my tank. At the time those thoughts didn't seem like promptings because it was so small and didn't seem like it would make a difference. Looking back, I've counted my blessings many times that I was in tune with the Spirit and followed those seemingly small promptings. Those promptings could have very well saved my life that night two years ago. Since I was only a mile back from the accident, on the interstate going 80+ mph I could have been right there and it could have my car, instead of the pickup, that was struck by the semi-truck.

This has served as a continuous reminder to me to never ignore a prompting. I hope that you all will take heed to any promptings you may have. Even if it seems to be just a thought in the back of your head, don't ignore it! It could save your life, or someone else's life. Particularly with the holiday season approaching in only weeks, many people are in need both physically and emotionally/mentally. Reach out to those people who you 'randomly' think about. The holidays can be a lonely time for those who have lost loved ones or are struggling with various things. Even just sending a text or a note can brighten their day. Or bake some holiday treats and share with others. (This is one of my fave things to do around the holidays!) Whatever it is you are prompted to do, don't ignore it. You are getting that prompting for a reason.

Thriving, Not Just Surviving

"Live to thrive, not just survive." - The Magnolia Story
by Chip and Joanna Gaines

I feel like I haven’t been thriving lately, but just barely surviving. Going through life just surviving takes it out of you! Between all my classes that I have and group projects for several of those classes, I have had no time for much else. I’m in class from about 9 – 3 almost every day, have group project meetings at night until midnight some nights, go back home Thursday night and work all weekend, from September to November, and come back to college Sunday sometime. Then repeat it all over again. That routine gets real old, real fast.

I’ve felt so drained this first half of the semester with everything. It can take it out of you real quick. I’ve also felt very frustrated because of a few bad grades, not understanding how to do assignments, awful professors, not being able to find a job, or not having enough time for everything. The other day I took a step back and realized I wasn’t happy and was barely staying above water. Something had to change. But I couldn’t just stop completing assignments and working on group projects. What I could do was take a little bit of time for me each day to take a break from homework. Even if that was just laying down and thinking or napping for 20 minutes or planning meals for the week and cooking or baking. So far even just doing it for a few days has already made a difference. A couple weeks ago, I watched the NL Wild Card game with Jeremy before and after a group project meeting. Even if I had to ignore a few assignments, I was going to watch the baseball game no matter what #priorities.  We had pizza and got rally drinks (our choice was lemonade). I also went to bed before 11 pm, which hasn’t happened in a long time! It felt so good to take a break from schoolwork. I definitely needed it.

Another thing that I’ve been doing to start thriving is spending less time on social media, Netflix, and online in general. In order for me to thrive, I have to actually be living and not hiding behind my phone screen or laptop. I never realized how much time I spent online doing things that hold no value and didn't help me progress or get things done. In today's world, we can become so consumed with technology. I'm accustomed to using devices more often than not due to using my phone for work & contacting people and using a computer/my laptop for work this last summer everyday at each of my jobs. But that was necessary.

I know it is impossible for me to completely swear off technology and the Internet. I use my laptop to take notes in class, do assignments, listen to music, do some work for my dad, and email. I use my phone to listen to music, talk on the phone, check the weather, capture memories, Snapchat, and so much more. I don't need to do as much of that though. I can reduce the amount of time I spend on devices and increase the time I spend with people in person and making memories. I know I need to work more on thriving. I want to thrive for the rest of my life. When I look back on my life I want to see many days where I thrived, and not so many where I just survived. So here's to more days where I thrive, and not just survive.

Challenge: Work on living to thrive, not just survive. You can work on it slowly, one piece at a time, but keep at it. It will greatly influence your life and make you happier.

Reasoning Behind Why You Meet People

Have you ever thought about the reasoning behind why you meet certain people?

After having a conversation with my roommate yesterday, I've thought a lot about the reasoning behind things. Specifically the reasons for why we meet new people, become friends & become close to others. We were talking about when we meet someone new and felt that there was a specific reason we were supposed to know that person.

I had told her of an experience from last school year when I had received a priesthood blessing from my brother Jeremy. To preface the story, I was very sick one day, and went up to campus early to study for a test I had that afternoon. I was getting sicker & sicker by the minute. For some reason I texted Jeremy, told him how sick I was & that I didn't know what to do. He quickly suggested I come to the institute building to get a blessing!! I went over & got a blessing from Jeremy & his institute teacher. 

My oh my did I remember this blessing more than any other before!! Jeremy gave me an incredible blessing & I was so thankful for it. However, the one thing I recall so clearly is something he said completely unrelated to my health and healing. He said, "Bless you that you will have loving people come into your life." (Since we are pretty close & at the same university, we talk a lot. Jeremy knows just about everything. He knows that I've always struggled with friends & feeling loved. I often feel lonely.) Anyway, we hadn't talked recently about that. I know he was inspired to say that in the blessing. 

With a new school year comes meeting new people. I truly believe that some of the people I met last year were "loving people" and came into my life at just the right time to help me when I needed it most. Am I still close to those people? No, not all of them. I learned some crucial life lessons from those people and the experiences I had with those people. I went on to explain to my roommate that at the time, those people were loving people who were helping me and were there for me. Their purpose in my life evolved and changed as time went on. Regardless if I am no longer close to those people, I am still grateful for lessons learned from it and the reasonings why I met those people.

For some people, they fulfilled their purpose in my life in a short amount of time. God has a plan and will only keep the people in our lives that we need and that are there to help us, and vice versa. So when we have that feeling that we are supposed to meet someone and  know that person, it may be for a reason that is short-lived, or there may be a greater purpose behind it. Whatever it may be, follow those promptings. I have some of my best friends now because I followed those feelings I had that I was meant to get to know that person.

Always remember that everything happens for a reason. God will not put something or someone in your life that isn't supposed to be, at least for a certain amount of time. Take that in and relish in the fact that God has hand-picked some people to be in your life. How special is that?? When I think of that, I am filled with an incredible amount of comfort in knowing that.

Our God is so so good. Never forget that He is always mindful of you and has special purposes for why some people come into your life.

You Are Valued & You Aren't Your Mistakes

YOU matter. You are valued & cared for. You are not defined by your mistakes.

One thing I want to share & just shout from the rooftops to all the world is that message. Just because something happened or changed or you don't have the same people in your life that you used to, doesn't mean you are any less valued or mattered. There are still so so many people who care about you & love you. Regardless of what happens. I know this for a fact after having gone through trials & overcoming obstacles in my way. Don't ever let anyone tell you different.

You are not defined by the bad grade you got on an assignment. You are not defined by what might seem like dumb decisions you make, the amount of money you have, your job status or the job you have. You are not defined by a breakup. Bottom line is, you are not defined by materialistic things. What you are defined by is how you treat others, the love and care you show to those around you, compassion you emulate, and so much more than any material or worldly things.

I know how hard it can be to feel like you are defined by those things. I've been there many many times. I'm my worst critic and am the hardest on myself because I know what I can do and what I'm capable of achieving & where I've been before. I'm so hard on myself. And you know what? It doesn't do any good being so hard on myself. It makes things worse. Let it go.

Try to go easy on yourself and remember that you are valued regardless of your status, money, number of friends you have, or anything like that. I've felt unvalued because of a job I had where I didn't do much and felt like it was a waste of time for me. I've felt unvalued because I lost friends. When I feel this way, I know I need to somehow get out of this funk. I rely on others for help. I turn to my Heavenly Father in prayer & plead for help and just lay it all out on the table and say I can't do this on my own & need help. I know my family will always be there & that they have my back. I also have some pretty amazing friends who always lend a listening ear and jump at the opportunity to help me, you know who you are! I'm forever grateful and in debt to them!

I think you would be surprised if you knew just how many people truly care about you,  love you, and want the best for you. It might not seem like people are always there for you and care, but they do. It seems like someone sends me a note or does something to brighten my day whenever I am feeling down and really needed it the most.

I'm the biggest advocate for helping others and just being there for people whenever they need it. Please, if you are ever feeling down and need some help or just need to vent & need someone to listen, reach out to me!! I'm more than happy to help because I've been on that side of it numerous times.

Ally | Idaho Senior Photographer

Ally is the sweetest girl you will ever meet! She has such a sweet and genuine personality that is so fun. She loves photography, books, laughing, and has a love for life that is obvious. I admire her for the outlook she has on life. We had a blast at her session and laughed the whole time. Towards the end she really wanted some laughing photos so I pulled out the ol trusty like 3 bad jokes that I know to get some laughs haha! 

At the beginning we were talking about college and I gave her some advice on what I would do differently in my first years of school. The more we talked about college, we discovered that she is going to be studying marketing, just like me! & our minors are very similar too! I thought that was so cool! Congrats on graduation in a few weeks, Ally! Keep dreaming and always chase your dreams. I can tell she's going to go far.

Push Through the Lonely Times | Real, Vulnerable Thoughts

 When I feel lonely, I just figured something was wrong with me & that's why I didn't have any friends and felt that way. I feel as if I've lost the friends I used to have. I know that it is bound to happen with everyone going in different directions and doing different things in their lives. I didn't think it would be like this for me though. I thought I would be happier and actually have friends. Truthfully, I've always struggled with making and keeping friends. It always seems to happen that I'm never the first choice of what may be my so-called "friends". The reason I say that is because I'm learning more and more & realizing that more often than not, they aren't true friends. It's incredibly frustrating and difficult when I feel so alone & am struggling but have no one to talk to & get things off my chest to. It has resulted in many lonely days, sleepless nights, a million thoughts going through my head, and countless tears shed.

As a result of all this, I have wanted to give up & just forget it all at times. However, I know I can't give up for many reasons. It's just in the moment when I have 2,738 thoughts going through my head that I psyche myself into thinking giving up is the best option. That's so wrong though. In the grand scheme of things, this is all small when you look at the whole big picture. 

From now on, instead of longing to just give up, find a way to get rid of all my problems, and think that something is wrong with me because none of that is true or the way to react to it all. It will take determination to change my way of thinking and perseverance to push through it all. This process won't be easy, but it will be so worth it in the end. As I re-wire my thinking, I'm also evaluating my life and what my priorities are. I spend lots of time thinking and focusing on schoolwork. I should spend more time bettering myself and getting closer to Christ. This was brought to my attention in a new light thanks to a friend.

A few days ago, this dear friend texted me to check up on me and after some talking & her asking what was going on, me telling her some of my frustrations and all, she replied with some advice. There was one specific thing she said that struck a cord in me. She said, "usually lonely times are the just opportunities to get closer to Christ." I had never thought of it that way before. I always despised these "ruts" of me feeling so lonely. Never would I have thought it would be a blessing in disguise and that it would present the perfect opportunity to become closer to Christ. Although I still may not embrace the lonely times, I will look at it in a new light and take that time to better my relationship with my Savior. 

I know that everything will get better eventually. Just takes time. It may be these very experiences that are preparing me for something greater in my life or preparing me to be able to help someone in need down the road who went through the same experiences.

Here's to not giving up, becoming better, and getting closer to Christ.

Beginning of a New Chapter | Late Night Thoughts

The start of 2017 hasn't been easy. With the new year and new semester at school has come with it an insanely busy schedule, lots of homework, too much snow, new friends, meeting some Rockies players, lots of laughter, good times, but also some trials, and quite a few sleepless nights. I'm amazed at how fast time goes by.

This shouldn't be any surprise to me since time always seemingly goes by so fast. When in the moment, it stands still at times.

I've been in the same routine for a while. I go to college at Utah State. I come home often. I had friends in Logan, friends here at home, and friends from other places as well. I like being social and doing things with my friends. Spending time with friends is one of my fave things. Just something about being around people who accept you & feeling like I belong. I find comfort in that. I think that's why I've struggled so much recently after various things have occurred. Loneliness has become a regular feeling for me as of late.

This has led me to evaluate many things in my life & to see what I really want to do & who/what I want in my life. After much thought, life is too short to keep people or things in my life that aren't helping me or who bring me down. This has been incredibly difficult to let people & things go that aren't helping me progress & help me be a better person. Copious amounts of prayers have been said and many hours pondering about what I should do. I'll continue to pray about it and what path I should take; it's a never ending process.

While I've been going through all of this, my family has never left my side. As well as very few select friends. How eternally grateful I have been & still are grateful for all of those people. Throughout this process, I've had to make some hard decisions & let go of people who have already fulfilled their role in my life.

With that begins a new chapter in my life. I didn't think this would happen, but I'm learning to be okay with less people in my life. Quality over quantity. This new chapter is very different, but I'm adapting to it & learning to enjoy life more fully. Even if I have to enjoy it on my own.

The lesson behind all of this is to not fear change. I might be somewhat terrified of this new chapter, but at the same time I'm embracing it. I may not know what I'm doing exactly. But it's quite alright because my loving Heavenly Father has a perfect plan for it. He's in control & knows I need this in my life.