Gymnastics Team

There is something special about a gymnastics team.  It's a special group.  It probably has something to do with spending 20+ hours a week together for years, but it is more than that for me and my team.  People say that they were family with their high school sports team, but a private club gymnastics team has a whole different level.  Yes, we competed against each other in competition, but I couldn't have asked for a more supportive team.

We not only grew up together, but we shared in struggles, crazy coaches, boy problems (or just having to have the boy come to the gym to meet the team per Sue), family issues, sicknesses, injuries, etc.  We went through divorces of parents, depressingly bad meets, concussions, a splitting head open, other broken body parts, and travelling all over the country together.  We got our first jobs and learned to coach together, but learning to coach each other.

Every year/school break, we would get together and remember old times and catch up on each others lives.  A trip to Bertucci's always, with lots of rolls!  We had teammates travelling to Europe, the Middle East, graduating schools and getting full-time grown-up jobs!


On my wedding day, I received this video from my teammates, which is the most recent time I saw most of them:

I am so grateful to have had these girls by my side all these years.  They are part of my family, and I will love them forever.

Tonight I learned that we have lost a member of our family, and it has made me sad.  Dwecky was always an inspiration to me.  She was one of the youngest on our team, but lead the pack when it came to any kind of endurance work-out.  That girl could run forever!  It pushed us all to be better and run faster, that's for sure.  She was hilarious, always positive, and inclusive to the whole team.  She also was wicked good at gymnastics football!  She is an inspiration to me as a hard worker and dedicated teammate and friend.

I will miss her.  Our team will miss her.  We have lost a member of our family.  I look forward to the day that I will get to see her again and it will be a heavenly reunion.  Til we meet again.

People

Fact:  There are some crappy people in this world.  In the past 8 or so hours, I feel that I have seen some of the worst of the worst.  From the horrible bombings on one of the most celebrated holidays back home to drunkards insulting coworkers.  I don't know how people get to such a sad place in their lives that they feel justified in their actions.  It's always hard being away from home.  It was terrifying to think of friends and family back there.  And then not having phones working was pretty traumatic.  

You know what gives me hope though?  The great people of the world.  "Boston is a tough and resilient town."  I admire my friends.  People who have checked in with me to make sure my family and friends are okay, which they are, gratefully.  I have seen incredible acts of humanity today. I have friends in Boston who have opened their homes to people who need it.  I hear of runners who were forced to stop the race, who then in turn, went to the hospital to donate blood to those who needed it.  So many people went to donate blood that they are turning them away now.  

People of Boston ran to the help of the victims.  And I have watched on Facebook as hundreds of my friends have extended their prayers towards Boston.  There are famous football players helping victims to safety.  I watched my coworker turn the other cheek when a crazy man made some appalling comments.  

My brother sent an email today from his mission, not knowing what happened today in Boston.  He opened his email with this: "It always makes me very sad that no one even realizes it is Patriot's Day in California. I love Patriot's day. It is the best, but none of the missionaries here even know what it is. :( Sad day."

I am grateful for people who understood that while they maybe don't get it, they know the impact that it made on the people of Boston...and me.  I am grateful for family who checked in.  I'm grateful for a fiance who takes care of me, physically and emotionally.  I am grateful for a people that turn to God in prayer.  I am grateful for a knowledge of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  

All in all, I am grateful for a knowledge of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  There are some crappy people.  But I am grateful that I get to strive to be more like Jesus Christ everyday.  I am grateful that I was raised in a way that I was taught to be a better person and to learn from mistakes as I grow.  I am grateful for the people in my life who choose to do the same.  I am grateful for the people of Boston.  My prayers go out to them.  I hope yours do too.

Changes

Sometimes life changes. We change. I change. I was talking to one of my best friends about this the other day. I have changed so so much in the past year. For the better. I've learned a bit about myself. And more about what I want out of life.

Throughout my mission and when I came home one of the things that people would always ask was, what did you learn on your mission? Or what is the biggest lesson that you have learned? And my most common answer that I remember is that I learned how involved God is in each one of our lives. Everyday. Every part. Everyone. Now it's almost been three years since I've come home... And I've seen this even more in my life. On my mission I saw how missionaries were used as tools to touch other people's lives for God at just the time when they are needed.

And while on occasion I feel I am sometimes used that way, I see now somewhat of a grander plan. I've been molded in the past year. There have been times that have been pretty rough. There have been times that have been pretty lonely. There have been times that have been pretty busy. There have been times that I have felt pretty stressed, or frustrated, or irritated, or disappointed (with myself at times, with others at other times).

But one thing that I know is that God has been there watching out for me and helping me all along the way. To be where I need to be. And who I need to be. I'm not by any means perfect, but I am extremely blessed. God leads us to happiness. Every. Single. Time. Whether it's a text from a friend you haven't heard from in a while, or a hug from a little kid in class, or an email from a family member about something ridiculous, or a boy who makes you feel like a million bucks every day. As long as we're trying, God will always always always let us feel his love and help us to find joy. We have to look for it. And strive for it. And sometimes He's so awesome to give us tastes of it without our work. But imagine how great it's gonna be when we reach the other side if these little bits of happiness are just tastes of what we could have....life is grand my friends. God is great. Keep it up. It's worth it. I promise.

Odd Ducks

I'm kind of odd.  I make weird faces.  I love tandem bikes.  I am a Harry Potter nerd.  I sing preschools songs throughout the day.  I skip when I get excited.  I'm a bit awkward.  I dress up for holidays.  I relate with characters in TV shows and movies.  I don't answer my phone.  I'd rather go to Chili's than Cheesecake factory.  I wear bright colors that don't match.  I get distracted easily.  I wear fake glasses sometimes.  I like LOTR and Star Wars.  I own a furby.  I can shop in Target for like 2 hours.  I can pass for a 15 year old.  I'm ridiculously early normally.  I don't eat like a normal person.  I hate public speaking but love teaching.

People's quirks are what make them interesting.  I love odd ducks.  I love being odd.  I love being just a little off.  I know who I am.  I know God wants me to be the best ME I can be.  Quirks and all.  Bonkers is the way to be.  I highly advise it.  Try it out :)

Superwoman

Sometimes I like to pretend like I have no weaknesses.  I try very hard to be the best that I can be in most aspects of my life.  Then I try to put too much on my plate, and do too much, and realize that I still have too much to do...and I end up here in bed, with plans to see the doctor in the morning cause within the past 3 days I've had fevers, aches, lightheadedness, and most recently a wretched cough that needs to go away.  I'm not good at saying no, I am staying home from work.  Or no, I am not going to that meeting.  Or no, I need that time for myself.  So here I sit....feeling like I did last year when I got bronchitis....or the year before when I got pneumonia...Someday, I will find the balance.  Someday.........

California

It's been a year since I packed up all my belongings in a car and moved to a place where I knew practically no one.  Let's review my goals I made on my solo car ride....
1)  Pay my own taxes.  (daddy has always done it...now I get to be a big girl this year :))
2)  Go to see a movie by myself.
3)  Go somewhere cool off my bucket list.  (well probably at least two places cause San Fran is on my list and I will most certainly be doing that, but somewhere else in addition.)
4)  Read all 7 Harry Potter books again now that I have the set :)
5)  Go to all the temples in California.  (made it to 5/7)
6)  Visit Rexburg at least once.
7)  Learn how to cook with all the different spices on my spice rack.
8)  Once I get a place in Cali, and my parents come to visit and bring my sewing machine, I would like to sew a dress.  and a halloween costume.  I want a sweet halloween costume this year.  

Not too shabby.  I have a feeling this year is gonna be a grand one.  This past one was a grand one.  Talk about having the opportunity to learn and grow.  Some extra things I accomplished not on my list from last year:
1) Go to 2 best friend's weddings.
2) Full time job with benefits where I've learned tons about myself.
3) Met lots of people, some of whom have and will continue to change my life.
4) Went to the olympic trials front row (thanks to Dave :))
5) Became RS Pres in my ward here...
6) Free tickets to the circus and disney on ice
7) Tour of Champions where I got to meet the olympic gymnasts (thanks mom and dad :))
8) Met the awesomest guy, who for some reason thinks I'm pretty awesome too ;)

Life is grand.  Christmas at home has been wonderful.  My parents got me a tandem bike.  I'm stoked.  I've got to see and spend time with my brothers and their families.  I also have gotten the overwhelming confirmation that I am where I'm supposed to be right now in life, which is such a comforting feeling.  God knows what's up.  He's got a plan.  Just gotta trust and life is the best :)  Happy New Year's Eve my friends :)

Patience

Home

I get to be home in exactly 2 weeks and words can't even express how excited I am! It's been almost a year since coming out here to california and can I just say its been amazing how much things have changed?

I had a big temptation to move back home a couple weeks ago. Cut backs at my current job, plus a job offer from my old boss back home, plus a bit of homesickness made the time before thanksgiving real contemplative and reminiscent. That time the year before I had been making what ended up being the decision to come out to california.

Long story short, a conversation with the owners of my company led to me getting a promotion, with an additional promotion in mind in the next year. Roomies and I are looking for a house to rent to make things a bit more permanent now that I'm staying. And best friend got baptized. Life is superb and wonderful and I know I am where I am supposed to be right now.

But I'm still oh so excited to ship off to Boston for the holidays to see my family and some of my favorite souls of all time. Christmas presents in the works and holiday cheer in the air. Love this Jesus and family centered time of year, especially knowing I get to go see them in 2 weeks!!! God is great. California is good. Life is wonderful :)

The Brad Pitt Rule

Boys.  Take note:

http://artofmanliness.com/2008/02/05/the-brad-pitt-rule/

Check it out :)

God

God is so aware. My best friend got baptized yesterday. Before that I had been doing a lot of reminiscing and thinking back on my life and how it's changed, particularly in the last year. And then today, during relief society, miss Lindsay taught a splendid lesson from elder holland's talk.

So as part of the lesson, Lindsay did what a lot of teachers do and handed out quotes from the talk for girls to read. And here's where my life changed. Quote read by my dear coach Auna about halfway through the lesson:

"I testify from the bottom of my heart, with the intensity of my soul, to all who can hear my voice that those apostolic keys have been restored to the earth, and they are found in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. To those who have not yet joined with us in this great final cause of Christ, we say, 'please come.' To those who were once with us but have retreated, preferring to pick and choose a few cultural hors d'oeuvres from the smorgasbord of the Restoration and leave the rest of the feast, I say that I fear you face a lot of long nights and empty nets. The call is to come back, to stay true, to love God, and to lend a hand. I include in that call to fixed faithfulness every returned missionary who ever stood in a baptismal font and with arm to the square said, 'Having been commissioned of Jesus Christ.' That commission was to have changed your convert forever, but it was surely supposed to have changed you forever as well. To the youth of the church rising up to missions and temples and marriage, we say: 'love God and remain clean from the blood and sins of this generation. You have a monumental work to do, underscored by that marvelous announcement President Thomas S. Monson made yesterday morning. Your Father in Heaven expects your loyalty and your love at every stage of your life.'"

Amen.