"The Greatest Blessings Come After Conference is Over"

It's fall break. Two claps for a four-day weekend.

BUT I'm at work. I've been working all weekend:

Thurs 7am-12pm
Fri     4pm-11pm
Sat     4-11
Sun    4-11
Mon   4-11
Tues   6am-12

Yeah. I know.

That's my fall break in a nutshell. Now, I'm not complaining to my co-workers or managers. I'll be honest, it does suck to work six days in a row. However, here's a few reasons why I've loved it.

1. More hours = higher paycheck
2. It's a slow weekend here
3. Both the co-worker and I who are working all weekend are from here in Cedar; the two others got to go home/spend time with family
4. General Conference talks
5. I've met some incredible people

This weekend, I've had a lot of free-time. Besides the cleaning and usual work, I've had at least FOUR hours (three of the shorter shifts) of nothing to do. Two weeks ago, I wasn't able to listen to General Conference as much as I would have liked to. As life is, I was surrounded by distractions. I took a few notes. There were some talks that stood out to me, but for the most part I hadn't gotten very much out of conference.

But then came Friday, when I had the amazing idea: Why don't I just listen to conference talks this weekend? I've got time. So thanks to the Gospel Library app and a quiet lobby, I've been listening to each talk and each session while taking notes. About an hour ago, I finished the Sunday morning session.

As usual, once I pay attention, General Conference becomes that much more amazing. I now have pages of notes from everything I've listened to. I've heard amazing doctrine and insight from our prophets and apostles. The church really is true. I can testify that I know, without a doubt, that it is. It contains all of the doctrine, principles, guidance, and comfort (and much more) that we need to make it through this life.

In his talk from the Saturday morning session, Robert D. Hales said that "the greatest blessings come after conference." Well, it's after conference. From the start of Friday's shift, I noticed my countenance change. I saw in myself a change as I wanted to listen to conference; as I wanted to listen to the words of God through His prophets. All of a sudden, I didn't mind that I would be working all weekend. I didn't mind meeting and greeting new faces (which I secretly dislike sometimes). My dislike of work and the monotonous tasks changed. I started to have a real smile on my face, not just a fake "Welcome! How are you today?" smile. I've met some pretty awesome people, one of whom I will probably be seeing around at school! On Saturday- within an hour- two different guests brought me a treat; one, a cupcake, and the other, ice cream from the place they had dinner. I saw a note from a different guest this morning that read, "The staff was really nice and helpful (we are here to visit the parks and don't have many info)."

Now I'm not saying that I'm a star employee or something now. I just am emphasizing what I know to be true. It's been testified to me throughout my trials and throughout this weekend. If my heart is turned toward the Lord and His word, it will ultimately make me a better person. It has changed my countenance and outlook. It changed me to become more outgoing and I sure hope the people I have come in contact with have seen the light of Christ in my eyes.

Today's advice to you? Turn your heart toward the gospel. Don't just be good or do good activities on Sunday. Incorporate the gospel and the light of Christ into your life EVERY day. It will make your life better. It has mine.

Keep running.

This Blog Has Been...

I know I'm getting worse and worse at writing regularly.


But for me, that's okay.


For the last nine months, this blog (yes, you can call it a blog, but please don't call me a blogger) has been a place to write down my thoughts and feelings. I've shared aspects of my life that have helped me go through what I've been through. No, I'm not sharing what I have learned as if I'm some sort of perfect person, because I'm not, nor do I think I am. There are things that one learns through trials that he/she needs to share.

I've wanted to do something like this blog for quite some time, and I know that it something I needed to do. I hope that those of you reading this have benefitted in some way. I hope that I've reached hearts, helped lives, and given people some insight on what really matters in life! If there is just one thing I've learned from the past almost four years, it's that the best thing you can do in life is reach toward the Savior. I definitely see Him as my best friend. When I'm sad, I reach out to Him. He's there. When I'm happy, I reach out to Him. I pray to my Heavenly Father in the name of Christ of how grateful I am for the things I've been given, the life I've been able to live, and the joy I've been able to experience. Once again, here's my favorite picture of the Savior.

I've grown a TON in the last ten months. At that time, I was getting ready for surgery yet again, wondering why the cancer had come back and why I had to face this again. I firmly believe that Heavenly Father has the power that could cause me to be cancer free- forever. I know that He allowed this trial in my life again because He knew that ultimately I could benefit from it. I've become a better person, a responsible adult, and I have so much more of a love for life and for the gospel. (In fact, I'm looking into a career in Speech Pathology. I wouldn't have even thought of this career if I did not have surgery and teeth removal, leading to the help of a speech therapist.)


I want you, reader, to know that I have a testimony of the gospel. I know that Heavenly Father is a loving God and father, and He wants us to return to Him someday as individuals greater than we could ever be in the Pre-Mortal life. I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior. He suffered not only for our sins, but for our pains, sufferings, and every time we feel hurt or alone. I'm grateful to be surrounded by amazing family, great friends, and good examples. I've been in a place where I was not close to the gospel, and I can promise you that although it might be a little work to read your scriptures and pray every day, it makes life SO much better. A life without the gospel is a life needing a new direction!

I hope that you have benefitted from this blog, and I hope to continue writing on it as long as I see fit. Thanks for reading my thoughts.

Keep running!

Insert Witty Title Here

He-e-ey! Long time, no... Talk? Read?

Back when I started this, I told myself I was going to write every week for as long as I could. I did really good for a while! It was a really good outlet for me while I was recovering. Maybe it's a good thing that I'm not writing every other week, now that I'm moved out, have a job, and going to school?

Things have been going really good for me. I miss my parents and little bro, but it's been a good experience. I'm getting used to living with others, providing for myself, and being responsible.

My classes are really good. I have three Communications classes (Writing for Comm, Interpersonal Comm, and Nonverbal Comm), a graphic design class (Digital Imaging), and CSIS (basic computer stuff... yeah........).

My ward is really awesome. I just got a calling, and I love the people I'm surrounded by.

My overall health has been good. I've been feeling great. I ride my bike to school quite a bit, and I even went running today!!

Although it's been smooth sailing for the most part, I have had my bad days. I've had times when I miss home. I've had times when I have a pretty good chat with my Heavenly Father. But every time that I'm sad, I stop being sad and be awesome instead.

By the way, that's not what I was going for. That was a How I Met Your Mother quote. :)

When I'm sad, I can turn to the best person ever. My Heavenly Father. I'm grateful for Heavenly Father and His influence in my life. I'm grateful that for the gospel and that I can constantly strive to be better. I'm grateful for the people in my life, and the people I run into at Wal-Mart. :) I'm REALLY grateful for loving parents who raised me in the church, taught me how to be righteous, how to live a good life, and how to be responsible. I can never thank them enough!

See that? You can even tell from a picture that they're just AWESOME!

So as I said earlier, I went running today. It was only 2-ish miles and I felt like I was going to die, but it was nice to remember how much I love running. Today was day one of getting back into the thing I love. And just for fun, here are 50 reasons why you should run:

1. I run to leave my troubles behind.
2. I run to move forward.
3. I run to be alone.
4. I run to be with others.
5. I run to push myself to my limits.
6. I run to test myself.
7. I run to compete with others.
8. I run to compete against myself.
9. I run to think about everything.
10. I run to think about nothing.
11. I run to listen to my heart.
12. I run to listen to my thoughts.
13. I run to listen to my music.
14. I run to listen to the quiet.
15. I run to take in the scenery.
16. I run to explore a new city.
17. I run to work out wherever I am.
18. I run to get from point A to B.
19. I run to save on gas.
20. I run to just get out and go.
21. I run to break in my shoes.
22. I run to buy new shoes.
23. I run to salute the sun.
24. I run to be in nature.
25. I run to have a routine.
26. I run to be spontaneous.
27. I run to breathe.
28. I run to relax.
29. I run to energize.
30. I run to reach new goals.
31. I run to reach new heights.
32. I run to reach new distances.
33. I run to get sweaty.
34. I run to become breathless.
35. I run to get vitamin D.
36. I run to manage my weight.
37. I run to enjoy that dessert
38. I run to be fit.
39. I run to be healthy.
40. I run to have great legs.
41. I run to have great lungs.
42. I run to be faster.
43. I run to be stronger.
44. I run to get better.
45. I run to escape.
46. I run to be present.
47. I run to be mindful.
48. I run to be a better athlete.
49. I run to be a better person.
50. I run to feel alive.
51. This picture.....
    

    

I run because I can. And as long as I can run, I will. (Source: here)
By the way.... I added #51.


So today, my "goodbye" applies to me, too. To all of you out there, just be you. The best you you can be.

Keep running!