Looking Back

Highlights of 2011

What a year!  Just reminiscing on some of my favorite happenings..

I always love the beach :)

Thirteen consecutive weeks of going on one date every week, asking the boy out for all but 3 of those dates.

Making kites with Matt

Made some of my best friends, Team 113: 

Danie, Yandhi, Rachel and Taylor

Met and ate dinner with Matt the Meese

Turned 21-- and still no alcohol ;)

Birthday Dinner

Ran most mornings for a few months straight.

Before my first 5K

Sara graduated!

First time holding hands.  First kiss.  First boyfriend.  First break-up.
(About time for all of those, I think!)

Eating at Porter's Place

Watched many of my good friends leave on full-time missions: 

Clay, Ashley, Erika, Conrad, Christine, Matt, Nate, and Mikey.

My sister came to BYU, too, and my parents came to visit us in Utah.

Saw Taylor Swift in concert!

Got on academic warning with a 1.8 GPA.
Got off academic warning with a 3.8 GPA.

Dominated my dreaded Econ 110 class with an A.

Lost a total of 40 lbs!

The Power of Scripture

In October General Conference, Elder Scott gave a message called, "The Power of Scripture."  It wasn't one of the talks that immediately impressed me at the time.  I've never really liked memorizing scriptures, probably because I didn't think I was good at it.  But over the last few months I found myself increasingly turning to the scriptures for comfort and strength.  Then I recently went back and re-read Elder Scott's talk.  I realized that I had discovered the truth of his words for myself.  When we memorize scriptures, they truly become friends that we can call upon at any time.

As Elder Scott says, "They can become stalwart friends that are not limited by geography or calendar.  They are always available when needed."

"Learning, pondering, searching, and memorizing scriptures is like filling a filing cabinet with friends, values, and truths that can be called upon anytime, anywhere in the world."

"To memorize a scripture is to forge a new friendship.  It is like discovering a new individual who can help in time of need, give inspiration and comfort, and be a source of motivation for needed change."

"Pondering a passage of scripture can be a key to unlock revelation and the guidance and inspiration of the Holy Ghost."

"Scriptures... have the power to heal emotional challenges when there is faith in the Savior."

There are so many verses that I've gone back to over and over again to find peace and direction.  Sometimes it was a very familiar scripture that took on new power or meaning.  There were also completely new scriptures that I discovered.  I've written them down and I keep them where I can see them often (like the desktop of my computer).

I know God will speak directly to us through the scriptures if we listen to the Spirit.  It's been an amazing and wonderful to experience it for myself.  I love this gospel!