8/30 Things: Passions

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What are 5 passions you have?

1. The gospel and church

My biggest passion in life.  Learning the gospel, teaching the gospel, sharing the gospel, and living the gospel of Jesus Christ as taught by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  <3

2. History of songs/artists/bands
Particularly American popular music, oldies and the classics. It's so interesting to me to learn about the history of a song, because that gives the song so much more meaning. As part of this, I especially love listening to songs on vinyl records!

3. To-do lists
I have to feel like I'm being productive.  One way I do this is to keep an online to-do list.  I can also access it from my phone.  Checking things off that list is one of the most satisfying things I can do.

4. Organizing/cleaning

I love organizing things.  Something about the way my brain works just needs things to be in order.  It's so satisfying when I organize something and I can look at what I've done.  Love it!

5. Sleeping

There is nothing better!  I am passionate about my sleep.  I may not get to sleep on time, but boy, do I like to stay asleep once I get there!  (Also, homework always comes second to sleep.)

7/30 Things: Dream Job

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What is your dream job, and why?

My dream job, I think, would be getting paid to travel the world and find the best destinations, beaches, hotels, etc.  I love flying, and I love staying in hotels, and I love visiting new places.

On a more realistic note, my dream job would be as a secretary or something in an office where I could use my organizational tendencies.  Also, I happen to love paperwork.  (Working for the Census Bureau office two years ago was my favorite thing!)

6/30 Things: Hardest Thing

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What is the hardest thing you have ever experienced?


In hindsight, most of the things I've been though don't seem so bad anymore.   I know they were definitely hard when I was in the middle of it, but I am grateful now for the experiences.

The hardest thing that I can remember enduring was my first break up, which happened 7 months ago.  It was hard because it was, surprisingly, the biggest blow to my testimony that I've ever had.  I learned a lot about faith, trust, hope, and personal revelation as I sorted through my shattered feelings during the next few months.  

It was hard emotionally, spiritually, physically, and mentally.  I lost my appetite for several months and often had to force myself to eat something.  All I wanted to do was sleep all the time, but I was Relief Society president and in the middle of a demanding semester.  To top it all off, my ex was in my ward, was the Elder's Quorum President, and was in one of my classes.  There was no escaping the memory of our relationship and no opportunity for closure.

The worst part was not being able to see the end of it.  I knew from the start that I would get though it fine, but that only made it harder to have to wait through it.

Now, I think the worst of it is over.  It's easy to look back and say that I'm grateful for it, but it was definitely the hardest thing I've ever experienced.

That being said, it was also one of the most spiritual times of my life, as I learned the truth of the scripture: "Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee." (Psalm 55:22)  Thanks in large part to the prayers of my family and friends, I felt the sustaining influence of the Spirit more than I ever had in my life.  The first few weeks, I knew it wasn't my strength that got me out of bed and carried me through each day-- it was Someone greater.

5/30 Things: Happy Things

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What are the 5 things that make you most happy right now?

1. Studying the scriptures
Whenever I am feeling down, reading and studying scriptures and conference talks really lifts me up. I can feel Heavenly Father's love as he communicates to me through the words of others.

2. Spending time goofing off with my roommates
I love my roommates. They are my best friends, and we have a lot of fun together. They relieve a lot of my stress by making me laugh-- a LOT!! And sometimes it's just nice spending time with people who I enjoy being around.

3. Volleyball and exercise
It's spring and summer term at BYU, which means, especially at Glenwood, that people get together and play volleyball every night in the sand pit by the pool. It's one of my favorite things about this time of year and one of the reasons that I love where I live. Also, I'm doing aerobics classes this summer, which are going to be a lot of fun. Endorphins!!

4. The warm weather!
I'm a Florida girl. No further explanation required.

5. Cuddling
Who doesn't like cuddling? It's just nice to spend time being close to someone you like. :)

4/30 Things: 16-year-old self

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List 10 things you would tell your 16 year-old self, if you could.

1. Don't have high hopes about dating in high school or at BYU. Don't base your worth on how many dates you get asked on.
2. Take more dual enrollment courses to get real college experience.
3. Learn to write long papers.
4. Learn what real research is and how to do it.
5. Read, read, read. Especially non-fiction.
6. Listen to and do what Dad says.
7. Have confidence. Be happy. Stop caring what others think of you and be yourself.
8. Really study the scriptures-- even conference talks! (Watch Conference on Saturday, too)
9. You won't always feel the way you do now.
10. Your relationship with Sara will get better once you leave home.