Missionary Poem

A friend of mine shared this today in seminary. You can find the original here!

The alarm rings at 6:30; I stumble to my feet

I grab my companion's bedding and pull off his sheet.

A groan fills the room; is it already time to rise?

It seems like just a second ago I was able to shut my eyes.

The morning activities follow...study, prayer, and such.

When it's time to leave the apartment, you feel you haven't accomplished much.

"We have a super day planned," my comp. says with a grin.

I lowly utter a faithless breath, "Yea, if anyone lets us in."

With the word of God and my faithful Schwinn, we ride off in the street

Prepared to face another day of humidity and heat.

It's 9:30 in the evening, the day almost through;

My companion and I are riding home, not accomplishing what we thought to do.

We ride up to the mailbox, hoping to receive a lot.

Only to look inside and hear my echo reverberate, "air box"..

We go up into our apartment, the day is now complete,

The only thing to show for our work is a case of blistered feet.

It's past 10:30pm, my companion's fast asleep

Silence engulfs me all about and I begin to weep.

In the midst of all the sadness I kneel down to pray;

I need to talk to Father, but I'm not sure what to say.

"Oh Father," I begin, "What happened to us today?

I thought we'd teach somebody, but everyone was away.

My hands, my aching hands--worn, hurt and beat;

If only our area was any smaller, we'd knock down every street."

"Why on missions are the days so much alike?

The only difference about today was the flat tire on my bike.

Will you send me some cooler weather? The heat is killing me.

I sweat so bad, it gets in my eyes, it's very hard to see."

"Why do I have to wear a helmet, isn't your protection enough?

People always laugh at me and call me stupid stuff.

Please send us investigators so I may give them what they lack;

I want to give them Books of Mormon, the weight of them hurts my back."

"And what about my family? They don't have much to say,

I'm sick of not hearing from home, day after day after day.

Oh Father, why am I here, am I just wasting time?

Sometimes I just want to go home, I'm sorry but that's on my mind."

"My companion, Heavenly Father, what are you giving me?

The way he rides his bike, I don't think he can see

Now you have it, I can't go on, I don't know what to do;

That, my Father in Heaven, is the prayer I have for you."

My prayer now finished I stand up, then jump into bed.

I need my rest for tomorrow; we have another long day ahead.

Sleep starts to overtake me, I seem to drift away,

Then it seems a vision takes me to another time and another day.

I'm standing alone on the hill, the view is very nice;

A man walks toward me and says, "My name is Jesus Christ."

Tears of joy well up inside, I fall down to his feet,

"Arise," he states, "Follow me to the shade--you and I need to speak."

My attention's toward the Savior, total and complete. He says,

"Your mission is similar of what happened to me

I understand how you feel, I know what you're going through;

In fact, it would be fair to say I've felt the same as you."

"I even know how you felt when no one listened to you.

At times I felt not quite sure what else I could do.

I know you don't like to ride a bicycle, for you a car would be sweet;

"I understand you don't like sweating, in fact it's something you hate;

I remember when I sweat blood from every pore, oh the agony was great!

I see you don't like your companion--you'd rather have someone else--

I once had a companion named Judas who sold my life for wealth."

"It's hard to wear a helmet and have people make fun of you.

I remember when they put thorns on my head and called me King of the Jews.

So you feel burdened down by the weight of your pack.

I recall how heavy the cross was when they slammed it on my back."

"Your hands hurt from tracting and knocking on doors all day.

I guess when they pounded nails in mine, they ached in a similar way.

It's hard not to hear from home when your family's not there to see;

I lost communication on the cross and cried, "Father, why hast thou forsaken me?"

We have a lot in common, but there's a difference between us you see,

I endured to the end and finished my mission, so follow and do like me."

He embraced me with his arms, His light filled me with His love,

With tears in my eyes, I watched as He went back to the Father above.

I stood in awe and wonder when a beep rang in my head,

I listened and heard the alarm, then realized I was in my bed.

My companion let out a groan, "6:30 already, no way!"

I sat up and said, "Come on, I'll even carry your scriptures today!"

No matter what we go through, when we feel we can't take more,

Just stop to think about Jesus Christ, He's been there before.

Junior Year

Well here we are. At the close of another school year. And I am not ashamed to say I'm happy to see it go. This has been the craziest, most emotionally, mentally, and physically draining year of my life. Coming into this year, I thought it would be great. I would have all my friends, soccer would be perfect, and I would just be a regular teenage girl. Boy was I wrong! I don't know what happened, but people changed. And that's okay! Everyone does, and most of the time it is for the better. Personally, I know I changed A LOT. But it's made me a stronger person inside and out. I'm no longer friends with a lot of the people I was closest with. Would I do anything for them on anyday? Absolutely. Even if we don't talk now, they were a big part of my life and I'm always going to be there for them.
Emotionally...this year was hard for everyone is Davis Country. Specifically Clearfield and Syracuse High. Between losing our friends due to suicide, it took a toll on a lot of us. It made me realize that life is so fragile. You have to be conscious with everything you say to someone. You don't know the battles they are currently fighting. Tanner, Sam, Zack...you boys are always in my heart. I miss you all so much. I know you guys are looking over us though and sending us your love.
I lost my best friend this year. Nothing happened to him, we just grew apart. And it eats at me ever single day. I still have hope that one day we will work out our issues and be able to talk again. It's been officially three months since we've spoken. 9 years down the drain it feels like. I still love him to death. And he will always hold a special place in my heart that no one can fill. Love you, Broughykins. I hope you are doing well and everything is okay.

Soccer has been a whirlwind this year. High school season we should have dominated, but sadly struggled throughout the whole season. I definitely made some amazing friends and grew stronger. I've made the decision I am done with soccer. I don't have the drive for it anymore. I love my comp team with all my heart, but I don't love the sport. I've made the decision I am going to run cross country. I love it and I know I'm good at it. I think it will be such a good experience for me. I have one tournament with my comp team left.. we will see how it goes. It will be an emotional time for a lot of the girls. We are all sisters. We used to be so distant from each other, but now we all are so close. They were my best friends when I didn't like myself, my city, or my school.

Best friends always. I love my girls, my coach, and what I gave 11 years of my life to. I'm grateful for the experiences I had from this whole thing. I wouldn't take it back for anything.

It's not that school was hard this year. It was just draining. It seemed that no matter what, I couldn't agree with my Chemistry teacher. That took a toll on me and the entire class. No one wanted to be there. It seemed that everything just wore me out. Especially after having mono, strep, AND bronchitits. After that, I just couldn't focus. Those three months of being sick were horrible. I kept my grades up though, which I thought was a stressful task. I've come to the point where I wear jeans and a soccer shirt to school. And MAYBE mascara. I know, I've been looking lovely. But I just don't care anymore!

I'm so grateful for the gospel in my life. This year has been a test to see what I can live through. I don't know where I would be without the Church in my life. I'm in the middle of the Book of Mormon for the second time. I am catching things I didn't see or understand the first time I've gone through it. I'm grateful for a gospel that allows me to repent and know of the atonement. My life would be flipped all around with it as a steady rock.

Junior year, GOODBYE. It is time for us to part.. Thankfully. Summer? Be good to me. I want to be a teenager and have one of the most unforgettable summers yet. Senior year? Bring it on. :)

The happiness of life is made up of minute fractions—the little soon-forgotten charities of a kiss, a smile, a kind look, a heartfelt compliment in the disguise of a playful raillery, and the countless other infinitessimals of pleasurable thought and genial feeling.
-Samuel Taylor Coleridge

December 4, 2011

About July...I started reading the Book of Mormon. I decided I was going to finish is all the way through. And today, I finished it. It is such a big accomplishment for me. My testimony has grown so much from this book, and my faith has definitely soared. I love my gospel and the church I belong to.

100th Post

Well.. Pretty self-explanatory. I have been blogging for a little over a year now, about random adventures that I have taken, things that have stuck out to me, and things that tell who I am. So seeing as it is November, the month of thanking and giving, I'll do a post of what I'm thankful and grateful for.

*I'm grateful for my family. That laughs, the fights, the weird conversations. Carson, Gracie, my mom and dad, and even our three little dogs.

I'm grateful for soccer. Even though it has taken me on a roller coaster for 11 years, but it has defined me and helped me find out who I am and what I love.*

*I'm grateful for my talent in running. Without it, I would just be ordinary.

*I am so thankful we have music. Sometimes, you just need some Taylor Swift to cry to, or some Eminem to yell to. 

My friends. Things have been rough, but I'm grateful for the good times, the trials, and all of the memories we have made.*

*My house. My clothes. My I-Pod. Shoes. Purses. Make-up. Cleats. Pictures. My tooth brush. My car. Posters. Quote blocks. My phone.

*I am so grateful for the gospel. Without it in my life, I would be lost. It has helped me so much these last few weeks and I am thankful for our prophets who have helped us.*

*The Book Of Mormom. I am so so so grateful for it. I am almost finished with it, and I have learned so much from it. Its crazy how a book can affect someones life so much.*

*The Temple. Its my castle, and I am going to go there one day.

I am so thankful for the men and the women that serve our country and keep us safe and free.*

*Here is a shocker : I am grateful for school. Without it, we would be so worse off. It is going to be worth it after we get those diplomas.

I'm grateful for those days where I can come home and sit in sweats, with my hair pulled back, and make up off and just relax.*

*I am thankful for the days that I realize I have a life and I'm doing something productive to help someone or do something.

I know there is a lot I missed. There is so much to be thankful for, and this is the time of the season to thank those that have helped you. 

Thank you to my friends. You've made me stronger. You have given me laughs and memories I will remember forever. Thank you to my family for not giving up on me when I've been at my lowest. Thank you Marilyn Monroe for not being a size two and making everyone else feel more comfortable about their bodies. Thank you to The Redeemer for giving his life so we could be here and have these amazing opportunities. 

Seminary And Such

I'm so grateful for the kids in my seminary class. They have helped me through a lot, and I'm becoming great friends with a lot of them.

I don't like girls to much. Boys are much better to hang out with. 

Jeff-Kole-Landon-Karson.

I love these boys

Karson is pretty much my favorite in that class. 

And Jeff likes to creep on us?

Cute Alex (Leah) and I (Rachel)

To bad no one in the bible likes Leah..

And Kars has learned from Jeff to creep..

Been friends since I was a freshman. I love her. 

Becka and I

Porcupine-Zebulun-Jeff

Owl-Asher-Courtney

We tend to get into trouble a lot...but we have a good time, 90 percent of the time

Spencer! My senior friend from Math and Seminary

He likes to go and get me hot chocolate during class,

and he likes to talk to me, even when we are supposed to be quiet.

He doesn't take pictures, so I should feel honored (-Says Spencer)

Devin! He is a stud, and I'm so glad we are friends, and in the same class
Click the Read More Button <---

Thank You

That is all there is to say.
For years, we've grown up with the same young women leaders.
Today, they were released from their callings.
I don't think I have ever seen so many girls and leaders crying that much.

Change is so hard.
Especially with this. We have two leaders who we have really grown with.
Lindsay and Lisa. They were with us through everything.
From starting Jr. High and High school, to boys and family problems.
Saying goodbye to them was so hard.

We love our leaders. We look up to them so much.
We are more of a family and friends, not just a group.
They treat us like individuals and care for us in their own way.
I don't know what I would have done without some of these women.

The new leaders will be great.
I'm excited to see what they will do.
But still..
Why does goodbye have to be so hard?
I'm not ready for change.
I love my leaders, my friends, the women I call my 'other mothers'.
Today was hard, but I know there is a reason they had to be released.

We love you, Heritage Ward Young Womens

A Daughter of the Almighty

For you my dear friends, the sky is the limit. 

You can be excellent in every way.

 Respect yourself. 

Do not feel sorry for yourself. 

Do not dwell on unkind things others may say about you.

 Particularly, pay no attention to what some boy might say to demean you.

 He is no better than you. 

In fact, he has already belittled himself by his actions.

The Lord did not send you here to fail.

 He did not give you life to waste it.

 He bestowed upon you the gift of mortality, that you might gain experience, positive, wonderful, purposeful experience that will lead to life eternal.

*President Gordon B. Hinckley, Words of a Prophet:
Daughters of the Almighty, New Era, Nov. 2003