Last Sunday.

I taught my last lesson as a relief society teacher today. It was a good one, on trials, that I really enjoyed. I talked about how we can grow not only from our own trials, but from other people's as well. We watched My New Life, which I was surprised how many people haven't seen it or even heard their story. Then I shared a quote from her book by Elder Holland that I really love:


“We look for Christ’s scars because they are evidence of what He did for us. They’ll be the first things He shows us when we see Him again. Your scars tell a story, too. Although they may not make you feel attractive, they are a witness of a miracle, that God blessed you to live, and that you have accomplished very difficult things.” 

While he was talking about her physical scars, I think this applies to the spiritual and emotional scars that everyone has from their own trials. We have all overcome difficult things and have come out better and stronger on the other side. We shouldn't be ashamed of our trials; we should be proud that we endured them well and share our experiences and what we have learned to help other people come closer to Christ. 

Anyway, I really love that quote and I am really going to miss teaching relief society. We will see what lottery I draw in my next ward. 

Sunday Thought

Happy St. Patrick's Day everybody! Hope everybody wore some green today. But on a more sunday centered note, I taught in relief society today. While I was preparing, I was looking for videos and decided to watch My New Life, Stephanie Nielson's story about her crash. This video is an oldie, but a goody. I have seen it a bunch of times, but I still love it and feel the spirit every time I watch it. I decided to start her memoir Heaven is Here because I have heard wonderful things about it and so far its very engaging and uplifting. Her story reminds me of when we first watched it on journey which seems like forever ago. And I hope someday I can have a cute little happy family like her. But watch the video. Its one of my favorites. 

Back in the Swing

Classes have picked up. I have my first test monday (yikes!) It's like the summer never happened with my roommates and I. Strangely, I missed the library. Its good to be back in the college routine--expect for now this college routine does not see the wee hours of the morning as often as before. 

Football games. Nothing is more college than football games in the Fall. Not that this game felt autumny at all due to the bright hot sun the whole time. Still, the excitement of games just fuels the excitement of a new semester. 

Devotionals and firesides. One of the coolest things about BYU is the opportunity to hear from prophets and apostles on a regular basis. Last sunday was regional conference and Elder Oaks spoke along with a myriad of 70's, mission presidents and temple matrons. This was extra special because we got to sit on the floor. And no, this does not mean sit on the ground. They bring chairs to fill in the basketball court so we were super close.

Cooking. Now this is not at all routine from freshman year were all our meals came courtesy of our magic money. But I love cooking. On sunday's, one roommate cooks for everybody and this week Moriah taught us how to make sushi. I know. We are super cultured. 

End of the Year.

Many things have happened this year that have surprised me. Coming to college its self was shock, and figuring it out was another thing entirely. Looking back, I can't believe how swimmingly things have worked out. I made some of the best friends I could have ever imagined. I handled some of my hardest setbacks more on my own then ever before. And it makes me realize that it wasn't just a coincidence that I met who I did, and that I couldn't overcome those obstacles without help. Those realizations allow me to notice the hand of the Lord in my life and the overwhelming impact He has in my life, and I am incredibly grateful. 

So those best friends I mentioned, some of them I will be living with next which I am overly stoked about, but the rest are all awesome young men who will be leaving on missions for the next two years. I am so happy and excited for them, but at the same time, I'm going to miss them a ton! I found this quote on pinterest (story of my life, I know) and it instantly become one of my favorites.

So I know its pretty depressing to have to leave at all, but since goodbye's are inevitable, I am trying to keep this in mind. Along the same lines, whenever I think of goodbye's, I think of the rainy car scene in Parent Trap, and the song they play during that scene is the epitome of sad goodbye songs. So here it is. My sad goodbye song for my going home playlist :(

If any of my college friends happen to read this, thanks for an awesome year and I really am going to miss you all. Have great lives!

Conference.

My parents and my favorite brother Gus came to visit over conference weekend. Why just Garrett you might ask? Well, we have this tradition in my family that when we turn twelve our parents take just us to conference. I got to tag along since I was already in Utah. 

We had so much fun. They came and visited me on campus on Friday and Gus came to class with me. I treated them to lunch at the Cannon and then we headed up to Park City. To my dad and brother's dismay, we had to hit the outlets and I picked out all my birthday presents. We were feeling adventurous and decided to try out this new Italian restaurant in Park City called Maxwell's. It was very delicious. Conference was great as always.  I enjoyed all the talks, especially Elder Holland's. It was a blast discovering City Creek with my mom. It is the mall to rule all malls. We also taught Gus Rook and drank freshly squeezed orange juice. What a weekend. 

He has officially grown taller than me. 12 year old giant. 

Gus at his first ever Priesthood session. If you look vvvvveeeeerrrrryyyyyy closely you can see the stain on his shirt from P.F. Chang's. He can't resist the Mongolian Beef :)

And on an unrelated note, happy birthday to me!!!!

Sunday Best

I hate Utah wether. Today, it dropped 30 degrees and snowed. Snowed! Last week we had relief society outside and this week we ran up the hill to church in a blizzard. 


But on the upside, Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Twelve Apostles came and spoke in my ward today. It was a very special experience to be sitting so close to an apostle of the Lord and have him tell us specifically what my ward needed to hear. My favorite quote he said today was following the story of the woman in the old testament with the blood disorder who touched Jesus's robe and was healed without Jesus consciously knowing. He said "the power of prayer and the power of faith are independent of cognitive recognition." I thought that was a very insightful and comforting comment that really resinated with me that if I have enough faith in line with righteous desires, I can blessed and healed and comforted simply by having faith and praying. That's how closely those commandments and promises are tied. 


I also want my family to know how much I love them. Someone close to me lost her grandmother unexpectedly and I want to make sure that if I ever was confronted with such a situation, that I wouldn't be wondering if they knew how much I love them. Mom and Dad, thanks for the great influence and support you are in my life. Jacquelyn, I know we butt heads, but you really are a great sister and so smart and pretty. Kristen, I always say we would be friends at school if we were the same age, but in fact you would be WAY cooler than me Ms. Stu-ent Body President. Gus, I miss playing Wii and seeing you grow taller before my very eyes and I can't wait till you come up for conference. Lauren, I love you, my crazy baleelee. I know its cliche, but I really don't say these things as often as I should. Just know, I love you all very much. 

Digital Nativity.

Happy Christmas Eve everybody! Hope this holiday season has been just as merry and bright as you have always wished! And that all the hype and anticipation will be fulfilled tomorrow by the presents and fun. In the meantime, here is a Christmas video that I enjoyed.

I love the ending message: though the times have changed, the feelings remain the same. Have a Merry Christmas!

Yeah, I Know it's Late.

So yesterday was a very crazy day. I had to write two essays that were due today. It was very high-stress but I got them all turned in and everything was great. 


Today in my development class we were talking about self and identity development and all this stuff and my teacher asked us who we are and everyone said "children of God". Is it bad that I said my name first? Then he decided to compare genders and asked all the girls who we are and there was a mass recitation of the personal progress theme. It took me a while to catch on. I guess that shows just how out of practice I am with Young Woman's!

This picture is from pinterest. A web site that my roommate got me addicted to. One more awesome distraction!!!

Also, today I started watching the show New Girl with some girls on my floor. It is my new favorite show second only to Modern Family. It is so funny.

Watch it. Also I'm really excited for my parents to come in less than six days!!! Woo Hoo!!!! And on that note I have to go to bed so I can study for my four tests next week!!