Have the courage to be imperfect.

This is a beautiful quote. It takes courage to be imperfect while you're striving for perfection. Becoming perfect (like Christ) is a process, and you have to be brave because being imperfect isn't seen as something to be, so the world tries to define beauty and perfection for everyone. Don't let it define you! Be brave as you strive for perfection. :)

Graduation announcements and blessings.

Okay, so we ordered my graduation announcements a while back and we ordered 50. I didn't realize that there would be more than 50 people that I would want to let know that I am graduating! So my orchestra teacher suggested that I do a photo announcement from Costco and my mom said that was a great idea and I could do it. So I have one of my favorite baby pictures and a couple of my favorite senior pictures, but I couldn't find a picture of just me right in the middle.

So I'd been looking at pictures for like an hour, and I had come across a bunch of cute pictures of me as a baby and as like a four to six year old, but none that I was just like, "Ah ha!", you know? I got to some pictures of my baptism; one with my sister Halie, and I was like, "This one would be cute," but I really just wanted one of me. A few pictures later, I found one of just me! I was like, "This is it! This is the one!" And I'm so excited because it's so cute and I just LOVED my baptism dress! And I think it's funny (ironic) that I chose that picture because I've got a picture from each really important part of my life–my baby picture, my baptism picture, and my senior picture–and I'm moving on to another really important part of my life.

I know that Heavenly Father blessed me to be able to find it. There were some pictures before that I thought would be cute, but I kept looking just in case I found a better one, and I'm so glad I did because I really do love the picture that I picked.

I know that education is important because our knowledge is all we're going to take with us when we die. I'm really nervous to start the next chapter in my life, but I'm also really excited. Just–remember to cherish everything. You never know how much you will miss something or miss being a certain age until you're a senior in high school–or a wife, or a mother–and you realize that your life has flown by. So I just ask you to cherish the moments. Life is fleeting, and you will find yourself wishing you could go back in time. Love every moment. <3

Catch up, tour, and blessings.

I know it's been a while since I've posted, and I'm sorry. I had Spring Break last week and we went to Disneyland/California on tour and then Sunday I slept. Then this week we went back to school and it's been really busy trying to catch up on my English homework because I thought that we didn't have to read over spring break, but we actually didn't have any reading due over spring break. So I've been behind in the reading a little bit, but I finally caught up yesterday. Tour was so much fun! We learned a lot about teamwork and leadership skills, and we got to go to Disneyland and California Adventure and it was super fun! My friends and I got stuck on the Indiana Jones ride and we were hanging with Indiana–literally:

My friend accidentally made that pun when she texted our teacher that we were going to be late to the leadership training. It was hilarious! We also went to the beach, and we saw the Pacific Symphony in concert–Paul Anka performed the last half of the concert. He was funny–he went into the audience and some lady was on her phone and he took it (He was in the middle of singing a song) and sang to the person on the other end with some improv lyrics. He was a little bit dirty, though, and I felt really bad for Mrs. Kelley–she looked so embarrassed. Oh! Saturday night we went to a pirates diner, and Mrs. Kelley and her husband were both busy, so I was watching her baby (He's so adorable!!!) and playing with him–he really liked the bus hahaha–and I have noticed that when he gets sleepy, he tends to tug on his ear and suck his thumb, which he started doing. So I started to sing him some lullabies, and he kept getting a little distracted, especially when his mom would start talking because he loves her so much, but I was also rubbing his back as I sang to him, and he finally started to calm down and he fell asleep. He was drooling while I was playing with him, and when he fell asleep, he continued drooling, so by the time we got to the diner, my shirt had drool all over the front–and the inside! Haha he's such a cutie and the drool was no big deal–I'm the oldest of nine, remember, so I've dealt with babies before. Drool I can deal with; spit up? Nope, that's a deal breaker, haha! :) All in all, it was a fantastic trip and I'm so glad I was able to go.

I know that Heavenly Father blessed me to be able to catch up on my reading for English, and I know that He kept me safe on tour–I had trouble with steps all throughout spring break and tour. On Monday, at home, I tripped up our front stairs outside–We only have two and I didn't even get to the second one. I cut my big toe and my second toe on my right foot pretty bad. So it was sore all throughout tour, but I didn't even really notice it unless I hit my toes on something. So that was a blessing. I know that Heavenly Father was watching out for me–I am accident-prone and when I tripped, it could've been worse, but it wasn't. I know He loves me, and I'm so grateful for Him and for His Son. 

Happy Easter! Conference weekend. :)

But when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away, (for it was very great,) and two angels sitting thereon, clothed in long white garments; and they were affrighted.
But the angels said unto them, Be not affrighted; ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified; he is risen; he is not here (JST Mark 16: 3-4)

I know He lives! I know He loves us. I know that He is always there for us. I hope you have a happy Easter. #BecauseHeLives :)

Conference was absolutely wonderful!! Here are some of my favorite quotes:

Saturday Morning Session:

God is our father. His mercy is without limit. ~President Packer

We are here to help, lift, and rejoice with each other as we try to become our very best selves. ~Sister Burton

If we are not rooted in the teachings of the gospel and regular in its practices, any one of us can develop a stony heart. ~Elder Oaks

Believing in Him and in His redemptive power is "the true path to peace". ~Elder Clayton

The entire theology of our gospel centers on family and marriage. ~Elder Perry

Saturday Afternoon Session:
"If we don’t try, we’re just latter-day sinners. If we don’t persevere, we’re latter-day quitters. If we don’t allow others to try, we’re latter-day hypocrites." ~Elder Renlund

Following His light and example will bring us joy, comfort, and peace. ~Elder Cook

In His mercy God promises forgiveness when we repent and turn from our sins. ~Elder Renlund

Sunday Morning Session:
"He still extends unending grace." ~Elder Holland

"Grace unlocks the gates of heaven and opens the windows of heaven...The grace of God is our great and everlasting hope. The plan of mercy appeases the demands of justice...His Grace refines us, and helps us become our best selves." ~Pres. Uchtdorf

Sunday Afternoon Session:
We must not forget that moral agency is an essential part of God’s plan available to all his children. ~Elder Hales

Enduring to the end is the great test of discipleship. ~Elder Pearson

We see God’s miracles in His wondrous work and in our lives...God is mindful of every people...His mercy is over all the earth. ~Elder Andersen

Faith in God engenders a love for the Sabbath. Faith in the Sabbath engenders a love for God. ~Elder Nelson

This weekend has been a great weekend, full of fantastic messages from our church leaders. I had many prayers answered, and I am so grateful for the messages that were spoken! I'm so excited for spring break–we leave for tour on Wednesday, and I couldn't be happier!! Literally, my body is super excited!! Hope you had a wonderful Easter and conference. Bless you all! :)