Project: Wilson Family

I'm a really lucky girl. Wanna know why? Because I have the best aunt and uncle and cousins who live only 40 minutes away, who take great care of me while I'm here. It's so nice to have a place to go when I need a taste of home. I'm really appreciative to them. Anyway, Tuesday night was my cousin, Joseph's birthday, so I headed up there for the day. Lisa made delicious tacos and a really good ice cream cake.  My Uncle Eric was also here from AZ for work and so he was there as well. We had a good time. We played games and had some good laughs while watching YouTube videos. I get to go back up to watch conference with them and I'm excited. I don't have pictures, but I'm just really grateful for the Wilson Family and for all their love and help. They've helped me not miss home as much, and made the transition a lot easier.

Elevation of West Jordan: 4,590 ft.

Project: September Snow

September is supposed to be the month for the beginning of fall, right? Well I guess in Utah, September means snow? Its been pretty cold all week with rain down low, and snow on the mountains. It's beautiful and I love it. My roommates think I'm crazy and they tell me I won't be excited for the snow when winter arrives. But I think I will prove them wrong. I can't wait.

Isn't it beautiful? I'm in love.

 Snow= Christmas music. Duhh.

 Rain, Emma, 40 degrees, wind and the girl's soccer game makes for a good time.

Bathroom Selfies are completely necessary when you get to wear tights and boots. Obviously. {Totally kidding. Tori, Courtney and I were sending each other selfies to be funny.}

I guess this isn't the best picture, but the sunset on the snow looked so gorgeous. I love the snow! Even if it's only September.

Elevation: Snow on the mountains = 8,522 ft. 

Project: Tori comes to Provo

It was a week ago that Tori came to visit and we had a reaaall good time. Good food, good shopping, a good football game and good feelings at the temple were had. And we had a blast. I was a little depressed when I said goodbye all too soon. So there's that. Oh and of course we took pictures.

We started Tori's vacation right with a trip to Sammy's, right after we picked her up.

They had delicious Sweet Potato Fries.

Sammy's is known for their real pie shakes. And let me just tell you, they are gooood. I ordered a strawberry cheesecake shake. Divine.

If you can't tell, I meant it when I said it was divine. Cheesecake and strawberry chunks... my mouth is watering thinking about it!

 I think Tori liked it too

Love these two. Glad they came along to celebrate Tori's arrival.

Saturday we went and sent a package to a special missionary {Elder Goodman} and walked around campus. We even got ice cream that is from the creamery. BYU has great signs around campus-including this one. Do I make a good crazy scientist?

 Next on the to-do list was shopping at the giant Forever 21 at University Mall. I did good, I only bought two shirts that I paid a total of $10 for. Yay for clearance! Sadly, no picture. After shopping, we experienced JDawgs. Best hot dog I'd ever eaten!

 We weren't too sure how to tackle the giant.

We were both JDawg noobs. {noobz, newbz, newbs}

 To end the day, we attended the BYU vs. Utah game. BYU lost (wahhh) but we had a good time. So did the couple in the left corner of this picture. They really loved each other and weren't afraid to show it!

 Hey, I just realized. The girl above me is totally photobombing. Good job random girl.

 Party animals.

Go Devils!

 Tori got to experience BYU singles ward. Lucky for her! Also, I love my roommates.

Awk temple pic. Please notice my furry slippers. And all the missionaries in the background.

The Provo Temple has a great view of the lake.

 I took Tori back to the airport. We took a little detour before I finally dropped her off. And let me just say, I would NOT mind getting married in this temple. It's so magical.

 Loved spending time with Tori. Especially at the SLC temple.

I should be a professional photographer, I know. 

Thank you for coming to visit, Tori!

Elevation in SLC: 4,327 feet 

Project: I know Heavenly Father Loves Me

      Sometimes you have those days in the midst of some not so great or just usual, boring days where you're just like, "HOLY COW I HAVE A HEAVENLY FATHER WHO LOVES ME AND IS WATCHING OUT FOR ME!" Well, Today was/is one of those days. He has sent multiple answers to my prayers through out the day, and I would feel ungrateful and dumb if I didn't write them down somewhere. And, so naturally, I'm posting it on the blog. Because Today has ELEVATED my spirits!
      To start off the day, I got a beyond beautiful text while I was taking a potty break at work, from the great Treena Johnson. Do you wanna know what it said? It said, "Flights are wide open right now. {Insert emoji's here} And I'll be flying into Salt Lake [on Friday]." YES. Treena is coming to visit me this weekend! Gahh! I literally cried, out of joy. So in honor of this fantastic news, here's a cute picture of us.

Next, it not only rained, but it hailed! We all know that rain and/or hail can really lift this Arizonan's spirits. Even if the hail and rain only lasts for 30 seconds like it did today. Luckily, I captured a picture of it before it melted. 

Next on the list of answers to prayers, was the score of my MIDTERM in my least favorite class. It has been a struggle for me, and this midterm was really bearing down on me and causing some serious stress! But, through some studying and Heavenly guidance, I was able to pull through with a score of...

And finally, I was able to see that I'm not the only one that Hevanely Father is looking out for. He is looking out for each of us and uses us to answer other people's prayers. I'm so glad that I was able to talk to and help my dear friend Courtney, and help her receive answers and receive some insight from her in return. It definitely strengthened my testimony. Friends are so important, even if they are far away and the only way of communication at the moment is through Group Chat!

Elevation: At a peak on the graph of life!

Project: Testimony

Today, as I attended church, my testimony and love for my savior, Jesus Christ, was undeniably elevated and strengthened. I have no doubt that the Atonement is real. I have no doubt that Christ loves us enough to bear our sins for us,if we will only humble ourselves and apply the Atonement in our lives. I was assured by the Spirit, that Christ knows how I feel when I feel stressed and depressed about school. He knows my frustrations when I get a bad grade, when I feel lonely and home-sick, inadequate or awkward, and when all I want to do is crawl into my bed. He knows the feelings of all my pains. But He also feels the same joy, the same feeling of accomplishment, the same excitement, and love. He knows me so well, so I will put my faith in Him. I know that as I put all my faith in Him, He will guide me through this stressful, hard, emotion-packed, happy, crazy time in my life. I know He loves me. I love Him, and I know that it is only through His help, that I can make it through. As we sang the closing hymn in Relief Society, I was overcome with emotion and with the Spirit.

Hymn 117 "1. Come unto Jesus, ye heavy laden,

Careworn and fainting, by sin oppressed.

He’ll safely guide you unto that haven

Where all who trust him may rest.

2. Come unto Jesus; He’ll ever heed you,

Though in the darkness you’ve gone astray.

His love will find you and gently lead you

From darkest night into day.

3. Come unto Jesus; He’ll surely hear you,

If you in meekness plead for his love.

Oh, know you not that angels are near you

From brightest mansions above?

4. Come unto Jesus from ev’ry nation,

From ev’ry land and isle of the sea.

Unto the high and lowly in station,

Ever he calls, “Come to me.”

Elevation: High on the Spiritual scale.

Project:Top 10 reasons why Thursdays are good.

I was having a hard time coming up with a title. So I used that ^ lame one because I'm posting about this past Thrusday. Who gives. Anyway, I've decided that Thursdays {especially this past Thursday}are really good days for me. Here's a bunch of reasons why.

1. It was my favorite Little Z's 13th Birthday

2. I put up my fall wreath on the apartment door, so festive, I know. {Thanks Aunt Lisa, for the help!}

3. It rained!

    

4. I won a Kit-Kat and a $5 Yogurtland gift card at work. {Please excuse my chipped fingernail polish}

5. It was cold enough to wear my FEED jacket that my Dad picked out for me.

6. I got to go to institute and see this cool view from the upstairs windows.

7. I found this really fantastic picture of two of the cutest men on the planet. {Oops! One of them isn't on this planet anymore... R.I.P Heath}

Other reasons why Thursdays are good:

8. I usually have most of my school work done. 

9. People seem to be more interested in attending real estate seminars

 {That means more money for me at work!}

10.It's almost the weekend

Elevation: Cloud 9 

{because of Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Heath Ledger. Duh.}

Project: Single's Ward

I now completely understand... 

It finally happened. My third Sunday in Provo, and I finally attended my ward. And let me tell you, that movie, is pretty accurate, which makes it even more hilarious. Okay, so I might be overexaggerating a little, so let me tell you about my experience, it wasn't that bad.  

First of all, we meet at a building thats on BYU campus. But to get to campus, we get the pleasure of walking up a mile of stairs {pictured below.} It shouldn't be, but most definitely is, a struggle. I think that's why BYU's slogan is "RISE and SHOUT" because you RISE really high as you walk up the stairs, and when you have conquered them, you have the urge to SHOUT for joy {or exhaustion}. 

We made it and found our way to the appropriate room for sacrament. We walked in like 30 seconds late. I felt so awkward because everyone and I mean EVERYONE turned to stare as we walked in and found a seat. I was almost tempted to turn and walk back out. Anyway, marriage was mentioned at least 5 times during sacrament meeting. There are some cuties and some serious creepers. I hear thats the norm. Pictured below is a picture I found on google of a singles ward. I chose this picture for two reasons.

1. When we walked in, this is what I saw. This many people staring at me, and it was pretty frightening. 

2. When sacrament meeting was over, this is again what I saw as I walked out. There was SO many people out in the halls, and it was social chaos. Everyone was "mingling." It was a zoo of single adults.

There was this one guy, his name is Steve, who is especially creepy. He followd us around everywhere and we were all a little concerned. Relief society made me feel like a little child. Because all the girls there were old returned sister missionaries. I felt too young and a little out of place. But, aside from all  the weirdness that goes on in a singles ward, I'm grateful for it. It was beyond nice to be able to go to church and take the sacrament and feel the spirit that is present during church. And once again, I realize that the church is the same no matter where you are or how many weridos are in your ward. My testimony is still the same and the love I feel from my Heavenly Father is the same. 

And my love and appreciation for Him and Jesus Christ are strengthened. I love this gospel and the blessings that come from living it.

Elevation: 4,551 ft. + a mile of stairs.

Project: What am I doing here?

My mother and I arrived to my apartment on Friday, and I failed to take a "I made it to my new home" picture. We got my apartment all set up, visited my aunt and uncle and cousins who live in West Jordan, and then, on Sunday morning my mother left me. I cried as I watched her walk in to the airport. I was really on my own now. It was pretty hard to say goodbye to my mom. And then life began as I elevated myself a little bit by experiencing life by myself {literally, because my roommates hadn't made it yet.} Grocery Shopping, job hunting {and getting one! Thanks Response Marketing Group for hiring me!}and finding my way to institute. I stayed a couple of days at my aunt and uncle's house, so I wasn't so alone. Finally, Monday (a whole week later) came and my roommates arrived. I was beyond excited to see them, it meant I was no longer alone. I started work and kept working on my classes. I can already tell that work and taking these classes is going to elevate my patience level- they're a struggle. Tuesday night I had my first panic attack/meltdown and cried pretty hard. Thank you to my dad, I can always count on that weirdo to cheer me up and help me through. This whole "Grown-up, away from home" thing is hard. But I am doing it. I am elevating more and more! My roommates are great and we are having a blast. 

WARNING: weirdo pictured below!

  I don't understand his logic sometime. But thank goodness for technology and especially FaceTime!

                                                 They really miss me. Can you tell?

                                                                Double rainbow!

 We had a cool rainstorm, while the sun was still shining. It brought a full rainbow

 BYU girl's soccer game with Emma and Sarah. 5,402 people attended, so we were sitting on the ground.

 We won, 1-0. It was pretty intense. Who knew soccer could be that intense?

 Some may say this is a step towards higher elevation, and others might not, but I'm official now!

 This little creepy guy was on our stair railing.

 HUGE storm that hit, that caused delay for the football game, so I put my gear on, and enjoyed it!

Once, again! thankful for technology! I wasn't able to be there in person for her mission call opening, but was able to witness it through FaceTime. Congrats, Sister Johnson! California, Rancho Cucamonga, leaving January 15th!

Elevation of Provo: 4,551 ft.