Finding Joy in the Journey

This talk given by President Monson a few years ago has always been one of my favorite all-time talks. I've read it countless times and know it very well. It's been a help when friends have asked for help and been a help in my own life as well. But this summer it truly hit hard and proved a huge learning experience that has been a blessing to learn.

Ever since I decided I was moving to SLC I have wanted nothing else but for the time to move to just be here already. As I've said before, I've just reached a point in my life where it's time for a change of scenery and a new adventure. Transferring schools and moving counties is definitely something that I need in my life but what I've missed was enjoying the little things.

I lived at home for the past year and although that's not exactly ideal for someone my age, nothing replaces being with your siblings. Especially because I will most likely not live at home again. It may sound pretty silly but nothing means more to me than my family.

It also hit me hard that I won't be coaching this next season. That was the one thing that was really keeping me here in the valley. Coaching is the most rewarding experience and I absolutely love it each and every year. I'm going to miss those girls, miss practices, games, the laughs, the ups and downs, everything about it. I really hope to be back at it soon though.

Although I am going through some hard times every now and then throughout this summer.. I've really come to realize that why wait for happiness? I'm not going to wait until I graduate, get married, strike it rich, etc. to "start" my life or "start" being happy and doing all the things I've wanted to do. That was, in fact, my new years resolution.

While I was so caught up in counting down the days until my move I missed the opportunity to make memories and truly just live in each and every moment.

So from now on..whether it be a hard or good time in my life..I'm counting my blessings in the here and now. I want to experience life to the very fullest while I have time and that means even going through the hard times and not counting the seconds until it's over. This may sound crazy as you are going through a hard time but honestly nothing makes a bad situation better than digging deep, putting your nose to the grind, and counting your blessings.

So this is the new, over-flowing-with-gratitude, happy, living in the moment,summer with Marlisa.

Running with Sadie..I've never had a better running buddy. So obedient.

Golfing with my dad, uncle, and brother (taking the pic)

Girls night in PC..btw..the coat I have on is $3,0000..pocket change.

Got back from dancing and decided to swim to the middle of the pond down the road from my house. Love random, adventurous, laugh-until-early-morning summer nights.

P.S. I just put the deposit down for my new home in SLC! :) Although I am enjoying the time until I move..I am pretty excited!

'Merica

To have our nation's birthday in the summer was the best idea ever! Good job founding fathers!

Also another good idea: making aerial fireworks legal in the state of Utah.

It seems like every other person is grouchy and upset about fireworks going off all night, every night for the whole summer but not this girl! I absolutely love fireworks! It's so mesmerizing and just American to stop everything and watch them explode overhead.

As I thought about the real reason we were celebrating my mind went back to my trip back east a couple years ago. There was no other place that just put me in history nerd heaven. I'm so grateful I was able to visit those places that not so long ago were the stomping grounds of the beginning of this country that I'm so blessed to be apart of.

A lot of the world looks at the United States as that big-headed brother that is good at everything. People see Americans as entitled and ignorant. Although I can't deny those accusations I also believe that that is what makes us Americans. Why shouldn't we believe we are the best? Our country was founded on people who believed they could do better, people who demanded respect, rebels with success..no wonder we continue with that same reputation. No wonder other countries come to study American young people because there is no one else quite like us.

Now let me quickly say that I don't believe I am better than others and I definitely don't believe that my country and the people in it are perfect. I love studying histories and cultures throughout the world because there is more than one "right" way to go through life. But I do believe that I live in the best country and am grateful to have that blessing.

There are many ways to see the Lord's hand in your life but when you study history there are just things that are undeniably God's doing. The beginning of the United States is definitely on the top of that list. The men whose names are written forever on the beginning and all the things that happened to go right are a testament to a true and living Being bigger than us all.

I couldn't be more grateful to have the life I have because of these men and so many others that continue to fight for those founding principles.