AudgePodge

Touching

2013-05-22T00:31:00.000-06:00

Many of you may have seen this but just in case you haven't I thought it was way too good not to share! By watching this I wish I knew him, he seemed to have such a loving and uplifting spirit that people could not help but smile when around him.

Enjoy (and maybe cry a little, I did).

What an inspiration!

Called to Serve

2013-05-14T10:54:00.000-06:00

As many of you may or may not know I have decided to serve a mission! I opened my call back in March and I have been called to serve in the California Anaheim Mission and I leave July 3, 2013! I am so excited to serve the Lord! My dad also served in California but in the San Bernardino mission which is pretty close to mine. When I opened my call to Anaheim I could not imagine myself going anywhere else.

When I was a senior in high school I wanted to serve a mission and it felt right. As I went through my freshman year of college I kept on getting the confirmation that I needed to go. I was 100% ready to serve the Lord and was anxiously waiting to start my papers. Fast forward to my sophomore year- General Conference October 2012. When it was announced that the mission age was lowered from 21 to 19 I felt confused on what I should do. It had no big effect on me but for some reason I found all these excuses not to go. Then I started feeling unqualified. There was no way that I was ready. I thought I knew the gospel but as I started to move forward I felt like I just joined the church in the past month. I felt like I had been knocked down and there was no way that I would be ready to teach the gospel to others. I continued to go to church and my institute classes. I always had this question on my mind, "Should I go on a mission?" I sent in my papers, received my call but I still was not sure.

Then I read a quote:
"God does not call the qualified, He qualifies the called."

How true this is! Once I read that I started to understand. The things I have been wanting to fall into place weren't because they were not meant to. My education was meant to be put on hold for a little while, my social life and dating also needed to be put on the back burner. By serving a mission it will qualify me to be a much better person than before. It will better qualify me to be a better friend, student, wife, mother, daughter, sister, neighbor, church member, etc...

I understand that a mission is not for every one. It is something that needs much thought and prayer. Through 9 months of much doubt, confusion, prayer, scripture reading, as well other things I received my answer. I love this gospel with all my heart. It has brought me such happiness and I truly want others to feel and know the same happiness.

Mother Dear I Love You So!

2013-05-12T18:36:00.000-06:00

Happy Mother's Day to my wonderful mom! I love her so much and I am so grateful to have her as my mom! She is one in a million! She is one of the best people that I know! This past year at college she was always there for me even if not physically. Phone calls, and packages- she showed that she still loved me and I was not an "out of sight, out of mind" person. She is such an amazing woman! She has taught me to love the gospel through not only family scripture study, prayer, and Family Home Evening, but also through her incredible example. She is continually on her knees praying to her Heavenly Father or studying her scriptures. Not just reading, but really studying. She has brought the spirit into our home and I am so grateful that I have a home where I can feel safe and welcome. She is someone that I love and I am so glad to call her my mom and my best friend!

Boy Crush of the Night

2013-05-08T22:49:00.000-06:00

Keegan Allen.
Personally I think he's beautiful.

Goodbye Logan!

2013-05-05T21:09:00.000-06:00

Almost done! Peace out Logan!

(May 1)

We needed a roommate picture before everyone took off!

Goodbye F2 (May 3)

My dad came to pick me up and help me pack everything in the car!

And it was A LOT of stuff (May 4)

Heaven Sent

2013-04-19T07:32:00.000-06:00

Isn't it funny how life turns out sometimes? Last year my first apartment was not the best (to put it lightly). I knew that I could not live the rest of my freshman year like that so I made the decision to move. I moved 2 floors above into 308 and in my new apartment I had the best roommates. It's now almost the end of sophomore year and we don't live together anymore but the friendship has remained. Even though we have opposite schedules sometimes we get lucky and get to see each other!

All of us at lunch on March 22
The first time we were all together after moving out.

The other day life got me down because it does that sometimes. Alyse and I were planning on updating on life but I had no intention of blabbering out all my feelings to her. But somehow she has this aroma around her and I just started spilling everything I was thinking to her (it's probably the psychology major in her- and maybe the fact that she is my best friend). I cannot tell you how grateful I was for her. I really needed someone that I could simply just talk to about everything. She was so selfless and she understood. Just the fact that she was willing to listen. I really got so lucky with having her as my roommate last year.

I also had Heidie has a roommate and let me tell you, she is also probably one of the best people I know. I cannot tell you how many times she has said something that has turned my insights around. She took me home for Easter which was wonderful because like Alyse we are not able to see each other as often as we would like. She was also able to be there for a moment in my life where I needed a little more support than just my family. I am so dang lucky!

I know that life does not always turn out the way we plan. People move on, things change (marriages, moving, missions). Fights happen, people pass way, school gets the best of us, we (or people we seriously care about) get seriously ill, financial situations may arise. But through these experiences we grow, mature, and learn from them. We sometimes learn that what we may have wanted a year ago (a week, 6 months, 3 years ago etc..) is something different but yet better. I know that we are not left alone. My Heavenly Father put my roommates in my life to help me with whatever life throws at me. I am extremely blessed because I don't think He could have picked anyone better.

Sunday Thought

2013-04-14T23:04:00.002-06:00

I am incredibly grateful for my family and I really don't know what I would do without them. I am so grateful for the plan of salvation and to know that even after death we will be together, it's not the end. Sometimes it's the simple things that mean the most.
Families Can Be Together Forever.

Oh What A Beautiful Morning!

2013-04-09T08:05:00.000-06:00

Oh What a Beautiful Morning by Gordon MacRae on Grooveshark

// Keeing a positive attitude :) \\

// Yesterday I took a nap around 6ish and I woke up around 3am (just a little time before work) Oops.

That means my rough draft that was due today did not get done. But then I got this email and I was rejoicing. \\

// I got 9 hours of sleep! That never happens- not even close. I'm lucky to get 5. \\

sUrpRise!!!

2013-04-08T16:12:00.001-06:00

This weekend my parents came up to surprise me!!!

I was not expecting that because it's so close to the end of the school year

and I saw them last week and they told me they had plans.

But they cancelled them. Basically I love my parents.

Watching Conference. And my mom made me food!

And there was a rainbow. Pictures will never do it justice.

Pretend like it's the Weekend

2013-04-01T14:23:00.000-06:00

Reasons why this song is perfect for today:

1. It's raining (or at least it was)

2. We're pretending like it's the weekend.

3. We made banana pancakes.

Festival of Colors

2013-03-30T22:55:00.000-06:00

Brtiney, Sarah, Kelvin, and I went to the Festival of Colors.

It's one of the many things on my bucket list and I got to cross it off!

If you haven't gone you probably should.

March 30

2013-03-30T12:36:00.000-06:00

Almost done. Tomorrow is the last day and I'm ~~excited~~ so sad.

What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?

As an Aggie I feel like I should share my favorite Aggie Ice Cream flavor.

Aggie Birthday Cake.

I feel like a little kid, but honestly it's one of the best flavors on the menu.

Spring Fever

2013-03-29T09:26:00.000-06:00

We are just a little anxious for Spring.

Yesterday it was simply gorgeous so we decided to go outside and avoid homework for an hour.

And it was worth it.

March 29

2013-03-29T07:43:00.000-06:00

What's your favorite time of the year and why?

Summer and Fall.

Summer because I love the heat, the feeling, late nights (for more reasons click here).

Fall because it starts to get a little chilly. It becomes boot weather, the leaves are gorgeous, it's cuddle season.

Can't wait for the summer for camping season!

March 28

2013-03-28T12:05:00.000-06:00

I am determined to finish this. It will happen.

What is your guilty pleasure?

March 27

2013-03-27T16:28:00.000-06:00

List 3 online friends you've never met in real life but hope to soon

Online Friends: People that I stalk bits of pieces of their life but they probably don't know anything about me.
I feel like a high school freshman crushing on a boy.

Amanda from We & Serendipity
She has such great insights and sometimes I feel like what she posts on her blog are just what I need for that day. She's very real and says life how it is. She seems to speak just to me at times, so I feel like we have a friendship going on, but in reality I just stalk her thoughts and life.

Sara from Happiness Is...
I love how positive she is about really simple things in life. And she goes to USU and have the exact same majors. She makes me laugh and she has a missionary which is pretty dang cute if you ask me.

Emily from Newlywed Moments
It's a new newlywed blog that I am following (surprised?). She is absolutely darling and has great advice on basically anything. And she shares her oops moments. She lives across the country so it will probably never ever happen but I can pretend.

March 26

2013-03-26T14:10:00.000-06:00

What's your favorite food?

I have many:

March 25

2013-03-25T19:25:00.000-06:00

Describe your location

Clarkston. Surrounded by people celebrating a birthday. Right now I could not be happier.

Daily Delights:

-- My friends birthday! --

-- White cake with lots of frosting. A favorite. --

-- Homework is done! --

-- 1 day down 4 to go --

-- Car rides--

Spring Break Recap

2013-03-25T07:42:00.001-06:00

Spring break has been over, last week was defiantly a wake up call to reality but the break was fun while it lasted.
Nothing too eventful but I loved every minute with my family.

March 9: My Parents Celebrated Their 23rd Wedding Anniversary

March 13: Alyse came down to see me

And we had matching boots

Isn't Alyse just gorgeous?!

March 14: We Celebrated Pi Day (3.14)

March 16: My family and I hiked the Y

My Grandparents Celebrated their 56th Wedding Anniversary

Only about a month left of school and then it's the summer.

I can't wait!

March 24

2013-03-24T07:29:00.000-06:00

Describe your most embarrassing moment

I really don't have any defining embarrassing moments.

Once I tripped up the stairs on the bus and the bus driver chuckled at me.

Last semester at a sign language activity I accidentally signed "Thank You" when I meant to say sorry.

I ran into someone (and those signs are so simple you can't mess them up- but I did).

I have a few embarrassing driving stories.

But none that I will go into detail for.

I get lost and I look silly which is a little embarrassing.

Once I have a pretty good story, I'll be sure to let you know.

March 23

2013-03-23T19:28:00.000-06:00

Do you have a hobby?

I do. But this semester it's been hard to actually do it.

I used to run a lot. Now I'm lucky if I get to exercise for at least 30 minutes a week.

I was never fast or good, but I enjoyed it and it felt amazing afterwards.

I used to scrapbook in high school. It's been 2 years and I miss that.

Like I said before, I love documenting life and pictures help create the picture.

March 22

2013-03-22T18:55:00.000-06:00

What do you do when you're home all alone?

I clean. Read a book. Or sleep. Homework. Watch Netflix. Paint my nails.

Maybe have a dance party in my room.

Sometimes I take pictures to show my mom.

It's pretty exciting stuff.

March 21

2013-03-21T11:01:00.001-06:00

What's your biggest fear?

I am scared of several different things but I think they all come down to being inadequate. Will I be a good teacher, wife, mother, neighbor, etc.. I have so many shortcomings and I'm afraid that through them people will see how unqualified I am.Will I be able to do the job that is presented to me? What helps me get through this though is my Savior.He knows my weaknesses, even better than I do and He knows how I can improve myself. While I still have many things to improve myself on and I'm unsure on my future and how life will work out, my Savior has a plan for me. He knows me personally and will never leave me alone.

But on a less serious note:

Cockroaches. One of the buildings I work at is full of them.They are gross and huge and terrifying. I hate them. I scream (or yelp) whenever I see them. And jump, far away.

March 20

2013-03-20T22:35:00.000-06:00

What do you collect?

I tried collecting things when I was younger but I soon found that it wasn't me. I tried stamps, elephants, key chains, music boxes, but nothing really fit. I'm out of that stage and now I collect things that are much better suited to me and actually make sense instead of junk laying around the house that I personally don't care about anymore.

Currently I Collect-

Words.

From books to journals. The smell of books alone is one reason to never stop but one can also never have too many books for each book brings new memories and adventure into life. Journals. Flipping through the pages of past words I have written and seeing how far life has taken me and looking at pages that I have yet to fill with the life that I still need to live to the fullest.

Music.

Something that I can never have too much of.

March 19

2013-03-19T07:35:00.000-06:00

List 5 blogs you read on a regular basis and why

I added a 6th :)

Mr JP and Me:

Newly wed blog and I'm addicted. It's one of the cutest things on the web. Go there and you will understand.

Harley and Jane:

Best friends blogging together. They have a mixture of everything from travel to journaling, outfit posts, newly wed life (and engagement), and everything in between. It's right up my ally.

Hunters of Happiness:

Once again another newly wed blog. I told you I was addicted. It's a new blog and I just stumbled across it. It's as cute as a button. It may be creepy but I love reading when, where, and why people fell in love and I love reading their story from the beginning to now.

Happiness Is...

A college girl from USU writes about how she finds the happiness in each day. Some things that she shares are hilarious. Just daily things in life and she makes them mean the world.

Lauren Elizabeth:

I went to high school with her but never actually knew her. I sorta wish I did. She's funny, and random and she shares what she thinks. She's going on a mission soon, so she will be absent from her blog for a while. Oh well, other blogs will keep me distracted.

Her and Him:

Newly Wed Blog. Surprised? Once again. I love following the love story.

Any blogs that you love? Suggestions? I like stalking people's lives in a way that is socially acceptable.