K'NAAN - Wavin' Flag (Coca-Cola Celebration Mix)

Another favorite music video. It gives me chills. I LOVE SOCCER! It's the one thing the whole world agrees with. haha. (This is the World Cup theme song)

When The World Comes Together

Excuse the title of this youtube video... it is very wholesome, I promise

For some reason I get emotional about the most random things. One thing that always gets to me is when the whole world is brought together. The olympics and world cup for instance are prime examples. I cant watch the opening ceremonies without crying. Anyway. This video. Another example. I LOVE IT! Enjoy!

So... You have changed my life...

For my last race, my temple to temple relay race, I decided to to something a little different. I decided to dedicate each mile to someone. So each mile was dedicated to someone who has changed my life. Obviously I only ran 7.5 miles. And obviously I have had more than 7.5 people who have changed my life, but there will be many races to come. and many more people to dedicate miles to. Some of them are in clumps, but they are all equally as important. Honestly, this time that I ran, having someone specific to run for really helped to keep the motivation to continue running. So. Here is my 7.5 mile list. I love you guys!

1. My Family. Who has more of an influence on you than your own family? I'm so grateful to my mom and dad, and the amazing parents they have been. My sisters, Kim and Mandi, I look up to you guys more than anyone. I wanna be just like you guys! And my twin brother, Ben. I love when he calls randomly to tell me something crazy about his day, just because he wants to talk to me. He's so great! I don't have a picture of my family on my computer, as crazy as that might sound. Or else there would be a picture to follow.

2. The Badger Creek Staff. Not much has to be said here.... but after meeting and working with these people, I know for sure what kind of person I want to be.

3. My AmigAs. I can't even begin to tell you what an amazing group of girls Heavenly Father has given me to be my friends. Oh my goodness. They are amazing. I am continually finding qualities in them that I want to adopt in my own life. They are so great! I don't have a good pic of all of them. There are just too many. But shout out to Becca, Nancy, Elisabeth, Kyli, Carrie, Kaela, Sarah, Emily, Kassie... the list could go on for a while haha.

4. My Missionary Friends. Bryce, Stuart, Nathan, Kenton, Dustin, Gavin, Spencer.... Those guys are amazing! Serving the Lord for 2 years, bringing people to the gospel.... Oh my heck. I love them!!! They have definitely spoiled me, and now I think that every guy should be as awesome as them... but no... these guys are unique. Absolutely incredible people. Not everyone in this pic, but oh well.

5. Hailey and Tanner. My favorite additions to our family. They are soooo funny! Every time I come home to Boise, I can't wait to see them. Honestly, they just make me excited to be a mom. Haha. This is an old picture, but you get the idea.

6. Jordan. Jordan is my new best friend. We met at the stadium playing soccer the first day of the semester, and we have hung out every day since! (well, every day except the weekends when he goes to Utah to visit his girlfriend, haha). Jordan has given me a reason to be happy about the semester! He has helped me by giving me something to look forward to every day! Thank you Jordan!

7. Bryce. This one also includes the last .5 miles as well. And I think you all know how Bryce has changed my life. And he continues to change and improve my life, even from 10,000 miles away and with virtually no personal communication. Thats talent. This kid is amazing! I love him!

My Life Is a Movie. Just Sayin.

This is totally a random blog. But its on my mind.

I love turning up my ipod loud, and then listening to it on campus so that i can't hear anything else. It totally feels like I'm in a movie. My movie. And each person around me is an actor or actress in my movie. And I can set the mood however I want. I love it. Today, the mood... It was that part of the movie right before the climax, where it's kind of a little bit depressing. You know? Like when the girl is walking away from the guy, but you aren't really sad because you know it's going to end up happy. You know what I'm sayin? Slightly epic, slightly depressing, but mixed feelings because you know it will turn out okay. Thats how I felt on my way to class today!

Anyway. My life feels like a movie. Every day. And its so awesome! Thank goodness for music and ipods!

RELAY! RELAY!

I've done a couple sweet relays so far this semester. First I did the temple to temple relay. That is a relay race from the Rexburg temple to the Idaho Falls temple. My stretch was 7.5 miles. I ran it with a bunch of my badger creek friends! It was so fun! Here is a pic of our team, plus Brent and Micah who were on other teams, but still badger family:). OH! AND>>>> JODI AND AARON ARE ENGAGED!!!

Next relay was the classic ward 50 lap relay. Basically, a bunch of wards meet down at the stadium and together as a ward run 50 laps! You have to have a guy run a lap, then a girl, then a guy, and so on and so forth. So, since not a a whole lot of girls were willing to run, I ran 3 of the laps! It was so fun! I love the atmosphere at races! It's so exciting!

My relay numbers!

Caving with Becca

Becca and I are kinda like 2 peas in a pod. So check it out. We went caving even without man friends!

Here are a couple pics of us caving at Smith's Crack near Mountain Home. It was our first time with no guys, and we went just the two of us... crazy! It was so fun!

What I've Learned at Badger Creek

I absolutely LOVED LOVED LOVED working at Badger Creek this summer as an OYA counselor. I got the opportunity to work with hundreds of kids and help them to develop and build testimonies of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. As a counselor, I feel like i was the one that learned the most. I am so grateful for all that I learned at Badger Creek. I made a list of things I have learned... so here it goes.

• It is important to learn how to have absolute pure fun, without sarcasm. Learn to make jokes and have fun, not at the expense of other people.
• The youth pay close attention to the labels you give them. Give them positive labels. Negative labels drag them down.
• You have some sort of influence on every person you will ever come in contact with. Make it an influence for the better.
• Everything in life can be applied to the gospel. Everything. From plants, to light posts, to chairs, to smores, to styrofoam cups... there is an application. Look for applications! So fun!
• You always, always, always have room for improvement. Evaluate yourself often.
• It is important to correct people's wrong actions with love. Be sure to help them feel your love, and know that you care about them. This will help them to respect your opinions, and care about changing inappropriate actions.
• There are times to be serious, and there are times to have fun. Recognize the differences and act appropriately.
• Every boring activity can be made fun in some way or another. You just have to find a way!
• Bad apples can poison a group.

• 
  Listening takes care of conflict.
• Intolerance is bred by a lack of understanding.
• There is great power in asking the right questions. Good processing does not come in speeches on soap boxes. It comes in asking good questions and developing conversation.
• You learn the most when you teach.
• Effective leaders have a genuine love for group members.
• Ropes courses can be real life parables.
• Absolute loyalty is important. Absolute loyalty to the staff, the kids, and our Savior. "if we sink the ship, we sink it together."
• While at Badger Creek, it has been important to ask myself these questions often: Why am i really here? What is my purpose? What is my duty? Who am I serving?
• Set goals often. Write them down. Always be improving.
• I have learned my favorite scripture. Alma 26:12
• I have learned what I need to be anchored to.
• God is the ultimate facilitator. He is all about experiential education. That's probably why he loves Badger Creek so much! We teach like he does!
• It is important to reach out to "The one" just like the Savior always did.
• Sometimes in life, it is hard to love someone. Pray to feel the love that Heavenly Father has for that specific individual. You WILL feel love for them.
• Pray as if everything depended on the Lord, and then work as if everything depended on you.
• Studying your scriptures is so important! Make a habit of it!
• Your arms and abdominals are so sore after 100 pushups and 100 crunches a day. Sometimes you have to break things down in order to make them stronger.
• "The hardest things in life: Crossing a barbed wire fence leaning toward you. Kissing a girl leaning away from you. And staying awake after a large meal. Everything else in life is easy."
• Some people think they are chickens when really they are eagles. Show them they are eagles. Point their heads toward the sky.
• 
  The only three things i really need to know: God is God, He sent His Son to earth for me, and they have work for me to do.
• It is important to confront brutal facts.
• Find your passions in life.
• Don't compare yourself to other people. Compare yourself to yourself.
• The only thing you have to give to God that was truly yours to give in the first place is your will.
• I have learned how to teach by the spirit.
• "To the immature, other people are not real." - Harry Overstreet
• You can feel God's love just by taking a look around you! If he didn't love us, why would He have given us this beautiful earth?
• The youth of the church are incredible.
• I have learned that I have an irrational pet peeve of dishes in the sink... AHHH! I hate it!
• Sayings I have acquired: "Yah bay bay!" (Yah baby) "Sometimes in life.... (fill in the blank)" "this is why we can't have nice things!" "im not a motivational speaker, you're just gunna have to do it!" "so help me! (threateningly)" "Estoy limpiando en la cocina! Estoy trabajando en la cocina! Estoy bilando en la cocina! Estoy cantando en la cocina! (in song version)" I have also acquired a spanish accent. It comes and goes quite often.
• Every single person on this earth has incredible potential. One of the greatest tragedies of our time is that people tend to live far below it. Realize your potential, and then help others realize theirs too!
• The words "Arnold is in the trough" have significant and unwanted meaning at Badger Creek.
• You can't have a rainbow without rain, and you cant have a beautiful sunset without clouds.

Badger Creek!

BEST SUMMER OF MY LIFE!!!

My badger family before canoeing down the river

My favorite group!

My Favorite group winning the Rufio award.

Staff campfire outing.

A cool water fall a few of us found.

Just a pic...

First One Back!

Elder Spencer Johnson is home from his mission! Since he is the first back, he got to be greeted by a group of girls!

Lions, Tigers, Bears.... OH MY!

Mandi, Hailey, Tanner, and I took a fun trip to the zoo last Thursday! we even got to feed the giraffe!

All My Other Mothers....

I have been so blessed to have such an amazing group of friends growing up. We were all so close to not only each other, but also to each others families. So this mothers day, Nancy and I took mother's day treats around to all of our missionary friend's mothers. Nathan's, Gavin's, and Kenton's moms weren't home, but here are the pics with the ones that were home... thanks to them for raising such incredible sons!

HuMp DaY!

May 13th was Bryce's Hump day... half way through his mission! 365 days down, 365 days to go. Bryce is.... amazing. I can tell he is an incredible missionary. I knew he would be. Right now, he is in Botswana, and is a District Leader. He is my best friend... I cant wait to see him again in May of 2011!


Bryce's sweet mother brought me a "hump day gift". She knows how much I miss her son. The elephant and giraffes represent different things, and the candy has been changed from "caramels" to "camels" for hump day.



Also to celebrate hump day, we went to camels back park and had a picnic. This day was an even better reason to celebrate than my birthday! I miss Bryce. But I know he is exactly where he needs to be for these 2 years!

13.1 miles in 2 hours and 13 minutes!

I ran a half marathon! I love the number 13, and, conveniently, that's how many miles a half marathon is! I finished in 2 hours and 13 minutes. As I looked around at all the other people who were running the half/full marathon, I realized that I was one of the youngest people to run. Its crazy that all these old people still run that many miles! So I have made it my goal to continue running... for as long as I can. This is the first of many to come! Plus, i promised Bryce that I would run a marathon with him when he got home from his mission.

Family Bike Ride Adventure

These are some pics from our family bike ride to Veterans Park. SO FUN!!

YAY!!!

Bryce sent me a package for my birthday!!! He sent me a South African flag, a replica of the an official South Africa 2010 World Cup FIFA soccer ball, and a letter! I was so excited. It took about 3 months to get here, and the box was already torn into, but all is well! HAPPY DAY!

.

utAH!

My roommate Nicole and my friend Tanya both live in Kaysville, UT, which is right outside of Salt Lake City. So, the weekend after we were done with the semester, we took a trip down there, just for fun! We went to temple square, the gateway mall, and the lion house for dinner! So fun!

Nicole and Tanya on Temple Square... in jail, apparently...

Nicole, Tanya and Me in front of the temple

The three of us right after church

My 20th Birthday!

I just remembered that I hadn't yet posted anything about my awesome 20th birthday!

First I was blind folded and kidnapped. I was forced to take random pictures with things while I was blind folded.

I was taken to Beaver Dick park in Rexburg, where my roommates and FHE brothers were waiting for me. :) we had dutch oven dinner and cake and smores and presents! Kurt is the one on the right... my new awesome amigo/FHE brother!

This is one of my favorite people I have met all semester... Joseph Grigg! He is my FHE brother. I got the goofy glasses and the tiara for my birthday.

We decided to take a picture in this tube thing while we were at the park. I liked the picture... Sarah, Nikki, and Me!

Holi Festival of Colors

Each year, the there is celebration in East India to welcome in spring. It is called the "Festival of Colors". In Spanish Fork Utah, there is mock festival of colors each year as well, and thousands of people attend to "bring in spring"... mostly college students from BYU, Utah State, University of Utah, And Utah Valley. Anyway, my roommates and i went to the celebration last Saturday, March 27. The celebration is located at the Hindu temple there. It's a crazy and really interesting celebration. First a Hindu man preaches to you, and you chant "HARE KRISHNA" which just pretty much means "great chant" or "great prayer". And then everybody throws their paint in the air. The paint is kind of a chalky paint made with corn starch. There was so much paint that i couldn't breathe for a little bit... haha. We got COMPLETELY covered in all different colors of paint. then we all danced and chanted. It was so fun. Haha and crazy!

Me and Tanya with a guy who was holding a "hugs for peace" sign.

Me and Nicole! Love her!

The people I went with: Nikki, Nicole, Tanya, John, and me!

The next two pictures are from the internet... they are edited so that they look cool, but when we were in the group with all the people, thats what it looked like! SOOO COOL! Crowd surfers and everything!