It's Not About You

When it comes to service, you've got to remember that.
It's not about you.
When I got called to serve on Seminary Council I was ECSTATIC.
I looked up to the SemCo so much!
I wanted so badly to be in their position and be able to serve in such a neat calling.
When the Lord decided that he needed me to serve, I happily accepted.
But, after I was set apart I was reminded of something.
It's not about you. Period.
I was called to serve the students of Copper Hills Seminary, not to put on a flashy show of awesomeness.

At our first meeting Brother Waite gave us a talk by Spencer W. Kimball called Jesus: The Perfect Leader. (look it up, it's really good!) He told us to go home, study the talk, and come back with ideas on how we could be better leaders. Talk about the most humbling experience of a lifetime. That calling did so much for me. I have never done so much underground service in my life.
Many people don't understand just how much work goes into a calling like that. I had to wake up at 5:30 every Friday in order to make it to meetings on time. I stayed after school many times cutting papers, praying for students, helping teachers, making videos, cleaning... everything you could ever think of. And know one knew I was doing it. It was kind of awesome! I loved being able to help people out without anyone knowing. It definitely changed my views on service. It does not always have to be out in the open. In fact, it's better if it isn't!
The kids I served with were absolutely incredible. I know that the 12 of us were called to work together because everyone's strengths were matched with someone else's weakness and when we all put our heads together, we were unstoppable. When we had big decisions to make we would go to the temple together and pray about it until we were all unanimous. We always made sure to think about what was best for the students, even if that meant a lot of work for us.
I never heard one word of complaint from anyone. Everyone was always so willing to help out and I loved that. I loved being in such a great environment where I could just be lifted up by their great examples. I didn't have to worry about being made fun of or judged. They were the sweetest, most caring kids ever. We all built good friendships as we went through a lot of hard times together.
One of the hardest things that we had to do (well, for me at least) was helping out with Jaxen Henderson's funeral. Her mother requested that we help set up chairs at the church and Brother Waite told us that it would be nice if we went to the viewing together. Now, I don't do well with stuff like that. It just scares me and makes me so distressed. Thankfully Jacob, Megan, and Ashley were there to help me get through that night at the viewing. And when we finally met Jaxen's mother, she cried and hugged us all and told us how thankful she was for our help and support. As hard as it was for me to go to that viewing, I'm glad I did it. Because again I remembered that it wasn't about me. It was about helping other people who needed it. There were so many people we made cards for and visited when hard times hit. I loved being a rescue committee. I loved being the shoulder for someone to cry on. It made me feel so good. It gave me the purest feeling of joy. Something that a lot of people don't get to experience.

Now, I'm not trying to brag or anything. I mean, this is my personal blog. I just don't ever want to forget about this experience I had. I never want to forget the feelings I had because of this calling. I never want to forget why service is so important. I want to be able to look back on this and be so thankful for it. Because I am. I am so thankful that my Heavenly Father trusted me with something like that. I am forever changed because of it.

I absolutely love them.

Dinosaur Seals

Kaylee usually makes me a pb&j sandwich before I go to work so that I don't die of starvation.
They are delish.
The other day she convinced my mom to buy a sandwich cutter that turns the sandwich into two dinosaurs. (But sometimes they look like seals. It's whatever.)
Needless to say, my sandwiches are even more delish these days.

It's the little stuff in life that makes me so happy.

Happy Dance

It's October! :)
I used to really love October because it was right in the heat of marching band competition season. Plus, fall is pretty and I love orange. Halloween is fun and I adore the unlimited supply of candy in grocery stores and stuff. October is just great! :)
But that's not the only reason I'm happy. Lots of good things happened last weekend and are about to happen in the next two weeks. Let me tell you about it....

First off- my best friend came home for the weekend like usual. I was at work and was secretly hoping she would come in and see me. Well, she did. And she brought her work clothes. :) I really miss working with her and I think it's super awesome that she comes and works for free just so that she can be back at JJJL with me ;) haha I guess the UVU store just isn't a family like we are. Sad. :( anyway the shift was fun and after we closed we went on one of our famous drives around the world. We just talked and laughed and got home quite late :P
The next day I woke up and got ready for family pictures! We went to Big Cottonwood and it was pretty fun. I love my family! Especially my little sister. We had fun doing our "couple pictures". Sometimes it sucks not being married like Chantel and Kyle, but I'm glad I have Kaylee to do stuff with :) after pictures we went to dinner and then home.

Getting ready!

My cute sisters and I waiting for stuff to happen...

Reppin' them Utes ;)

When I got home Elise and I hung out again. We were just driving around and then Elise had the idea of going to the corn maze. (Isn't that redundant? Ya know, corn and maize? Hahaha) So anyway Elise texted Jason and asked if he wanted to come because he was home from Logan for the weekend. Now, this was quite bold because he hasn't really talked to either of us for about 2 months. But, he texted back and we were both so excited! The three of us used to hang out pretty much every day and we always had a blast. We both miss him a lot and were really hoping we could spend some time with him before he went back up to USU. Well, Elise and I just drove around while we waited to see if Jason was really going to hang out with us. We went to Sonic and got some food. We laughed some more because I'm an idiot and not very good with money and enjoyed our treats. Finally at like midnight Jason was ready to hang out with us so we went to get him and tired to act normal even though we were both going to pee our pants. Haha
He looked so cute and I totally forgot about how mad I should be at him for cutting me off when he left for school. Jason is one of my best friends and we have had so many great times together. I can't stay mad at him no matter how bad I want to. So we got out and hugged him and then drove to our favorite store on state street. Hahahaha I love being a dumb teenager.
After that we drove up to the Capitol and enjoyed the view of the valley. We talked about life and how we were all doing. We laughed about all of our inside jokes and it was like nothing had changed. By the time we got back to West Jordan we needed a potty break so we went to Smith's and Jason performed his signature comedy routine of "Hello". I think now it has more sentimental value than actual humor but still. It was great. And it made my whole entire night. :)
Since it was getting really late we went back to Jason's to take him home but when we got there none of us wanted to leave. We sat there in the driveway for 2 hours enjoying each other's company. I love them. :)
By about 5 am we realized how long we had been together and felt it was time for bed. (Mostly because we were getting loopy and everything was extremely funny). It was a great night and I'm so thankful we got to be together again with just the three of us. :)

I didn't get to take any pictures because Jason is a picture hater...

So I will use one from a long time ago.

If we ever start a band and make a CD this is going to be our album cover.

It cracks me up every time I see it.

We're so cool ;)

Second thing- I TOTALLY ACED MY RESEARCH PAPER! My witting class is hard but I love it. Our first big paper was due last Friday and today I met with my professor to discuss how I did on it and she told me I did a really good job and that she enjoyed reading it. I aced it and I am so happy. I bet she doesn't know I wrote it the night before it was due :P but shhh we don't need to talk about that. I did awesome on it and that's all that matters!

This would be me, sitting in a classroom at Challenger trying to write my paper.

It was hard. And it took forever.

And I was slightly uninterested...

Third thing- I get to hang out with Kristianna on Wednesday! I always love catching up with her! :)

The day of the band banquet. 

The new band president holding the old one.

Presh.

:)

Fourth thing- fall break is next week!!! I can't wait to have some time off school to just relax. Plus, my midterms will be over and the stress will be gone. I can't wait. :)

Fifth thing- I'm gonna take a trip down to Provo to stay at Elise's apartment! I can't wait to sleep over ;)

Sixth thing- Copper Hills Homecoming! I'm so excited to go to the game as alumni! Even though it will be weird to be clarinetless at a football game....

Seventh thing- I have really great people in my life, my parents especially. They are always looking out for me and I appreciate what they do for me. I hope one day I can be a good parent like they are! Except I probably won't lock my kids in the trunk of my Mustang... ;)

Mostly because I probably won't ever HAVE a Mustang to lock my kids in. But my dad sure does!

Also, I love cats. And this is hilarious.

Well, that's all. :)