Another Semester is Over

Well, Winter Semester has ended. Which technically means that my sophomore year at BYU has ended. Except I'm staying for Spring Term. So its technically not over. But, since half of the people I've learned to love over the last year have left, I still feel like it has. It's been a great year. One of my best ever, and I really enjoyed it. Life is good, and I am happy. Here's a list of some of my favorite things from this past year:

Love Notes! (especially from Sara K. G.)
Waffle Wednesday
Our Quote Wall
Staying out till 2:30 on Halloween
Donating blood for the first time
Singing every morning while I worked
Teasing Amanda
Staying up talking on weekends
Making cookies all the time
Random nights of swimming and hot tubbing
Studying Spanish with Sara
My new nickname for Sara K. G.
Having Sarah and Matt in Provo
Finding out that I'm going to be an Aunt
Walking to the grocery store
Movie Nights
Dance Class
Code Names
Photo Shoots
Birthday Parties
Danielle getting engaged
Reading for Homework
Seeing the fountain in the JFSB filled with rubber duckies
getting letters(that didn't' happen nearly enough)
getting new songs from Sara and Amanda
staying up late on weekends, going to bed early during the week

There are just a few things that were awesome. And there were so many other things that made this last year amazing. So many people I've met and friends I've made that have changed my life. I am so grateful or this last year and all the I experienced, and I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Adventure In Provo

So Missy and Sara and I thought it would be this genius idea to go on an adventure in Provo last night. We came up with the idea, and Missy was designated to be in charge of our destinations. Well...Sara and I forgot that Missy is more adventurous than the two of us. Which was a problem, because we were ready to be home a lot soon than Missy was. However, we did have fun, and there were some important occurrences we felt needed to noted. We took some pictures, and I made a memo on the notepad in my phone. This is how it reads: Duck chases. awkward guy on phone. whistled at. awkward people. Zac Efron line Sponge Bob bouncy ball. other bouncy ball?! Do I sound like Satan too much? 9:42 HUGE shooting star. Sound of music reenactment. I climbed a tree. Dogs. Cemetery was closed. Fire station. Yellow Taxi Cab.

Basically I don't think anyone who wasn't' with us can really understand our adventure. But there's a taste. And here are some pictures as well:

Thanks for the Reminder

School is winding up for the semester and things are getting a little hectic. With papers due and finals to start studying for anyone would feel a little run down. Add to the mix the fact that I'm extremely home sick of late and facing some personal decisions and challenges, I've been feeling like I couldn't handle any more. I think I really was still enjoying life, but finding it hard to focus on the good things, instead of the bad. And then the Lord gave me a beautiful reminder of how blessed I am. No, my worries and troubles didn't disappear, but the Lord showed me things that I have to be grateful for.

Yesterday, I sat watching Conference with my roommates in our living room. Let me just list the things I can be grateful for that popped into my head at the moment:
1. I am attending a University where the gospel plays an important part, where I can sit down with my roommates and watch Conference!
2. I have amazing roommates, who are all different and add so much to my life, and accept me for who I am
3. We have a prophet of God on the earth today, he speaks to us in our time. I can listen to words of council from him and other men of God that has been revealed for the challenges I face now, in my day.

Then, in between Conference sessions I called my Dad to talk about something really quick. I hung up the phone with an overwhelming wish to be home and it was hard that I wasn't. Yet at the same time I felt so blessed because:
1. I have a family that I know loves me, and I know that we can be together forever.
2. I live in an age of technology where I can call or e-mail my family every day and stay in touch even when I can't be with them physically.

Later yesterday evening I got to add one more thing to my list of things to be grateful for: the girls I lived with last year. Us girls who live in the Villa this year (along with Amy, one of Danielle's friends) took Danielle out to dinner, kind of as a bachelorette party since she is getting married next month. As I sat there laughing with them all, I realized just how lucky I was to meet them all. For the most part, we are all extremely different people. Yet somehow, we built friendships with each other that I know will last through eternity. They have gotten me through some tough times in the last couple of years, and now I can't imagine life without them in it.

As I went to bed last night and thought about my day I realized something. Sometimes God can't take away the challenges we are facing, but just when we may begin to doubt his love for us, he'll remind us that he is always there and always loves us. All we have to do is take a moment to recognize all the little blessings with which he shows us his love.

I'd like that answer now please.

Yesterday in Conference one of the General Authorities talked about what we do when trials come. He spoke of how instead of asking "Why"? we should ask, "What do you want me to learn from this"? This is something that I've been working on a lot in my life lately as I've faced some of my own challenges. I think I've realised that if I can ask the second and more important question, the answer to that will also be the answer to the first question. I understand that we experience challenges so that we can grow, and I try to remember that the Lord has a reason for everything he does. I also know that he wants the best for me, and this desire of his guides all of his actions. However, I've never been a very patient person, and something I also know is that sometimes, we don't get an answer to either question just when we ask it. I'm not trying to say that I'm the only one who has ever faced trials, but sometimes I feel like I've been handed quite a few so far in life, some that I feel no one should have to go through, especially at the ages I did. To this day, I still don't know all the reasons why my heart has been tried so many times. Or why just when I think things are getting better, something else seems to happen that knocks me right back down again. I KNOW that I am loved by my Father in Heaven, but sometimes I really wish I could see and understand his purposes. Sometimes I really just want to shake my fist at the heavens and ask him why, in the most demanding voice I have. In fact, I've done something of the equivalent before. And the Lord doesn't leave you comfortless. I've felt his love surround me on days where I thought I couldn't handle anymore. However, I've rarely gotten the answer I sought.

And this is where patience comes in. Perhaps half the lesson I'm supposed to learn is how to be a more patience person. A lot of the time I also feel like adding after my question, "and I'd like that answer now please." But God doesn't work that way. From where I'm standing right now, I can't see the destination the Lord is guiding me too. But if I could see what he has in store for me, wouldn't that make the journey much easier, because I would know for certain that it would be worth it. If that was the case, would I learn everything he wants me to learn? Everything I need to learn? Probably not.

So in the end, although I still want that answer now, I try to trust the Lord. I try to understand that he won't give me more than I can handle, even though it may seem like it at times. I try to rely on the Lord for help when I feel like I can't take another step. And I wait, with faith that one day the Lord will finally say, "Okay Lydia, today is the day, you can have that answer now."

Check that off my list:

I donated blood for the first time last Friday, with Amanda. That's right, we finally told ourselves we just had to do it, and so we did. It was little frustrating because they took a while to double check that my asthma meds were some of the allowed medications. Annoying. However, even though Amanda got started a little before me because of that, I was faster and we finished at the same time. I'm glad I finally decided to stop making excuses, because it wasn't bad at all and I'd happily donate again. Don't worry, we took some pictures to document, AND we got free T-Shirts.

Oscar's Night!

So, my ward has this awesome tradition of holding a BYU 2nd Ward Oscar's Night. All the FHE groups make and submit a movie to the activities commitee and they choose categories for there to be winners in. Then, everyone gets to get all dressed up for our "red carpet" event and we watch all the movies, and then vote on "Best Picture".
Last Night was Oscar's Night. And it was so much fun! It's always fun to get dressed up, and I had Kiera do my hair, it looked amazing! The videos were hilarious and my group won "Best Relationship". It was so much fun to see everyone else's movies and to see everyone all dressed up. I had so much fun, because my ward is awesome!

After Oscar's Night, a few of my friends and I decided to go play night games at the park, because it was so nice yesterday. (it's snowing like crazy today, lame). I had so much fun! My friends are such great friends and I love them all!

ORANGE!

For the first time in like 4 or 5 years, I have an orange shirt! yeah, I'm not that big on the warm colors in my wardrobe, and although its really hard for me, I'd like to branch out on what I wear. So, when Jill asked if we wanted to go shopping today, I told myself that I would buy an orange shirt, if I could find one for a decent price. So, thats what happened, and I have orange again! yay. You should all be proud. Thats all.

Happy Anniversary!

If my math is correct, 26 years ago today my parents got married and sealed for all eternity in the Salt Lake Temple. Because of that choice they made my life has been so blessed. I have always known that my parents love me, and that they love each other. It's something I've never had to doubt, and I can't begin to thank my parents for the stability their marriage was in my life. They are the best parents I could ever have asked for, and although I may not always want to listen to them, I know they always have my best interests at heart. I truly consider them among my best friends and know I can rely on them for advice and for so many other things. So today I want to express how much I love my parents. I am so grateful for them, and hope that today was a great day for them. And may the years ahead be even better than those they have already spent together. I love you Mom and Dad!

The Peace of the Spirit

Yesterday I had the opportunity to attend the Draper Temple Open House. It was great opportunity that I will always appreciate. Even though the building has not been dedicated yet, because it is meant to be the holy house of my Heavenly Father, the Spirit was already there in the building. As we walked through the temple silently I watched families with their children, and I thought of my own loved ones. Walking through the Sealing room and Celestial room I felt the Spirit testify that one day my family WILL be together for eternity, as long as we all live worthily. The peace that knowledge brings me is indescribable. Without my family, heaven would be nothing but a glorified hell, and I could never be happy. Instead, because of the Spirit, I know I will be happily with my family, even after this life. As we left the temple we entered a chapel for refreshments, and they had hymns playing in the background. The peace that the music brought to me was powerful and immediate, because the Spirit of the Lord speaks through righteous music. Even though I'm at a crazy, hectic part of my life, with choices, and tests, and papers looming over my head, as I attended the Open House yesterday, the Spirit of the Lord was able to give me peace and comfort.

Today as I attended church I felt that same way. In Sacrament Meeting the focus was on Zion. One thing we talked about was the fact that in the last days before the Second Coming, peace will only be found in the Stakes of Zion. I know this is true, because even in my life today, I feel peace as I gather with the people of Zion in our sacred buildings, and feel of the Spirit.

I Wrote a Song

with Shannon. And I am totally serious about this. We did it Friday, because at first we just thought that she should put one of my poems to music. Than we realized that none of my poems really had any chorus type thing, which made it harder to play music for. So, we both concluded that we would just have to write a song together. Our collaborative efforts are awesome, and I think the song is quite well done. Once we practice it a little more, it will be superbly amazing! That's all I have to say about it, and maybe one day you will be deemed privileged enough to hear our song.

My Amazing Day Today

I just have to share with everyone how amazing my day was today. As always, I woke up at 4 and went to work. Not going to lie, that part was NOT amazing. Classes, also not that great. But I did have an hour long break between classes, and it was warm enough to study in the JFSB courtyard. My favorite. But the real amazing part of my day came after classes. I had to get a cavity filled. You may ask, why is that beginning of my amazing day? Let me tell you. Because it meant I had to go up to Ogden, which meant seeing my family. Which equals amazingness. So let me just tell you everything I accomplished today that was amazing.

After I finished classes Sarah picked me up and we headed to Layton. We met David and dropped of Sarah's car at the shop. Then I got to eat lunch with my mom and my two awesome siblings. Then, I had to go to the dentist.

So, obviously a trip to the dentist isn't' that amazing. But, I get cavities a lot, and I usually don't' get numb quickly, or even all the way. And we usually try more than one shot. Today though, he used one shot, it worked, and I didn't feel a thing! It was fantastic!

I think the next part of my day was my favorite. My Grandma B is in an assisted living center up in Ogden, and so its been a while since I saw her. The three of us decided to swing by and give her a surprise visit. First of all, I LOVE being able to see her, because she is amazing and has done so much for me over the years. But what makes it even better is knowing that we made her day by visiting her. It was great to make her happy, and enjoy myself so much as well.

From there we went by Kaysville and visited the other grandparents. I certainly surprised Grandma Hirschi, and that was fun too. It was a short visit but as always, I loved spending time with them.

While in Kaysville, David was so awesome as to show us the house my parents would like to buy, because ours is on the market. (yep that's right, we're moving) and to buy us Slurpees! Delish! However, my mouth was still half numb, so I could only taste and feel on the one side, weird sensation.

So then finally, we went home and had dinner with Mom and Dad. I love my family. I missed Matt, but the five of us had a great time catching up. I love being with my family and being reminded of how much I love them. Also it was great to have a small reminder that my parents trust me to make right decisions in my life because of something we talked about. My parents and siblings are awesome and it was great to be with them.

Finally, I got to come back to all the awesome people I love in Provo, and on the way, my sister and I had a really great talk about life and such things.

So, there is the description of my awesome day for you. I wish every day could be so amazing.

This is a special shout out

to one of my most awesome friends Mark.

I don't' think he realises what a great friend he is, and I really want him to know that. (So hopefully you read my blog soon Mark) I talk a lot, right? Mark is always, and I mean ALWAYS willing to listen. If I called him at 3 in the morning and told him I needed to talk, he'd most likely be chill with that. He is an extremely loyal and dependable friend, and will give everything he has to a friendship without asking for much of anything back. And he's so humble, pretty much too humble. He's probably dying of embarrassment knowing that I wrote this about him, but that's okay, because everyone needs to know that he is awesome!

So thanks to Mark for always being there for me, I hope you know that I'm here for you as well.

Have I Mentioned?

That my sister is PREGGO! So, I'm pretty sure most of you that read this lovely blog already know that fact, but I just realised I had not mentioned it on here. Today I got a text from her telling me her belly was big today. And you know what? That makes me so happy! I am super exicted to be an aunt to a little nephew or niece! And I know that Sarah and Matt will be fantastic parents. We are all counting down until August!
While I'm the subject of my sister, I just want to say how much I love her! She has been one of my best examples and closest friends for as long as I can remember. I was one of the annoying little sisters who always wanted to tag along and my memories of her not letting me are quite rare. I can't say that we haven't had rough patches, but they have been few and far between. For the most part we've always been close and as we've gotten older it's only gotten better. The time while she was on her mission was hard for me, because I had to grow up without my older sister. I changed a lot in that time, but even then I had her example to show me what kind of person I wanted to be.

We've made a lot of memories over the years, from watching Anne of Green Gables together, or eating Dilly Bars after short hikes up the canyon, to uncontrollable laughing fits. I love that she is here in Provo with me now that I'm away from home, even if we don't often have time to get together. I know she always cares about me because she takes time to talk to me, and I know she'll always be there for me when I really need her, because she always has been before.

So to my dear sister Sarah I want to say thank you for the memories, the laughs, and the love. I love you more than words can say, but I'll try: A ROO ROO ROO ROOIE ROO ROO ROO!!!

Ward Talent Show

Okay, so the story is my roommates agreed to do something for the ward talent show with absolutely no idea of what we would come up with. When we failed to come up with anything Jill was kind enough to remind me of a hilarious skit that some people did in our ward last year. She begged my roommates and I do it. One problem: we needed guys to make it complete. Luckily we found enough guys about an hour before the talent show. So, here is the finished product, brought to you by myself, Amanda, Shannon, Kiera, Bart, Ryan, Garrett, and Moydie. Hope you enjoy:

Writing Mood

Okay, so I have been in a writing mood lately, I've been cranking out poems right and left! Well....not quite, and they're not amazing, but I'd still appreciate feedback. So try and check out my writings blog: http://lydiasliterature.blogspot.com/

I might just love you forever if you check it out and tell me what you think. :)