The Best Trip Ever!

I went on one of the best/most rewarding trips of my life. Ashley Mackay and I went back to where we served together on our LDS missions. It was INCREDIBLE! I loved being a missionary for our church and loved the opportunity that I had to testify of Christ and invite others to come unto Him everyday. My mission changed my life more than I could ever imagine. It helped me learn who I am, learn to love, and learn how to be a better follower of Christ.
We went on this trip so that we could go to the temple with our friend Angela. We taught her about the Gospel over a year ago. After stating that she was Lutheran and not going to change she listened to our message. 30 minutes later she wanted to be baptized!
To be honest, the timing of this trip was not perfect for me. It was the weekend before finals and I was supposed to take this huge test during that weekend. But, being with someone that I love as they make covenants with God is way more important to me than anything else.
The trip was quick and life changing. We woke up super early on Thursday morning and drove down to San Manuel, Arizona. The people in San Man are so nice and had an awesome open house for us so that we could see everyone. It was so much fun! The next day we drove to St. David and stayed there for a couple of days. I LOVE St. David, Arizona! We visited people nonstop. It's amazing how when you serve people you just grow to love them so much. I love these people. Ashley and I worked alongside them for over 5 months. It was so rewarding to see this small town all work together to come closer to Christ. Of course, the most rewarding part of the trip was being able to be with Angela in the temple. It was amazing and definitely worth the trip.
LDS Temples

Memorial Day

Today is Memorial Day, one of my favorite holidays. Every year my entire extended family goes to the cemetery and hear the same great program. It's wonderful! I love spending time with the fam and paying tribute to those who've passed on. Today was especially special because it was our first Memorial Day without Reed. Reed is my brother. We've always been best friends. He passed away 2 months ago yesterday. Even though this has been difficult at times, it's been a good thing. I feel a lot of peace and happiness about it. People often comment that they wonder how I still always have a smile on my face. It's because I'm happy. I'm happy because Reed is finally out of pain. He always suffered from health problems but now he is in "a state of happiness, which is called paradise, a state of rest, a state of peace, where [he] shall rest from all [his] troubles and from all care, and sorrow." I'm happy because I have an amazing family. We are a forever family. Even though my brother died, he is still my brother and will always be my brother. I love it! I'm happy because I have great professors who believe in me and who give me the help that I need. I'm happy because I have amazing friends. I'm happy because of Taco Tuesday where I can get tacos for super cheap. I'm happy because of the frozen yogurt places. Most of all, I'm happy because I'm a daughter of a loving Heavenly Father who has a plan that is perfect and fair.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0J-_f4oRuWI

Throughout life I've come to know many things. An important thing that I have learned is that happiness is a choice. So many things happen that are completely out of our control. There is something that is in our control and that is our reaction to our circumstances. Are we going to be miserable or are we going to be happy? When hardship finds me, I try to remember this. No one is exempt from trials but "men are that they might have joy" (Second Nephi 2:25). How do we find joy in the trial? We choose to find it.