Lessons Learned

So I just wanted to post the lyrics to a song by Carrie Underwood. It's one of my favorite songs and has really kind of helped me through a lot. I think sometimes I worry too much about past mistakes or wish that something would have happened differently, so this song just always reminds me to move on... sort of a "Hakuna Matata" song. =) Anyway, here it is. "Lessons Learned" There's some things that I regret, Some words I wish had gone unsaid, Some starts,That had some bitter endings, Been some bad times I've been through, Damage I cannot undo, Some things,I wish I could do all all over again, But it don't really matter, Life gets that much harder,I t makes you that much stronger, Oh, some pages turned, Some bridges burned, But there were,Lessons learned. [Chorus:] And every tear that had to fall from my eyes, Everyday I wondered how I'd get through the night, Every change, life has thrown me, I'm thankful, for every break in my heart, I'm grateful, for every scar, Some pages turned, Some bridges burned, But there were lessons learned. There's mistakes that I have made, Some chances I just threw away, Some roads,I never should've taken, Been some signs I didn't see, Hearts that I hurt needlessly, Some wounds,That I wish I could have one more chance to mend, But it don't make no difference, The past can't be rewritten, You get the life you're given, Oh, some pages turned, Some bridges burned, But there were,Lessons learned. [Chorus:] And every tear that had to fall from my eyes, Everyday I wondered how I'd get through the night, Every change, life has thrown me, I'm thankful, for every break in my heart, I'm grateful, for every scar, Some pages turned, Some bridges burned, But there were lessons learned. And all the things that break you, Are all the things that make you strong, You can't change the past, Cause it's gone, And you just gotta move on, Because it's all,Lessons learned. [Chorus:] And every tear that had to fall from my eyes, Everyday I wondered how I'd get through the night, Every change, life has thrown me, I'm thankful, for every break in my heart, I'm grateful, for every scar, Some pages turned, Some bridges burned, But there were lessons learned, Oh, some pages turned, Some bridges burned, But there were lessons learned, Lessons learned.

Whale Watching Etc...

Last Monday, as you all know, was President's Day. Well, I decided I wanted to get work off that day so that I could have a little vacation. So, Monday came and Sarah and I began the day together, neither of us quite sure what we were going to do. It started off with breakfast at Denny's for Nate's b-day surprise, then we went to Provo High for a $5 Shade Clothing sale (at which I didn't buy anything thank you very much). After the sale we decided to have pitty on Sarah's family, who all had the stomach flu, so we went to the getto Allen's grocery store in Provo and bought crackers, Sprite, and apple sauce. We also bought a bright pink poster in which we wrote "QUARANTINED: Nobody ever goes in and nobody ever goes out... EVER" Then, we took all the goods to the front door step, set them down, taped the sign on the door, knocked on the door and backed way up to the end of the yard. Aren't we just so thoughtful? =) Anyway, after we quarantined her family we were coming up empty for something to do. I decided to text Kevin and ask him for a great adventure that we could go on. In reply he sent me a text that said, "Snow angels, bob sledding, pirate impersonating, whale watching, pigeon farming, hot dog eating contest or take a nap." Well, seeing as Sarah and I were so bored we decided to do them all. =) At the end of the day we printed off our pictures and put them in a photo album and gave them to Kevin to keep for always. Here's the documentation of "The Great Adventures of Sarah and Chelsea": Snow Angels: Bob Sledding: Pirate Impersonating: Whale Watching:

Pigeon Farming (our version):

Hot Dog Eating Contest:

Taking a Nap:

The Power of the Priesthood

Wow, what an enlightening week this has been. I am so incredibly thankful for the power of the priesthood and for my dad. I've always heard that when something good is about to happen Satan will do anything in his power to stop it from happening. Well, since I've made the decision to serve a mission I've felt the devil working hard on me. I wrote in my last post about the stresses I've been facing, but this last weekend I didn't know what else to do, so I decided to ask my dad for a blessing. I had been feeling like I should ask for it for a couple of weeks, but kept ignoring the prompting and put it off. I sure wish I hadn't ignored it though because I am amazed at how much of a difference it's made for me to be able to cope with the things in my life right now. To be quite honest I don't really remember what was said in the blessing itself, but I do remember the relief that I felt following it. I also remember talking with my parents afterwards, and my dad reminded me of one of my favorite scriptures... "Men are that they might have joy." He told me to remember that and to do what I needed to do to have joy again in my life. Throughout this week I've had so many reasons that I could have and should have been stressed, but somehow I've been able to brush them off and not let them bother me. One other thing that really has helped me is the prayers of my family and the knowledge that they are praying for me. The night that I received the blessing from my dad, my mom told me that she prayed for me every morning and night that I'd be able to withstand the temptations of the devil during this most crucial time before I go on my mission. She knew that Satan would be working extra hard on me. Then, right after I talked with my mom and dad, I went into the kitchen where my grandma was and she told me the same thing. It shocked me because I don't think she even knew that I was struggling and that I had just gotten a blessing. I've learned that for as hard as Satan works on me, the more I will be given help and support from my Heavenly Father. It doesn't mean that the situations will change or that everything is all of a sudden easy, but I am given extra help to make it through. All I have to do is look for it.

More Angels

So I know I just recently wrote a post about angels, but I really feel like I should write one again. Let me give you the update on my life in the past month or so... in a nut shell that is. Well, the past month has been one of the most stressful months of my life, and more especially last week. I was so stressed to the point of tears several times. Last week I hit my breaking point, and I hit it hard. Luckily, I have such good friends to pull me out of it. I firmly believe in angels. I know, along with Elder Holland, that we can be an angel for someone else. This past Monday, I was home for FHE with my family, and all my cousins from my mom's side of the family and my grandparents were there. My dad gave the lesson and wouldn't you know it, but he gave it on angels. By the end of it my entire family was in tears including myself. I was so overwhelmed with the realization of how many angels I have in my life and how many angels have helped me through the past month. I can think of so many times where I've been through a really stressful time and I didn't have so many people there, ready and willing, to help me through, and it was those times that I began to sink into a depression of sorts. This time though, I was so stressed, but my friends and family were there every step of the way to help pull me through. There were moments when I didn't think I could go any further and someone would be there for me almost instantly. I had long venting and crying sessions with many of my angels and I even got to eat ice cream. =) I'm so grateful for my angels! Thanks guys!

Spring Haven Lodge

Last night we had our ward activity, and it was a blast! We did it up at Spring Haven Lodge which is this huge lodge up Hobble Creek Canyon that has an indoor volleyball/ basketball court, ping pong, pool, a huge kitchen, a couple of sitting rooms with fire places, a tv room, and an indoor playground. Most of the time up there Elyse and I decided to do a photo shoot (for when we are famous and need a picture for our cover album...???). Anyway, here's some awesome pics! =)