My new calling!

Two Sundays ago, I was called in to meet with the branch president and I was asked to serve as the First Counselor in the Young Women's Presidency! Of course, I said yes! I had only met these girls once, the Sunday before, but already felt a great love and connection to them, so I was delighted with my calling. Then the branch president proceeded to tell me that girls camp was that week and that the girls would be leaving on Tuesday. Smiling, he asked if I would be able to go. I laughed and then realized he was serious. So I said, well of course! Although I did miss Shanam, the girls and I had such a great time and it was a great bonding experience. The beautiful desert sunset on the drive down to Big Bend National Park.

This is 4 wards combined! 18 awesome girls!

On the hike up to the waterfall taking a little breather.

Cattail Falls. The girls had fun splashing and diving in the freezing spring water.

Erin and I, queens of the mountain!

These are my 5 girls! Ready to canoe down the Rio Grande!

2 More Weeks!!

I've been counting down since day 178 so it's great to finally be at 14!!!! So exciting!! Everything is coming together nicely--family from out of town will be arriving shortly, bridesmaids skirts are almost done (the amazing Anndalyn is making them!), both my bridal showers were a blast and it has been so great to see so many old friends, I'm almost all packed and ready to move to Texas, and Shanam and I can't wait for the honeymoon!!! Mom loves watching the travel channel and just watched a show about the top 20 hottest Carribean islands to visit and St. Lucia was Number 1! We just can't wait!!

Camarillo Girls Just Wanna Have Fun!!

The invites have gone out!! This reunion/bridal shower is going to be amazing! I can't wait to see everyone!! Check out this guest list! Did you know so many of us California girls live in Utah now?

Aiden Malcolm (Johnson)
Amanda Carter (Bunker)
Amber Marsing (Plymale)
Amber Phillips (Speakman)
Amy Cobia (Miller)
Amy Orton (Bergeson)
Andrea Tao (Olson)
Angie Taylor (Kent)
Atalie Afu (Johnson)
Bethany Campbell (soon to be McGaughy!)
Bre Ahrens (Bell)
Brittanie Stott (Morris)
Channing Hoybjerg
Char Parker
Cherilyn Miller
Cindy Ludlow
Cindy Plymale
Corinne Beede (Jenkins)
Diane Wunderli
Dorothy Christiansen
Elaine Marz
Heather Melo (Florence)
Jamie Styre (Goodrich)
Jamie Towse
Janine Anderson
Jann Downs
Joy Hopkins
Julie Bell
Kate Barlow
Kate Plewe (Maygren)
Kathy Speakman
Katy Broughton
Kelley Airapetov (Goodrich)
Kelly Taylor (Spangler)
Kitte Robbins
Krissy Blickenstaff
Kylie Woodley (Wunderli)
Leanne Barlow (Hafen)
Lygia & Mileah Johnson
Mandy Florence
Marjean Lewis
Mary Ellen Southwick
Melinda Barlow
Pat & Sarah Bluth
Peggy Snyder
Shannon Brown (Marz)
Sharlene Campbell
Shawn Perry
Summer Florence
Tammi Roberts (Miller)
Tena Maughn
Terri & Anine Hotvedt
Trine Krueger (Lassen)
Vicki & Valerie Reynolds
Wendy Heath (Parker)
Whitney Rose (Wunderli)

If you know of anyone else who lives here in Utah please invite them! We're going to have a blast and I wouldn't want anyone to miss out. Can't wait to see all of you and your cute kids :) And a special shout out to my best friend Bre for helping put this all together. I love you girl!

Gratitude

I just feel so overwhelmed with gratitude tonight! I could go on and on with a list of how the Lord has blessed me just in the past few months. It seems like everything is just falling into place and I really couldn't ask for anything more. I love life and all the dear friends and family I share it with. I love the amazing man I will be marrying in two months and for the life that lies ahead of us. And I love my Heavenly Father. He continues to work miracles in my life and I will continue to serve Him in all that I do! Life is beautiful!

Leaving on a Jet Plane

It's been exactly one week since Shanam was called out on an emergency business trip to Texas. He called me last Thursday while I was at work to tell me he was headed to the airport in an hour and that he might not be back for a COUPLE MONTHS! We were so distraught that we wouldn't get to see each other before he left, it was horrible! Don't worry, I pulled myself together :) But it really is strange to go from being with each other every single day to nothing at all! But to count my blessings...I've had so much time to prepare for the wedding! All the big things are ready to go, now I get to focus on all the fun details :) I hope ya'll are planning on coming because this is going to be one spectacular day!

Isn't it about...Time? NO!

Yesterday, as I was studying for my Sunday School lesson, the lesson mentioned how the Restoration was a combination of three things--the right time, the right place, and the right person. God had prepared every little event leading up to the Restoration in order for the Resoration to be perfect. I noticed, interestingly enough, the combination of those three things are what modern day prophets have said about marriage--the right time, the right place, the right person. This got me to thinking about relationships. Before I had met Shanam I remember thinking...WHEN is it going to be my turn...why can't I get find him right NOW...why do I have to WAIT so long? Here's my conclusion. Time is irrelevant to the Lord. Time is something that was created for us here on earth to measure the length of our probation, but the Lord doesn't run on time. The Lord runs on events. Just like the Restoration, everything has to be in order and prepared for the next step, no matter how long that takes. I realize now that certain things had to happen in my life, certain decisions had to be made, before I was ready to meet Shanam and before I was able to recognize the incredible blessings he brought into my life. This moment of meeting the right person happens at different times for everybody, but as long as we have faith that the events in our life are preparing us for that moment, it will happen. And when that moment "finally" happens, the rightness of it feels soooo good :)

It's a Beautiful Life

Look! I made my first snowman!! Well, it kinda looks more like a snowwoman wearing a skirt. I've gotta find her a wig. :) This Christmas was so wonderful! After spending the last two Christmas's in Florida, I finally got to be home for the holidays. I love being with my family and taking in all the little moments. For instance, on Christmas Eve my three younger brothers and I stayed up past midnight playing board games. There was one point when I got laughing so hard that I woke up my parents and got in trouble! I'm 26 years old but I felt like I was 6 again, trying not to giggle after my parents went back to bed :) Hehe.

Wanna know my favorite gift I got for Christmas? Getting to see Shanam every day :) He lives close by now, so it is a dream come true! And let me tell you, this man is so amazing...he knows how much I love getting gifts, so he made sure my Christmas was extra special. I couldn't be happier with all his sweet surprises!

For the new year, I changed my header to "Live Beautifully." Every day is such a blessing. Every moment is something cherished. My life is beautiful and I'm going to live it beautifully!