"Every hero becomes a bore at last."

Have you ever gone to a clothing store and tried on clothes even though you already knew you did not have the money to buy anything? Well, I did that the other day, and I loved it :) I found some shirts that I really liked (and they were actually were a decent price), and I decided to just snap some pictures of them while trying them on. While I cannot own the shirts, I can at least look back at the pictures and remember how nice they were :) (and comfortable too!)

"Every hero becomes a bore at last."

--Ralph Waldo Emerson

Abide with Me

Today, my dad and I sang in sacrament meeting, and my mom played the piano for us. It was a wonderful experience. The song we sang was Abide with Me arranged by Sally DeFord. At first, I wasn't very enthusiastic about singing this song, but the more I practiced it and studied the message, the more I began to love the hymn. While singing, it was wonderful to look down at all the smiling faces of the members in my ward. As I looked around, from face to face, I saw my best friend and her little sister sitting in the back. It made me so happy to see them there! While my throat tends to go dry when I "perform"/sing in front of other people, I feel as though my mom, dad, and myself did a very fine job :)
I encourage you all to read through the words of that hymn. I believe it's number 166 in the hymn book. I hope you all had a lovely Sabbath Day!
(The art pictured is by Simon Dewey)

"Use it or Lose it"

I have been doing a yoga class to help me stay fit over the summer. It is so much fun! Some days I come home sore, but most of the time it's not that bad :) When I was younger, I used to look at yoga as a sissy thing meant for old women. But boy, I'll tell you what, as a dancer, I even find it difficult at times. It really stregthens your core, tones muscles, and also stregthens muscles. Sometimes when my alarm goes off at 5:50 in the morning so I can go to yoga, I just want to roll back over and fall asleep. But when it all boils down to it, I'd rather "use it than lose it". It's like, if I don't take care of my body now, who knows what will happen to it in the future! It keeps me going :)
Well, here are some pictures of some of my favorite poses :)

Warrior 2

Triangle

Tree

Downward Dog

Dancer

Crane

Childs Pose

Frida Kahlo---The Artist

I was not intending to blog about this today, but when I went to the Google search engine, I learned that it is Frida Kahlo's birthday. Friday Kahlo was a famous Mexican painter. A long time ago, I was in a bookstore with my mother, and I happened to pick up a book of Frida's art. I hadn't looked at her art since then until today. While her art is very unique, and she depicts herself in an exagerated way, it's interesting to understand why she paints the things she does. She said, "I paint myself because I am so often alone and because I am the subject I know best." Well, I hope you all can appreciate her art!

The Longest 4th of July of My Life!

I like the 4th of July :) It's such a festive, patriotic time. Currently, I am doing an online American Heritage class, and although it can be really complex most of the time, I have come to appreciate the history of America so much more. I could make a nice, lengthy list of all of the wonderful things I have learned, but I'll spare you the monologue ;)
Anyway, this really has been a unique 4th of July holiday for me. It started the moment I woke up Saturday morning, and it still won't end until I fall asleep tonight! I like it :) Unfortunately, my family didn't do any fireworks in the street this year (which is a first), but hey, life goes on! There's more than one way to spend the holiday :) Yesterday, we had a BBQ, and my mom made a special Angel Food Cake (partly in honor of her Mother whose birthday was July 1st, but also to celebrate this holiday). Here are some pictures from my day yesterday :)
Hooray for America, and the wonderful things that unfolded following the signing of the Declaration of Independence!

I got a little lost for a while....

So I did a terrible job at keeping up on blogging during the month of June. What was my problem? I don't know. But here I am, and I am back, ready to continue sharing the little (and big) blessings and joys I find in life!
Life is full of so many beautiful things. After my visit to the lovely Germany two years ago, I felt sad to realize how much of a desert Utah really is! I had a hard time seeing the beauty of it. I am now happy to say that I have found the beauty of Utah! I love it so so so so so much! It may not be as green as I wish it was (like Washington... mmmm.... I would LOVE that!), but it is a beautiful place and I am happy to call it my home :)
These are some pictures I've taken within the last week of some of the area near my home in the valley.

the Utah Valley Childrens Choir

In my previous post, I talked about my little sister being in the Utah Valley Childrens Choir. Here are some pictures of her performing with them a couple months ago :) The pictures are a little fuzzy because I was clear in the back of the tabernacle, but they work.

My Kindness Shall Not Depart From Thee

This song is among my top favorite songs in the whole world. A little over a week ago, I was struggling through a hard time. My heart ached, and I could not hold back tears from my sorrows. Last Sunday, I had the wonderful opportunity to go to my little sisters choir performance with the Utah Valley Childrens Choir (their pre-tour concert). They sang this song, and I wept. It was just what I needed to hear. With my dads arm around me, I felt completely comforted for the first time in days after hearing this song.

This video is an outstanding and miraculous rendition of the song, and I hope you all will listen carefully to words, and let the message sink in. Gods kindness will NEVER depart from us. Fear not man, for he cannot hurt thee. I testify that God lives, and that the Son, Jesus Christ lives. They love us all so dearly. Hold on your way. I testify of these things in the name of Jesus Christ, the one who provided the infinite Atonement for us that we may always be comforted in our trials, Amen.

To My Best Friend

Here's to my Best Friend:

One who has dreams and looks to the future with me.

One who is always happy and ready to have fun!

One who will play dress-ups with me... ;)

One who has taken big steps with me (i.e. graduation)

One who is musically talented :)

One who can be just as awkward as me!

One who (again) will play dress-ups with me... at the mall!!!

One who joins me anywhere-- especially on awkward dates...

One who is always willing to go on an adventure!

One who is just as shocked at our awesomeness as I am ;)

One who likes to eat out at festive restaurants with me.

One who teaches me how to bake.

One who is funny, and always fun to be around :D

One who keeps me close so I don't lose my way.

One who understands my biggest fears (one of those being fish)

One who brings out the best in me.

One who is always full of surprises!!!

One who is a true blessing in my life :)

Thanks for being the best friend I could have ever asked for! When I struggle through trials, you are always there for me with a shoulder to cry on, a listening ear, inspiring words of advice, and a spoon full of sugar to help the medicine go down :) Thanks for all you do!

Love,

Me :)