tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15186340307288064612024-03-19T16:12:50.706-06:00B+[be positive]Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11091033770000836864noreply@blogger.comBlogger183125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1518634030728806461.post-66377026064288873082018-09-06T16:21:00.001-06:002018-09-06T16:21:16.064-06:00three months a bostonianIt's about time I brought a few updates over here.<br />
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The quick version: I graduated from BYU in April and moved to Boston in June to work for SHIFT Communications as a post-graduate intern. I serve as the Relief Society pianist<br />
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You can follow my daily updates on Instagram @ThePRGrad.<br />
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Now for the longer version.<br />
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This move across the country has been exactly what I had hoped and expected and secretly didn't want to bring upon myself. I love being entirely on my own and discovering my own resourcefulness. Work challenges me to keep up my skills from college while also building an entirely new knowledge base. The strength of the members of the Church out here has been the biggest blessing. Living in the middle of so much American history is a dream come true.<br />
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Then we have the hard times. I'm currently in between housing, living off the hospitality of others. The decisions of grad school and working full-time and career paths are all staring me straight in the face. New friends are wonderful but still not at the point of my core Utah group. Vulnerability has never been my strong suit; I'm a much better listener than sharer. Uncomfortable questions, waiting in coffee shops, relying entirely on other people is becoming my norm.<br />
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Work is fulfilling, yet also tedious. It sometimes feels like I will never get out of this cycle of never-ending internships. I have to constantly remind myself to think a little more different and find innovative ways to approach the same old scans, emails, social posts and tracking that I do every single day.<br />
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I have felt the pangs of homesickness and loneliness more than I ever imagined I would. My weaknesses are revealing themselves more prominently, making me forget my strengths every now and again. Personal confidence has been shattered and glued back together and then broken all over again. I've never felt so fragile or uncertain outside of my physical health problems.<br />
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In the midst of all of these realities, I'm finding little pieces of joy. Boston is absolutely beautiful when it's not a million degrees outside. Everything is so green. I can dedicate more time and mental energy to studying the scriptures and words of living prophets. New friends are able to connect on a deeper level because school and boy drama are no longer the norm of conversation. I'm finally working through my booklist during the commute to and from work. I've enjoyed a few thunderstorms and beautiful evenings on the porch. The hints of fall are in the air, and I cannot wait for the colors to hit New England.<br />
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Every member of my ward tells me, "Boston will break you and then build you up again."<br />
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As I'm in the middle of the breaking portion of my Boston experience, I have been touched by the goodness of people and of our Heavenly Father. I have been reminded of my divine identity and purpose. I have felt encircled in the arms of His love. I have learned the importance of acting in faith, especially when it means taking some terrifying steps into the dark. I have witnessed angels sent in answers to tearful prayers. I have felt my Savior's hand take mine to lead me along. I am slowly learning how to recognize my Heavenly Father's will for me.<br />
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That's more than anyone ever wanted to know.<br />
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In short, I simply want to testify that God is in the details of the details of the details. When we choose to see Christ in every aspect of our daily lives, He is there. We are never alone, though sometimes Heavenly Father withholds answers to allow us to own our decisions. How He loves us.<br />
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"I learned this, at least, by my experiment: that if one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours." -Henry David Thoreau, a fellow Bostonian<br />
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I look forward to those coming hours.Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11091033770000836864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1518634030728806461.post-14051368186114131472017-02-01T23:53:00.003-07:002017-03-10T16:45:55.253-07:00the edge of the mississippi<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I've been pondering on what it means to move forward in faith.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">My f</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">amily decided to visit Nauvoo over the Christmas break. Our visit at the end of December was an entirely different experience from our usual summer vacations. The town was freezing and nearly deserted except for the faithful senior missionaries. We visited our favorite sites and reflected on our previous experiences in the beautiful city.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">O</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">ne morning, we drove down Parley Street to the edge of the Mississippi River. This is the road the saints walked down as they left their homes and followed the prophet's call to head west. Plaques containing quotes and journal entries from these early church members line the street.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></div>
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<style type="text/css"> p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px Helvetica; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000} span.s1 {font-kerning: none} </style> <span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br /></span></span> <span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I've walked down Parley Street numerous times. I've read the plaques and heard the same stories every summer. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke: rgb(0, 0, 0);">But this visit was different.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke: rgb(0, 0, 0);">s I stood at the edge of the ice-covered river, the stories of these people leaving behind their homes, livelihoods and beautiful temple suddenly took on new meaning. I looked at the ice-covered river wondering how those pioneers managed to physically and mentally cross into the unknown west. I thought of the families huddled together, trying to stay warm but unable to escape the wind. I felt the almost-immediate urge to run back to the warm homes just up the street.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span> <span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">T</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">he wind from the river combined with the bitter cold pushed me back to the warmth of the car after only a minute or two. But those few moments at the edge of the Mississippi River have made me think.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">It's easy to imagine ourselves doing hard things when life is in the "summer mode."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It's easy to not work </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke: rgb(0, 0, 0);">during a semester and tell yourself you could handle a job along with classes</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">It's easy </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke: rgb(0, 0, 0);">to say you're happy to help anyone with anything when your own life is running smoothly. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">I</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke: rgb(0, 0, 0);">t's easy to imagine following the call to go west when the river is full and the green hills on the other side carry the promise of a hope-filled future.</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">T</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke: rgb(0, 0, 0);">hankfully, God knows what will actually help us grow. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">H</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke: rgb(0, 0, 0);">e asks us to do hard things right when it seems we can't do anything else.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">H</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke: rgb(0, 0, 0);">e asks us to take on an extra calling while juggling three jobs and school already.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">H</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke: rgb(0, 0, 0);">e asks us to serve more when we already have family members and roommates to take care of.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">H</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke: rgb(0, 0, 0);">e asks us to give a little more to Him when we are financially, physically and emotionally spent.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">H</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">e asks us to start a journey of unknown length to an unknown destination in the middle of the winter. </span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span> <span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">O</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">ne of my favorite lines from Nauvoo says, <b>"West is just a direction, not a destination." </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">L</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke: rgb(0, 0, 0);">ooking at the example of these early pioneers, I'm blown away by the sheer amount of faith they had to step on to the frozen Mississippi River and move forward. </span></span><br />
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">They had no idea where they were going.</span></span><br />
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">They had no clue how long they would be walking.</span></span><br />
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">They only knew that they were supposed to go west.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">G</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">od often asks us to move and to change. That call usually comes at the seemingly most inconvenient times. We want to put off the prompting or ignore it entirely. We can't imagine why a loving Heavenly Father would put one more thing on our shoulders. To top it all off, we have no idea where He's trying to take us. Usually, His path makes little sense to our short-term minds.</span><span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br />
<b style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></b> <b style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">This is the power of moving forward in faith. </b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">W</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke: rgb(0, 0, 0);">e don't know the specifics of God's plan for each of us. There are hints in the scriptures and personal revelation, but we can't see everything laid out in plain detail. </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">That's a frustrating concept for a planner, like myself.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But step </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke: rgb(0, 0, 0);">by step, as we follow God's directions, we find ourselves coming closer to Him.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">W</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke: rgb(0, 0, 0);">e discover what He needs us to accomplish.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">W</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke: rgb(0, 0, 0);">e discover who we truly are as His children.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">W</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke: rgb(0, 0, 0);">e align our will with our Heavenly Father's.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">W</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke: rgb(0, 0, 0);">e become who He needs us to become.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">A</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke: rgb(0, 0, 0);">nd, step by step, we make it across the Mississippi River.</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: black; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">T</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke: rgb(0, 0, 0);">his is a time where I feel that I am one of the pioneers standing at the edge of the river, shaking my head and wondering why God is asking me to take those first steps. I wonder how I could possibly make it across. And yet, as I have acted and moved forward, I have felt Him guiding me every single day. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">I </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke: rgb(0, 0, 0);">know Heavenly Father loves me. I know He loves you. I know we are His children. </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; white-space: pre-wrap;">He will not lead us astray.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So move forward. Act.</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We won't go anywhere just standing at the edge of the Mississippi.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I have felt the need to share this for a while now.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This is the story of someone who has become very important in my life. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I hope he changes your life, too.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">Please note: holes were filled in this account with creative license. Not all details may be accurate, but ultimately help to get the point of the story across.</span></span></div>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-429f9564-c18f-f7ad-8038-6dd4e44c5e3b" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Taken from </span></b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/john/6.5-14?lang=eng#4" style="text-decoration: none;">John 6:5-14</a></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A great multitude had followed Jesus after seeing the miracles He had performed. After going up into the mountain with his disciples, Jesus looked down upon the crowd.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">"Jesus...was moved with compassion toward them... and he began to teach them many things." Mark 6:34</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The day had grown late, and the disciples recommended sending the people to their homes to eat. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">But Jesus had another plan.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">"...he saith unto Philip, [from where] shall we buy bread, that these may eat? And this he said to prove [Philip]: for he himself knew what he would do."</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Philip, a bit taken aback by the request, examined the size of the multitude - five thousand people. It was late in the day. These people were hungry. Jesus and the disciples still need to eat. As the keeper of the money bag, Philip knew exactly how much money Jesus had to use, and there wouldn't be enough. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">"Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little."</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Jesus knew this of course. He nodded at Philip, acknowledged that this would not work and so there must be another option. Whether by Jesus' suggestion or their own idea, the disciples begin to go out among the people to see what food is available to be shared among the group. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Their work yielded little. The crowd had come suddenly and without preparation. Perhaps sending the people back home would be the best option. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">"But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat." Matthew 14:16</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Jesus wasn't done teaching.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Andrew, one of the disciples, came across a young man with some food. Five barely loaves and two small fish to be exact. Andrew asked the young man if he would be willing to share his food, to which the young man responds affirmatively. Andrew leads him back to Jesus with the food. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">"There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?"</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">There are a hundred emotions that hit the lad at this point. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">First, it's worth noting that barley was the coarse flour of those with little money. These five barley loaves may have been all the food he had for the week. Perhaps he was off to give the food to other family members. Regardless, the barley loaves indicated his poor economic status.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The lad realizes that the disciples mean to share his food with the five thousand, not just among each other. This would mean no leftover food for his own use. </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The questioning in the voice of well-meaning disciple places doubt in the heart of the young man. Andrew had done all he could to find food to give the multitude, yet he doubted that it could ever be enough. And that's enough for the young man to wonder if his little bit of food is even worth offering.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Jesus sees Andrew bring the lad forward. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">He listens to his disciple list the food offered.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">He hears the question everyone wants to ask: how do you intend to feed five thousand?</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And then Jesus turns to the young lad and asks, "May I share your food?"</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The love of the Savior burns brightly as the lad looks Jesus in the eyes and responds, "Yes."</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhtz62pCQ5t83BD-zhvoaR7lLeUmAko-yikotdfRDizkqJrIuji_hnz_SrzdClEMN4052gZpEKYHx6aDkzEigkfj2IlP-ZXMH-nU1W9NHjkKWOJoghduV3wGk0wt1ZcMpYHXSWAwPmrKbs/s1600/maxresdefault.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhtz62pCQ5t83BD-zhvoaR7lLeUmAko-yikotdfRDizkqJrIuji_hnz_SrzdClEMN4052gZpEKYHx6aDkzEigkfj2IlP-ZXMH-nU1W9NHjkKWOJoghduV3wGk0wt1ZcMpYHXSWAwPmrKbs/s400/maxresdefault.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We know the rest of the story. Jesus takes the offered food, gives thanks, blesses the food, and breaks the food for the disciples to distribute among the people.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It's <a href="https://www.lds.org/bible-videos/videos/the-feeding-of-the-5000?lang=eng">the miracle of how five thousand people were fed</a> from five loaves and two small fishes. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Our Heavenly Father asks us to do certain things. He wants us to keep His commandments, to serve His children, to go to the temple, to give thanks, and so on. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sometimes I wonder how I can ever do it all.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">After all, we are imperfect mortals. I have weaknesses. A lot of them. I feel like I falter more than I move forward. I have so little I can give to Him. </span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">But that's the point, isn't it?</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Just like this young lad, we often approach the Lord with our meager offerings wondering, </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">What am I among so many? </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Do you really expect my five loaves and two fishes to make a difference?</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We doubt ourselves.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We doubt our faith.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And then Christ looks into our souls</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“If you give me everything you have, I promise that miracles will happen.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">There are so many people at this crucial moment of life. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Will you give Christ your five loaves and two fishes in faith?</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I have felt that this semester. I have felt my offerings seem to grow smaller and smaller to the point where I feel like all I can give is half a barley loaf. </span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And then Christ steps in. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">That’s the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">He changes us. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">He makes us whole.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">He makes us instruments.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And He feeds five thousand with our seemingly insignificant offering.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This boy changed my life because he had the faith to give all he had to the Savior.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I’m still trying to grow that kind of faith.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">But in the moments where I have given everything to Christ, miracles have happened. </span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I testify that as we bring ourselves to Christ, He will magnify our influence, our talents, and our sacrifices beyond compare. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I know God lives. I know Jesus is our Savior. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I know He loves us.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I know He heals us.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I know He makes us into more than we could ever be on our own.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And that is the story of a boy who changed my life.</span></span></div>
Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11091033770000836864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1518634030728806461.post-38371849393586765292015-12-20T14:19:00.001-07:002015-12-20T14:19:23.214-07:00summer reflectionsThis summer strengthened my testimony that God is in the details of our lives.<br />
He placed people in my path who I needed to meet.<br />
He reminded me of who I wanted to become.<br />
He counseled me on who I did not want to become.<br />
He made the mountains more beautiful every day.<br />
He cooled the mornings to reduce my summer heat exhaustion.<br />
He gave a job to someone else so I could have my dream campus job.<br />
He gave me tender mercies, like thunderstorms, parking spots, and sleeping in.<br />
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I learned a lot about myself these past three months.<br />
Mostly, I was reminded about the incredible people the Lord put into my life.<br />
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Coming home from a mission was hard.<br />
Daily scripture study was hard.<br />
Being alone was hard.<br />
Talking to boys was really hard.<br />
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But the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ remain true, no matter where you are in life.<br />
I know He gives us strength to do everything He asks of us. And more.<br />
It took a while to figure it out, but I know how to better rely on Him and put my life in His hands.<br />
I love this gospel.<br />
And I might even be starting to love summer.Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11091033770000836864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1518634030728806461.post-25788179427095312502015-07-01T00:01:00.000-06:002015-07-01T00:02:30.302-06:00communications 101<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; orphans: 4; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
Second assignment for my communications class this summer: create a blog post analyzing some aspect of mass media using the theories discussed in class.</div>
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Here's what I came up with. More meaningful posts to come later on in life.<br />
You can see the posts of other class members at our <a href="https://byucomms101.wordpress.com/">class blog</a>.</div>
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Each of us has a passion. My friends all proudly declare their loves for all aspects of life: marching band, stress-relieving runs, puppet-building, food, and medical technology. Our passions tend to be those things in which we are active participants. We find a place of belonging with other people who share those same interests. We then tend to create a community with these people where that interest can be discussed, experienced, and analyzed without judgement. Today, there is a new kind of community rising based upon media interests: the internet fandom.</div>
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The Urban Dictionary defines a fandom as, “The community that surrounds a TV show, movie, book, etc.” The most common fandoms I have noticed include: Sherlock, Doctor Who, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Supernatural, Hunger Games, My Little Pony, Star Wars, Merlin, Avengers, Mean Girls, just about anything Disney, Twilight, the list goes on.<img alt="Screen Shot 2015-06-30 at 9.27.39 PM" class=" size-medium wp-image-5705 aligncenter" height="400" src="https://byucomms101.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/screen-shot-2015-06-30-at-9-27-39-pm.png?w=216&h=300" style="border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.4) 0px 0px 3px; clear: both; display: block; height: auto; margin: 1.5em auto; max-width: 100%;" width="288" /></div>
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The difference, however, between the casual fan and the member of a fandom of any of these groups comes down to the application of what mass communication researchers define as the uses-and-gratifications media theory. This research examines why audiences use media and what they do with it, rather than what the media does to them.</div>
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The active fandom member will seek out and create new media to describe their feelings, or “feels” in the fandom world, for their particular book, movie, TV show, and so on. The passive fandom member, such as myself, will quietly stalk, like, and share this audience-created media for hours to validate his or her own belonging to the community.</div>
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Most people are not excluded to just a single fandom. For example, one may love Harry Potter, Sherlock and Star Wars and still be actively involved in media surrounding both groups. In fact, some people have created their own kind of “media convergence” by bringing multiple fandoms together through what they create, share, and repost.</div>
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<a href="https://byucomms101.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/screen-shot-2015-06-29-at-9-57-02-pm.png" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(240, 29, 79); background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #01a0db; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="Screen Shot 2015-06-29 at 9.57.02 PM" class=" size-medium wp-image-5708 aligncenter" height="258" src="https://byucomms101.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/screen-shot-2015-06-29-at-9-57-02-pm.png?w=300&h=194" style="border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.4) 0px 0px 3px; clear: both; display: block; height: auto; margin: 1.5em auto; max-width: 100%;" width="400" /></a></div>
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These media artifacts can be memes, cosplay (elaborate costumes of beloved characters), gifs, merchandise, YouTube videos, fan fiction, and many, many Tumblr posts. Outlets for sharing these kinds of media include Pinterest, Tumblr (it’s always Tumblr’s fault), Buzzfeed, Comic Con, blogs, and just about any other kind of social media available.</div>
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<a href="https://byucomms101.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/screen-shot-2015-06-30-at-11-32-23-pm.png" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(240, 29, 79); background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #01a0db; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="Screen Shot 2015-06-30 at 11.32.23 PM" class=" size-medium wp-image-5706 aligncenter" height="234" src="https://byucomms101.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/screen-shot-2015-06-30-at-11-32-23-pm.png?w=300&h=176" style="border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.4) 0px 0px 3px; clear: both; display: block; height: auto; margin: 1.5em auto; max-width: 100%;" width="400" /></a></div>
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This brings up the question: what do these media artifacts reflect about our society?</div>
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Reading through the list of fandoms above, chances are you recognized several of the books, movies, and TV shows listed. You also most likely want to go look up the ones you don’t know as much about to see why you be sucked into yet another fandom. I grew up without reading or watching “Harry Potter”, and in my little world, that was perfectly acceptable. However, once I arrived at BYU campus, I quickly discovered that little knowledge of such an important topic was just an inadmissible error in my life that needed to be remedied as quickly as possible. Today, I find myself a part of the “Harry Potter” fandom, with all the “feels” that a member of this community experiences from the original books and movies.</div>
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<a href="https://byucomms101.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/screen-shot-2015-06-30-at-11-41-45-pm.png" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(240, 29, 79); background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #01a0db; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="Screen Shot 2015-06-30 at 11.41.45 PM" class=" size-medium wp-image-5710 aligncenter" height="338" src="https://byucomms101.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/screen-shot-2015-06-30-at-11-41-45-pm.png?w=300&h=254" style="border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.4) 0px 0px 3px; clear: both; display: block; height: auto; margin: 1.5em auto; max-width: 100%;" width="400" /></a></div>
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One could argue that as a “produser,” or someone who both uses and produces media, audience members create these new pieces of media based on the original piece to help with the emotional highs and lows of being a dedicated member of a fandom. This could be an effect of the messages encoded by the original media creators: the author, script-writer, director, or actor. The creators want to elicit emotional appeals in whatever messages the media sends to the audience. However, within a fandom, the audience often will decode these emotional appeals to a more extreme level than the original creator may have intended.</div>
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<a href="https://byucomms101.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/screen-shot-2015-06-29-at-10-01-35-pm.png" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(240, 29, 79); background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #01a0db; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="Screen Shot 2015-06-29 at 10.01.35 PM" class=" size-full wp-image-5709 aligncenter" height="400" src="https://byucomms101.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/screen-shot-2015-06-29-at-10-01-35-pm.png?w=585" style="border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.4) 0px 0px 3px; clear: both; display: block; height: auto; margin: 1.5em auto; max-width: 100%;" width="349" /></a></div>
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This could work both ways. Seeing the gifs, memes, posts, and merchandise fandom members create, the original authors of the media message may revisit plot lines, dialogue, and other aspects to continue to provide the content that the audience continually uses. For example, members of Tumblr regularly complain of the television writer and producer, Steven Moffat, for continually placing characters in stressful, deadly, emotional situations. However, these situations are also the focus of most of fandom media. Steven Moffat may choose to decode the messages from fandoms as an indication to continue creating these highly-irritating cliff hanger moments.</div>
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Ultimately, the rise of the internet fandom leads us to question what kinds of media are most important in our daily lives. Becoming more actively involved in a fandom requires us to analyze where we spend our time. Some will argue that even though none of this is real, it doesn’t matter if these shows and movies become a focal point of mental and physical energy. The decision comes to each of us to decide if we will let this become a lifestyle or stay a merely entertaining piece of media.</div>
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The choice is yours. Welcome to the fandom world.</div>
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<a href="https://byucomms101.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/fandom-gif.gif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(240, 29, 79); background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #01a0db; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><img alt="fandom gif" class=" size-medium wp-image-5707 aligncenter" height="217" src="https://byucomms101.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/fandom-gif.gif?w=300&h=163" style="border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.4) 0px 0px 3px; clear: both; display: block; height: auto; margin: 1.5em auto; max-width: 100%;" width="400" /></a></div>
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All images courtesy of Pinterest.</div>
Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11091033770000836864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1518634030728806461.post-36206800538804999362015-06-11T20:44:00.001-06:002015-06-11T20:44:34.513-06:00the first seven weeks of realityThe past seven weeks have been full of family, cleaning, finding out about weddings and engagements, band concerts, friends visiting, road trips, food, birthdays, and awkward adjustment.<br />
Nothing out of the ordinary.<br />
<br />
Coming home from a mission is so much harder than I ever anticipated. Finding that balance between being in the world but not of the world becomes the challenge of every single day.<br />
Seven weeks later, I think I'm finally figuring it out.<br />
<br />
Pray daily. Multiple times a day.<br />
Read your scriptures. Nothing happens until that happens.<br />
Those are the daily non-negotiable priorities.<br />
It's just living the basics.<br />
And everything else works out from there.<br />
<br />
I came across <a href="http://segullah.org/daily-special/the-battle-in-our-brains/">this article</a> that had this powerful statement:<br />
<br />
"<b>Frequent the scriptures often enough that your brain craves that kind of input - that your day feels incomplete without it.</b>"<br />
<br />
Scripture study has been the struggle of struggles since I came home. My desire to really feast on the words of Christ grew weak. I missed the power of morning study on my mission. Prayer, time, and, of course, studying helped strengthen that desire, and now I can feel the Lord's direction for this next phase of my life.<br />
<br />
One of my friends suggested a study of the topic "balance."That led to several powerful studies in the scriptures, but especially with the words of modern-day prophets. Elder Ballard, one of the apostles, stated in <a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1987/04/keeping-lifes-demands-in-balance?lang=eng">his talk from April 1987</a>,<br />
<br />
"Just do the very best you can each day. Do the basic things and, before you realize it, your life will be full of spiritual understanding that will confirm to you that your Heavenly Father loves you. <b>When a person knows this, then life will be full of purpose and meaning, making balance easier to maintain</b>."<br />
<br />
That's a powerful promise.<br />
I know I am a daughter of God. I know He lives and He loves me.<br />
I know the same to be true for you.<br />
There is power in that truth.<br />
<br />
This past weekend in Nauvoo, one of the characters made a simple observation: "When the pioneers left, they didn't know where they would end up. <b>West wasn't a destination, it was just a direction</b>."<br />
<br />
That hit me. Hard.<br />
I have no idea where Heavenly Father needs me to end up. But I'm starting to get a sense of where He needs me to start moving. And for now, that's enough.<br />
<br />
So that's life on the home front. Different from being out on the mission, but still where Heavenly Father needs His work done. He continues to build me in His own ways each and every day. The gospel is true, no matter what part of life we find ourselves in. How grateful I am for that simple fact! This is His work, His plan. He will always be with us.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHsRrtgimZ3GqQu-8qvTS4_4HUF2RDhz9gMMhMRTBk7oJ_x6lZNQhqTcfM3dsasc-jYmsShbVZz_ArivehJxz1Nj5uPDzVVkCg3CVvkJEIyqavDSMg8mFD93vzc0EYPMokg43rFBfd3sqd/s1600/IMG_0059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHsRrtgimZ3GqQu-8qvTS4_4HUF2RDhz9gMMhMRTBk7oJ_x6lZNQhqTcfM3dsasc-jYmsShbVZz_ArivehJxz1Nj5uPDzVVkCg3CVvkJEIyqavDSMg8mFD93vzc0EYPMokg43rFBfd3sqd/s400/IMG_0059.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First Sunday home with the family!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Classiest high school band concert ever.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigKdh5wmvYqzVbmT8n6k-99mSFiTmV-bvBLURzKZlfv2dc2seEj9KlTypT3vBQSc_ESsvGRsiRGqXI52RSvl_tsGKI7f6HuwXmee3HS2yMPjv_79LOz8ZEGvt0G_xKWdE6MqwyY3EM8KUf/s1600/IMG_0179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigKdh5wmvYqzVbmT8n6k-99mSFiTmV-bvBLURzKZlfv2dc2seEj9KlTypT3vBQSc_ESsvGRsiRGqXI52RSvl_tsGKI7f6HuwXmee3HS2yMPjv_79LOz8ZEGvt0G_xKWdE6MqwyY3EM8KUf/s400/IMG_0179.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Treasured time at the temple with mom.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIxuWyyrxwJOebBrV1PROzIhTEfAd62oJHQSGDFeuLFbx37QimTC3k-fzhJ6u2lB3Y00vRNbOgyXDCBq1Q42T6Gc-eVq2hBa6PIoaTfUVS5NkTaTjB8tHu5pLEl_dSF4rAWZjiHcOT0gPf/s1600/IMG_0369.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIxuWyyrxwJOebBrV1PROzIhTEfAd62oJHQSGDFeuLFbx37QimTC3k-fzhJ6u2lB3Y00vRNbOgyXDCBq1Q42T6Gc-eVq2hBa6PIoaTfUVS5NkTaTjB8tHu5pLEl_dSF4rAWZjiHcOT0gPf/s400/IMG_0369.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sister Bill/Kathy came to visit and so we did awesome things. Like go to Nauvoo.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLBeWLK9_dHOij4OYoe2ulfpSHMwyvGx7V9GvcAou1guP9241_u1dsj8DDyBRmbB3babKC73NrZIfiapjblGxyxJPxLkWzYk3VSWC806EkkkSnnC5mwXTYxaDmIabAEZMfKeLw2i5xr1Am/s1600/IMG_0614.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLBeWLK9_dHOij4OYoe2ulfpSHMwyvGx7V9GvcAou1guP9241_u1dsj8DDyBRmbB3babKC73NrZIfiapjblGxyxJPxLkWzYk3VSWC806EkkkSnnC5mwXTYxaDmIabAEZMfKeLw2i5xr1Am/s400/IMG_0614.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seminary graduation with these cuties.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRZa9qZ1kQSuomZ7kIW-TVlHnQRLBML2UkZh6QVwpVw5BY1y95xQLLUAXp06FtN8Je63R95ZitBt-cggmn0GXeYka70E9W31ZbAT22z_lAufKHv0nGnSdgP5pNu2UBSeDXXFIK8Y2ozpGf/s1600/IMG_0637.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRZa9qZ1kQSuomZ7kIW-TVlHnQRLBML2UkZh6QVwpVw5BY1y95xQLLUAXp06FtN8Je63R95ZitBt-cggmn0GXeYka70E9W31ZbAT22z_lAufKHv0nGnSdgP5pNu2UBSeDXXFIK8Y2ozpGf/s400/IMG_0637.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hanging out with Ashley/Sister Fluegel from the mission.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUmQ1NjCOyTYDdXUP1iRYXTNzraW30_oG789IWUmepfMgk6u3KvG448fa3oDrc4-fYGIqcnH0hvI_pUDER5JiU8ofN8RGt89fwYvTmIjVFFaTUH-uRKfOALpMTf3btVDHihrNIccLER9y0/s1600/IMG_0676.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUmQ1NjCOyTYDdXUP1iRYXTNzraW30_oG789IWUmepfMgk6u3KvG448fa3oDrc4-fYGIqcnH0hvI_pUDER5JiU8ofN8RGt89fwYvTmIjVFFaTUH-uRKfOALpMTf3btVDHihrNIccLER9y0/s400/IMG_0676.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He turned 15. We're all getting way too old.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia_oaQIwpc2a6CGVgPE1uhl-5VWmfXEf0ltMoxDk9eoGi4TVDGjVOc6kJ6eaENidvAPTBAoG-4b0SUeUkykPJ7a0mHpr1KSIkNLeUpm77fkpBINtaRUK7zL-wo_Dxx5YttoabNylBnV4UT/s1600/IMG_0744.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia_oaQIwpc2a6CGVgPE1uhl-5VWmfXEf0ltMoxDk9eoGi4TVDGjVOc6kJ6eaENidvAPTBAoG-4b0SUeUkykPJ7a0mHpr1KSIkNLeUpm77fkpBINtaRUK7zL-wo_Dxx5YttoabNylBnV4UT/s400/IMG_0744.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Coombs surprised Megan for graduation!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeA84i5N1O56uf6CUIXK4cC8d9AQHjfdhUC6AOi9ICdDp-BIJa5wAd2bg-PCQ99XTOhOYO9YP1CWr4aOzrFbhdP8NtLzu1YZmMtkfX3xDn2fHuj265kQlSvrjpJeEg-EOpnPorsB4fmEuu/s1600/IMG_0943.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeA84i5N1O56uf6CUIXK4cC8d9AQHjfdhUC6AOi9ICdDp-BIJa5wAd2bg-PCQ99XTOhOYO9YP1CWr4aOzrFbhdP8NtLzu1YZmMtkfX3xDn2fHuj265kQlSvrjpJeEg-EOpnPorsB4fmEuu/s640/IMG_0943.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love this city.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_VfIK13DfvujeK3YngI5r0ACRKPcOOQ1waYTfK-55nIa5LAStG12dJDT4f6m1YDc-cxw9ae-9ZwLj7YFpMCov1EFjLiznp9syN9Cy564YhQGHpSLbZ1-STnuo_Hwhrvpsp0Zm9mKX3odc/s1600/IMG_0959.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_VfIK13DfvujeK3YngI5r0ACRKPcOOQ1waYTfK-55nIa5LAStG12dJDT4f6m1YDc-cxw9ae-9ZwLj7YFpMCov1EFjLiznp9syN9Cy564YhQGHpSLbZ1-STnuo_Hwhrvpsp0Zm9mKX3odc/s400/IMG_0959.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prom hair was an adventure.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWbhLJi7WjIjSfJlWaO_eF_u0jWCk4_ks-nyPdmPFj_UDT26K5JbyB0H6vNW-FWPPn8Dvrh2fqBa_bZxisULPBrXgK5pu5agYpViJg9BDmEdfDMqSsQZmRTo2p4p6bArhYgVZ5CIP0f29z/s1600/IMG_0961.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWbhLJi7WjIjSfJlWaO_eF_u0jWCk4_ks-nyPdmPFj_UDT26K5JbyB0H6vNW-FWPPn8Dvrh2fqBa_bZxisULPBrXgK5pu5agYpViJg9BDmEdfDMqSsQZmRTo2p4p6bArhYgVZ5CIP0f29z/s640/IMG_0961.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Family adventures downtown.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1hlrLRsREqO-9joOvaBVjh_TQUsHNG3L02cCMbgBT-9zG5HTJw3A0jVk5NKZ9DRaoix_3GkoHxsEDfp2_9XyjekXjR4hUum3NL4bDRIklxdmfVarEy0rL_R8hMQpeuzRKCK0NN9sW4GVf/s1600/IMG_0976.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1hlrLRsREqO-9joOvaBVjh_TQUsHNG3L02cCMbgBT-9zG5HTJw3A0jVk5NKZ9DRaoix_3GkoHxsEDfp2_9XyjekXjR4hUum3NL4bDRIklxdmfVarEy0rL_R8hMQpeuzRKCK0NN9sW4GVf/s640/IMG_0976.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She survived high school! Only one more to go.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11091033770000836864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1518634030728806461.post-79141620196950580912013-10-06T16:06:00.000-06:002013-10-06T16:06:20.338-06:00on a missionIn exactly one hour, I will be set apart as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.<br />
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You can follow all of my wonderful missionary adventures over at my missionary blog, which is linked up at the top, or right here below.</div>
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<a href="http://sisterlaurenholbrook.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Sister Lauren Holbrook</span></a></div>
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Love you all. Keep smiling, and I'll see you in 2015!</div>
Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11091033770000836864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1518634030728806461.post-28761741421199003592013-09-18T21:05:00.000-06:002013-09-18T21:17:18.312-06:00my parentsI'm going through the five thousand pictures we have from three cameras and two iPhones of this summer's road trip.<br />
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More on that craziness to come.</div>
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But I found all these pictures of my parents that are just too adorable not to share.</div>
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22 years of marriage, and they're still just as in love as the day they were married.</div>
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#livinghappilyeverafter </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sK3Oy8gGCy0/UjpoJTLuI_I/AAAAAAAADc4/BF6Gx2pG9yk/s1600/7C.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="325" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sK3Oy8gGCy0/UjpoJTLuI_I/AAAAAAAADc4/BF6Gx2pG9yk/s400/7C.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Ok so this is actually before our summer road trip. But it was only like 3 days before. So here it is.</div>
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I mean, just look at how adorable they are. They haven't aged one bit either.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RInfnipSkfw/UjpnqxR2bGI/AAAAAAAADcg/AWfRMgv0PXc/s1600/IMG_2031.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RInfnipSkfw/UjpnqxR2bGI/AAAAAAAADcg/AWfRMgv0PXc/s640/IMG_2031.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Definitely not afraid to be dorks when their kids ask them to be.</div>
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The Lewis and Clark pose everyone.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oumOc-QuU8M/Ujpn22pXtLI/AAAAAAAADcw/UQrJD4Yc9bQ/s1600/P1100200.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oumOc-QuU8M/Ujpn22pXtLI/AAAAAAAADcw/UQrJD4Yc9bQ/s640/P1100200.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Candid moment at the Grand Canyon.</div>
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Awwwww</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_kx6anRfg5s/Ujpnovo7n8I/AAAAAAAADcY/qkkqJzHwwEc/s1600/IMG_1791.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_kx6anRfg5s/Ujpnovo7n8I/AAAAAAAADcY/qkkqJzHwwEc/s640/IMG_1791.JPG" width="478" /></a></div>
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I mean, seriously. Just look at how adorable they are. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VLToQ9Lf6dI/UjpndJrNiXI/AAAAAAAADcQ/K7SBAcNMcr4/s1600/IMG_1124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VLToQ9Lf6dI/UjpndJrNiXI/AAAAAAAADcQ/K7SBAcNMcr4/s640/IMG_1124.JPG" width="478" /></a></div>
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This had to be the greatest moment of the trip. Hands down.</div>
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We visited the University of Utah campus <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">[enemy territory]</span> for a few brief moments.</div>
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Just so Dad could re-enact his proposal to mom at the exact spot it took place for us kids to see.</div>
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Except there was a tree. And snow. So I'm told.</div>
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#familyhistorystop</div>
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But really, that's just adorable. </div>
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And that is why my parents should win the most adorable people ever award.</div>
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The end.</div>
Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11091033770000836864noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1518634030728806461.post-60685695325455396982013-09-18T20:50:00.000-06:002013-09-18T20:52:15.839-06:00eternity<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Surprise! I'm still here!<br />
Only for 21 more days.<br />
#wheredidthetimego<br />
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I'm in the process of copying pictures over and uploading them to blogger so you can all see the adventures of this year's summer <strike>vacation</strike> road trip. While that magic is happening, I thought I'd share with you all one of the most incredible days of my life.<br />
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On August 15th, I went through the <a href="http://www.lds.org/church/temples/why-we-build-temples?lang=eng">temple</a> for the first time.<br />
Several of my grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins were able to be there with me.<br />
I was so incredibly blessed to be able to go to the Provo Temple, where I have already spent so many hours with dear friends and family members.<br />
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Words cannot adequately describe the peace and joy I felt being in the temple with my family.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gwpnrQFqSU8/UjphMjMx-1I/AAAAAAAADbc/4s9ZWNpaLeM/s1600/P1090883.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gwpnrQFqSU8/UjphMjMx-1I/AAAAAAAADbc/4s9ZWNpaLeM/s640/P1090883.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my eyes might be closed in this one. oh well.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q9YfTBnjM6I/Ujpk_oXOyUI/AAAAAAAADb8/GzsRlRQSiKE/s1600/P1090887.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q9YfTBnjM6I/Ujpk_oXOyUI/AAAAAAAADb8/GzsRlRQSiKE/s640/P1090887.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Uncle Brad, me, and Steven!!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jrhq3KyaJjY/UjphOxpxC8I/AAAAAAAADbk/x1bgGaEqhl4/s1600/P1090890.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jrhq3KyaJjY/UjphOxpxC8I/AAAAAAAADbk/x1bgGaEqhl4/s640/P1090890.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Uncle Jeff, Aunt Carly, Grandma Hyde, me, Steven, Grandpa Hyde, mom, and dad<br /><br />note: there's a waaay better picture except it's on my laptop and Rachel has that. so you're stuck with this one. sorry.</td></tr>
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Having been able to go to the temple a few more times since that beautiful day, my love for the temple has grown every single time.<br />
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Moses 1:39 says:<br />
"For behold, this is my work and my glory; to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man."<br />
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Heavenly Father's work is the work of eternity.<br />
Missionary work is the work of eternity.<br />
One of the members of the temple presidency spoke to the youth when I went to help out with baptisms a few weeks ago. He said something that really stuck out to me:<br />
"You may be here for just a few short hours out of your busy lives. But the work you are doing changes someone's eternity."<br />
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That is the whole reason that I want to serve a mission.<br />
This isn't about me.<br />
Sure, I'm excited to have a mission call, to be missing out on finals for a year and a half, and to be getting a whole new wardrobe. #eldershaveiteasy<br />
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But that's not why I'm serving.<br />
I am serving because I love my Savior.<br />
Because I love my brothers and sisters.<br />
Because I want all of them to experience the same joy and love that I felt on that day.<br />
Because I pray that I can be an instrument in my Heavenly Father's hands in bringing them back to Him.<br />
Because I hope that each of us can be with our families for eternity.<br />
I love my family dearly, and I cannot imagine eternity without them.<br />
I feel so incredibly blessed and honored to have been entrusted with this responsibility and privilege of inviting my brothers and sisters to come unto Christ, to strive to return to our Heavenly Father, and to one day live with Him again.<br />
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Going to the temple helped put that into the eternal perspective.<br />
I thought I couldn't be more excited to serve a mission.<br />
I was wrong.<br />
Every single day, that desire and excitement grows.<br />
21 more days.<br />
It can't come soon enough.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1rTf2RdaKhU/UjphItkO_cI/AAAAAAAADbU/OcPvOBmjqtU/s1600/IMG_0049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1rTf2RdaKhU/UjphItkO_cI/AAAAAAAADbU/OcPvOBmjqtU/s640/IMG_0049.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">I also found this really cute picture of when I opened my mission call that I never knew existed. </span></div>
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It is my hope and prayer that each person I know [or will soon know] will be able to come to the temple often and feel of the joy, peace, and love of our Heavenly Father.</div>
Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11091033770000836864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1518634030728806461.post-43713356629193772762013-07-26T20:42:00.003-06:002013-07-26T20:42:58.397-06:00getting closer...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifKR_YOy-YkuC0b94QB_JBOPaVUkRofjI5k8bi8_0dbZ5TH8hiwP0QcgFadOhViPDQXmvjtIrPjrg9WhZWgEl8k81HmJPauXH0X-Jx7mql-QaQu4hxUjpEkKL4ARS5CtAWMASWtQM_qXg/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-07-26+at+9.42.13+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifKR_YOy-YkuC0b94QB_JBOPaVUkRofjI5k8bi8_0dbZ5TH8hiwP0QcgFadOhViPDQXmvjtIrPjrg9WhZWgEl8k81HmJPauXH0X-Jx7mql-QaQu4hxUjpEkKL4ARS5CtAWMASWtQM_qXg/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-07-26+at+9.42.13+PM.png" /></a></div>
Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11091033770000836864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1518634030728806461.post-61279405564307711542013-07-26T20:37:00.003-06:002013-07-26T20:40:32.784-06:00treasuresIn preparation for leaving on a mission for eighteen months, I've been cleaning out my life.<br />
Well, my life according to my closet.<br />
Boy did I find some good stuff.<br />
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"Trading cards" my fourth grade class made for me when I moved away.<br />
My childhood as defined by my favorite computer games.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOE9RisOl-dlgiemAmBDjrTKangkPnv3Ru4FVKv9Q7a1ZC-Xz7faq9gO4Xzh0nQZotl502J94TRPlWGeu1r-6gyvU7c8R8LO9lqyhgqhPBzKzXVNnKdNf_g5ZgjB3lzupSA9b1i2MkmXQ/s1600/P1090655.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOE9RisOl-dlgiemAmBDjrTKangkPnv3Ru4FVKv9Q7a1ZC-Xz7faq9gO4Xzh0nQZotl502J94TRPlWGeu1r-6gyvU7c8R8LO9lqyhgqhPBzKzXVNnKdNf_g5ZgjB3lzupSA9b1i2MkmXQ/s400/P1090655.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcEyNUUudyh8r54dKuhE3RY7crkwTL_13qpK-Z4PrfoqeGnm3PgKn1a3AkfRKIgVNlBWrNrlKIe8pjcjqdL0mX3vpeR8dDUZomi611zaYOA804d4Q9aTG3GFxcU-moVyaToU9YicC_NzY/s1600/P1090656.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcEyNUUudyh8r54dKuhE3RY7crkwTL_13qpK-Z4PrfoqeGnm3PgKn1a3AkfRKIgVNlBWrNrlKIe8pjcjqdL0mX3vpeR8dDUZomi611zaYOA804d4Q9aTG3GFxcU-moVyaToU9YicC_NzY/s320/P1090656.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The secret code cards from those adorable Mary Kate and Ashley mystery books.<br />
Every single get well card from the past ten years.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpjNkcAvLgzSQ3qBnP7mMrYjfEKTGR1gwd1C9bxdcAn601jP6walJU11NYbFa330KtEkdWFrPJr9D_SgQ8_ebMOLOayrfgeTiBfpebCiSC7lruDRQybLU0sQtrjQyluAhbtQk22Zs5HRA/s1600/0725131541.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpjNkcAvLgzSQ3qBnP7mMrYjfEKTGR1gwd1C9bxdcAn601jP6walJU11NYbFa330KtEkdWFrPJr9D_SgQ8_ebMOLOayrfgeTiBfpebCiSC7lruDRQybLU0sQtrjQyluAhbtQk22Zs5HRA/s640/0725131541.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCvmRvU3hBnez_oI8E2RObl-wufkpipyEmcnNJzg-QCEIQAAu2L00e2kdl9uN6te8lmT_UWLF_iuoRmgu8e_zAYnCo824vTad-rT2NOQbGMZI78X014MIlkt83eDN6QGifNW_ttWWtyAY/s1600/P1090541.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCvmRvU3hBnez_oI8E2RObl-wufkpipyEmcnNJzg-QCEIQAAu2L00e2kdl9uN6te8lmT_UWLF_iuoRmgu8e_zAYnCo824vTad-rT2NOQbGMZI78X014MIlkt83eDN6QGifNW_ttWWtyAY/s640/P1090541.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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Trophies from when I actually participated in elementary school.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGiifVp2E6mSXGoS-CwW7HkNZkuV_w6hPiD3cwV6VwQZvOH5dLIe7pUICN7_WF0iRdzoLiiqsgHUcILDKP-G6s_v9qsTlZYapa8cpN3mD60Q1GPMTKtBEihmzvUiNQ_nypZ-MSsKtszl8/s1600/P1090507.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGiifVp2E6mSXGoS-CwW7HkNZkuV_w6hPiD3cwV6VwQZvOH5dLIe7pUICN7_WF0iRdzoLiiqsgHUcILDKP-G6s_v9qsTlZYapa8cpN3mD60Q1GPMTKtBEihmzvUiNQ_nypZ-MSsKtszl8/s320/P1090507.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Terrifying picture.<br />
Trophies from that one year I did soccer, and then Reflections program trophies.<br />
All for participation of course.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Old school projects. Like an eight-generation pedigree chart.<br />
Several cheesy Disney snow globes.<br />
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About four thousand stuffed animals. All those get well gifts make for an epic stuffed animal collection.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitiFU31CWSLHcz1law4pwk3yXS7KRovPtPL3-9GTwS5zeenAIb9hYgLAjXeMrBg8ozh8A9mONgohbcJc3TgmtJpZivnnfi2DiQJvvTjv2ja8Sb4BdJ9SNZfAvNfZ3xwhfhak-vrfLSdXE/s1600/P1090559.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitiFU31CWSLHcz1law4pwk3yXS7KRovPtPL3-9GTwS5zeenAIb9hYgLAjXeMrBg8ozh8A9mONgohbcJc3TgmtJpZivnnfi2DiQJvvTjv2ja8Sb4BdJ9SNZfAvNfZ3xwhfhak-vrfLSdXE/s400/P1090559.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">fluffy bunny, awkward dog, and fancy bears.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgihtbnsUlIEkEZca82Le6JACdaQeUz81QZsDYEs9oRGwnj62GfcC4hpyV8oGD3nIHUmMwm9jna-pEzrl2r-KWhk74DmKv7zhqmR1HgG79x5wTtxXNlECukE70_DP6n3Wtci1Zd0WiuY8U/s1600/P1090564.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgihtbnsUlIEkEZca82Le6JACdaQeUz81QZsDYEs9oRGwnj62GfcC4hpyV8oGD3nIHUmMwm9jna-pEzrl2r-KWhk74DmKv7zhqmR1HgG79x5wTtxXNlECukE70_DP6n3Wtci1Zd0WiuY8U/s400/P1090564.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my personal favorite.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1p484bxzcfVCLz58vNse-NGG7iMN4NtJalGrcI4COyGaGv5E45jZg_7e0gp9fsF556GAA02k8WK__tG9SDi6wmqP0mNeAJSce1QwY8S5ZoLvtNJRNNVrl1Pnvl6iVbmI6HrPSEzFv5Oo/s1600/P1090580.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1p484bxzcfVCLz58vNse-NGG7iMN4NtJalGrcI4COyGaGv5E45jZg_7e0gp9fsF556GAA02k8WK__tG9SDi6wmqP0mNeAJSce1QwY8S5ZoLvtNJRNNVrl1Pnvl6iVbmI6HrPSEzFv5Oo/s400/P1090580.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">medical bears.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhroS3CxPAa_BqfwPLQeCJqKVmHpsFBZml9fguXPdcARa3HWBPc0DsKfNmf3KX4z_dzRIzHmROfrCKKCsSWZyxTv_lSQ-licwR-V6vj-QpH8Ec4zXnMOMQmoRcyYVhR3RlsnALT9zUF-gA/s1600/P1090581.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhroS3CxPAa_BqfwPLQeCJqKVmHpsFBZml9fguXPdcARa3HWBPc0DsKfNmf3KX4z_dzRIzHmROfrCKKCsSWZyxTv_lSQ-licwR-V6vj-QpH8Ec4zXnMOMQmoRcyYVhR3RlsnALT9zUF-gA/s400/P1090581.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">another personal favorite: the fluffy duck.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Young Women handouts and trinkets. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Those were the days</span>.<br />
Old pictures. Awkward pictures. You name it, it was in my closet.<br />
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The fake pansies from a Young Women in Excellence event.</div>
Several dolls. Even a Barbie that makes a twinkling, magic sound when her right arm moves.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqJjNWgofFE87aRWAM3vhigj-yZ0ctIcjNryR7abfYfzjvcaUBZ9LS8w7vV2DZ6BFd1CDKEWn6BqXeX3YpeuMMWmADrYnU9OTXfCk1rowm3D3buNkk3Oe1FWsahLDg03G-GhfNA-J8Y-I/s1600/P1090543.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqJjNWgofFE87aRWAM3vhigj-yZ0ctIcjNryR7abfYfzjvcaUBZ9LS8w7vV2DZ6BFd1CDKEWn6BqXeX3YpeuMMWmADrYnU9OTXfCk1rowm3D3buNkk3Oe1FWsahLDg03G-GhfNA-J8Y-I/s400/P1090543.JPG" width="290" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The porcelain doll I named Clarisse. <br />
After the porcelain doll D.W. (from Arthur) borrowed from her grandma.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The paper mache angel I made that won some art contest in eighth grade.<br />
Bracelets and necklaces from aunt's and cousins' wedding receptions.<br />
Exciting medical technology. Like biopsy tweezers and this lovely mask from radiation.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPaPPE2ZeXwnZMxLkbpRytUOUZCT3cXwF0bsBLVKZAe_p7JS_Ee3IpnV3nzLBojQP6z6YtPav8tRX9vvQwLdzQRviuirFhe2KtcBcrVjtLgxA7UGssTUkz8qGsXUgNrliPk2GV5H3jSdI/s1600/P1090567.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPaPPE2ZeXwnZMxLkbpRytUOUZCT3cXwF0bsBLVKZAe_p7JS_Ee3IpnV3nzLBojQP6z6YtPav8tRX9vvQwLdzQRviuirFhe2KtcBcrVjtLgxA7UGssTUkz8qGsXUgNrliPk2GV5H3jSdI/s400/P1090567.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">so hot.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Horse everything. Charms, pillows, paintings, pictures, necklaces, books. Everything. I was obsessed.<br />
The family history chart I made when I was eight years old.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCCX14DvRR5Kn-G8VblK0SuMpb3rDYueyl2fkN390ynYIXqaYf74zHAOS0vRn9Vzj8Cc2MvGCNP2dvukFsAaiJtaIgfwwZYX2yvd5CNOWvL40xsFRizGnp2YhJ1cPDchqrCCjB7pKgSzo/s1600/P1090546.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCCX14DvRR5Kn-G8VblK0SuMpb3rDYueyl2fkN390ynYIXqaYf74zHAOS0vRn9Vzj8Cc2MvGCNP2dvukFsAaiJtaIgfwwZYX2yvd5CNOWvL40xsFRizGnp2YhJ1cPDchqrCCjB7pKgSzo/s640/P1090546.JPG" width="608" /></a></div>
<br />
A poster of my favorite things from when I was six and stuck in the hospital. Read and enjoy.<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">[I even remember making it with the Child Life lady. Fun times in the pediatric hospital.]</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXTvQXshEB3fGRQtB4rMLgFYA5JnZoCH_-lS2AVDXs9Vz1M2k7_eyIsalDUCqDDsnwOMyRHTTUvWoTC5PjS8sZMy21O0nXYO73JiW_mrwzariJO__1-RonKn1Q86OLcLVozmsLqTxo-Kc/s1600/P1090544.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXTvQXshEB3fGRQtB4rMLgFYA5JnZoCH_-lS2AVDXs9Vz1M2k7_eyIsalDUCqDDsnwOMyRHTTUvWoTC5PjS8sZMy21O0nXYO73JiW_mrwzariJO__1-RonKn1Q86OLcLVozmsLqTxo-Kc/s640/P1090544.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
And Rachel came across this gem of a picture of me from our trip to Disney World when I was seven years old. If nothing else, I hope this makes you laugh today.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPQbj9TsvEOmM1tnYvrb_sYri902WEL9xTQCZyyZftP3vs5IPQXDH6AyVzJIRhbA_Z-DFDN4tanAYOiOeNZhOuKLuhuYqxF_WHsXGWOqXOD9YxLxOIGrXu5NSprA082ieZG5OVM1BA2vw/s1600/IMG950327.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPQbj9TsvEOmM1tnYvrb_sYri902WEL9xTQCZyyZftP3vs5IPQXDH6AyVzJIRhbA_Z-DFDN4tanAYOiOeNZhOuKLuhuYqxF_WHsXGWOqXOD9YxLxOIGrXu5NSprA082ieZG5OVM1BA2vw/s400/IMG950327.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Keep on smiling and laughing today.</span><br />
At least you aren't in a tutu.Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11091033770000836864noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1518634030728806461.post-66222006194708769432013-07-26T20:33:00.000-06:002013-07-26T20:45:12.414-06:00recently in LZI have been back at home for about three weeks now.<br />
A whole lot has happened since then.<br />
Most importantly, <a href="http://lauren2hearts.blogspot.com/2013/07/called-to-serve.html">I got my mission call</a>. Greatest day of my life thus far.<br />
<br />
Along with that, I've been cleaning, running errands, writing missionary letters, going on adventures with the family to Wisconsin, having temple prep lessons, organizing, and studying Preach My Gospel like none other.<br />
And trying to survive the humidity.<br />
It's good to be home.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJEtF7BJKPNwBiU2xvE3u_1WM51PHGFGuqSeZGW9rIyAkv9IE1n_vRMk15EOmYQ9KKKViNFZ4T0slOciaTiCt4-Ye1MsbPjDKFw8xZqUyKwU5q7CH4qiXf0wDHxIjGxMJodeVTdduLrrQ/s1600/P1090547.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJEtF7BJKPNwBiU2xvE3u_1WM51PHGFGuqSeZGW9rIyAkv9IE1n_vRMk15EOmYQ9KKKViNFZ4T0slOciaTiCt4-Ye1MsbPjDKFw8xZqUyKwU5q7CH4qiXf0wDHxIjGxMJodeVTdduLrrQ/s640/P1090547.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Greg and Wendy and their family came and visited us on their Church history road trip.<br />
<b>Our adventures included: </b>Legos at home, a downtown trip to the aquarium, Hershey store, Lego store, and American Girl store, Chicago traffic, and sleepovers with the girls.<br />
Good times.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJEzxguNIe8mBAaZfEhMr7u_cvrTAsFte_OQW3jAIKjUvgOyXEXJIFgC3ZYTCeQDiFYUhDcHa8DnvN3CmQCaOJZKaQpfeLXyezY84izMn5W2K6twN_1byv-qfEgn1Xi2C6V0QP6Hie9wQ/s1600/P1090515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJEzxguNIe8mBAaZfEhMr7u_cvrTAsFte_OQW3jAIKjUvgOyXEXJIFgC3ZYTCeQDiFYUhDcHa8DnvN3CmQCaOJZKaQpfeLXyezY84izMn5W2K6twN_1byv-qfEgn1Xi2C6V0QP6Hie9wQ/s640/P1090515.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love my city.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbtQ-hCA8xZKucv7GOjuDaWQFIc_j_QQxCabySRnNoB2PscMUS7_HLxlqpK0PBZEg9xw0BGTnxYYxpir9F9SR-Fcwy9VgU3QdEw5wqXYpXQ5Q5T5s2zFIP8pB7JB2e0dM1AUGBsUW-OMQ/s1600/P1090577.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbtQ-hCA8xZKucv7GOjuDaWQFIc_j_QQxCabySRnNoB2PscMUS7_HLxlqpK0PBZEg9xw0BGTnxYYxpir9F9SR-Fcwy9VgU3QdEw5wqXYpXQ5Q5T5s2zFIP8pB7JB2e0dM1AUGBsUW-OMQ/s640/P1090577.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">we love chocolate.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKwpfa-9aHaZh93qbh6-cgSqSolbExQM1O_I42Eou6_Y7v5BsNMlYFLaP_UkIlv9cbgi5uVrlWS_QQWaNOC1JqU8HhvlEEM5K9vPXEiUnjxt98DhjTMoTZ8z10JMB082ltkKaEtJH4KAQ/s1600/P1090519.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKwpfa-9aHaZh93qbh6-cgSqSolbExQM1O_I42Eou6_Y7v5BsNMlYFLaP_UkIlv9cbgi5uVrlWS_QQWaNOC1JqU8HhvlEEM5K9vPXEiUnjxt98DhjTMoTZ8z10JMB082ltkKaEtJH4KAQ/s640/P1090519.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These two boys were fascinated by everything at the aquarium. Even that tortoise that hasn't moved for weeks.<br />
Love them to death.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggCwrtr-E2efaxhoceTMs7QYn_BSgCQ4VyFXT94AECFi-r-Wgb6uEq38sQP9NTREcuCpkYq8ZSuIOl_qXn0C6e3G6F4a60QWQDiirsdZW_-WpJgLG7_Q9pZS_qLF1GvjQzOHVoR2f7rlQ/s1600/P1090527.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggCwrtr-E2efaxhoceTMs7QYn_BSgCQ4VyFXT94AECFi-r-Wgb6uEq38sQP9NTREcuCpkYq8ZSuIOl_qXn0C6e3G6F4a60QWQDiirsdZW_-WpJgLG7_Q9pZS_qLF1GvjQzOHVoR2f7rlQ/s640/P1090527.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He's my favorite. Jon loves Legos a whole lot. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We've also been undergoing some home renovations.<br />
First we got new carpet.<br />
And now it's our driveway. The deck is next week.<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Pictures for those of you who care.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxPsr1eE6nE4YiNxU5g_SmxEyrW0s_eOsdBw7gMRXL08OSgyZC3fTm3hOPD7dlJdXXJfYNAHXBJ8CtkdKIpU1G00mgANML6Ou1BADv9iO7tTe0MvVIj45PzXE9VRTvOgPJ9aUJWudRcPI/s1600/P1090538.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxPsr1eE6nE4YiNxU5g_SmxEyrW0s_eOsdBw7gMRXL08OSgyZC3fTm3hOPD7dlJdXXJfYNAHXBJ8CtkdKIpU1G00mgANML6Ou1BADv9iO7tTe0MvVIj45PzXE9VRTvOgPJ9aUJWudRcPI/s400/P1090538.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We dug out the asphalt and had that bothersome curb cut down to actually meet the street.<br />
No more driving over a tree to pull into our driveway!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP84E44vcwwS02Ffmq76P-WkN56LK59R6BrhxOEMh7zzqmJ3iGHsXGzO9KPNUEWsmXA4Sdtf5AduY7gYrVaQV3AcLjV8kPrUPtRattUOrhbyyDSLS4jpBxyAo0ceuZ4ulKLrrbur_9tTA/s1600/P1090548.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP84E44vcwwS02Ffmq76P-WkN56LK59R6BrhxOEMh7zzqmJ3iGHsXGzO9KPNUEWsmXA4Sdtf5AduY7gYrVaQV3AcLjV8kPrUPtRattUOrhbyyDSLS4jpBxyAo0ceuZ4ulKLrrbur_9tTA/s400/P1090548.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And they filled it all in.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The finished product!</td></tr>
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And that about sums up life here in LZ.<br />
Hope your summer is as wonderful as mine is so far.</div>
Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11091033770000836864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1518634030728806461.post-3496583791517893192013-07-26T20:19:00.001-06:002013-07-26T20:19:24.503-06:00little stories<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I helped my grandparents unpack some boxes back when they were moving into their new Utah house.</div>
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And we found this entire box of napkins. Paper napkins. That Grandma saved.</div>
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Visiting baby Zachary before he had his trach. What a trooper.<br />
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You have to read this.<br />
"The Flu" by Rachel Holbrook<br />
One of the greatest get well cards ever.<br />
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That one year dad got a third waffle maker for Father's Day.<br />
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<br />
My first grade picture is now a meme.<br />
I have nothing more to add.<br />
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The Center for Service Spring Symposium. This is one of good friends, Weston. He sucked me into the Center, has been a fantastic teacher and leader to me and his other PD's, and we're all going to miss him. He's off to dental school, but he'll probably just miss us all too much and end up coming back.<br />
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The adventure mom and I had after a visit to the doctor's office downtown.</div>
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Greatest popcorn in the world.<br />
They must inject steroids or something into that stuff.<br />
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Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11091033770000836864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1518634030728806461.post-64180156349690865672013-07-26T19:40:00.000-06:002013-07-26T19:40:20.283-06:00independence day<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">[thoughts from July 3rd, 2013]</span><br />
Tonight I was watching a fireworks show and listening to the "Stars and Stripes" march.<br />
And I started thinking.<br />
<br />
About how July 3, 1776 might have been.<br />
<br />
Just the day before, the Declaration of Independence was approved by the Continental Congress.<br />
That day must have held quite a bit of emotion.<br />
What these Founding Fathers were planning to do was considered high treason by England.<br />
<br />
Thomas Jefferson - the writer and mastermind behind the Declaration.<br />
John Adams - one of the leaders in the strive for independence.<br />
Benjamin Franklin - arguably the most brilliant mind of his era.<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Charles Carroll - the keeper of the clue, "the secret lies with Charlotte." Anyone? Never mind.</span><br />
<br />
Fifty-six men signed their names on this now-historic document.<br />
I admire their courage and their dedication to building up this incredible country.<br />
I am so grateful for their willingness to fight for what they believed in, despite the fears they may have had concerning the consequences of their actions.<br />
<br />
I love America.<br />
Thank you, Founding Fathers.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lovely spot at Thanksgiving Point gardens</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rachel's face when the trumpets started playing one of her favorite Sousa marches.<br />#bandgeekforlife</td></tr>
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Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11091033770000836864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1518634030728806461.post-48033296647457065912013-07-26T19:28:00.003-06:002013-07-26T19:29:31.949-06:00good times in p-townSo there was <a href="http://lauren2hearts.blogspot.com/2013/06/back-at-home-photo-dump.html">this time</a> when I went home and just kind of stayed there.<br />
For a month.<br />
I came back to the lovely Provo to pack up my apartment, move out officially, and get everything <a href="http://lauren2hearts.blogspot.com/2013/06/time-flies.html">set to leave</a> for eighteen months.<br />
I will be back home for the rest of the summer getting ready for the mission.<br />
Here are the adventures of my two week stay in my home away from home.<br />
<br />
Explored the Milwaukee airport. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Quite a lovely experience actually</span>.<br />
<br />
Day with Rachel. This included walking around the entire BYU campus, going to a friend's wedding reception, a drive up the canyon, a late night visit to the Edwards.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm2dQDY7BuORjZFV_AQLNqnyiu10ztcrQ7yw7yKPuve5FbH23rbBJSV-TQiBcZK39FhtJTCh8M-tvSVA8hf3nKdaQ5p-HzvkjcC1Hzr8SyRfDsiyY2FTktfLthXPOdcaSaFS25755VFio/s1600/P1090398.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm2dQDY7BuORjZFV_AQLNqnyiu10ztcrQ7yw7yKPuve5FbH23rbBJSV-TQiBcZK39FhtJTCh8M-tvSVA8hf3nKdaQ5p-HzvkjcC1Hzr8SyRfDsiyY2FTktfLthXPOdcaSaFS25755VFio/s400/P1090398.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">her future home. Man I miss freshman year.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bridal Veil falls. and some adventurous kids.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNZvg9kfjaLwMMzew4_EqkQ0rO1-LunihnrTe35ikFV7xiLoZyKi4pN6U8SOef5EnFY_P0JyvVFPUrpCh_eHQEep9ux22YegZXqDQ4eYBQMt5f6QX63kEv82iATojIxnZCVncyzcBKrxw/s1600/P1090413.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNZvg9kfjaLwMMzew4_EqkQ0rO1-LunihnrTe35ikFV7xiLoZyKi4pN6U8SOef5EnFY_P0JyvVFPUrpCh_eHQEep9ux22YegZXqDQ4eYBQMt5f6QX63kEv82iATojIxnZCVncyzcBKrxw/s640/P1090413.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgieADMySMz-H1tSj_DuZnpupgof3_v7g_Rvlon-uzX1ZLguc__KjwYtlz-52fQxMCBHmlN8em2OzgJ_laJFnW3c3FN9JZOf0ERlsbenmNf1GGlLjIo17GAvvJKDwkkfa1rM8zRaYqe__M/s1600/P1090426.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgieADMySMz-H1tSj_DuZnpupgof3_v7g_Rvlon-uzX1ZLguc__KjwYtlz-52fQxMCBHmlN8em2OzgJ_laJFnW3c3FN9JZOf0ERlsbenmNf1GGlLjIo17GAvvJKDwkkfa1rM8zRaYqe__M/s400/P1090426.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">love her.</td></tr>
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Volunteering at Summer New Student Orientation. Love the little freshman.<br />
But seriously: get involved with Y-Serve while you're at BYU. <b>Best thing ever</b>.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid2474508834001?bckey=AQ~~,AAAAmtViA3E~,Up340RR3ihuKkQLfNfHScZNvwr7K2nnT&bctid=2500546980001">Missionary Broadcast</a>. Absolutely incredible meeting!<br />
Along with some quality time with my friend, Marian.<br />
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Sunday drive by the Provo Temple. And a beautiful sunset.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjogg-Ti3GtYmFhbr2GjQ3dVE5eq7RoDIG4N49DU1FK0Mx32LuYIJjor3ajn55ST8dLiB7PZWgMYPsjqJmhk9pNCQaNkQPkUO1VJjnUKZFJmj8SLllj0kIhAkY2O0sRQeBDAAbEJjmrr6s/s1600/P1090450.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjogg-Ti3GtYmFhbr2GjQ3dVE5eq7RoDIG4N49DU1FK0Mx32LuYIJjor3ajn55ST8dLiB7PZWgMYPsjqJmhk9pNCQaNkQPkUO1VJjnUKZFJmj8SLllj0kIhAkY2O0sRQeBDAAbEJjmrr6s/s640/P1090450.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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An interview with my Stake President to finally submit those mission papers.<br />
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Watching and studying other devotionals and talks. Like <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJ1H-ieQcjE">this one by Elder Holland</a>.<br />
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Exploring Fairview, Utah with grandparents and finding a few common ancestors.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0BDu9rQ1Yguj7sQfMGt_v3fIEMMSpPlsZsV9FlIcy-8yC5Ui_ES0r7eZRg79p_detjwpyWLFrzrU7g9YJyH_S1LsFZyNJW5eft1rZzBJwR8wcAG5CY_aK4qPjsj-FfXD4CO_b7xPEAgw/s1600/Rachandme.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0BDu9rQ1Yguj7sQfMGt_v3fIEMMSpPlsZsV9FlIcy-8yC5Ui_ES0r7eZRg79p_detjwpyWLFrzrU7g9YJyH_S1LsFZyNJW5eft1rZzBJwR8wcAG5CY_aK4qPjsj-FfXD4CO_b7xPEAgw/s640/Rachandme.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Selfies: what happens when grandpa has an iPhone and his two grandkids are stuck in the backseat on a long drive.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN97Xp8SBE60Fp9yzkGmtlPDDZOZefIpP-IVgHqUlniBaUX6mAnQEY2EYDAVoSoJAxuupswdKBlSD5CTDMLNJh_eEYu47wU-WPrWvANJQV_yL2nZsmf8MB8yBGJvIb6-mR7tKQZhKLFLk/s1600/IMG952530.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN97Xp8SBE60Fp9yzkGmtlPDDZOZefIpP-IVgHqUlniBaUX6mAnQEY2EYDAVoSoJAxuupswdKBlSD5CTDMLNJh_eEYu47wU-WPrWvANJQV_yL2nZsmf8MB8yBGJvIb6-mR7tKQZhKLFLk/s640/IMG952530.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">we found them!</td></tr>
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And then watching the Manti Pageant.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmn4vu6-VOZS25aMYsOFq58BA89tSp_2mFDwtLxjI9F_l2amvVDaL-eIWl7BxlP2WoSqM_ZiHnnhB8osuSeEKxh9YMyNtdICro2KSpz6yDFN4Pi0D4IQ1dW1KFQRRfnv_a9IaknUuFriE/s1600/P1090441.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmn4vu6-VOZS25aMYsOFq58BA89tSp_2mFDwtLxjI9F_l2amvVDaL-eIWl7BxlP2WoSqM_ZiHnnhB8osuSeEKxh9YMyNtdICro2KSpz6yDFN4Pi0D4IQ1dW1KFQRRfnv_a9IaknUuFriE/s640/P1090441.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">gorgeous.</td></tr>
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Training new Center for Service Program Directors. <br />
Again: Y-Serve is the greatest.<br />
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Dinner and the Despicable Me 2 premiere with Rachel, Clark, and Steven. Fantastic movie!<br />
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Visiting baby Zachary, hanging out with Steven, and baptisms at the Jordan River Temple.<br />
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Lunch with the Champion family. Basically the sweetest kids ever.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxOfuXsQdvYupUnxHJ-iPnQ32n6zNMY-UjOIQYfUYysqIT83hyphenhyphenmgS5qENUQm-x8R89I3ZRrdkwdiuh5ytI5T6AA6ZzVtgRqRG4KNLk0lRlPiCpekG6x-snWDTed83hwT83eWbyojiL7NE/s1600/1040633_473449489414262_1248477160_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxOfuXsQdvYupUnxHJ-iPnQ32n6zNMY-UjOIQYfUYysqIT83hyphenhyphenmgS5qENUQm-x8R89I3ZRrdkwdiuh5ytI5T6AA6ZzVtgRqRG4KNLk0lRlPiCpekG6x-snWDTed83hwT83eWbyojiL7NE/s640/1040633_473449489414262_1248477160_o.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo cred: Lionell.</td></tr>
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Dinner with the Pettitt's. Loved catching up with them!</div>
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And of course, the more menial things like running errands, packing up my life, and getting a haircut.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Until October Provo. </span><br />
I'll miss you. Just a little.</div>
Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11091033770000836864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1518634030728806461.post-2483388045894732662013-07-16T09:53:00.003-06:002013-07-16T09:55:38.412-06:00called to serve<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After anxiously waiting for the mailman to arrive for an entire week...</div>
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And then having my Dad receive a big white envelope that I was hoping was for me....</div>
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And after having my bishop (well, my dad) confirm that it had indeed been sent.....</div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">THE MISSION CALL FINALLY ARRIVED!!</span></b></div>
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I was sent to the mailbox for the umpteenth day with my own paparazzi behind me, and there was finally a large white envelope from Salt Lake addressed to "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">Sister Lauren Renee Holbrook</span>." <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">That's me!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi29qYemS2HIAbe9RKxjMapihtWBRQwkarS4Bzw6pWyXanDbusiJG7wnduugZQT3Th-U8YV5FTZltYkD5Z5JMXDiq_QpASSoAGOQ3tPWEvlIRnIUu-8mrguF_l_NvZOAQUHaif52FIptpI/s1600/IMG_0120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi29qYemS2HIAbe9RKxjMapihtWBRQwkarS4Bzw6pWyXanDbusiJG7wnduugZQT3Th-U8YV5FTZltYkD5Z5JMXDiq_QpASSoAGOQ3tPWEvlIRnIUu-8mrguF_l_NvZOAQUHaif52FIptpI/s640/IMG_0120.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxsTUW8o1XVgP1AO5YXN18kQBMdEsbw4wpBeEmwJyQ-45FBUI2YOSjbzpu1GoatG_VqAVPkC_GJ_SBtYnryofmf85USMKrCgpSizDYoK85p-hYwEO-ixS1_p1X79PQWQ2pdfEFRTGZfeY/s1600/IMG_0129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxsTUW8o1XVgP1AO5YXN18kQBMdEsbw4wpBeEmwJyQ-45FBUI2YOSjbzpu1GoatG_VqAVPkC_GJ_SBtYnryofmf85USMKrCgpSizDYoK85p-hYwEO-ixS1_p1X79PQWQ2pdfEFRTGZfeY/s640/IMG_0129.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDrqU2nNKDeZR5oUn6hI5hAPkWtt6dR5Cdp2gUBkUNL5dhBseYiZlRYWOrFXYOdEgVWvq2D_fBV5cQJKeHZMAm15FNn6oEkd-R0qYW5WaPyfFFPxZCVpO_E99s27BKRM7MxVIQK24DioY/s1600/IMG_0143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDrqU2nNKDeZR5oUn6hI5hAPkWtt6dR5Cdp2gUBkUNL5dhBseYiZlRYWOrFXYOdEgVWvq2D_fBV5cQJKeHZMAm15FNn6oEkd-R0qYW5WaPyfFFPxZCVpO_E99s27BKRM7MxVIQK24DioY/s640/IMG_0143.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">hooray for sisters with smart phones!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></td></tr>
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I opened the call later that night. Rachel invited a few school and church friends over, I got the family set up on the phone and via broadcast, gave out photography and video assignments, and then it was time!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqBcwAiHmxFXlxs6nma5Nnp_9d8xHn1GG_stdld8XGpWjdqQUUlFv1xr5pw6lmB8DWih7oh6GDlfv6ikCt8b5t9uuanqi_8hwQOQoGaksRKLJQRupU1o4F-5iMp6gK911cWpZ4r_ecuu0/s1600/IMG_0158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqBcwAiHmxFXlxs6nma5Nnp_9d8xHn1GG_stdld8XGpWjdqQUUlFv1xr5pw6lmB8DWih7oh6GDlfv6ikCt8b5t9uuanqi_8hwQOQoGaksRKLJQRupU1o4F-5iMp6gK911cWpZ4r_ecuu0/s400/IMG_0158.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<i>drum roll please....</i><br />
<br />
"Dear Sister Lauren Holbrook,<br />
<br />
You are hereby called to serve as a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You are assigned to labor in the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">Utah Salt Lake City Mission</span>. It is anticipated that you will serve for a period of 18 months.<br />
<br />
You should report to the Provo Missionary Training Center on Wednesday, <b>October 9, 2013.</b> You will prepare to preach the gospel in the English language. Your assignment may be modified according to the needs of the mission president."<br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">GUYS I'M GOING TO SALT LAKE!!</span></b></div>
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Basically one of my favorite places on the planet.</div>
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AND I only have to survive one hot, desert summer there. Perfect timing.</div>
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And I'm really excited about the mountains. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZCW1wVH79beLqqeBjcMRFX2OQYdxEt_1x8O6j3Zd67aDegtrE1bD-qhI3SWnUSbYqnW3WSlfB19w2rhspez-skMiHqWD9s2uOSXkJ9wU6TZFsaKjekVEvo_2S6FhMAoQP5Vaa__7hJ6U/s1600/IMG_0190.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZCW1wVH79beLqqeBjcMRFX2OQYdxEt_1x8O6j3Zd67aDegtrE1bD-qhI3SWnUSbYqnW3WSlfB19w2rhspez-skMiHqWD9s2uOSXkJ9wU6TZFsaKjekVEvo_2S6FhMAoQP5Vaa__7hJ6U/s640/IMG_0190.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my mission boundaries</td></tr>
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The rest of the evening was spent talking with friends and family and sharing the news with pretty much everyone on the face of the planet.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> I'm a little excited, ok?</span></div>
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And we took a lot of pictures. Of course.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_qFcbyoM84ULH8I45ZGiCa4R0sus6ebK3YX86WQkIsRINwDQsEFKMo1nFXKViL3-D6iYgMDDFyVIHFpiZYVWflzO-iFRdx1aKaSKmWBbvHTCgELEBRU0lpJ6AK7wrLUvYGGRIz8jwZsw/s1600/IMG_0200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_qFcbyoM84ULH8I45ZGiCa4R0sus6ebK3YX86WQkIsRINwDQsEFKMo1nFXKViL3-D6iYgMDDFyVIHFpiZYVWflzO-iFRdx1aKaSKmWBbvHTCgELEBRU0lpJ6AK7wrLUvYGGRIz8jwZsw/s640/IMG_0200.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_dw7RO0ZdItSC9xlTQ8MWp31x9zIuJGsHLKbOeBMJO1WwoByli6A20elBV35F9zlNCaB2jy3PPcf3uvPjOcI8SHyRFu-puzUX0W5wZMdg736biYDdDEGHU-1wYdgAA2PAD9R14eZa__Q/s1600/IMG_0218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_dw7RO0ZdItSC9xlTQ8MWp31x9zIuJGsHLKbOeBMJO1WwoByli6A20elBV35F9zlNCaB2jy3PPcf3uvPjOcI8SHyRFu-puzUX0W5wZMdg736biYDdDEGHU-1wYdgAA2PAD9R14eZa__Q/s640/IMG_0218.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I feel so blessed to have the opportunity to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I love this gospel with all my heart! I am thrilled that I will be able to share the wonderful messages of peace and joy with others. I love my Savior and am honored that I would be entrusted with such an incredible calling.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB7O2et7JPJ-l4svfQuM0anHqT3mjZkqGXLQzLhb5gShiMsTo5JtuPL9sT_GrXmBtrMwncfmJFaiIHzcrcBFawgoGs6M1ORuYcXdsMe_LUEJsBq_4z2C-FsHKi5P9U0I1WyEZE3LWkNi4/s1600/IMG_0227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB7O2et7JPJ-l4svfQuM0anHqT3mjZkqGXLQzLhb5gShiMsTo5JtuPL9sT_GrXmBtrMwncfmJFaiIHzcrcBFawgoGs6M1ORuYcXdsMe_LUEJsBq_4z2C-FsHKi5P9U0I1WyEZE3LWkNi4/s640/IMG_0227.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcLagLyE9I7-q0xP30uhN3IH7RI9FB1yvQTnbeLXuKsT1rk20ghWEGmmeSDtLCpLZfxb10GHxskvsk8AsiJ8id1aWEgVo024iZ5IE6VeDdmS87BBODnT77E-aJFGyZRVER4CUkaYrkCJ4/s1600/IMG_0228.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcLagLyE9I7-q0xP30uhN3IH7RI9FB1yvQTnbeLXuKsT1rk20ghWEGmmeSDtLCpLZfxb10GHxskvsk8AsiJ8id1aWEgVo024iZ5IE6VeDdmS87BBODnT77E-aJFGyZRVER4CUkaYrkCJ4/s640/IMG_0228.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTUwGgJvQXfGHb7FnCm2FA275fNeJsPyokQfF942Oln2WN8CYTb28vpQwBDdVIpU4T-5oqFT5ZrwiuKeXJVZEWXQhT52zrko4YCXd0gDSL_Kfj6uGeY81qwgAVmzoH87zOUT_KC-MFMpQ/s1600/first+countdown+to+mtc.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTUwGgJvQXfGHb7FnCm2FA275fNeJsPyokQfF942Oln2WN8CYTb28vpQwBDdVIpU4T-5oqFT5ZrwiuKeXJVZEWXQhT52zrko4YCXd0gDSL_Kfj6uGeY81qwgAVmzoH87zOUT_KC-MFMpQ/s400/first+countdown+to+mtc.png" width="400" /></a></div>
I can't wait to get started!</div>
Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11091033770000836864noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1518634030728806461.post-34975227508369702882013-06-29T23:54:00.004-06:002013-06-29T23:55:17.042-06:00not about me<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">My missionary map is my pride and joy. </span><br />
There are <b>124</b> incredible people on this map.<br />
Some are home, some have yet to leave, but each one of them is an amazing example to me.<br />
I cannot wait to join this army of missionaries to share this beautiful gospel with others!<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAiH8jkSlECYyZE8MytCEJrGrEbN-J7XqnG4TKm4D4az9naZv9svvtR9pAFvQlkhu4ejsY-Xa7-HlstJd4pkZ7NyH6Wt6j0kUhHvBHbQ7XfFsi95QZOp_2TQ5UAcSm-zYb6q5X4MM4Ty4/s1600/P1090445.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAiH8jkSlECYyZE8MytCEJrGrEbN-J7XqnG4TKm4D4az9naZv9svvtR9pAFvQlkhu4ejsY-Xa7-HlstJd4pkZ7NyH6Wt6j0kUhHvBHbQ7XfFsi95QZOp_2TQ5UAcSm-zYb6q5X4MM4Ty4/s640/P1090445.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Which brings us to exciting news:<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-size: x-large;"><b>MY PAPERS ARE "READY FOR ASSIGNMENT"!!!</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">One of the perks of having your dad as your home bishop: calling him up wh</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">enever you want to know your mission papers status.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
I was in Salt Lake City literally half a block away from the building where they make the assignments. Like, I could have walked over there where my papers are right now.<br />
Absolutely incredible to think about.<br />
<br />
So that fun announcement means I've spent a few minutes today <strike>considering</strike> creating a missionary blog.<br />
And basically haven't been able to sit still all day long.<br />
Fun stuff around here.<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">But that blog won't go live until I, you know, actually have my call.</span><br />
<br />
While I anxiously await for my call to be assigned, I bide my time reading talks and devotionals about missionary work and stalking missionary blogs<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><i> [see my sidebar]</i></span>.<br />
<br />
In my searches today, I came across this quote that I just love. At the press conference following the announcement made by President Monson about the <a href="http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2012/10/welcome-to-conference?lang=eng">new missionary age requirements</a>, Elder Holland said this:<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
"<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">God is hastening His work and He needs more and more willing and worthy missionaries to spread the light and the truth and the hope and the salvation of the gospel of Jesus Christ to an often dark and fearful world... </span></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">This isn't about you</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">.</span> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">It is about the sweet and pure message you are being asked to bear."</span></div>
<br />
In all of the excitement of waiting for a call, of preparing to go out into the field, of all the questions of how it will actually be on the mission, or what will happen back at home while you're gone, or just not being able to sit still until you get out there, etc.<br />
There is one thing that we all need to remember: <b>This is NOT about me</b>.<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">My decision to serve a mission is not about me.</span><br />
This is about my Savior.<br />
This is about the beautiful truths of this gospel.<br />
This is about the fact that I know this is the true Church on the earth today.<br />
This is about bringing my brothers and sisters back to Christ.<br />
This is about serving my Heavenly Father who gives me so much every single day.<br />
This is about wanting to help others find the peace and joy I have felt because of the love of my Savior.<br />
<br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">This is not about me. It never was, and it never will be.</span></b><br />
There's a quote that says something along the lines of "If the Church wasn't true, nineteen-year-old boys would have ruined it a long time ago."<br />
This is the Lord's work. We are simply instruments in His hands. We always will be.<br />
<b>And He will not let us fail in this endeavor.</b><br />
This is about bringing our eternal family back to our Heavenly Father's loving arms.<br />
<br />
I could not be more excited, nor could I feel more blessed, to be a part of this incredible work.<br />
<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">My challenge to you all: </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">write a missionary this week!</span></b></div>
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They need the love, the encouragement, and the letter in the mailbox. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
#gomissionaries</div>
Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11091033770000836864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1518634030728806461.post-71679339398652771382013-06-28T11:10:00.001-06:002013-06-28T11:16:25.490-06:00nerding out<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-size: small;">I'm kind of a nerd, and I'm completely fine with that.</span></span><br />
Besides, being a nerd is <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/268808671481575020/">totally awesome</a>.<br />
For now, there are two things that I really get nerdy about: my job and movies.<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><b>my job.</b></span><br />
I have this job as a research assistant for a database of European documents.<br />
That means I not only am increasing my knowledge for future school-related items, but it also means I really really love my job.<br />
I spend several hours a day<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> [except sunday]</span> looking at documents about different European nations.<br />
I am learning to identify different languages, as well as attempting to actually understand them without the help of Google Translate.<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Google Translate is my best friend when it comes to Ukrainian and Russian, though.</span><br />
I dig through the Internet for digitized documents online.<br />
Which means I spend hours just looking at incredible old documents.<br />
Like old nuclear safety pamphlets from the United Kingdom.<br />
Or pictures of old Flemish seals.<br />
Or old Norse tales of Viking conquest.<br />
SO COOL.<br />
<b>Basically, I absolutely love my job.</b><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
I am blessed beyond measure to not only have this job, but to also have a job that directly applies to my major.</div>
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And that I just happen to really love the material.</div>
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<br /></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><b>movies.</b></span><br />
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I am quite the introvert when it comes to a social life. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">nerd alert.</span></div>
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That doesn't mean I spend all my time inside my cave only coming out to eat.</div>
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It just means that I have only a few good friends that I spend most of my time with. And I am just fine with that.</div>
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The people I do spend time with <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">[occasionally]</span> nerd out with me.<br />
Especially when we're watching movies.<br />
Like having your mind blown by the ending of the second Sherlock movie.<br />
Or getting chills from how Wreck-it Ralph is completely brilliant.<br />
Or when you find out that the voice of Minion in Megamind is also Crane in Kung Fu Panda.<br />
Or how incredible the animation and visual effects are in the latest Pixar film.<br />
Or shouting out "You shall not pass!" right along with Gandalf. And everyone else in the room.<br />
The best part is when you can incorporate movie quotes right into your daily conversation.<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Dinner with my friends is quite entertaining.</span><br />
Plus, movies are just a great way to take a break, relax, and escape from reality for a short while.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_53Q2JuCg9jG31GJO_xIx125qOuEWOhbbgtuqBa6naxFs956N62o1CkMexlGSHzh3P1GXD8_boquQV9MOb2XySm9cNWKYqWHgntVJsOxy1oM448siL1QC0HvdlKNoFcZcxMsc9yjo42k/s405/Screen+Shot+2013-06-28+at+11.14.26+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_53Q2JuCg9jG31GJO_xIx125qOuEWOhbbgtuqBa6naxFs956N62o1CkMexlGSHzh3P1GXD8_boquQV9MOb2XySm9cNWKYqWHgntVJsOxy1oM448siL1QC0HvdlKNoFcZcxMsc9yjo42k/s320/Screen+Shot+2013-06-28+at+11.14.26+AM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
My family members and most of my friends will probably never quite understand what exactly I love about these things.<br />
They're missing out. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> in my opinion</span>.<br />
<br />
I just have one bit of advice for you all:<br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">Find something you love. </span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">Then don't ever be afraid to share that passion with anyone and everyone.</span></b><br />
They'll love you for it. <i>Promise</i>.<br />
<br />
And this has no relevance, but I saw it the other day and couldn't stop laughing:<br />
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
My life is a romantic comedy.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">
Except without any romance and it's just me laughing at my own jokes.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Life is pretty fantastic and hilarious.</div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Enjoy every minute of it.</span></div>
Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11091033770000836864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1518634030728806461.post-43169241119639131242013-06-28T10:38:00.004-06:002013-06-28T10:38:56.414-06:00back at home: photo dumpI've been back home for almost a month now.<br />
It's been absolutely crazy. But so much fun spending time with the family!<br />
Enjoy the photo dump of events at home.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">Nathan's 13th Birthday</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-size: small;">My baby brother is a teenager. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">Where does the time go?</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGuHBU-Q-ZcNrqZohi_xOnD8WDpa9JEJAb2e_KA19VNux_MOrUzNnGd29_xU-X9ZiXxndF0gpf3fC6Q6BvuhqWf0Jvg7juwT5rg9kHb0ILRGIZkqSDvsdh_lF3EBZOLa83TxWVm0KUT0c/s1600/P1090119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="393" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGuHBU-Q-ZcNrqZohi_xOnD8WDpa9JEJAb2e_KA19VNux_MOrUzNnGd29_xU-X9ZiXxndF0gpf3fC6Q6BvuhqWf0Jvg7juwT5rg9kHb0ILRGIZkqSDvsdh_lF3EBZOLa83TxWVm0KUT0c/s400/P1090119.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">guys that is my foot next to my brother's feet. I am surrounded by giants.<br />or I'm a dwarf. either works.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirK3SqwfN_SG9HjI0NqAE2T3ObjGPHEX8szI6NBbfH_LhSHDBNdyxWwWCJZ-2Rtoe0Yo1BEos6L56YfOUtg49OKLH4pI8zY-4t-cDUdkkFhlRYPq-Kvd7lgDfhxresLAVDYzCKtZbABCs/s1600/P1090138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="345" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirK3SqwfN_SG9HjI0NqAE2T3ObjGPHEX8szI6NBbfH_LhSHDBNdyxWwWCJZ-2Rtoe0Yo1BEos6L56YfOUtg49OKLH4pI8zY-4t-cDUdkkFhlRYPq-Kvd7lgDfhxresLAVDYzCKtZbABCs/s400/P1090138.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">happy birthday little brother!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">Rachel's High School Graduation</span></div>
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Top of her class and they pronounced her name right.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Congratulations on finishing high school Rachel!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Enjoy reality, graduates.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjueeNnSpsJAwLG8WOAaV8Hroty9AUKnPAH9zz5uzuI3oUyPOwY33N7tt2IDE4i2wjKGx5qWRtA7mHO08Vc7ZS1vgn5JXb9sqQfyv8H6aLbXdd6GS-ldUdiZQqsT3dFAKckkwe0JCwHVsQ/s1600/P1090264.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjueeNnSpsJAwLG8WOAaV8Hroty9AUKnPAH9zz5uzuI3oUyPOwY33N7tt2IDE4i2wjKGx5qWRtA7mHO08Vc7ZS1vgn5JXb9sqQfyv8H6aLbXdd6GS-ldUdiZQqsT3dFAKckkwe0JCwHVsQ/s640/P1090264.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">Sunday Afternoons</span></div>
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We believe in Sunday naps.</div>
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Though they sometimes occur in strange places...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXUW0lLv1Az0bqTbWKT3e-N6rWO6YH4HoJnMC47q-RnjcPVRr0tTs3dIi_GlfMFla41U-6vyrcRr_DvM1NILibizeqgfAIWEynVIfz5VdFmvGQdKcMHzytBCOswq4dkViyyBgWzDR7tA0/s1600/P1090392.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXUW0lLv1Az0bqTbWKT3e-N6rWO6YH4HoJnMC47q-RnjcPVRr0tTs3dIi_GlfMFla41U-6vyrcRr_DvM1NILibizeqgfAIWEynVIfz5VdFmvGQdKcMHzytBCOswq4dkViyyBgWzDR7tA0/s400/P1090392.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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We also believe in playing games. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Constantly</span>.</div>
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Preferably in big, comfy sweatshirts [or t-shirts] from BYU.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9No1jMv365-4nrpBpIP62KY2TzGFkw-gSYxOvxYT0Jifld0eC9jEXane7Crnh8ZC4k7pBnY1praVrRlxayD3O5q0914RHDc1P5F5ISgecscveF2pgxfzXX-fbbAJOU3DqN-cPuCODcW8/s1600/P1090402.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9No1jMv365-4nrpBpIP62KY2TzGFkw-gSYxOvxYT0Jifld0eC9jEXane7Crnh8ZC4k7pBnY1praVrRlxayD3O5q0914RHDc1P5F5ISgecscveF2pgxfzXX-fbbAJOU3DqN-cPuCODcW8/s400/P1090402.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiETtRS2x_3h-eVIbsOWILn5vOdQhB0RFERE4paWSJi2aL0s0tPNSzpIj6WTPkssIusG7Yh4-g5Rnb46M6kArJVoLm16N5hooNcUyS6OWU2UmWrXA_iKyvuBYHzOmrug5tz6w5vjR-DPVo/s1600/P1090436.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiETtRS2x_3h-eVIbsOWILn5vOdQhB0RFERE4paWSJi2aL0s0tPNSzpIj6WTPkssIusG7Yh4-g5Rnb46M6kArJVoLm16N5hooNcUyS6OWU2UmWrXA_iKyvuBYHzOmrug5tz6w5vjR-DPVo/s400/P1090436.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the most intense game of Jenga ever.</td></tr>
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Finally: We believe in Sunday pictures. </div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Because we look good. So why not?</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNZIYe5JOgXca3yqInflwQrzh3rVCPoWrrlp41jWf1jzCCWD-7HYnnPHeL5jEeczFtWWt1UG5dgbuVgr7pm3sG7PzQCJ_OUOCENQmCpQqaNzBl-FRoC2e_WWB907fqhSokBohzihsA6lI/s1600/P1090464.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNZIYe5JOgXca3yqInflwQrzh3rVCPoWrrlp41jWf1jzCCWD-7HYnnPHeL5jEeczFtWWt1UG5dgbuVgr7pm3sG7PzQCJ_OUOCENQmCpQqaNzBl-FRoC2e_WWB907fqhSokBohzihsA6lI/s640/P1090464.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and my not-so-little little brother. Isn't he the cutest?</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">Family Camping Trip</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Minus Rachel. She's hanging out in Utah helping with my aunt and uncle's kids.</span></div>
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Campsite: Chain-O-Lakes</div>
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Elevation: minuscule</div>
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It's not the Utah canyon, but we still had a blast.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpjarkEP6VpLeEhEiaS6F8dg0NEWK7yGZhsDLIVB8Ur8StuRLNDNOUGRXXwUgJ0HQu2mxNLFkori2F8_iL9b9EzlH4bINQ14_fTaIF1dHTfOmod13xRtlk5UFYKGUaeSpnOk5KLei8jb8/s1600/P1090412.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpjarkEP6VpLeEhEiaS6F8dg0NEWK7yGZhsDLIVB8Ur8StuRLNDNOUGRXXwUgJ0HQu2mxNLFkori2F8_iL9b9EzlH4bINQ14_fTaIF1dHTfOmod13xRtlk5UFYKGUaeSpnOk5KLei8jb8/s640/P1090412.JPG" width="594" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this happens when you give the girls matches</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyfTsLCgXYZuOgIpG_ndAGE-MhmWwACKlksKliMcNfdjscCUopESj3p5OJIXtemhGYKA31SvHuFasUaRuZeN3OEldiAmTAlLRvU9MkemhqoPO8_E8RlI5GbmjevBbvQgBmTZmYwduADWM/s1600/P1090415.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyfTsLCgXYZuOgIpG_ndAGE-MhmWwACKlksKliMcNfdjscCUopESj3p5OJIXtemhGYKA31SvHuFasUaRuZeN3OEldiAmTAlLRvU9MkemhqoPO8_E8RlI5GbmjevBbvQgBmTZmYwduADWM/s640/P1090415.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp8QBNmrrJmX_feMTUbDS5IuYuwWEm2NH_9oIY_4TWWzp7RahMQbOpd7D7S0R87_uY0KZtIOnNV15gIze_cQ7P5WBO_lyhIW2aLiJZJtDV9eO4WRd95bES00rCnB_-QDtUJpnShzyFO4c/s1600/P1090416.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp8QBNmrrJmX_feMTUbDS5IuYuwWEm2NH_9oIY_4TWWzp7RahMQbOpd7D7S0R87_uY0KZtIOnNV15gIze_cQ7P5WBO_lyhIW2aLiJZJtDV9eO4WRd95bES00rCnB_-QDtUJpnShzyFO4c/s640/P1090416.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrHtx67dU8YPNJgTLyK9fivab6LrFpU0D1KSl4Sav1LxWwVJ7jOKsrPW2sa9Bg37jEq3RfconLjj4n-jhxKF611Gh1D-OW0G5nEBdWnAqANytsd-h5n_p1cUNMcl8OuzDDO2_iUgGxxIk/s1600/P1090417.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="520" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrHtx67dU8YPNJgTLyK9fivab6LrFpU0D1KSl4Sav1LxWwVJ7jOKsrPW2sa9Bg37jEq3RfconLjj4n-jhxKF611Gh1D-OW0G5nEBdWnAqANytsd-h5n_p1cUNMcl8OuzDDO2_iUgGxxIk/s640/P1090417.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">so. many. games. of. Nerts.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn91MLUC1kp_ogHS-RxEUvGQ_EYaPVs-wQoxnKv6puzFVuf33io7rz1mtHj7XzgUxBlBlazsgWyPz8jKMixyRfYaUHLNwkdT-e4_6GJjeCnr5eAUTdN3qUAqtKexfswSKnlL126TaG6yM/s1600/P1090425.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn91MLUC1kp_ogHS-RxEUvGQ_EYaPVs-wQoxnKv6puzFVuf33io7rz1mtHj7XzgUxBlBlazsgWyPz8jKMixyRfYaUHLNwkdT-e4_6GJjeCnr5eAUTdN3qUAqtKexfswSKnlL126TaG6yM/s400/P1090425.jpg" width="380" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Let's all just appreciate that this happened:<br />Dad scaring away the terrifying raccoon by banging tongs against a propane tank.<br />Parent Trap anyone?</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid2My9DxF_sgzkMJ3-tWkaS-vQ6l6-si4PE_-QNzCX3FQIykg-I6aTO7qU1gfrLEq8M97LjmdO2Da5IcDk_53uOhrgj0oSIxN_93zeZJ494qM1ZfR5Uhhyphenhyphenh8_iMUSeQNxTcRZgfuh2RLg/s1600/P1090428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid2My9DxF_sgzkMJ3-tWkaS-vQ6l6-si4PE_-QNzCX3FQIykg-I6aTO7qU1gfrLEq8M97LjmdO2Da5IcDk_53uOhrgj0oSIxN_93zeZJ494qM1ZfR5Uhhyphenhyphenh8_iMUSeQNxTcRZgfuh2RLg/s640/P1090428.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWgYZWRISWNKzDl_OVbyAGvmBcTbx-486u_gyOW0P5YsJwoGuIkGCe4PBozAB52Xkk9vP-X-lLGzSJdwWhbFCQod2JA73qbNQGyz31adEjl4tCohJ_1vl3So2nckCmt77iJJ5HeZDmlys/s1600/P1090430.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWgYZWRISWNKzDl_OVbyAGvmBcTbx-486u_gyOW0P5YsJwoGuIkGCe4PBozAB52Xkk9vP-X-lLGzSJdwWhbFCQod2JA73qbNQGyz31adEjl4tCohJ_1vl3So2nckCmt77iJJ5HeZDmlys/s400/P1090430.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">pretty sure this is what happiness looks like.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcc4NF_l72oV7afUfPJeXt7XC21qs7Rf5E7sNUDlSMLColBXZIc6ek7Ge-V2wR-8lcTrzhZ2u6HmjDzxI7edx_aFsc3OPnpqSBkSkdyVwCRhhjgl5POF15IZhbaf1LjWmWkBQ-tBWK1FY/s1600/P1090433.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="508" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcc4NF_l72oV7afUfPJeXt7XC21qs7Rf5E7sNUDlSMLColBXZIc6ek7Ge-V2wR-8lcTrzhZ2u6HmjDzxI7edx_aFsc3OPnpqSBkSkdyVwCRhhjgl5POF15IZhbaf1LjWmWkBQ-tBWK1FY/s640/P1090433.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the joys of camping: dishwashing after breakfast</td></tr>
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This is Wilmot Mountain.</div>
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The local ski mountain.</div>
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That is NOT a mountain. That is a sledding hill. </div>
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They even have a chairlift.</div>
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My heart aches a little. </div>
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LZ people: you need to get out to Utah at some point in your life to understand that this is NOT a mountain.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbRtPnwNcSiajPFfXCg4cMJyBhgmD1WWazM1yfsAwBBa0xhQnCsQ8F9ote0OVUUK541v4O6JYft8byfC_HnXW4cjXmF2SFConhL5NBTGy4JgSvg17Vs1XfX8wvF3Lyp3jWrv-oLe4CbbU/s1600/P1090434.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbRtPnwNcSiajPFfXCg4cMJyBhgmD1WWazM1yfsAwBBa0xhQnCsQ8F9ote0OVUUK541v4O6JYft8byfC_HnXW4cjXmF2SFConhL5NBTGy4JgSvg17Vs1XfX8wvF3Lyp3jWrv-oLe4CbbU/s400/P1090434.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">Mormon Tabernacle Choir Concert</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-size: small;">Family outing to Ravinia to hear the Mormon Tabernacle Choir live!</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-size: small;">Probably the most incredible concert I have ever been to in my life.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">And I've been to a lot.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR8Ryj6WlnZbWfq_FsSgs0HCGUrI4hRfej6AawqjD6FgAGNYzBdKM4FFIYAQg1SVQFGVicg9-1QUbO1FR7kxAxY1BTTyZ6X_ncb02WqH6AcDq2aSlBx-2DABy4TI69a1QRS6ZdNv4NxHw/s1600/P1090451.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR8Ryj6WlnZbWfq_FsSgs0HCGUrI4hRfej6AawqjD6FgAGNYzBdKM4FFIYAQg1SVQFGVicg9-1QUbO1FR7kxAxY1BTTyZ6X_ncb02WqH6AcDq2aSlBx-2DABy4TI69a1QRS6ZdNv4NxHw/s640/P1090451.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Megan and I spend lots of time together at home. She loves it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP8KKJ6l6ntKHt8vi_me9BpUPa_qKVhRQmSvP40RdNJpf1sQ0FqY0Fi6bCEg66B2_Ol-6XeZWSBDrYgCPanATekAZJut9NZisoHDysf2bGGMH5kVLMrWwqLihwfJ2X_g_6-HUXdvBIuLU/s1600/P1090452.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP8KKJ6l6ntKHt8vi_me9BpUPa_qKVhRQmSvP40RdNJpf1sQ0FqY0Fi6bCEg66B2_Ol-6XeZWSBDrYgCPanATekAZJut9NZisoHDysf2bGGMH5kVLMrWwqLihwfJ2X_g_6-HUXdvBIuLU/s640/P1090452.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Janine from the Y-Serve office at BYU sings in the choir, and I ran into her!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8EWtpw1-sMmSg3PFWCf90trQOjXp0TGSJDkJxZa2yhAJhDuu42jnYtBkQ8EuaYnYot32ql8kZW7Nwg_Vga3rtIQF0NY1dW8YBVMJfVwf9rqSD7wnC3vablBSxxiLH4wonF46nsxvuqwc/s1600/P1090456.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8EWtpw1-sMmSg3PFWCf90trQOjXp0TGSJDkJxZa2yhAJhDuu42jnYtBkQ8EuaYnYot32ql8kZW7Nwg_Vga3rtIQF0NY1dW8YBVMJfVwf9rqSD7wnC3vablBSxxiLH4wonF46nsxvuqwc/s640/P1090456.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">pardon the people covering up the choir.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">Father's Day</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-size: small;">Shout out to the greatest dad around!</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-size: small;">Not sure where I'd be today without his devotionals on common sense, lessons on home repairs, cooking skills </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">[fudgies]</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-size: small;">, learning to not take life too seriously, and the fact that Colgate is the best.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggrdq5rDESssg4O5h-RzMp22Ntb2sRsP6Df5C9mjXDgpS1sj_gHc4JAKgjDlI1r5zQB8NMBD_1DP4Bwkz74UFZPng-1aN1H7FoVJ-WGCBaJgcO4ZmOK18F2Y2h1sg4aP9YMeQehtsY3yw/s1600/P1090472.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggrdq5rDESssg4O5h-RzMp22Ntb2sRsP6Df5C9mjXDgpS1sj_gHc4JAKgjDlI1r5zQB8NMBD_1DP4Bwkz74UFZPng-1aN1H7FoVJ-WGCBaJgcO4ZmOK18F2Y2h1sg4aP9YMeQehtsY3yw/s400/P1090472.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Isn't she adorable? Come and get her boys.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyEPDPs43A_Pq8VBjO7-EyQa_XQaJO5xavnd9Lndx8ADLfkH8946JWOCnJDxT7iM3ZCKKCS6_uDQp1ASIpXVKwDVwfd9I3F_0TYaHhoFuGUxM3L1JGobl3zqNwt6reDkKrV_Zmvx1ZR78/s1600/P1090473.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyEPDPs43A_Pq8VBjO7-EyQa_XQaJO5xavnd9Lndx8ADLfkH8946JWOCnJDxT7iM3ZCKKCS6_uDQp1ASIpXVKwDVwfd9I3F_0TYaHhoFuGUxM3L1JGobl3zqNwt6reDkKrV_Zmvx1ZR78/s640/P1090473.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">hey, we really do love each other.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk_wIiIgaeU82AP5vGJcLwhxMegBxMRFbLOak3DeFU5ENsBlqUT2atfacgY8f7eB23PrmiemTrpEe7eS1wxVPpI5N-uG7ooyVQe6b4rFMNjXOgbCB6KsxE3joggDTvKIU0uBamR_hRd5M/s1600/P1090478.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk_wIiIgaeU82AP5vGJcLwhxMegBxMRFbLOak3DeFU5ENsBlqUT2atfacgY8f7eB23PrmiemTrpEe7eS1wxVPpI5N-uG7ooyVQe6b4rFMNjXOgbCB6KsxE3joggDTvKIU0uBamR_hRd5M/s400/P1090478.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dad ate part of his cake<b> before</b> we sang to him. Silly Daddy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia9mmk4dc3C8aU0CAn3wHUAkunurJN7B9bASNp7PT3jBt4a0WbjpY1U4xO5DBUqdrD4A-nmaTpbMPP0Q7Qh5AzkS_5Q79RK0SPKfRfTLKxrMXhYYIB8e_thdk1oMr3PUehsTZBBfdAroM/s1600/P1090481.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia9mmk4dc3C8aU0CAn3wHUAkunurJN7B9bASNp7PT3jBt4a0WbjpY1U4xO5DBUqdrD4A-nmaTpbMPP0Q7Qh5AzkS_5Q79RK0SPKfRfTLKxrMXhYYIB8e_thdk1oMr3PUehsTZBBfdAroM/s640/P1090481.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy Father's Day, Dad!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_oiD804vUpAPFSDLQqZ3MJfJzdDKimIt2V3g-6jXjSv8t2vc6Ko2ChC8dDP8YYtzmJc05FAn9HeWI-qYQeuGA8bu3q0mf4JxsoQEbC2VMF4796CRZ8iA3Rz7CAcoWQozlEtR0kdw15d4/s1600/P1090483.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_oiD804vUpAPFSDLQqZ3MJfJzdDKimIt2V3g-6jXjSv8t2vc6Ko2ChC8dDP8YYtzmJc05FAn9HeWI-qYQeuGA8bu3q0mf4JxsoQEbC2VMF4796CRZ8iA3Rz7CAcoWQozlEtR0kdw15d4/s400/P1090483.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">my adorable parents.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Along with all of these exciting events, I've been working, chauffeuring, studying, preparing for a mission, frequenting the singles ward and institute, and cleaning.<br />
<br />
Gotta love the home life.<br />
Thanks for the fun LZ. Be back real soon.Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11091033770000836864noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1518634030728806461.post-23137787558816990602013-06-08T18:59:00.004-06:002013-06-08T18:59:55.589-06:00california girlsOver Mother's Day weekend, me, Lyndsey, and Brittney, ditched Provo to road trip down to southern California!<br />
<br />
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;"><b>Our mission:</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
surprise Devon by showing up at his mission farewell!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ks_u2xjg8ZRscrE-iu3V0iQGQ-8Iv8GNRLessqyt6fJy4LqlgN-_7aYPWawM2Ps_Di4BrhEEsVuMyvvziLcVxxFH4BQJIi07sAkEMwkAUfMxOh8qeYXuX_NwEHgcmHXsHeSVIEsKcOU/s1600/P1090321.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ks_u2xjg8ZRscrE-iu3V0iQGQ-8Iv8GNRLessqyt6fJy4LqlgN-_7aYPWawM2Ps_Di4BrhEEsVuMyvvziLcVxxFH4BQJIi07sAkEMwkAUfMxOh8qeYXuX_NwEHgcmHXsHeSVIEsKcOU/s400/P1090321.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Now I am one of those slightly crazy people who <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">absolutely loves road trips</span>. Like a whole lot.<br />
The best part of this one: great friends <b>and</b> there were mountains in view the entire drive.<br />
I have now officially been to Las Vegas and to California. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Both are slightly over-rated in my opinion</span>.<br />
We arrived Saturday evening. Sunday morning we headed over to the church building.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Mission accomplished.</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Devon was beyond surprised, and he gave a fantastic farewell talk!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Plus, it was mother's day so we got to hear the primary kids sing. Best Sunday ever.</span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjODtfqYEQzafgEVenLGOpwT69QAYrmXauFe5Ow2rhbFwMrgAjLRKeUGap8ocw2bAJb-umamqW6yucfj0RCVf2uiNjSH_Fh8KW6WpIayR_nHCxH4iEsMY8bzcjFTC6EW0pQUepnUBaMGA4/s1600/P1090325.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="459" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjODtfqYEQzafgEVenLGOpwT69QAYrmXauFe5Ow2rhbFwMrgAjLRKeUGap8ocw2bAJb-umamqW6yucfj0RCVf2uiNjSH_Fh8KW6WpIayR_nHCxH4iEsMY8bzcjFTC6EW0pQUepnUBaMGA4/s640/P1090325.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">me, Brittney, Devon, and Lyndsey</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcNfK14Y66lxOJyGblVS4HVxju7htzaQDjqqUatBD9zU_477-8L_dysCzILLK3tl4twrOB-R6q_perKxdp6ykoxDJRO6O-QvfbEfYDonJV6jtGVVzzq6tQizhywY6FwFgnFF8G13OPSLA/s1600/P1090326.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcNfK14Y66lxOJyGblVS4HVxju7htzaQDjqqUatBD9zU_477-8L_dysCzILLK3tl4twrOB-R6q_perKxdp6ykoxDJRO6O-QvfbEfYDonJV6jtGVVzzq6tQizhywY6FwFgnFF8G13OPSLA/s400/P1090326.JPG" width="392" /></a></div>
<div>
<br />
Monday we all hung out at the nearby lake/beach, watched movies, and basically had a blast.<br />
At the end of the day, Devon was set apart as Elder Watkins!<br />
There goes yet another friend off to the mission field...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">that brings the total to about seventy missionaries that I personally know out in the field. Craziness.</span><br />
And then we drove right back to P-town on Tuesday.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">road trip playlist:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">(every great road trip has fantastic music)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mV3BECsuKw">I Want Crazy</a>" by Hunter Hayes</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=isNtEh6nQok">Highway Don't Care</a>" by Tim McGraw and Taylor Swift</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cpu35i2yqC0">22</a>" by Eclipse (<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">yes, I'm obsessed. don't judge)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TE_QlHdQlLg">When I Was Your Man</a>" by Bruno Mars</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>and of course...</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvsmRuRp4cM">Life is a Highway</a>" by Rascal Flatts</div>
<br />
I have now officially been to California, Arizona, and Nevada.<br />
I have also taken a road trip with people other than family members.<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Other pictures exist with Brittney and Lyndsey... <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">maybe someday I will actually get them.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
All in all, it was an adventurous and absolutely fantastic trip!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Here's to the start of a wonderful summer.</div>
</div>
Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11091033770000836864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1518634030728806461.post-40662395671761448892013-06-06T12:42:00.003-06:002013-06-06T12:55:54.939-06:00time flies<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">post from mid-April 2013</span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></i>
The winter is already over.<br />
Evidences of spring are everywhere.<br />
New faces. New roommates. New friends.<br />
Wedding receptions. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Seriously I have three just this week. Craziness.</span><br />
<br />
Here are just a few highlights from the past several weeks.<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/sessions/2013/04?lang=eng">General Conference</a>.</span><br />
A great weekend of spending time with family and friends. And listening to the prophet and apostles speak.<br />
What's not to love?<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX6wGDF8c9i8lm2Wv-OwWIU9mTDd1r5SpC9Ngi6WlGMJQI_mDLdADgvm_7ZczYn0tmQ5YRMWnevlWwIB08VNCBJNVcsslK35Ka-8gt66WT_Glj0wFB7WxoOG3mRdOIkYf7HBUWB7ryuBY/s1600/cool+story+bednar+perry.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX6wGDF8c9i8lm2Wv-OwWIU9mTDd1r5SpC9Ngi6WlGMJQI_mDLdADgvm_7ZczYn0tmQ5YRMWnevlWwIB08VNCBJNVcsslK35Ka-8gt66WT_Glj0wFB7WxoOG3mRdOIkYf7HBUWB7ryuBY/s320/cool+story+bednar+perry.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">most epic conference picture ever.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7eqGfAom-4T2saeTPfUptgovSciSqbJ1S2R_X-JGuGdH7jvcXEg943nf5PYiMN5IG__1MEKr0Dt2d_oohZXvtdHLtK1Vl2ahc4o7nL60uZ3YyFeUV7570KPzBbnP2fdkQXSRqoWWwHxQ/s1600/P1090299.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7eqGfAom-4T2saeTPfUptgovSciSqbJ1S2R_X-JGuGdH7jvcXEg943nf5PYiMN5IG__1MEKr0Dt2d_oohZXvtdHLtK1Vl2ahc4o7nL60uZ3YyFeUV7570KPzBbnP2fdkQXSRqoWWwHxQ/s320/P1090299.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">me and Naticia on the train ride up to the Saturday morning session</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So I have kind of a big announcement:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>I FINISHED MY MISSION PAPERS!</b></span></div>
<br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6;">I have decided to serve a full-time mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. </span></b><br />
This means that for eighteen months I will be sharing the beautiful messages of this gospel with others. I am so grateful to have the opportunity to serve, and I am just so excited! I have finished up my part of the paperwork. Now just a few final things to take care of, then the paperwork will be submitted to church headquarters and I will receive a mission call. More on all of this to come. Hopefully soon!<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">To learn more about what exactly I plan to do for eighteen months, visit <a href="http://mormon.org/missionaries">mormon.org/missionaries</a>.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHXr_3wqq4-7rt6UzRhCpGdnOwaEbV0Ng_S4UbpHItvpLz7SE3feUHuI1FTT4wIxM8H5ac1eeRcsIIWpfRKxPFewO58XDuzCtmT5Q8p83dhy5Rp-wFg6iIEnLyhEKC1k7HVX0Xs_Lkk-Q/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-04-16+at+7.36.37+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHXr_3wqq4-7rt6UzRhCpGdnOwaEbV0Ng_S4UbpHItvpLz7SE3feUHuI1FTT4wIxM8H5ac1eeRcsIIWpfRKxPFewO58XDuzCtmT5Q8p83dhy5Rp-wFg6iIEnLyhEKC1k7HVX0Xs_Lkk-Q/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-04-16+at+7.36.37+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">Skype sessions</span>.<br />
Devon headed back to spend time with his family before his mission. So a bunch of us Skype in order to continue our scripture study group. It is the greatest thing ever.<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Seriously. Get a scripture study group going. At home, with friends, in your apartment. Anyone. Anytime. Such a blast!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKJCrkZ-WiuZARcgE7EMyCPtDRdWE3B8IBO7-LmN70tH6ieIEyrjUPIOo_N8CaXE3fivf0xbXzbh8YVWxUcQBjSPq8wcZzn7rOEh7K9DQ1gQ4kIKVeON_XWfoDjJcqxsnqM8EQO4h04DA/s1600/skype+with+dev+allison.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKJCrkZ-WiuZARcgE7EMyCPtDRdWE3B8IBO7-LmN70tH6ieIEyrjUPIOo_N8CaXE3fivf0xbXzbh8YVWxUcQBjSPq8wcZzn7rOEh7K9DQ1gQ4kIKVeON_XWfoDjJcqxsnqM8EQO4h04DA/s400/skype+with+dev+allison.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">group call with Devon's friend Allison, his little brother, Devon, and me and Lyndsey</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqB8r3eWK3wCavc13NCOraxC-qP0kYbVacPC84_jWVakKDjAwAPY11XlYn61dB3kbFOC7CGDeqrFys8_bpy8pDjzBjHHMe9dA9lTo34eD40FvFrGbFcOtsMvt7P2XsUzSz5AW0FammQzY/s1600/skype+with+dev.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqB8r3eWK3wCavc13NCOraxC-qP0kYbVacPC84_jWVakKDjAwAPY11XlYn61dB3kbFOC7CGDeqrFys8_bpy8pDjzBjHHMe9dA9lTo34eD40FvFrGbFcOtsMvt7P2XsUzSz5AW0FammQzY/s400/skype+with+dev.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">me, Lyndsey, and Devon</td></tr>
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I spend a lot of time with Lyndsey. </div>
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We live next door to each other and basically have a party.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">If you ever feel the need to relive your childhood, you're welcome to join us for some Hannah Montana.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;">Reorganization</span>.</div>
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They say that change is good, but for now, it's a little sad.</div>
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Our bishopric was released and our stake presidency was reorganized! </div>
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I have absolutely loved the past eight months with Bishop Murdock, his counselors, Brother Rosenthal and Brother Johnson, and their wives. They are such incredible people and I have been blessed to work and counsel with them.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs0O-ovq24zF9Bny7CM94RjOcyET_1WdPDFj_mz9a91RMQgOWVWVzqQ7ElKoxVnmv8OPhNoHJ_773q7IZ66_UpK9u5Jw75P7ep5sWq2vzx630_xZXVLX841kvl9g1xFBWTZWm4yceJENI/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs0O-ovq24zF9Bny7CM94RjOcyET_1WdPDFj_mz9a91RMQgOWVWVzqQ7ElKoxVnmv8OPhNoHJ_773q7IZ66_UpK9u5Jw75P7ep5sWq2vzx630_xZXVLX841kvl9g1xFBWTZWm4yceJENI/s400/photo.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">me, Bishop Murdock, and Sister Murdock</td></tr>
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I absolutely love this <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvEKxHqr_b0">song</a>.<br />
<br />
Nothing else much has been happening.<br />
I babysat my cousins for a night, finished up finals, and helped with a musical number. My job is up to forty hours a week instead of twenty so that should be fun. I'm enjoying the birds chirping and the blooming flowers. Hopefully the cooler temperatures stick around for a while.<br />
The summer is off to a fantastic, busy start!<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i>Remember to smile.</i></span></div>
Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11091033770000836864noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1518634030728806461.post-66447408018791714452013-05-16T11:10:00.001-06:002013-05-16T21:08:44.797-06:00some easter thoughts<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">post from March 31, 2013</span><br />
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I love the Easter season.<br />
Spring is on the horizon.<br />
Everything seems to be ready for a new beginning.<br />
<br />
I came across <a href="http://caitle.wordpress.com/2013/03/27/distracted/">this blog post </a>the other day.<br />
I have to admit, I had all but completely forgotten about the significance and sacredness of this week.<br />
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This week should be about Christ.<br />
In a garden across the oceans, our Savior prayed and suffered for each of us.<br />
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It was the greatest gift any of us could have ever asked for.<br />
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Today, perhaps the greatest miracle occurred when our Savior rose from the grave.<br />
He overcame the powers of death and of sin.<br />
He did it all for us. For you. For me.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrHnG2XHKWdYwTu0jcQKe913wPBKf3vO3X70M7VYrowN0TlppCF9r-Do2MCT1m2iabWCMjv1qOoig53O2HGcOrehyRMCpEI0j1H3y2KqBw8CnMhj6AhqXYJnq0zvv27dmM5xGQFUTL2yU/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-05-16+at+10.55.38+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrHnG2XHKWdYwTu0jcQKe913wPBKf3vO3X70M7VYrowN0TlppCF9r-Do2MCT1m2iabWCMjv1qOoig53O2HGcOrehyRMCpEI0j1H3y2KqBw8CnMhj6AhqXYJnq0zvv27dmM5xGQFUTL2yU/s400/Screen+Shot+2013-05-16+at+10.55.38+AM.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Sacrament Meeting" by Doc Christensen</td></tr>
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<b>We cannot allow ourselves to be distracted</b> from those things that are of eternal importance.<br />
Take the time this weekend to reflect, remember, and express your gratitude for the Atonement and those blessings that truly matter.<br />
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I have shared this song before, "In Christ Alone." But I wanted to share a few of the lyrics here.<br />
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"No guilt in life, no fear in death,</div>
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this is the power of Christ in me.</div>
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From life's first cry to final breath</div>
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Jesus commands my destiny.</div>
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And as He stands in victory</div>
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sin's curse has lost it's grip on me</div>
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<b>for I am His</b></div>
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and He is mine</div>
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bought with the precious blood of Christ."</div>
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One of my favorite talks is "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpFhS0dAduc">None Were With Him</a>" by Elder Holland. </div>
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In the talk, he pleads, "This Easter week <b>and always</b>, may we stand by Jesus Christ 'at all times and in all things, and in all places that we may be in, even until death,' for surely that is how He stood by us when it <i>was</i> unto death and when He had to stand entirely and utterly alone."</div>
<br />
Christ knows you and me personally. He understands whatever we are going through. He loves us completely.<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">He will never leave our side</span>, though we may depart from His for a time.<br />
Let us remember to walk with and stand by our Savior every single day, and especially this Easter Sunday.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://lauren2hearts.blogspot.com/2012/09/the-fellowship-of-unashamed.html">My banner will be clear</a>.<br />
I will not be ashamed.Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11091033770000836864noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1518634030728806461.post-3071234041914447262013-03-29T00:03:00.000-06:002013-03-29T00:04:04.794-06:00adventure time<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I love sunshine.</span><br />
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Almost as much as this kid does.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1X2HExb20IgHXaHawPUqT-twZVph3cbr-Ic37o0BAH3Jj2XcRsxQa6RpIrt6SNas3xUxnPyYEzFL6DX_zsSRU5n66dOS6BfUQZVsJQSLg2g0mPsF3opuy9NgtF3tZwIF3vrnyFN0ccMI/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-03-07+at+9.36.40+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1X2HExb20IgHXaHawPUqT-twZVph3cbr-Ic37o0BAH3Jj2XcRsxQa6RpIrt6SNas3xUxnPyYEzFL6DX_zsSRU5n66dOS6BfUQZVsJQSLg2g0mPsF3opuy9NgtF3tZwIF3vrnyFN0ccMI/s400/Screen+Shot+2013-03-07+at+9.36.40+AM.png" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.coastalliving.com/lifestyle/capture-the-coast-reader-photo-contest/2004-capturecoast-photo-contest-honorable-mentions-00400000000960/page6.html">via</a></div>
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We had a solid two weeks of warm sunny spring weather.</div>
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Oh how I envy everyone else on spring break. BYU does this really great thing where we don't get one of those.</div>
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I made the best of it and sat on my tiny cement porch to study and work in the sunlight.</div>
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<i>Though I did still love the random snow fall a few days ago...</i><br />
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Finals are in three weeks.</div>
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I am so not ready for that. But I am also past ready for the semester to end.</div>
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And all I really want to do is go on an adventure and take a break from reality.</div>
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My family is in Washington, D.C. without me.</div>
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Seriously. </div>
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They went to one of the most important historical sites in the world without the history nerd of the family.</div>
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<i>I'm not bitter at all.</i></div>
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My cousin is in Oregon.</div>
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All of my extended family is currently on spring break.</div>
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As <a href="http://lauren2hearts.blogspot.com/2013/03/long-time-no-see.html">previously mentioned</a>, most of my friends are heading out on their missions or off on fantastic study abroad adventures.</div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">In the mean time, I will be here.</span></b> in Provo. </div>
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Studying and working as always.</div>
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Such is life.</div>
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<br />
In the mean time, I guess this will suffice.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid-BgNcBClFVX-hVQMw18FrmdmiBv_eehDdC8Sfzhh0maw3tVF4ESQd6kHcdfvMRmup-zjycnNEKvk8dmnxDhD8chWsw_M5th2GuPlLzha0p0kZqD2Si3zj_6H6ROhETPtkD5G1OwZFfA/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-03-28+at+11.44.37+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid-BgNcBClFVX-hVQMw18FrmdmiBv_eehDdC8Sfzhh0maw3tVF4ESQd6kHcdfvMRmup-zjycnNEKvk8dmnxDhD8chWsw_M5th2GuPlLzha0p0kZqD2Si3zj_6H6ROhETPtkD5G1OwZFfA/s320/Screen+Shot+2013-03-28+at+11.44.37+PM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<b>But seriously. </b><br />
Who's up for some fort-building and coloring?<br />
You will be my new best friend.</div>
</div>
Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11091033770000836864noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1518634030728806461.post-66434222305737394432013-03-28T23:36:00.001-06:002013-04-02T23:48:27.520-06:00long time no see<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It's been a while. I know you've missed me.</div>
Classes, work, friends, and life just got a little crazy.<br />
Here are some ramblings on life right now.<br />
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My cousin, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">Chantel</span>, gave her farewell talk on Sunday. She is heading off to the wonderful state of Washington to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I am so proud of her, and so excited to hear about all of her adventures as a missionary!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh656KK155YNZdiHuEehNKYItr8D4Z4t789KYRkj7mW0CtVXvLx7BSaGtPAsHDbxH0L6f89weifHaoMChuRjn-_W2Lv3TlxD1IJGagwkWYQmJaDrgYICznoyuTIDLlDwfdImG4BbwJfEgc/s1600/P1090275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh656KK155YNZdiHuEehNKYItr8D4Z4t789KYRkj7mW0CtVXvLx7BSaGtPAsHDbxH0L6f89weifHaoMChuRjn-_W2Lv3TlxD1IJGagwkWYQmJaDrgYICznoyuTIDLlDwfdImG4BbwJfEgc/s400/P1090275.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></div>
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">other events:</span></i><br />
<ul>
<li>all of my friends got boyfriends, girlfriends, or mission calls. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">twitterpation season anyone?</span></li>
<li>fireside by <a href="https://www.lds.org/broadcasts/article/ces-devotionals/2013/01/that-we-might-not-shrink-d-c-19-18?lang=eng">Elder Bednar</a>. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">go and watch it. right now.</span></li>
<li>Ward Conference.</li>
<li>doctor appointments in Salt Lake, along with a Temple Square adventure.</li>
<li>aced my midterms.</li>
<li>the full Les Mis movie soundtrack was released.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> yes, that definitely counts as an exciting event in my life.</span></li>
<li>scripture study group with Devon, Lyndsey, Brittney, and Sean. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">awesome people</span>.</li>
<li>got a new calling. Relief Society Presidency. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">y'all better get on your visiting teaching now... </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">I will hunt you down. just kidding. but not really.</span></li>
<li>Brittney moved in with me!</li>
<li>visits from extended family members and cute cousins. </li>
<li>one blind date.</li>
<li>finally saw The Hobbit. so good.</li>
</ul>
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It seems as though every single one of my friends is leaving soon.</div>
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One to Jerusalem.</div>
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One to Texas.</div>
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One to California.</div>
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One <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">[actually, several]</span> to Brazil.</div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> And then there are the people who have their significant others...</span></i></div>
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Summer here should be interesting without all of them here to keep me entertained.</div>
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But honestly, I am beyond excited for them.</div>
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Particularly for those heading out to the mission field.</div>
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I really do have several incredible friends who will still be here. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">PARTY!</span></div>
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I couldn't be more grateful for every single one of them.</div>
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<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">my current musical obsessions:</span></i></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">"Twenty-two" </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">originally by Taylor Swift</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">[way better] </span>cover by Eclipse<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/Cpu35i2yqC0?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Mormon dads singing a Taylor Swift song a cappella and showing off their awesome dance moves? I can't get enough.</i></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">"Once in a Lifetime" </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
by Landon Austin<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/KHy9mLJ7enk?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Just a sappy love song that melts my heart.</span></i></div>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><i>I absolutely love the temple.</i></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqFVanfk7ok4X09Osmw8UFrAgF4-40tt4lqns6As5C8B31lTTljj5hU1X8qZlovlwkUfdznO6_ssPtY5_uaQNNa8shDk9TDwfFGMw1Db8AguAgpbHjLsKk9l3u33YaVscH-gAxOcFx7as/s1600/P1090274.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqFVanfk7ok4X09Osmw8UFrAgF4-40tt4lqns6As5C8B31lTTljj5hU1X8qZlovlwkUfdznO6_ssPtY5_uaQNNa8shDk9TDwfFGMw1Db8AguAgpbHjLsKk9l3u33YaVscH-gAxOcFx7as/s640/P1090274.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">Provo Temple</span></b> has become one of my favorite temples, simply because of the time spent there, the experiences I have had, and the people that I have grown close with through going to the temple. It is an incredible blessing in my life to be able to have a temple so close by and to be able to attend regularly.<br />
<br />
A few days ago, Devon and I went on an adventure to do baptisms in the Salt Lake Temple.<br />
It was an incredible experience. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Slightly intimidating and awkward to have no idea where to go or what to do. </span><br />
It was lovely to not be quite so rushed and to just take in the beauty of the temple. I am so grateful for the peace, comfort, and guidance I feel each time I attend.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNOhLc617oZoF5MCE3yERf7cAzyIU-81wcL9qz2M2DNWaVLX-TzNfOpvEqnJMrIPKUnYKIUgom-b9LVLH4Rr40G15U8GS7KoYel6IhmyQSx5y6cZyE9yCF3_NBw3qu6d3yxRZtQc9n3_4/s1600/P1090290.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNOhLc617oZoF5MCE3yERf7cAzyIU-81wcL9qz2M2DNWaVLX-TzNfOpvEqnJMrIPKUnYKIUgom-b9LVLH4Rr40G15U8GS7KoYel6IhmyQSx5y6cZyE9yCF3_NBw3qu6d3yxRZtQc9n3_4/s400/P1090290.jpg" width="286" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAF02ARnPwC804kSKab2idh4hxp5b3MJf4OkDTETP033HzucsjiAH1vTYJiLDjaHN0wfsEAU62YLDbGkgQMhi-Pxv76dfyXC9EW8npJwhnlW2ZkRQzrznBR2vwABwoWw9cpbAV-9AB-G4/s1600/P1090283.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAF02ARnPwC804kSKab2idh4hxp5b3MJf4OkDTETP033HzucsjiAH1vTYJiLDjaHN0wfsEAU62YLDbGkgQMhi-Pxv76dfyXC9EW8npJwhnlW2ZkRQzrznBR2vwABwoWw9cpbAV-9AB-G4/s1600/P1090283.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAF02ARnPwC804kSKab2idh4hxp5b3MJf4OkDTETP033HzucsjiAH1vTYJiLDjaHN0wfsEAU62YLDbGkgQMhi-Pxv76dfyXC9EW8npJwhnlW2ZkRQzrznBR2vwABwoWw9cpbAV-9AB-G4/s400/P1090283.jpg" width="310" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<b>...and just a little something that made me laugh.</b><br />
<br />
"Life is short so tell someone today that you love them.<br />
But life is also terrifying and confusing, so shout it at them in German."<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">
Keep smiling. </div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<b>Be awesome. </b></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">Have a lovely day.</span></div>
Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11091033770000836864noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1518634030728806461.post-79240346955010865932013-03-03T00:00:00.001-07:002013-03-03T00:01:11.493-07:00perfect days<div style="text-align: left;">
The sun is shining.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
There's a slight breeze.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
A coat is optional, and I soak in the warmth of the sun.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I can just stand there and take a few deep breaths of <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">[what feels like]</span> clean, mountain air.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Life feels as beautiful, peaceful, and ready for a change as the oncoming spring season.</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">"All you need is that perfect song </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">o</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">n that perfect drive to feel infinite."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Or just on a perfect day.</div>
<br />
<b>Friday went something like this:</b><br />
Sleeping in.<br />
Cleaning, studying, and listening to some calming music.<br />
Lunch then a trip to the Provo Temple with Devon.<br />
Picnic up in the mountains.<br />
Movie night.<br />
Talking with friends.<br />
Studying and journal writing.<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I essentially ignored life for a day.</span> And it felt absolutely wonderful.<br />
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<br />
<b>Today I went back to reality.</b><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">or something like it.</span></i><br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i>
We had Stake Conference <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">relatively</span> early in the morning.<br />
I took a New Testament exam. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Which I did way better on than I had anticipated</span>.<br />
I walked in the beautiful weather, gazing at gorgeous mountains.<br />
I sat outside on our little front porch and just studied for a few hours.<br />
Dishes, dinner, and sing-a-longs with Devon.<br />
Wreck it Ralph.<br />
Dance party. To songs such as <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qM1YMeDsc-M">this</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbPED9bisSc">this</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lf9OgcXV5cE">this</a>. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">yes, I do actually listen to music besides country. </span><br />
Home to get ready for tomorrow.<br />
<br />
Great friends, gorgeous weather, mountains, and time in the temple.<br />
Basically, the past few days have been my kind of perfect days.<br />
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<br />
As much as I love winter, today got me pretty excited for warmer weather, singing birds, and sunshine.<br />
<i>Not to mention lovely flowers and green-covered mountainsides.</i><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I also have the sudden desire to go on a hike.</span><br />
Or a road trip.<br />
I'm good with either.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> or both.</span>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11091033770000836864noreply@blogger.com1