Be Happy

I am getting so behind! I don't even know where I left off... but here's the latest and greatest of the past week or so...

Last Friday Night, got kicked out of the bar so we hit the boulevard. Just kidding, that's just a song from Katy Perry. But really, Friday, September 25. Last week was Homecoming Week, which meant double the fun, double the party, and double the RED. I went to school like every other day, and then in the afternoon, I had a final for my Outdoor Adventure class. Guess what the final was? Repelling and a fire. (Easiest and greatest final you could probably ever have). So we drove up the canyon, and went repelling and had a huge bonfire and roasted some marshmallows and sang songs and did all the cute fire stuff you typically might do. And here's some pictures to prove it.

But the night was still young, and I had been waiting all week for my Friday night. So rushed home, changed and got ready so quickly. Keaton came over, and then we headed over to Forever Red. It was this massive, crazy, fun party up on campus. There was super sweet band, so SO much food, games galore, and RED. So naturally, we danced, ate, played, and laughed. Then there was this huge firework show, and I LOVE fireworks. So we laid and watched and listened. Friday night was True 

T-Bird night. (Definition: kiss someone next to Old Sorrel under a full moon. Really its just a chance for you to get as many free kisses, free mono, and free diseases. Appealing right?) Well, Keaton and I were not huge fans of this plan, and decided we would just make our own True T-Bird... So, Keaton took me to get ice cream... and if you know me, you know that ice cream is the way to my heart. So we ditched the crowd, and went to Subzero. (Let me tell you about this place. It is SO good. They literally make the ice cream right in front of you. Like you start with the cream and sugar and good things and then they freeze under the salt and whatever else makes ice cream hard, probably hydrogen. SO good.) We drove up the mountain to the C, and enjoyed our ice cream under the stars, with the view of our cute lit up city. How much better could it get? A cute boy, ice cream, stars, and being outside. Well, it did get better. Keaton and I decided to go swimming in the cute little pond in town. It was FREEZING. I have been in cold water, but this was COLD. So swimming did not last long but it was fun and wild while it lasted. Finally the night came to an end, and bed was calling my name. 

Saturday September 24: It was a good day, I got to do some community service in morning and then did some resting. And then, THE football game. We went to the Tailgate, and ate really good food, and lots of it. We found some sweet spots at the game, and so it began. The game, and screaming, and laughing and partying all night long. Definitely a successful night. 

Sunday September 25: I think Sundays are my favorite day of the week. Always. I love going to church, and I love how easy and relaxed they are. Anyways, we went to church, (and yes we were late, AGAIN). But after church, we did some cleaning, a little bit of homework, and then we prepared family dinner. Nicol and I made some Chicken Puffs, and potatoes, and salad. And it was SO yummy. But listen, Sunday was a big day, because it was Supermoon Sunday. So, Keaton, Cory, Nicol, Jerika and I made our way up the mountain to watch this special event. I know I don't have any pictures of the actual moon, but I hope you all watched it. It was beautiful, just like these souls.

Have you ever had to make your own selfie stick? Well this is how. Cool right?

Tuesday September 29: Tuesday was "Hammock Around on Campus" Day. So, that is exactly what we did. Keaton, Cory, Nicol, Anna and I busted out the hammocks and hung around. But, we didn't just set them up like you normally would. Cory, being himself, needed to be the coolest. So we hung my hammock literally 25 feet up a tree. It took Keaton and Cory almost a whole hour of set up and several near death experiences, but they did it. And it was super RAD. So, as I would say, when life gets hard, hammock it out. I wish the pictures could do justice. It was really freaking high, and but really freaking cool.

Almost a near death experience for Keaton and Cory. 

Can you tell how high he is? Really high. 

"Hey look, me and my friends are sitting in a hammock!"

(that's me)

This is the bff, KB.

Well, that's about it my friends. It was been a whirlwind of a week. So many emotions and so many things going on. I wish I had some crazy cool spiritual experience or thought that I had this week, but I can't seem to think of one. But here are some things that I have been thinking a lot about this week.

#1: Life is absolutely nothing what you think it might be. BUT, it always turns out alright. And sometimes it turns out a whole lot better. Never in my life did I think I would end up at a school in Utah. Never did I think I would be studying Nursing. Never did I think I would meet so many cool, exciting, and incredible people. Never did I think I would end up here, here in Cedar City. But look where I am. And not for one second would I change it. I am so grateful for the opportunities that I have been given, and for where I am now. I am grateful for the people that surround me, and for friendships, and adventures. 

#2: There is no need to rush. So many days I wake up, and I feel like I have to go go go. I think that the world makes us feel like we always have to be going, and moving on to the next step. Like honestly, I have felt like I needed to come to college, get married, start a family, and just GO. But we don't. This is the only time in my life that is for ME. And I can do absolutely anything and everything that I want to. I have no idea when, or who I will marry. I have no idea where I might end up. But I do know, that this time in life is for ME. There are countless opportunities, and so SO many things to do. And I know that there are so many things that I want to do before I get married. So mom, don't you worry... I don't plan on having a ring on my finger anytime soon ;)

#3: Be happy. In everything we do, in all the places we go, be happy. There is no reason not to be. We are blessed to live in such a beautiful world, surrounded with so much good, and with such good people. My good friend Ryan sent me this quote this week: 

"Let's choose our priorities carefully, making sure that God comes first, and we'll find that other things settle into more manageable spots. And then, when we are cheerfully doing all we can, let's be assured that God will do His part, and make things right."
My friends, I would echo this with my testimony. Let us always put God first, and find joy in Him, and in the things we do, and with those around us. Let us find joy in doing what He has asked us to do, and let us find joy in the things that might just happen. I know that He lives. I know that as we put Him first, and as we always keep our goal to return to Him in sight, the rest will work out. I want nothing more in this life than to be able to return to my Father in Heaven, and to do so with joy. I know that my Savior loves me. I am grateful for my parents, and for their endless examples. I am grateful for this gospel and for blessings, and comfort it brings to my life. I am grateful for the choice that I have to be happy. I pray that as we continue about our journey, we may do so happily, and humbly. I pray that one day, each of us may return to live with Him. 

Let us be happy, and watch conference this weekend. 

xoxo, 

ellie d.