Take Upon the Name of Christ

Remember how I said that my number one New Year's resolution was to blog more, or actually just on time? Well truth is, I don't actually believe in resolutions, and so maybe that's why I haven't gotten any better yet, but I'm working on it. And I will probably be working on it the rest of my life. So anyways, if ya missed me, here it is!

It has only been a month into this semester, but it is by far one of the hardest, and most exhausting semesters of my life. Unfortunately I don't have many pictures or a quality memory to remember many of the things that I have done, and quite honestly I haven't done very much. Throughout the week, I feel like I am almost drowning in trying to keep on my homework and classes. The days seem to never end, and the nights are never long enough. By the time the weekend comes around, I am exhausted. So I don't do quite so many crazy and exciting things anymore. But I will give you what I got. And for all the empty spots, probably just paint yourself a picture of me in the library most likely doing Chemistry ;)

Saturday, January 9th

I spent what felt like my whole Christmas break skiing. So what did I do the first weekend back in Cedar? Skiing. We have the cutest, and very small resort called BrianHead. So Keaton, Talon, Lindsay and I headed to the mountains. It was Lindsay's first time skiing, or doing any snow sport for that matter, and it was HILARIOUS. And so so fun. I love Linds, and the boys, and skiing. How much better could it get?

If you look close enough, you can see Lindsay and Talon in background behind us. 

Hitting a tree is almost guaranteed your first time skiing, or maybe just if your Linds ;)
 

Sunday, January 10th

You might think I'm going to preach to you some spiritual experience... but I'm not. Unfortunately, Keaton and I spent the day in the ER. Turns out that my Keats had a very severe case of Tonsillitis and was pumped full of all the drugs. We spent the next week eating soup and ice cream... mostly ice cream. 

I am so grateful for medicine, and for our bodies. I am grateful for my health, and for ice cream. 

It was a Tuesday

Keaton and I matched on accident, and so we went and ate tacos on Tuesday to celebrate. We may or may not go eat tacos every Tuesday....

Saturday, January 18th

Keaton, Talon and I spent another blissful day on the mountain in snow. I only lost them every run down the mountain, and could only do like 2 of the tricks that they could. But its okay, I made them sandwiches so...

Saturday, January 23rd

We woke up real late, and made a yummy breakfast of biscuits and omelets. The breakfast of champions.

The snow on the slopes was sucky, so we went snowshoeing! The weather was beautiful, the snow was great and view was absolutely perfect. The company was pretty great too I guess...

Here are some other highlights that happened, but I just don't remember the days.

Lindsay and I made the yummiest fruit pizza.

Talking and FaceTiming KB is always a highlight.

Curling Keaton's Jedi braid. Its almost as long as my hair now!

Okay, this is BIG and I don't have a picture... but Deb got her mission call. FINALLY. She is called to serve the people of Budapest, Hungary and leaves April 13th. I have never been so proud, and excited for Deb. I am forever grateful for her testimony and for her example in my life. 

Finally, this weekend. Friday night an acappella group that was on Pitch Perfect 2 called Fillharmonic came preformed here at SUU. So Keaton and I went and sang and danced our hearts away. Saturday was spent doing lots of cleaning and sleeping. And well today, Sunday. Sunday's are by far my favorite day of every week. I am so grateful that we have the opportunity to take the sacrament and renew our covenants each week. I am grateful for the spirit that can be felt, and for that same spirit that gets me through the week. 

The other day was a particularly hard day. A day where I had let Satan win and I had been defeated. As I sat down to read my scriptures and say my prayers, I opened up to Mosiah 5. I think within minutes I was in tears. 

I think that this life is the hardest thing we will ever have to do. We are here to be tested and tried, and in order to make it through and return to Him, we must KNOW Him. I believe that in order to truly come and to know God, we must always remember who we are, and whose we are. Mosiah 5:8 reads, "and there is no other head whereby ye can be made free. There is no other name given whereby salvation cometh; therefore, I would that ye should take upon you the name of Christ, all you that have entered into the covenant with God that ye should be obedient unto the end of your lives."

King Benjamin goes onto to say, "I would that ye should remember to retain the name written always in your hearts." (Mosiah 5:12)

What name is written in your heart? What name is written in MY heart?

He is. 

Being His and having His "name written always in my heart", means that I have taken upon myself the name of Christ, and I have made a covenant with Him to follow Him, to keep His commandments, and to do good continually. At the end of this life, I want to be able to stand on the right hand of God. I want to remember the name by which I am called. I want to remember and know that I lived everyday knowing who I am, and whose I am. We must face the adversary straight on, faith unwavering, and always having hope in what lies ahead. We must continually repent and receive "a mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually."And if you don't have that mighty change or have lost it, keep praying, and keep trying until you do. 

My favorite from Mosiah 5, is verse 15; "Therefore, I would that ye should be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in good works, that Christ, the Lord God Omnipotent, may seal you His, that you may be brought to heaven, that ye may have everlasting salvation and eternal life, through the wisdom, and power, and justice, and mercy of Him who created all things, in heaven, and in earth, who is God above all"

I am so grateful for this gospel, and for my Savior. I am grateful to know that I am His, and that because of Him, and through Him I can one day return to live with Him. I am grateful that I can find greater meaning in this life, and the trials that I face because of this gospel and because of Him. I am grateful for the people in my life, and for their endless love and support. There is absolutely no place I would rather be.

I hope that as we take upon the name of Christ, we will always remember who we are, and whose we are. 

xoxo, 

ellie d.

Let Him Be Real

Phew. You might have thought I died or fell off the earth, BUT... I didn't. Luckily I am still living and dreaming. I seemed to have let the hustle and bustle of life, and holidays get the best of me. SO... let me give you the highlights:

Friendsgiving

Thanksgiving Dinner + Friends = Friendsgiving
I am so grateful to be surrounded by some of the greatest people I have ever met. I absolutely adore every single one of these souls, and I am grateful we can enjoy good food, and a real good life together.

Thanksgiving Break
I was counting down the hours and the minutes until Thanksgiving Break. It was the first time that I got to go home since August. And it could not have come at a better time, because more than ever I needed my mom, my dad, and my Deb. I needed home. Well, that was exactly what I got. It was a perfect 5 days filled with love, laughter, peace and pure joy.
First, a much needed temple trip with my girls. There is no better place to be, and no better people to be with. What I would give to spend every morning like this.

Second, Thanksgiving Day. We started out with the traditional 5K in a whole 17 degree weather. It was freezing. In fact, it was so cold that for the first time in my entire life we did NOT go waterskiing on Thanksgiving. It was even too cold for my father... crazy right?!? But the rest of the day was filled with loads of delicious food. In the evening real good family friends came and we stuffed our faces with pie, and played rounds and rounds of Big Booty. So much food, and so much laughter in one day... what more do you really need?

Third, Christmas Tree cutting. I think that Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, and my favorite holiday to be home for because of the traditions my family has made, more specifically, going to cut down our Christmas tree. Ever since I can remember, we always skip out on the Black Friday craze and run to the mountains to find THE perfect tree. This quite possibly could my favorite day of the entire year.

Fourth, first ski day of the year. I love skiing, snow and winter. I am so grateful I live in a place where all 3 are absolutely beautiful. 

My Birthday

I absolutely love birthdays... however, I suck at celebrating my own. And quite honestly, I was worried that my friends would forget, or maybe just find birthdays as exciting as I do. But I was greatly mistaken, and next thing I knew my birthday became Sexta Festa (Sexta Festa basically means party in Portuguese) and an entire weekend of partying.

Friday after classes we drove up to Salt Lake for Temple Square Christmas lights and I absolutely adored it. I love the peace, the spirit, and pure joy that can be felt there. There was no where else I would have rather been. After a lovely walk, we went to Tucano's for dinner... and it was heavenly. SO much really, really good food. 

Saturday, on my actual birthday... the only thing I wanted to do was go hiking. So Keaton and I took off to Zion National Park and hiked to Observation Point for a perfect sunset watch. We popped champagne (but not actually champagne just Martinelli's) at the top, watched the sunset, and didn't even freeze our bums off. It was beautiful, and all of my favorite things. 

First Semester of College: CHECK. 

It was probably one of the hardest, craziest, yet most exciting 4 months of my life. I learned more about myself, others, and most importantly my Savior than I have ever before. I think I both cried, and laughed more than ever before. Having to say goodbye to KB was probably one of the saddest, and hardest things I have ever had to do. But none the less, I am alive and I am happy. I was so happy to be going home and to spend time with my family. 

To spare you the reading and myself the writing, I'll keep it short for Christmas break. My break consisted of lots of really good food, lots of laughing, catching up on all my lost sleep, and skiing. SO much skiing. So, just look at the pictures, and write your own story about it ;) 

You know when people say that life will never go as expected? Well I feel a little bit like I am starting to understand that, and realize that for myself. I have never been more grateful, and more ready for a new year. I am so, so excited. I can't wait to see where I go, and for everything that will happen. But also, I don't think I have ever been so scared. Quite honestly, I have no clue what lies ahead of me. I am afraid of all the decisions and choices I am going to have to make. I found myself down on my knees in tears more often than ever before. I have found myself feeling inadequate and never enough for this crazy ride called life. There have been many times, where giving up sounds a whole lot easier. But every single time, I am reminded that my father in Heaven loves ME. He knows me by name, and He knows my desires and my wants. He will never, ever give up on me. He will always be there, and I will ALWAYS be enough for Him. He died, and rose again, and He did it all for me. 

I am so grateful for my Savior. I am grateful that He is real. I am grateful that I get to know Him. I am grateful that I never have to go through this life alone, and I am grateful I know where I want to go. I know that as we let Him into our life and let Him be real, we will find true peace, and infinite happiness. I am so grateful for this life, and that I can be happy.

Let Him into your life. Let Him be real.

xoxo, 

ellie d.

P.S. My #1 New Year Resolution is to blog more. Actually just blog on time. So get ready for it.