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.