Cousins :)

Today I was thinking about my cousins Charlotte and Emily, maybe it's just because I see how much fun they are having at BYU together and I want in on it or just because I haven't seen them in a while...what ever it is I miss them :( They have always lived pretty far so when I do get to see them it's a pretty big deal, but at least with blogging and facebook I can see what's going on in their lives and they can see what's new in mine :P They are sOo attractive and have always had great style, and guess the fact that I love hanging out and talking to them is of some importance too.

Last time they came for a visit I remember laying on the bed beside Charlotte's while we both read the 6th Harry Potter book and since she was a little ahead of me she would lean over and say such things like "Just wait till the next chapter, you're going to really hate Snape then!!" haha. Also when I was bawling like a baby she was the only one who knew why and she was there to comfort me through the loss of Dumbldore :P.

A couple years later I got to visit them over Christmas break. And had the pleasure of being snowed in with them, durring that time I watched The Office for the first time and have been watching it ever since. While I was there I got to attend the youth New Years dance with Emily, it was there where she stood in the middle of the dance floor with her hand held up durring a slow song...it worked :P. I loved every minute of that trip (well almost... the doll head photo album in my bed was not so nice) but it strengthened my relationship to them and the rest of their family.

With us all growing up and going our seperate ways it's nice to know that no matter where we are we can always facebook or text each other :)

Easter

This weekend was great :) Not only was it Easter but it was General Conference as well, what a great way to remember what Christ has done for us. I wish I could write down everything that I learned but it would probably take to long and I may not do the speakers justice :P

One thing I will say though is that the people who spoke all talked about families and what we need to do to raise the younger generation in this world. Those who are parents have a greater responsibility now then ever before and honestly this scares me a little bit...I don't know if when the time comes I can do everything I need to in order to bring my children up in the way that I should, but I don't have to worry about that for a long time so I have some time to figure it out :P

This weekend I also read The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks, to anyone who has not read it I would highly recomend it. It's not like other Nicholas Sparks novels so you don't have to worry about unwanted scenes...it has a great message and it may even make you cry.

Anyways enough of my ramblings, I need to get ready for institute...

Spiritual Punch

This weekend was fantastic!! On top of not having to work on Saturday (which NEVER happens) I got to attend a question/answer period with Elder Bednar. Now unlike some cousins who attend BYU Provo and probably see General Authorities all the time, it's not very often that we get one here so it was a rare opportunity that I was happy to experience. This meeting was special in that instead of the usual, he talks, we take notes thing he said that for two hours we could ask any question we wanted and he would give us just enough of an answer to get started, but he would let us figure out the rest. The questions that came from this were amazing and the answers were so simple yet powerful that it was like we could've figured them out for ourselves.

One of the things I liked was how he told everyone that asked a question to go buy a paper back copy of the Book Of Mormon and highlight EVERYTHING that had to do with the question, and after we finshed go back and re-read what we highlighted then write a one page summary of all that we learned. I found that a great way to study the scriptures, it never occured to me to buy a new copy of the Book Of Mormon everytime I want to find an answer, it's something that I will try and hopefully it will be more effective then how I study now.

Some other things I learned were:
-the way to revelation will always be preapred, but rarely in the way you want it
-even Nephi didn't get the plates on the first try, sometimes we have to fail a few times in order to succeed
-deserment means to see the good in others and help them to see it for themselves
-when you turn to the Lord in prayer don't ask for something as if you're ordering at a fast food resturant, and don't expect the answer right away
-the Lord will direct your steps and you won't know why, but in the end you'll find yourself exactly where you were meant to be
-even if you've been forgiven some concequences remain, it makes us into the person we are today and who we will become in the future
-we are a jar of black sand and everytime we do something right we drop a grain of white sand in and one grain of black comes out, soon all you'll be left with is white sand but it takes time

Those were only some of the things that were said and these aren't exact quotes but rather my interpretation. Everyone in the meeting felt something powerful, and it will change our whole outlook on life. The most powerful thing was Elder Bednar's testimony...I can't express in words what I felt in that chapel as he said "I know God lives" listening to an Apostle of the Lord say that was beyond description. It made me a stronger person and reminded me that even when I feel alone and like no one cares, there is one person that will always be there.

After the meeting all anyone wanted to do was to go home and read their scriptures, like my friend said, it was like a spiritual punch to the face. I am so glad that I was able to experience this and now I can't wait for conference in three weeks!!!

More Positive :)

I have decided to be more positive with my life, yes my car is being dumb but my dad figured out the problem and hopefully it'll be fixed again by this weekend, yes I work ALL the time but hey at least I'm saving up for college, and yes I feel like a hermit and when I am invited to things I tend to use excuses like I'm to tired...ect. But I do have a great life and I am making great friends at the YSA ward, and I got into College so in the fall I'll be starting my two year program so I can teach pre-school and possibly work in a daycare.

Yesterday I decided that I couldn't avoid social interaction anymore, so after the CES broadcast I headed over to Ashley's house for the weekly games night. I usually don't go because like I said by the time Sunday rolls around I am so tired that I just want to chill at home. But since I'm trying to be more positive I went and it actually was fun :) I didn't know most of the people but I played spoons anyway and I have found that it is a great icebreaker game...let's just say I got a little intense and ended up in someones lap...but no worries we both laughed at the awkwardness of the situation.

Really??

Dear Car,
I know you must like attention but is this the way to do it? Yesterday we were good, cruising along 6th Ave and then after we parked you decided to start smoking and leaking tranmision fluid everywhere. I wish you would just work for more then a week at a time.
Sincerly,
Your Owner Julie

Yay for Dads!!

So you know how I bought a car a couple weeks ago?? well after driving it twice it went into the garage for 'simple' surgery or so we thought...turns out we had to replace something that took hours of my dad's time. It literally took him at least 3 or 4 full days to fix it but today I'm happy to say that it is fully operational!!! AND it didn't cost me a fortune because I have dad that can fix cars. I'm grateful that he did that for me and even helped to pay for some of the surgery, it's a good day :)

More Independence

For the past little while my parents and I have had a fun time trying to share two vehicles between the three of us. With my mom in a stake calling and my dad now in a calling that requires him to go to meetings we decided that it was time for me to have my own vehilce. Well guess what? I bought one this week and after a few issues with the insurance company taking their sweet time I am proud to say I am the owner of my very own car :) it's not overly fantastic but it will get the job done. I would also like to mention that I payed for everything myself, so I guess i'm broke again...ohh well it was worth it :P