At this moment in time, I love life.
Sure rough days may come where it feels like everyone is out to get me, but truthfully I am beyond grateful for this time in my life.
My Heavenly Father is blessing me beyond measure.

Now don't get me wrong; there are so many problems happening now, but I know with Christ by my side I can overcome all these obstacles.

After switching schools I had a pretty difficult time dealing with not having many friends, and anyone to hang with on the weekends. I am happy to say that all of that is starting to change.

I met a new friend; her name is Allison. We are pretty much best friends. Well technically we are each others girlfriends. Today is her sixteenth birthday. Happy Birthday Girlfriend!
Honestly I am so lucky to have her as a friend, and I am even more lucky to have had our friendship form so quickly. We already trust each other and tell one another our deepest darkest secrets. This next week is Spring Break. I do not doubt that much of it will be playing with her.

The reason I tell this story, is to show that the Lord really does look out for us. He knows our struggles, and if you ask Him for His help, He will help you.

Also as of late, I have been genuinely happy for now particular reason. At least that's what I thought until it hit me;

Three weeks ago I started on my last, and final experience for my Personal Progress. The experience was to pray every night, and day for three weeks, and to also read some scriptures, and General Conference talks. Since starting this experience, I have had more good days in a row since who knows how long. I've talked to more people at school, and have actually been a bit more pleasant in my abode.
Coincidence? I think not.

"We've got in going on..."

If you ever need a pumper upper, listen to the Backstreet Boys.

They will not let you down.

On another note, Spring Break is coming up. Hip hip hooray! Too bad no one else is on break. I guess that means lots of painting nails, sleeping in and eating.

On Sunday I went to these two boys farewells. It was quite enjoyable. I enjoyed their strong testimonies. It just assured to me that they will be two great missionaries. Spain will be lucky to have them.

see ya in 2.

Temple's

Today in Young Women's we were making goals for Personal Progress. One on of the beehives mentioned something about temples and temples in Utah. At that moment I made a goal for myself.
*Visit every temple in Utah.
I will do this. And I will succeed.
I'm excited for it honestly.

On another note; since General Conference in October, and the announcement of the Provo Tabernacle being constructed into our second Provo temple, I have decided that I am beyond thrilled and excited for it to be completed. I can't wait for the open house. Maybe I'll go on a date? Who knows. Or maybe I'll go by myself. Or I will go plenty of times that I will have the floor plan memorized.
General Conference really is wonderful. I can't wait for April. But until then I am reading October's talks, and I am finding many gems. Reading the talks makes me want to live my life to the fullest, and dedicate it all to Christ, and have no regrets. But then life steps in, and I stumble. I'm so grateful for the atonement, the scriptures, prayer and always--my Heavenly Father.

P.S.-Yesterday and today the topic of Patriarchal Blessings has come up; once with a friend and the other in our lesson in Young Women's. Maybe it's a sign? Most likely.

Stories//6

-got married

-made new friends

Well I saved the best stories for last.

Making new friends is my highlight of any trip; especially this trip.

Meet Sarah. We became friends instantly and I promised her I would teach her how to play basketball.

This here on the left is Brooke. She is the most talented, sweetest girl on the planet. Oh, and a plus--I found out I had met her before when she performed with her group, Noteworthy, at my School Youth Conference. She can beat box and speak Spanish. What else can she do? Plenty more I'm sure of it.

Meet Colton. We are buddies. He has cool sunglasses and we decided we are going to run off to Mexico because we miss it.

This is Talmage, my next door neighbor. I give him hugs often, because I believe he needs all the love he can get. He fights them, but I know he likes them. Also I painted his face because I got bored. I also painted everyone else's. I'm a trend setter.

Mama Loree. She's my favorite, and because of that I find her extra salsa for her to take home at our Mexico reunions. She said that I could move in.

Hannah and Becca. Hannah I knew, because she was in my ward, but I got to know her better because she drove to and from Mexico with us. We took ugly pictures together. It was blissful. Then I met Becca in Mexico. She actually lives in the same city as me. So fun...plus she is the cutest.

There was graffiti on a wall by our job site, so we decided to take a gangster picture.

This wonderful woman is Mama Mexico a.k.a. Angie Evans. We are best friends and she told me I am her favorite 16 year old. She has a 16 year old son, so she quickly changed it to her favorite 16 year old girl. I am at their house every weekend, but she welcomes me with open arms every time.

Shelby and I have been friends since birth. When I found out that they would be going to Mexico as well; I jumped for joy. We tell each other anything and everything. We understand each other and accept one another. Nothing can tear us apart. She feeds me food and I let her borrow my clothes. It's a good friendship that we have.

While in Mexico we became friends with this person.

This is Tanner Evans, and we are the three amigos.

Shelby and I first noticed him while playing basketball and thought he was a lunatic (He is one, but we love him for it). We then found out he was working at our job site with us. We never really talked until the 2nd or 3rd day when I decided that I was going to go brush/shovel dirt and rocks out of the middle of the road. Apparently my mom had asked what boys were going to go help us two girls. Tanner volunteered. From then on everything clicked and we became best buds.
We stayed together all day and we became his wives; I am Tanner's first, and Shelby is his second. Everything became ten times better when I found out that Tanner lived about ten minutes from my house.

Ever since Mexico we have hung out almost every week. We have gone to each others basketball games, gone to see Shelby in her play, sent many messages to one another on facebook, had long phone calls and facetime sessions. Angie (as seen above) has our future all planned out. The Evan's home is my second home. I adore everyone that lives in that abode; Yes even the crazy little brothers that hit on me and tackle me. The Evan's family will be going to Lake Powell with us this year, and I have no doubts it will be anything but splendid.

Stories//5

-built a house

The whole purpose for this trip to mexico was to do humanitarian work; mainly building houses.

I believe there were 4 or 5 houses built during the time we were there. You had a job site that you worked at every day. My job site was just delightful. So many talented and loving people there.

The progress of the house went as followed.

(We did build it in less than a week. Sadly we did not finish all that we wanted to.)

Picture overload ahead.

People had come the day before and torn down their shack and laid cement. We had to lay a few inches more to fit the floor plan.

First wall

Three walls

All but one wall and windows added.

Landscaping.

The steps we created out of cement slabs that we found. Was just a dirt hill before.

Trusses.

Unloading wood.

People were injured along the way and Hannah was prepared with her Hello Kitty band-aids.

Jack the Electrician.

Modesta in front of her new house.

Roofing.

Stucco and roofing.

Front of the house.

Inside. Insulation and dry wall.

Front door. Modesta loved the color blue.

Work site number 5. Dedicating the house.

Lastly, I found this sound after my trip and fell in love with it. Take a listen.

Stories//4

-danced, Mexican style
-got sick
-talked to little kids in Spanish

We had a New Year's Eve party full of dancing, food and even fireworks. (They throw the fireworks at your feet down there. I almost blew up) Mexican dancing is different, but I love it. I now dance with my Mexican buddy Maria in the middle of the hall. It's quite fun and I'm sure very entertaining for those watching. Anyway, as I was walking into the gym I noticed a line of local young men just standing there not dancing. As I am walking through the line/tunnel of boys I feel someone grab my arm. I turn around to find that it is Carlos. He then starts to dance with me. I mumble my words and I think he catches the idea that I don't know how to dance like them. He then teaches me step by step what to do. I am then passed around to different guys to dance. It was awkwardly fun.

Fireworks. It was so foggy and smoky that you could hardly see in front of you.

At the dance. Jordan and Shelby dancing.

Brooke, Shelby, Me and Tanner in the background.

Being is horrible, but being sick in Mexico is ten times worse. I got the 24 flu. It wasn't fun. Luckily I didn't throw up like some others did. I just slept and took a huge dosage of oils. (Oils are they only way I survive now-a-days) After those 24 hours were over BAM! I was starving. So I looked around and found a tamale. It was good. Pretty much all Mexican food is good, especially their coconut horchata.

The little children down there were adorable, as normal. As I was standing at our job site I noticed some little kids came over with their wood cars that we had given them. They were talking to Talamage and Sophie, but of course they couldn't understand, so I decided to step in. They then repeated what they had said and, I ACTUALLY UNDERSTOOD THEM! This was huge, monumental actually. I then translated that they wanted to paint their cars. As they were painting I got to learn their names and how old they were. At least I know I can communicate with the little ones.

Later I went over to one of the neighbors house to use the restroom. They have a daughter named Elsie. She is the cutest girl. She is five years old and LOVES fashion. As I was talking to her mom she called Elsie and her friends upstairs to come do a fashion show for me. I quickly joined in and stuck a pose. These are the three little girls. Elsie is the one with the short hair.

Distracting

This is very distracting. If only I had the money.

Also, I have been sitting around all day on Valentine's Day because I have a killer cough.
It's so beyond not awesome.
Please brink me cookies or actually a popsicle would suffice.
I got a valentine from a friend at school today but it popped before it even reached my possession. It was a balloon. I guess its the thought that counts.
Have a Happy Valentine's Day!