Where was I on that tragic day but yet a day of hope?

Yesterday, I had a lot of pondering going on about a lot of different things. The main thing was the fact that it was the 10th Anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. 

I remember that I went to school as if it was a regular day, and I went into my class room and my 6th Grade teacher comes in telling us to grab our chairs, and go into the classroom next door. for an hour and a half we all just watched the News of what was going on. The First of the Twin Towers was on fire, and they were getting callers in of what happened. Not even an hour into watching the News the Second plan Hit the South Tower! I remember covering my mouth and thinking of all the people and Who on earth would think such a thing or even be crazy enough to go crash into the towers? And watching for even an hour more, in someways, it was tough for me as an 11 year old to understand because I didn't exactly know what kind of people were even out there! I didn't know about the World Trade Centers till that Day, I didn't know of Terrorists till that day. I learned a lot that day. And one of the important things I learned was how great our Nation was! I gained appreciation of our country, I can honestly say that was the birth of my Patrioutism of our wonderful Nation, Country and the people that live in it! It was a teary day! Then, I heard about the Pentagon, which was another building that I learned existed! haha! Then the crash in Pennsilvania! When I heard that story though about the plane being diverted! There were average people on there, and they all worked together to save lives! We're all indebted to those that sacrificed, and dedicated their lives to help others. We are indebted to those innocent lives that were lost that day! 

When I got home, my cousin and I talked about what our feelings were about what happened and me trying to understand what the heck was going on. All I knew what that we got attacked, and our Nation became vulnerable really fast! But we became great and strong, and United as a Nation because of what happened! I felt it and I knew other people were feeling it! And that very feeling comes back and brings a whole new meaning when we Celebrate The 4th of July! It comes back every year when 9/11 comes around to commemorate those that passed on. 

On a Funny note, my brother(who I think was in 2nd grade at the time) has a knack for making laughter with tears so worth it! He came running in saying, "Mom, there's going to be another Civil war between Washington D.C and New York!"  We were all laughing so hard, and quickly explained to him the best we could of what was going on of what happened that day. 

My thoughts today? Like everyone has said, we keep moving forward, and remember that day in reverence. We shouldn't hold onto the past. We should learn from it, forgive, and learn to move forward in faith. Just because some of our beloved Historical sites were attacked and so many people died, doesn't mean that we have to hold on. We commemorate them, and Pray for their families so they may have some peace and comfort. We all know we can't take anything back, but we can look in to the future with a better light, hope, and learning. That we may remember 9/11 as a day of rememberance, and a historical day to learn from!

I am Proud to be an American!

"... One Nation Under God..."

"Life is tough but it's even tougher When you're stupid." (Do what works in Life) -Anonymous

My friend's Homecoming! :D

So I went to my Homeward again today, and it was really fun! I got to see some friends I haven't seen in a long time! Congrats My friend on your Engagement!! :D

My friend recently returned from his mission a few weeks ago and I made it to his homecoming talk! :D He did a really good job. He talked about Charity and the importance of it. Reaching out to others. He mentioned a family that was inactive and was holding a grudge for some odd reason and told himself he wouldn't come back till after he found a job. Well, time went by he couldn't find a job, my friend and his companion and bishop tried to get a hold of him. Finally they did, his situation at that time wasn't any better, and the ward there got together and started doing service for that family. Eventually the family went back to church. Right before he was to come home he was sent back into that area again, he was able to see that family having a strong spirit about them and serving other people, and being Christlike! :D

The next speaker though, is one I  would like to talk about at this time. He shared a story that was amazing and it was probably one of the first times the I felt that my home ward was actually quiet! Even the kids! :D

The Story he shared was dealing with a University back east, and there was this religion professor and in his class he had a freshman named Steven, that was a Center on the Football team and he was focusing on becoming a minister himself. So he attended every class and had straight A's on everything in the class.

One Day after Class, the Professor asked for Steven to stay after class and that he wanted to talk to him. The Professor asked him. "How many Push ups can you do?" Steven: "Oh I do 200 Push ups every night." Professor: "Can you do 300?" There was a pause, Steven: "Uhh... I probably could." Professor: "I need to know that you can do it?" Steven: "Yes, I'll be able to do it." So the Professor told him the idea he had for a forth coming lesson that Friday.

Friday came, and he brought doughnuts for everybody in the class. Steven came early and sat himself in the front of the class room.  With it being the last day before the weekend and the last class, everybody thought it was going to be a party. And they were excited. The professor started class. He started to go up the first row to hand out a doughnut to every person. The first person he asked. Professor: "Would you like a doughnut?" Student: "Yes, I would thank you." Professor: "Steven, would you please do 10 Push ups so this young man can receive his doughnut?" Steven: "Yes sir." He does his 10 Push ups and sits back down. Steven did 10 push ups for every person who received a doughnut on the first row. The Professor got to the 2nd row and eventually got to a Basketball Player whom was very popular. The basket ball player asked, "I would like a doughnut if I can do my own push ups?" The Professor said "No, Steven is the only one to do the push ups for you, Steven, would you please do 10 push ups for the Basketball player that doesn't want a Doughnut." Steven did the 10 Push ups for him. When the Professor got to the 3rd row of students, there started to get some frustration in the room and Steven was getting tired from the push ups, but he still did them, and kept on going. As the class went by students started to trinckle in and people started to shed some tears (including the professor), a Transfer Student named Jayson decided to walk in and see what's going on, and all the students said; "No, don't come in." Steven then said in tears of pain; "No, let him come in." The professor said that was fine. And asked Steven to do 10 push ups for Jayson so that he could get a doughnut. The Professor eventually asked someone in the class to watch Steven as he did the push ups because it was tough for him to watch. The Professor finally went to the last 2 girls of the group. The first Girl refused, and Steven still had to do the push ups, the last girl refused the doughnut also and as soon Steven finished he collapsed to the floor in exhaustion, he said my work is finished. 

The Professor then said " You see, Christ when all his work was done with what he was supposed to do, his work was done, and gave up the ghost." People accepted the doughnuts he'd give out, and some wouldn't eat the gifts that were given to them. As you go through your life remember every day how much Christ has suffered for us, and go out with a Grateful heart! 

When this story was being shared the spirit came in with a POW! It was so amazing! I imagine that everybody's eyes were watering up if they weren't in tears! 

The next story is something I could relate to since I just went on the trip over a month ago up to Wyoming to go down the Snake river! :D It was so much fun! The speaker talked about when his family when down either the Colorado River or the Green River. And there were a couple times where they went down a small water fall. And the first time they went down one, he concentrated on protecting his wife and the youngest kid. He was flung out of the raft and ended up being in the drink and it was a scary experience for him because every time he'd come up to take a breath of air he took in water instead... :P He finally was able to grab hold of the raft and they pulled him in. The next day, he held a family council, and he told everyone that no matter what happens, hold onto the rope that is attached to the raft. And When they did that they were all safe from being toppled over on the water fall and also from being put into the drink. 

When we are going through rapids of trials in our lives sometimes we hold onto what is dear to us. But when we choose to hold onto the Rope of our spiritual raft(the Iron rod), and choosing to turn to Christ first then everything else will cling to you as well. In his case, when he held onto the rope, his family was able to cling to him because of his strength and the protection he has for being the Patriarch of his family! :D 

Oh! Marvelous News! My good friend that I've known for most of my life, is choosing to take the Challenge of Baptism! He's getting baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints on Sunday, September 18, 2011! I'm so excited for him. He asked me to give the talk on Baptism! So I'm trying to prepare that and figure out what I should say to my friend! I'm looking forward to having help from the spirit, because I have no idea of what to say at this time! :P haha! 

I was talking to my dad about the baptism and how I'm going to be speaking at my friend's baptism, and he said that I would be speaking about the Holy Ghost at my younger sister Kendra's Baptism! ahh! This is crazy! I can't believe that she's going to be 8 years old in May! It's so remarkable and so mind boggling! How does time fly by so fast?! But I'm so excited for her! :D Both of my sisters are so cute! I Love them to bits and pieces! <3

I get to go to the Salt Lake temple this Thursday with a friend of mine to do baptisms for the dead! I'm pretty excited! :D I have never been inside to do anything in there! :D haha! All of a sudden I'm doing a Temple tour in Utah! haha! I grew up having the Timpanogos Temple being my regional temple. Now it's the Provo Temple. And I hope to visit other temples to see their beauty! :D I'm so excited! :D I'm basically going to be taking an advantage with the fact that I have temples close by and go when ever I can! Cause, some day, maybe, I won't have that opportunity to be able to go! That privilege isn't going to be taken away anymore!

"Life is tough but it's even tougher When you're stupid." (Do what works in Life) -Anonymous

Made my Goal!!!! :D

This past weekend has been amazing! Why? Well, let me take you on a basic Run Down! :D

Friday: I went down to Lehi to visit my amazing, wonderful, Loving, non-perfect(But perfect for my life!) Family! I had the opportunity to take my Younger Brother's Senior Pictures! Some of them were really good then some, I didn't exactly do a good job... And the Lighting with the Sun was Terrible! I hate having a Point and Shoot Camera! But I guess deal with what I've got! It was a very fun and exciting experience! I can't believe my Handsome, Weird younger brother is going to Graduate this next May! It's absolutely mind boggling! Here's some Pictures that I Love! :D

 Look at that handsome Smile! And guess what? He even made up that pose! And it looked amazing! 

 He has an amazing Talent on the Clarinet! And I wanted to take some pictures with his clarinet! :D

 I know I need to edit this one so it wouldn't look so blurry from the terrible lighting! But this is one of my favorites! :D

 He's so excited! But yet so shocked that he's Graduating in 2012!!

 This one isn't one of my best, but he still looks awesome! :D 

 There's his sharp Smile again! :D

 Collin is an Eagle Scout, and he got his Duty to God award Sunday! :D 

 All the others of him playing the clarinet he was poofy face and and mostly red.

I like this one of Collin in resting position. :D 

On Saturday, I went Grocery shopping with my mom, and she helped me get things I really needed for my apartment! It was really fun! And it was awesome! :D

Sunday, I had a special thing happen, where I found out that I was forgiven for choices I made the past couple years, and I got to take the Sacrament for the First time in 2 years! I was so excited! I took work off to be able to celebrate with family and some friends that knew what was going on! :D I got to see my former Bishop Lewis, and was able to share with him the news of current events in my life! :D And the Spirit came in with such power it brought tears to all of our Eyes(Amanda, Sister Lewis, myself, and Bishop Lewis).  I was able to give a few phone calls to let other people know!

Today, I was able to meet with my new bishop, and I was able to receive my temple Recommend to do Baptisms for the dead! :D I went to institute to share the News with Amanda and her boyfriend in Institute! :D It was a blast! :D I Loved it! :D

Now back to when I met with my new bishop, he mentioned that nothing that I have done needs to be mentioned no more! So please don't ask me what I needed to repent of. It is behind me, and it has been erased from Heavenly Father's Memory, and I can move on! :D And even though it is two weeks late as to when I originally made the goal to have my temple recommend by the time my friend Travis got home from his mission of which he returned 2 weeks ago! :D Then his Cousin Chad came home from South Carolina and is on leave till the 26th of September then he goes to where he's supposed to be stationed for the next 4 years. :D Here's a couple pictures! :D

 These are a little backwards, Travis came home from his mission on August 22, and Chad came home from South Carolina on the 26. :D The picture above is the 3 of us at the Air port waiting for Chad's Luggage Which didn't end up coming... :P 

My new roommates and I went on a group date, and decided to go to a park that is about a Mile away from my apartment! :D It is so beautiful! I Love it! :D Anyways, I invited Travis to come because, I wanted to catch up and have a good time! And I think we did! It has been great to have him home! I've missed him and so glad and grateful that he was able to serve Heavenly Father the past 2 years! :D It makes me so happy that he stayed! FYI: Travis and I have a relationship that is very unique, Meaning, we are more like Brother and Sister. Because, we've gone through so much growing up that we've just been there for each other and know each other like a brother and sister would. So, we are not going to be in a serious relationship. So please don't ask either if we're going to get together or not... besides I'm not entirely ready for a relationship at the moment... I just want to date and have fun! :D

"Life is tough but it's even tougher When you're stupid." (Do what works in Life) -Anonymous