Until We Meet Again

"In all of living, have much fun and laughter, life is be enjoyed, not just endured." -Gordon B. Hinckley

Grandma knew how to enjoy life, not just endure it. Despite all struggles, all reasons to be bitter, Grandma always met you with a cheery smile. She could laugh and joke with you, and a Grandma laugh could always make anyone happy. She loved family and strangers alike, always reaching out in love and spreading that joy and happiness to anyone that she could. She served happily and selflessly. Knowing her has been a blessing in my life. 

At times the pain of loss seems to almost disguise that blessing. It has been a month and a half since Grandma left for our heavenly home. Sometimes it still feels unreal. Sometimes the loss hits like a ton of bricks, disguising the joy that we experienced in knowing her. But I would never change it. The moments of pain remind me that there were just as many good times and happy memories. In these moments that are so bittersweet, I am grateful that this life is not the end. 

Grandma, thank you. Thank you for your pure faith, for raising my wonderful dad, for finding joy in life, and for loving me always. I will always consider having you as a Grandma a great blessing in my life. I am honored to carry your name. I will love you forever. Until we meet again.

His Little Girl

Ezra Taft Benson once said, "Great fathers lead their children to Christ." In my life I have been blessed to have that kind of father. Throughout my entire life my Dad has been teaching me, helping me, and guiding me. I couldn't be more grateful for him.

 My Dad knows how to enjoy the little moments in life. I remember several moments as a kid when he would take a break from whatever he was working on just to spend time doing something fun with us. He has a wonderful sense of humor and can get me to laugh and have a more positive outlook on life even when I feel like crying.
When I want to quit he always tells me I can, but then reminds me why I don't want to. He has always encouraged me and helped me along the way to achieving my goals.
It has been said that one of the best things a father can do for his daughter is to love her mother. I am grateful that I have seen everyday how much Dad loves Mom. It is evident in all that he does. They have been the example for their children of how to love. We have always known that God comes first for them, then each other, and then us.

 I am profoundly grateful for all the times he has been there. We joke about it sometimes, but one of my favorite things to do is go for a car ride with Dad. We just talk. I received some incredible counsel from him in those moments and by taking time to talk, I always knew he cared.

 My Dad loves God. I have never had a doubt about the way he feels about the gospel. I was blessed to regularly hear his testimony. He has always taken the time to teach me and to make sure that I understand what the gospel means to him. He has led by example and showed me what it means to make and keep covenants with God.
He has exemplified for me what it means to serve those around us and to serve God. I remember my dad taking me with him on service projects, taking the time to teach me how to help, and reminding me why we did those things. I remember countless times that my parents went to the temple or were gone for hours attending church meetings or visiting someone that needed help.
Several years ago, while talking with my dad about the gospel, he told me that "I'm Trying to Be Like Jesus" is one of his favorite songs. That is what I see in him every day. A continuous effort to be more like our Savior. An effort to love and to serve.

Thank you, Daddy! Thank you for leading me, teaching me, and loving me. Thank you for believing in me and always reminding me of what I can do. I love you Daddy! I am so grateful that I have been and always will be your little girl.

Happy Fathers Day Daddy!

Like Her

M. Russell Ballard once said, "There is nothing in this world as personal, as nurturing, or as life changing as the influence of a righteous woman." There is a woman in my life that has had that effect on me, and I am blessed to call her Mom.

My mom exemplifies for me what it means to be a courageous, faithful, covenant-keeping woman. Some of my earliest memories are of sitting in my parents room in the morning, listening to them pray. I have never had a doubt that my mom trusts God. She taught me to pray and to truly love God. I am grateful that she taught me with more than just words, she showed by example how to be faithful, how to obey, and how to trust. I want to be like her.

Over the years I have seen my mom serve selflessly. While we were growing up she gave us so much time and love. I watched her help other people and faithfully fulfill her church callings. No matter her own struggles, she is always giving. I want to be like her.

She has taught me to face trials in life with faith and courage. During times that are hard I think about her. She has always persevered and remained faithful. She is a strength to me in all that I do. Every week for eighteen months she reminded me that with the help of the Lord I could do hard things. But those were more than just words because each and every day I have seen my mom do hard things. When I don't think I can do it anymore I remember her. I think about each time I have seen her do things anyway. I want to be like her.

She is a wonderful mother. She loves us unconditionally. I have never had a doubt that my mom loves me. She has always been there for me and I know she always will be. Even now, she is always serving her children selflessly. I want to be like her.

My mom has an amazing sense of humor. Without fail she can make me smile and laugh even on my worst days. She knows how to find joy in life, when things are good and when things are hard. I want to be like her.

I consider my mom to be one of my best friends. She is the one that I can always talk to when I am happy and when I am sad. She helps me through my trials and she shares my joys. I enjoy the time that I spend with her and I would never trade it for anything. I have worked along side her, I have laughed with her, and I have cried with her. She is my hero and my role model. I want to be like her.

Happy Mother's Day Mama! I love you so incredibly much! I couldn't have asked for a better mom. Thank you for all that you do and all that you are. I mean it when I say I want to be like you. You are incredible and amazing. I hope you have a wonderful day.

I found this song the other day and it seemed perfect.

Forever Changed

It has been nearly five months since I left my second home, forever changed. In that place I was known as Sister Walker and I spent my time teaching the people of Las Vegas about God and Jesus Christ. Each day I stood with other missionaries, carrying the name of Christ, doing what He would do. This experience is one of the pieces of my life that has made me who I am.

While in Vegas I was blessed to be able to serve with and be led by amazing people. President and Sister Ahlander are incredible. They are compassionate, loving, diligent, strong, faithful, covenant-keeping, and courageous people. They are examples of what it means to be Christ-like. My life has been forever changed by the time I spent with them.

I began my mission in the Las Vegas stake. I served with some amazing missionaries. These missionaries taught and helped me and are now some of my best friends. Together we taught wonderful people and worked with amazing members. We watched and rejoiced as the people around us grew and changed and experienced the love of God. I learned to do what God wanted me to do and to freely share His love with others.

 My second area in Las Vegas was in Lakes. The members there embraced us as part of their lives and their families. We taught with them, spent time with them, laughed with them, and loved them. We worked with some incredible people. We didn't just teach them, they taught us too. I learned to love others and to reach out. I learned to serve in a way that helps others the way that they need to be helped. The wonderful people there will always be a part of me.

For my last seven months I was able to return to the Las Vegas Stake. I saw exactly what the gospel of Jesus Christ could do for me and for others. I am grateful for the opportunity I had to get to know these wonderful people. They have all become a part of me. I made friends that will be there forever. 

But most of all during this time I gained hope. I learned to trust that God would keep His promises. These seven months weren't easy and neither were the ones before them, but through it all I learned that God is there and that He loves us. No matter how hard the road, we are not alone. There is someone walking with us who is aware of our struggles and understands our pain. He helps us all along the way, if we will let Him.

Some say that you give up a lot when you serve a mission, and in some ways that is true, but you gain so much too. I have been forever changed by my service as a missionary. I have come to feel of my Heavenly Father's love in a more perfect way. I have come to know my Savior, Jesus Christ better. I have seen the hand of God in my life and in the lives of those around me. I have learned from other people and had opportunities to see the world through their eyes. I have served with wonderful missionaries that have had a profound influence on my life and who I now consider some of my closest friends. And I found hope. This time will always be a big part of me. It has helped me to become who I am and who I want to be. 

I know that God is our loving Heavenly Father. I know that Jesus is the Christ, our Savior and Redeemer. I know that through His atoning sacrifice we can find forgiveness, healing, hope, strength, and peace. He is my rock and my Eternal Friend. I know that this is the gospel of Jesus Christ. It will lead us to happiness now and in the life to come. In His great love for us God gave us the plan of salvation. He provided prophets, scriptures, priesthood authority, ordinances, commandments, and revelation to help guide us and prepare us for eternal life with Him in His kingdom. These things that I have come to know are also a big part of who I am. Because of what I know I choose to do things differently. I choose to do my best to follow Christ. My time spent in His service, carrying His name, has left me forever changed.

Whenever You Remember

I had a fantastic semester at BYU-I. I had wonderful roommates and I made some great friends. We made memories that will last forever.

We often referred to our apartment as our own little piece of Zion.

During our first few weeks at school we got a giant Disney Princess coloring book and hung them on our wall. This was considered our roommate wall. In order from left to right: Maddie, Micole, Me, and Jessica.

Cocoa Bean was definitely one of our favorite places. We went to celebrate mission calls and sometimes just because.

This was never a good idea.

            Me, Micole, McKell, Sarah, Rachel, and Emily

Back Row: Isai, Josh, Max, Micole, Sarah, and Rachel

Front Row: Me and McKell

Sometimes the sun came out and we could actually spend time outside.

 Even though I can't actually sing I went to ward choir practice every week. We always started out good. . .

 but by the time practice was over this is usually what happened.

 Being the awesome people that we are, we dyed easter eggs and had an easter egg hunt.

Back Row: Josh, Max, Jessica, Alan, and Jake

Front Row: Me and Christy

 Me with my twin, McKell. We made a list an entire notebook page long stating all the reasons we are twins.

 Alan, Micole, and Me. Making fried bread dough/having a flour fight with these two was a blast.

 Dan photo bombed us, but I love it.

 Mission prep on Sundays. (Our numbers doubled the week Dan wasn't there to teach)

Then there was the day I left. Ignore all the tears.

 Maddie and Me

 Jessica and Me

Ben, Alan, Logan, Maddie, McKell, Me, Jessica

Overall the entire semester was amazing. I learned a lot and had so much fun. I couldn't have asked for better friends. You guys are the best. I look forward to seeing all of you again in a couple years.