Resting Hour

Things have been pretty crazy lately, and I've been a little down.  Life is happening right before my eyes, and no matter what I do, I've realized it's not possible to slow it down.  I, like so many other college students in my position, have so many big decisions to make.  It's been stressful, but today I got a much needed letter from the sweetest boy, my missionary. :)  

I usually try not to tell him all the things I'm having a hard time with, because his mission is his first priority and the last thing I want to be is a distraction.  In the last letter I sent, I just told him I was having a bit of a hard time, and his response was priceless.  It's such an incredible blessing to have his eternal perspective on what I've been going through.  His words helped me, so I'm sure they can help some of you.

The Lord is so aware of each and every one of us, and He gives us trials and hardships so that we will turn to Him for help and comfort.  He truly loves each and every one of his children more than we can even try to comprehend.  In Adam's letter, he sent me this little quote:

"God sent a man to push a large boulder.  The man pushed and pushed on the boulder.  Satan came by and said, 'why are you pushing on that boulder?  You'll never be able to move it.'  The man became discouraged.  He went to God and asked why he had been sent to push a boulder he would never be able to move.  God said, 'I never expected or told you to move the boulder.  I told you to push the boulder.  In pushing the boulder, your arms, back, and legs have been strengthened and you have become strong.'"

When times get rough, we need to turn to the Lord, and He will show us how he is strengthening and shaping us.  Blessings will always come from turning to the Lord, and by putting our trust in God, we will be able to get through anything we may face in this life.

"Righteous sorrow and suffering carve cavities in the soul that will later become reservoirs of joy."

D&C 122:7-9

"7 And if though shouldst be cast into the pit, or into the hands of murderers, and the sentence of death passed upon thee; if thou be cast into the deep; if the billowing surge conspire against thee; if fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to hedge up the way; and above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape opn the mouth wide after thee, now thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good. 

8 The Son of Man hath descended below them all.  Art thou greater than he?

9 Therefore, hold on thy way, and the priesthood shall remain with thee; for their bounds are set, they cannot pass.  Thy days are known and they years shall not be numbered less; therefore, fear not what man can do, for God shall be with you forever and ever."

 God loves us.  God loves you. 

His hand is stretched out for you, all you have to do is reach for it.

xoxo

brookelle

"When we are broken we’re not forgotten
You will be strong
And even though that fight that we’re facing
Leaves you burned out and shaken
You’re not alone

 Give it all to me
I can be your resting hour."

nine months

I'm just feeling a little nostalgic tonight, seeing as Adam has officially been out for 9 whole months! 

I've spent the night organizing all the pictures on my phone and laptop, and came across a bunch from the Summer of 2012; the best Summer yet.

This particular July evening was spent with Adam and my family.  We went to the Owls game, and watched fireworks after.  Somehow, this picture from that night was saved on my phone after almost 2 years.  

And just like that, the memories come rushing back.

9 months.

9 months ago I said goodbye to my best friend for 2 whole years.

and in 3 months I'll be halfway there.

I'm thankful for all the time we were able to spend together before he left to serve the people of North Carolina and Virginia.  And I'm especially excited for all the time we'll be able to spend together when he returns.

2 years compared to eternity, right?

xoxo

brookelle

A Much Needed Break

Hello friends!  Tonight, I'm blogging because this wonderful Christmas break is coming to a close.

It's a little sad, but I'm actually pretty excited to get back to school and do something with my life.

I have this issue with breaks..I love them, but after a few days I get extremely bored, and I feel like I need to be doing something.  So it's relieving a lot of stress knowing that I'll be back in the school grind in a couple of days.

I guess this is the part where I tell you all about the crazy things I did over the break..so 1 2 3....GO!

Throughout the first part of the break, I got to work at the job I have missed so much this past semester!  Seeing my little babies (or not so little anymore) was seriously the greatest thing.  Over the Summer, I worked as the infant teacher at Kids Count Daycare.  It was really hard, but oh so rewarding. I have come to know that you truly do come to love those you serve.  

My awesome cousin came up to play basketball against Springville, and I got to go watch him play!  This kid is one of a kind.  Not only is he an amazing athlete, he's an incredible person as well.

I love you Joshy!!!

(aaand he likes to pretend he's taller than me)

 

During the break, I got to get back to my old bookworm habits.  Need I say more?

I sent an adorable package to my favorite missionary....

Aaaand I got one as well.  :)  

I was able to spend some quality time with these beautiful sisters of mine, and we got our annual Christmas Jammies!!!

Photobombed by a moose ^^^

We're really good at playing toy kitchen.

We also have really intense Hungry Hungry Hippos tournaments.

Aaaand Sophi ended up being on the nice list after all..:)  

I've loved being able to spend so much time with my family this break!  It's nice to have that reminder of what really matters in this life.  It's so easy to get distracted by worldly things that in reality, don't mean anything.  I'm so blessed to have such a supportive and loving family, because when it comes down to it, that's what really matters.  

Now it's time to get back down to Ephraim and show Snow College who's boss!  :)

xoxo

brookelle