my favorite art form.

my heart is full when I think about the last 2 years & being apart of the BYU Cougarettes. Dance has always been a big part of my life, and through this beautiful art form, I have had some unforgettable opportunities. I can't leave the Cougs without bragging about each and every one of them and the angels they are. I don't know what it is about dancers, but you create this unexplainable connection when you not only are with each other everyday, but get to dance together and share something that is so special to you. I have had this experience on every dance company I've been apart of, but there was something about adding in the gospel at BYU that made the Cougarettes extra special.
…These girls will never know the impact they had on my life…it's hard to explain... but without them, my testimony and personal strength wouldn't have stayed as strong and intact. Each day I walked in and I was welcomed with smiles & hugs that immediately made me feel good. No matter what had happened that day, good or bad, my Cougs always made me feel that much better. We were a team & we knew what that meant… if one of us was struggling, we all struggled. There were days where I was feeling so low, and the last thing I wanted to do was go to practice… but when I did, my problems became a little lighter, and that to me is the presence of an angel. God knew I would need these girls…each and everyone of them for individual reasons. We laughed, we cried, we worked really really hard, and most of all, we made each other better. Never have I been on a team where every person exudes so much genuine love & compassion for others. I just truly feel so blessed that I was able to dance on a team for 2 years with some of the most amazing girls--inside and out-- thank you cougs. I hope you never forget how beautiful you are and how you have a special affect on sooo many people around you. You are a light in this world & I want everyone to witness that.
Thanks for teaching me to be brave.
Thanks for making my smile a little brighter & my laugh a little louder.
Thank you for sharing your incredible talents with me.
Dancers are some incredible artists that share so much more than just dance moves.

moving forward.

welp… Cougarettes is officially done, and college graduation is just around the corner. You can probably guess that a lot has been on my mind! I have lived in Provo for nearly 6 years and have been blessed with great friends and opportunities. My heart is full when I think about my experiences here and how much I have grown. It is somewhat bittersweet moving on from something that has been so good to you and has really shaped you… but that excites me even more for what is to come! …
I have always been the type of girl who loves change and new adventures, but for some reason this one has been a little harder. I am comfortable here in Provo..I am happy and content with my life.. & graduating from college seems like a big, scary step into the real world (especially when you step out of the Provo bubble). I do know this though… it is time for that change. It's time to learn and grow from new surroundings and people and experience new things. I have become somewhat complacent with my life here and I know it's time to move on. I will be forever grateful for the beautiful people here in Provo that have touched my life and made me a better person. Without them I wouldn't have gained a stronger testimony of the gospel and I probably never would've ended up at BYU and dancing on the Cougarettes. Let me tell you… those girls are pure angels and they make you want to be better each and everyday. I want to take a fraction of what they gave me daily and give that to the rest of the world. That is my goal. To not look back and wish for this time in my life all over again… but to take everything from it and help spread what I have learned to everyone else. I want to spread the same love, kindness, and passion for life. So for that I say thank you provo:)

…. If you are starting to feel a little too comfortable and complacent in your life, maybe it's time for a little leap of faith and a change. It doesn't have to be anything big… a change doesn't require a big move out of state..it can be small and simple. always keep pushing forward & trying to find new ways to grow. Learn from new opportunities & people & don't be afraid of change. Embrace it. We will always hold on to beautiful memories and priceless moments---but know that there are far better ones to come.

"There are far better things ahead than any we leave behind" --C.S. Lewis

Cheers to a new adventure! I'm ready!

xoxo

something greater.

This weekend I had the chance to hear from the prophets and apostles of my church. It amazes me how God sends these men to deliver the exact messages I need to hear… and how in tune they are with Him to do so. A few nights ago I was feeling especially down and discouraged, and I felt like my future was a fearful blur. I felt extremely lost and defeated in everything I had been trying to accomplish. It wasn't until this General LDS Conference started that I felt God scoop me up and give me a hug. I felt like so many talks were directed towards me & gave me so much hope. That is what this gospel offers. HOPE. 

"Doubt not. Fear not." 

…One of the talks that hit me the most was Elder Bednars about FEAR. It is OKAY to experience fear. Even Adam and Eve first experienced fear before realizing their true purpose. Fear is normal, however there is a difference between worldly fear and Godly fear. Worldly fear brings anxiety and self-defeat. Godly fear brings a sense of peace & comfort…even though not all of your questions are answered. 

The time is now to face your fears. God will not let you face these by yourself. "Doubt not. Fear not." 

Don't let the things that you don't completely understand take over the things you do! Never stop pressing forward and walking towards the light..even when you aren't sure if it is still there. God is there-- Elder Bednar just gave me a lot of peace and hope. I recommend reading all of the incredible talks on lds.org. 

…also… 

My heart has been full this Easter weekend. I have never taken into account the level of importance and significance of this holiday. It represents the most incredible event that encompasses the whole plan of happiness. Easter is a day to remember Christ's resurrection and the atonement. A day to remember all the way back to Adam and Eve and the creation of the Earth. Eater represents something beautiful and beyond our comprehension. Without Christ's resurrection and the whole process, we would not be here at this time and we would not be able to utilize the beautiful gift of the atonement. We wouldn't have the chance to learn and grow. The chance to experience all of the beauty and the fight to get back to Heavenly Father. 

you are special. God loves you more than you will ever know and He will never leave you. 

REMEMBER HIM and be a little bit more grateful for Easter.