Pretty Much Perfect :)

     So this is how I pictured college when I was in high school... Trees turning colors, wearing a hoodie (or beanie) a little overcast, and me with a smile on my face... Okay, and there was a espresso machine, boyfriend, and grad school plan too, but life takes its turns :P
     Today was a wonderful day, I woke up at 7:06 and thought "Oh CRAP, I have a meeting at 8!" ... so classic sleeping in thang right. But I still somehow managed to get ready, look semi-presentable, have roomie prayer and head out the door in time to get to my meeting. And on my way up to campus, I ran into some wardies and we chatted for awhile, I commented on how I felt like I was lookin' like a homeless bum (I decided that I'm just going to go through my 5-pack of white v-necks this week... so I'm not like lookin super fly or anything...) but one of the guys said "well, you look like a freshly showered bum, if you're really trying to pull off the homeless look."
     So I finally make it to my meeting, after some good conversation, and domination of the RB hill... well it generally dominates me, but whateves. I get to the meeting, and I'm currently assisting with 2 research projects, one of which I'm organizing the collaborative effort, and the second of which I'm mainly doing data entry. But I realize... "Wow, I've learned a LOT of stuff just from doing things, not necessarily from a textbook or in the classroom..." I've picked up some sweet skills, like ORGANIZING! I've got some sweet organizational skills... I'm also good at getting people together, making spreadsheets efficient, and setting up a project or something without taking it over... I can take direction and help it become the awesomeness it was meant for! :D Anyways, it was cool coming to that realization, and coming to terms with the nerdy research side of me that wants to find findings, write up lit reviews, and see if seemingly meaningless digits can show profound patterns.
     The day just gets better as I stroll outside looking for a nice place to read my scriptures, and I just fell in LOVE with the clouds! The weather was PERFECT today! Eventually I settle into a bench at the JSB, read, and then take a little nap before one of the best devotionals I've ever heard in my LIFE! I got to enjoy it with good friends too, which is always a plus! One of them is just so sweet, it's like I'm the only person in the world when she's talking to me :P I wonder sometimes how it's even possible to just give ALL of yourself to people, even though relationships aren't really going to last that long... I mean I'm in college right... but it hit me today, again, that it's because our time is limited that we need to invest ALL we have into others, and try to do our best to succeed in life.
     The devotional today was about happiness and staying positive, and it was truly amazing :)
     Two classes, work, homework, and a little bit of reading later it's 6pm and I head home to do some laundry, eat a bit, write a couple missionaries, and get ready to run. I accomplished ALL of that PLUS folding my clothes! And I was pretty proud of myself for going 3.25 miles in just over 30 min :) After said fun, I was able to have some awesome conversation with the roomies, and it was fun/interesting/nerdy for me to go on a tangent about mental health stuff, and talk about the hospital I volunteered at for the past two years. One of my roomies is a psych major too, so it was fun to talk about abnormal psychology and behaviors, and just the unique undergraduate experience we get to have/our limited, yet interesting, and special perspective on the world.
     Anyway, through and through it was pretty much a perfect day. Life isn't what I've planned it to be, but I am doing what I love, I'm loving what I do, and I'm happy. Heavenly Father's hand is clearly blessing my life, and I am so blessed to have just another day. :)

And I'm seriously looking forward to the next one, and the one after that, and the one after that! :) ...even though I do have tests this week... God is great, life is good, and people are crazy!


    

Play With a Purpose :)

Okay, so this post has been a long time coming... Over spring semester my SFL 100 professor said something that struck me:
"You are young, you have to play! But you need to help others too, play with a purpose!"

He was speaking of our choices of study abroad programs, summer plans, etc. so that we may be able to help those around us, and just generally be productive members of society. And lately this (below) has been my life.

I'm in a philosophy class, and in preparation for a quiz that I very well might completely fail I've been creating a study guide, going over notes... like ACTUAL studying stuff! Kray. I know. :P

But, a two things have stuck out to me. One was The Cambridge Platonists' idea of innate ideas. They rejected Cartesian beliefs of Tabula Rasa and substituted it for the idea that your mind is a closed book, which your senses merely open, there are many innate things just part of you innately. The second thing that has stuck out to me is the big debate over whether or not God exists... which, I'm sure, will continue until the End actually comes. :P

And the third thing that has spawned this musing of thoughts is from a recent-ish General Conference talk. Elder D. Todd Christofferson said this (actually quoting Elder Evans): "'Life offers you two precious gifts --one is time, the other freedom of choice, the freedom to buy with your time what you will. You are free to exchange your allotment of time for thrills. You may trade it for base desires. you may invest it in greed.... Yours is the freedom to choose. But these are no bargains, for in them you find no lasting satisfaction. Every day, every hour, every minute of your span of mortal years must sometime be accounted for. And it is in this life that you walk by faith and prove yourself able to choose good over evil, right over wrong, enduring happiness over mere amusement. And your eternal reward will be according to your choosing.'"

Time is so interesting to me. I feel like everything I'm doing is helping me to grow towards what I want to become, and that I'm playing with a purpose, learning leadership skills, and picking up awesome random nuggets of AWESOME (like organizational skills... I'm organizing a team of researchers as part of my job in the Counseling Center right now, and the reason I can have the confidence to perform well with this responsibility is because I've DONE it!)... so yeah anyways, idk...

I still sometimes wonder if I've squandered some of my youth by doing to much...

or if I've just done well preparing for the future...

In either case, I do know that I'm walking by faith.

2 Cor 5:7


<3 p="p">God is Great, Life is Good, People are Crazy

Elder Christofferson's Talk:  https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2010/10/reflections-on-a-consecrated-life?lang=eng&query=reflections+consecrated+life

Humble Pie: Fall 2012

So I thought my semester would be looking a little more like this:

21-ish credits

3 jobs

2 intramurals

and my 2-ish year plan would look a little bit like this:

Sept-Dec 2012: School

January 2013: Mission Papers

March-ish 2013 to September-ish 2014: Serve a mission

September-ish 2014-April 2015: Apply to graduate school and finish up college

 and my graduation diploma would look a little more like this:

Heather Ann Lagrosa:

Psychology BS

Family Life Minor

English Minor

But at some point during this crazy kray-kray summer I've learned a little bit more about how I can listen to the Lord, and I've had more opportunities to act upon the promptings of the Spirit. I got to experience a different kind of goodness and happiness, because I desired to align my will with the Lord's. However, when school plans were coming back around, I kindof forgot a little bit about what I learned this summer... luckily though, for me, I have some great influences in my life who have reminded me of Who my blessings come from in the moments that I seem to forget, so I got my head on track a little bit, and put my heart and mind into prayer. I wish I could say that I recieved an answer immediately and am 100% happy and pleased with my new plan, but it took some time. Granted it is only the 2nd day of school, but I've been pondering for awhile (for those of you who don't know my OCD tendencies for planning/numbers/colorcoding/scheduling by some of my posts... well, I spend a great deal of time making plans and considering options... thats why I find time to make myself more busy! :P)... and anyway, I've been feeling peaceful about cutting back even if it is a little bit.

So now my plans look like this:

Fall 2012:

18 credits (2 audited, 3 online)

3 jobs

2 intramurals

2ish year plan:

September 2012 -April 2013: get my undergraduate

January 2012: turn in my mission papers

April-ish 2013- October-ish 2014: Serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

October-ish 2013- January 2014: Apply to graduate school and find some work :)

and my diploma:

Heather Ann Lagrosa

Bachelor of Science in Psychology

Minor in Family Life

      I want more than anything in the world right now to just go an serve a mission, but I know that I won't be able to do my best without listening to what Heavenly Father wants me to do. As I prepare to give 100% of my time to Him for a short 18 months, I need to give 100% of my life to Him. I know I can be a missionary for my Father in Heaven without a black nametag. I know that when Sister Beck said this in her April 2010 General Conference address: "The ability to qualify for, receive, and act on personal revelation is the single most important skill that can be acquired in this life", she was truly inspired. It's one thing to hear something and know it is ture, it is entirely another to let that truth change you, and transform you into a better person. 

     I am grateful that I know Who my strength comes from, and that I can talk with my Heavenly Father whenever I want... He always listens. I love the Lord, and I know with all of my heart that I am loved by Him. In Shakespear's Twelfth Night that says: "Be not afraid of greatness: some are born great, some achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon them". There is another quote that states: 

     "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. it is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. your playing a small doesn't serve the world. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."  -- Marianne Williamson in Return to Love

We all have greatness inside of us... now just because eveyone has greatness, doesn't mean that everyone is great. The choice to become is an individual one that has to be made with true intent.

<3 p="p">

"Love sought is good, but giv'n unsought is better"

I never thought I'd fall in love...

4 states

71. 522 gallons of gas

2156.9 miles driven

5.649 billion bugs slaughtered

6 new cities explored

1 tiny crack in my windshield

1,000,000 memories made

Basically this picture says it all:

It all started at 12:09 MST on Friday the 17th of August...

One stop in the remote town of Glenn's Ferry ID with only one gas pump, anoter in Pendleton at a bustling gas station where I met a guy who had the most georgeous El Camino I've ever seen, around 11:11 pm I saw the greatest lights as I came over the Manastasch Peak, and then at :

~ 874 miles;

~ 2 bottles of water,  1 mountain dew, 1/3 of a DDP; 2 pb&js;

~ 12:37 min. later...

I've FINALLY arrived in Sophskiez room!

It was clearly a fantastic reunion :P

The next day while I was taking in some of the scenery with my baby Rebel, on our way into the greatest city on Earth, so really cool guys in the Subaru next to us posed for me :P

Don't worry, Sophskiez was drivin' :P

We went to Pike's Place market and saw a bunch of awesome stuff! Then we went to go by the water, and were disappointed when a juggler decided not to perform his routine. The sun came out a little bit, and there were some awesome picture taking opportunities :)

Basically it was beautiful :)

On Sunday Sophie gave an amazing talk in church! When we got home PONO CAME OVER! :D

I was contemplating all of the places in the world I'd like to visit! :)

Sister Wilson and Sister Santos are pointing to their AWESOME missions they'll be serving in for the next 18 months or so. :D

aaand I was writing down some of the driving stats/trip things/ making lists like I generally love to do.

And shortly after we took this jumping pic, I was packed up and ready to head North up to Bellingham!

Monday morning we had breakfast at the Baglery in bustling downtown Bellingham.

Then Kenz and I went down to the boardwalk and took some fun pics. :D

This girl is SO amazing!! :D

Then I took a 'lil trip down to Sammamish to see muh fro Pono! ... I mean muh girl Pono! :P And I STILL have issues saying Sammamish... but my phone, Gina, cannot pronounce Issaquah, soooo I'm not feelin' too bad about it :P

Those bandaids are in the pic like Elise would be if she wasn't in the MTC.

Pono and I feasted on some Mickey-Mouse-Head shaped chicken nuggets, and I got my first taste of Seattle traffic on my way south to Longview! But I still made it to Kara's house before she was done with work. Fueled up on coconut water, AMAZING leftovers, and bran muffins for dessert; home girl took me around town, and to the beautiful Columbia river in her janxy (but AWESOME) off-road vehicle--fully equipped with about 5 different handholds for me to grab on to. :D

We jumped off this cool lookin' stump.

and this was the only normal picture where both of us weren't lookin' too weirdsauce :P

Fueling up one more time in Vancouver, I said goodbye to Kara and to Washington, slept in Portland for a few hours and headed back to Provo on Tuesday.

This was the sunrise in OR! (also, you can see just a few of the bugs that  littered my windshield)

And now here I am, back in Provo, my new (and as of now, empty) apartment, anxiously awaiting school to start. I'm a little bit poorer, but my whirlwind tour of the BEAUTIFUL state of Washington was life changing. I never thought I'd fall in love, especially not with a city, or a little bit of countryside, but oh how my heart is singing, calling me back there.

Happy BIRTHDAY Bekstrandskiez! :D

So this is muh girl Rebekah Seastrand/Bekstrand/Bekstrandskiez
And TODAY IS HER BIRTHDAY!

Let me tell you a little story about why this gril is AMAZING! :D

We met Freshman year in the Penthouse of Penrose Hall... (which is sadly now destined for demolish-ment), and we became pretty tight. She even stared in one of my early rap videos :P

Clearly, Bekstrand is AWESOME! :P

But seriously, I've been blessed to know this girl for about 3 years now, and since then we've had great times. Talks in heritage kitchens 'til 4 in the morning, phone convos from opposite sides of the country, spicy sushi (http://featherah.blogspot.com/2010/08/welcome-to-hellfire.html), crazy awesome concerts (Journey/Foreigner and Styx/REO Speedwagon)(See above), talks on random golf-cart benches in SLC, hikes with cougars, hikes up the Y, this girl has been just such a great example of what a friend should be!

I am so happy to call this girl my best friend, and I am so glad that it's her birthday today. She is SO AWESOME, we've been through ups and downs, and we made it together. Bekstrand is such a great example of love, patience, and Christ. Being around her makes me want to be a better person, and basically I'm just kinda really freak glad she was born! :P

Look Up! :D

      In a recent conference talk Elder Carl B. Cook of the Seventy said this after describing an encounter he had with President Monson in an elevator: "I was burdened and my head was down. As the prophet spoke, I looked to him. He redirected my focus to look up to God, where I could be healed and strengthened through Christ's Atonement. That is what prophets do for us. They lead us to God."
    Revelation given to the prophet Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery in the 6th section of the Doctrine and Covenants states:
"33 Fear not to do good, my sons, for whatsoever ye sow, that shall ye also reap; therefore, if ye sow good ye shall also reap good for your reward.
34 Therefore, fear not, little flock; do good; let earth and hell combine against you, for if ye are built upon my rock, they cannot prevail.
35 Behold I do not condemn you; go your ways and sin no more; perform with soberness the work which I have commanded you.
36 Look unto me in every though; doubt not, fear not.
37 Behold the wounds which pierced by side, and also the prints of the nails in my hands and feet; be faithful, keep my commandments, and ye shall inherit the kingdom of heaven. Amen."

     I am so grateful to be able to say that I have faith in God, my Heavenly Father, who strengthens me in everything I do. I'm grateful that I can look up for guidance, that I have a perfect example to emulate my motivations after, and that I have no reason to fear because of the rock upon which I am built. I love my Savior, I love my Father in Heaven, and I'm grateful for the confidence that I have been blessed with. I know that I am not perfect, but I also know how to strive for perfection. I know I'm better off at the bottom of the mountain, bruised form a fall, looking up toward the peak, than 3 meters from the summit contemplating turning around. I know the hope that comes with a will to do good. I know the healing power of Jesus Christ's Atonement, I have experienced it first hand. And, I know that change is a process to be taken one step, one moment, one breath at a time.

God is great, life is good, and people are crazy! :)

The 9:11 from Houston

So this is the 2nd time I'm taking the 9:11 flight from Houston to Salt Lake to completel a LONG day of traveling. :)

Anyone who knows me decently well knows that I love airports, and traveling and visiting others, I'm super lucky to be able to fly standby with United and basically fly free (if open seats are available) and I've been blessed to have been able to travel to every single one of the states in the U.S. as well as many countries arounds the world.

I just wanted to take some time to reflect on the blessings that I've had when it comes to getting from A to B. Or kindof all through the alphabet I guess, I've been on 6 (almost 7) flights in the past three weeks, I've been almost coast to coast in the U.S., traveled to some beautiful Carribean islands, and have had countless hours in the car driving around. I am really grateful I have the time, means, friends, and family to give me reason to and help me out w/ traveling.
:)

God is great, life is good, and people are crazy! :D