My father sent out an email to a bunch of his family members...

This email was asking for our opinions on the statement, "Perfection is a recipe for failure." There were a few responses before I piped in with my 2 cents... with a bit of help from my wonderful roommates...

If perfection is the only way you can succeed, then striving for perfection is, in fact a recipe for failure. God may deal in absolutes, but here in mortality 'perfect' is a non-reachable absolute. The striving for such a state of perfection will never become us. However, when God admonishes us to 'be ye therefore perfect' I believe that when we do everything we can do, we are, in the essence of the word, perfect. Take this quote from Remember the Titans into account--

Coach Boone: It's all right. We're in a fight. You boys are doing all that you can do. Anybody can see that. Win or lose... We gonna walk out of this stadium tonight with our heads held high. Do your best. That's all anybody can ask for.

Big Ju: No, it ain't Coach. With all due respect, uh, you demanded more of us. You demanded perfection. Now, I ain't saying that I'm perfect, 'cause I'm not. And I ain't gonna never be. None of us are. But we have won every single game we have played till now. So this team is perfect. We stepped out on that field that way tonight. And, uh, if it's all the same to you, Coach Boone, that's how we want to leave it.

This type of perfect is different than eternal perfection... we can be perfect in aspects of our lives, but never in its entirety. That sort of perfect can be reached only in and through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and the grace with which he lifts us to the perfect state of being in which He and the Father live.

Just a couple shots to bid the autumn time farewell... I'm afraid Logan winter is now upon us...

I walked home with an exam in my hand...

College has a way of changing your high school mentality of being a big fish in a little pond... the more I attend classes and take exams and try to measure up to expectations in college, the more I realize how very small I am compared to the ocean of fish I'm now a part of. When it comes to school, I feel as if I cannot even begin to compare to the educational whales with whom I associate. The balanced life I've chosen simply will not allow for rising to the top of such a lofty standard... or can it?

I know from many hours of personal experience that grades of that stamina come from incredible amounts of effort and hours of studies... using the variety of techniques that you've found works best for you. Pulling an A in a class is not an easy accomplishment. And yet, for some it seems to come fairly easily- even for those with a far busier course load than I am occupied with... and I marvel at how God's hand guides their lives. I have seen the result of a life lived in accordance to God's commandments and how, if it is needed and necessary for God's plan of happiness for that person to progress, His hand is seen lifting and guiding that person in educational aspects of their lives. Somehow, He always pulls them through on top.

This sort of blessing has been mine for more times than I can count. But lately, I'm noticing that the perfection I expect from myself has been lacking in my classes. Partially because of the other priorities in my life that I choose to make of more importance than classes at times. I do still study hard, I try my best to manage my time well, and I really am doing quite well in my classes. Just not as well as past years... and because of my stubborn yearning for perfection, I let that drive me absolutely bonkers somedays. I determine to study harder and more efficiently as I walk out of class with an exam holding a score not quite as high as I'd have liked it to be... and then life continues.

I find myself doing good things, growing in ways I need to be growing, fulfilling my calling, attending the temple, dating, gallivanting with my roommates, friends, and sister, studying for my institute classes... the list goes on... but somehow, someway, I manage to feel like I don't measure up to par in school... and it's such a big part of my life that this feeling of disappointment seeps its way into my overall attitude. And that's not okay with me.

*Sigh*

Good thing I have a firm testimony in the eternal plan of happiness God has in store for me. I know that as long as I'm doing the things necessary for my hand to be firmly grasped to the iron rod, things will all fall into place as they should. And as I continue to walk step by step into the dark, I am reassured each and every time the light of understanding envelops me-- but only after I've taken that step into the unknown.

May we each have the faith to let God guide our footsteps and ultimately bring us home.

I had time to sit and think.

Do you ever feel like you're never really going to feel thoroughly settled... in general? Settling, I believe, is finding a comfortable niche you fit supremely nicely into and could simply be happy staying in this little crevice forever. But for some reason, I don't think that's what God has in store for us.

I feel like many-a-time we discover these alcoves that we fit so perfectly into and wish with all our hearts that we could just stay and dig our roots in deep and have the security of knowing the walls around you won't change. Ever. This feeling is most definitely an innately human desire. A desire for stability and a solid foundation and constants. A desire I don't believe God lets go unsatisfied.

We've been sent to this earth to undergo trials and tribulations that help us grow and ultimately reach our full potential. But, during this process, God does give us unvarying sources of truth and light to burrow our roots into and provide that stability we all crave. That's what's so great about our Heavenly Father-- He pushes us to our limits, forcing us time after time out of our comfort zones in order to let us see that we can accomplish great things with His help. But that means leaving our niches. Stepping out of our alcoves and into the uncertainty of the unknown... which is scary.

It's ironic, isn't it, that the times I feel the most contented are usually times when I've been placed in situations that bring about changes in my life... disturbances in the calm flow of my life's path... It's almost as if God is trying to help me understand that it's okay to do things I've never done and to reach into the darkness and trust that His hand will be there to grasp mine. And it's at those moments of greatest trust that our loving Father in Heaven allows us to feel the 'rest of the Lord.'

Just a few things on my mind tonight.

I realized I have bunches and bunches to write about!

It's been a while since I've let my fingers ramble. An activity I actually believe is SO SO good for sorting out your thoughts. Writing is a good thing, but usually as you write, you have enough time to think about what you're actually writing, and then form your words... but when I type, I sometimes just let words take form before I actually think about what I'm trying to say. Case in point-- this paragraph. ;)

Let's see. Life is so good!! I love being at college. I love the challenge of doing well in school... studying for hours and hours this week prepping for 3 exams wasn't the most fun thing I've done recently, but it was good for me. I feel like I have a separate world I go to when I'm studying for an exam... Like no one and nothing else really matters too much because this exam is getting closer... and closer... no time for frivolous activities... But after the exams are over, I feel like I've neglected a huge part of my life. People, maybe, in general! ;)

So today, now that I'm finished with exams, I feel like taking the time to update this little blog of mine, share some adventures, and let my thoughts spill onto the screen.

October has been busy. I've been gone every weekend... literally. And not just gone randomly... nope... on some sort of AMAZING adventure!! Gallivanting is a favorite pastime lately. I started my month off with a jaunt home. I hadn't been home in 4 months. Needless to say, it was a party. :D My family is so great. SO fabulously good... I had the opportunity to watch General Conference in the comfort of my own home with family all around. It'd been a while since I've really spent that type of quality time with my siblings and parents.

My little brothers are growing up rapidly... the youngest was baptized that weekend. It was neat to experience the special light and spirit that a recently baptized 8 year old has about them-- The sheer innocence and bursting excitement I see in my brother is incredible! He's been saved for this time for a reason. And I believe he'll be ready and waiting for anything God has in store for him.

Next weekend included a fabulous reunion with

my second family... my boss and his sweet wife and their kids... crazy how two summers can create such a link between my heart and this family. We partied it up at Lagoon with the rest of our coworkers and bosses... naturally it was a party... ;) Anytime you get that group together ends up that way. We rode rides to our hearts' content and enjoyed the time together immensely.

We even turned one of my boss's sons into a roller coaster rider! Yeah! :D

After our Lagoon day, the next weekend we just hadn't had enough of Central Utah... so we went back to visit Salt Lake and my dear cousin. We took my roomie with us to drop her off at her home... and then got to chill with her family for a bit-- they're real fun!! We had a grand 'ol time meeting her siblings and parents. The rest of our weekend consisted of time spent with our cousins from Southern Utah-- we hadn't seen them in quite a while, thus the time spent was priceless... so much catching up to do, so many stories and laughs to share. :D We hiked up to Donut Falls one morning and enjoyed the scenery as we ran and skipped and climbed and played. I love hiking with people that you can just have a ball with!! Such fun. We also enjoyed a taste of Brazil as our two cousins who'd served missions there took us to lunch at an authentic little shop-- mmm. Good stuff. We finished the day by attending a baby shower for my cousin's wife. It was a nice end to a lovely weekend.

Next weekend was a gallivant down to Moab... yes, Moab. :D We had two of our neighbors who are experts in all things rock climbing take us down on a Fall Break adventure. Those two guys, plus seven of us girls... I shake my head in a scoff-ful manner... (and I definitely just made that word up... well, my sister did anyways.) and I realize how ridiculous that ratio was-- and just how much the guys did not mind AT ALL... hmm, wonder why...? hehe. This weekend was probably the most eventful of all our weekends of October yet.

We did a bit of repelling the morning, as well as some hiking and seeing the sights of Arches National Park. Pretty fun. The next activity took us to "Wall Street" or so it's called, and involved a wall of rock to scamper up... well, scamper might not be the right word... but you get the picture. ;) My personal favorite part was learning to belay... I'd done it before, but never a ton... and I rather enjoyed it!

Yes, that is my sister and I. And yes, we are wearing the same shirt. Tsk tsk... ((I totally had mine on first!)) hehe

At sunset, we repelled off a 100 foot arch. Yes, Corona Arch, to be precise. And it was INCREDIBLE!!! The time of day was perfect, the adrenaline rush amazing, and the people we shared it with, unbeatable. :D

To cap the already fabulous day off, we finished with a visit to the Windows-- double arches out in the Park-- there's a little space right up in the middle of the arch that you can climb up in and sit and look out through the "windows" of the two arches. Pretty neat view... but at night, it's a million times better!! We laid underneath those two arches for two hours, in awe of the brilliant night sky framed by the Windows. A perfect ending to the day.

There are many many more stories I could cram into this post, but I figure it's long enough. I love life... the people I rub shoulders with, the adventures I embark upon, and the lessons learned along the way. I could tell you about the date I had a couple weekends ago- about the corn maze and tim-tam-slam... I could write about the dutch oven dinner my sister and I pulled off for a Ward Home Evening... I could ramble on about all the wonderful things I learn in institute every day... I could even tell you of the silly things that go on in my apartment on a daily basis... But for now, I'll be content to let you know that I could never be tired of the life I lead. It's a party, an adventure, and a pleasure to lead. :D

I went to the IMA banquet... and came home thinking like mad...

Not necessarily about the date I'd just been on, although it was a good one. The young man who escorted me this evening was a good friend from the ward last year, and thus very easy to talk to and enjoy spending time with. Great date, just not the topic my mind is racing through at this moment. Well then, if it is not the date, you may ask, what is it that I could possibly be thinking so much about right now? I'll tell you.

Once upon a time some neighbors of mine (young men neighbors, by the way) shared with us a diagram of sorts. Not just any diagram-- this one outlines a theory behind dating. This theory is mounted upon our wall of quotes... that's how impressive it was to us. Ever since we were made aware of this guy-perspective of dating, we've been searching as roommates for a counter-diagram, thus highlighting the female-perspective. As time has passed, I've formulated a few key concepts of the diagram, in conspiracy with several other members of the female gender, of course. ;) And tonight, at the IMA banquet of all places, I think I've made a breakthrough.

The speaker who addressed us this evening was a wonderful man full of energy and genuine happiness. His words had me attentive the entire time he stood in front of us. He got to a point in his talk where he referred to the activity we all know and love from our childhood called Dot-to-Dots. You remember? Remember how excited you got as a child when you finished a dot-to-dot and finally saw what the picture was?? Best feeling ever, right?

Well, now that we've reminisced our childhood naivety and pure excitement for life, we can go on with the story. As this gentleman explained his analogy of life being like a giant dot-to-dot, things fell right into place for me... Unlike as we get older and can instantly see what the dot-to-dot has in store for us, life's dot-to-dot is completely a mystery to our eyes until it is complete. Connecting the dots then, becomes more of a challenge. Okay, back to being a kid again, remember when you were just learning to count and the numbers on the dot-to-dot seemingly eluded your view? Remember a parent or sibling or friend pointing out the next number, the next dot? Remember, at times, a helping hand grasping your tiny hand and the crayon propped within and guiding the tip of the accoutrement to the next dot? Remember?

Okay, the dots of our lives can be people, experiences, places, trials, etc... just things that lead us to becoming who we'll eventually be. All things leading to our finished picture. And guess what? Those helpers pointing out the next dot or even gently leading us to that dot can most certainly be people we date. Or people we room with, or parents, or friends, or siblings, or teachers... you get the picture. Best part of what our speaker tonight said? We can be dots in other peoples' dot-to-dots. We can be a part of the process that makes them who they become. Pretty cool, huh?

There are SO many venues of thought sprouting from this idea, but I'll just focus on one for now. Occasionally, we see ourselves becoming dots in someone's dot-to-dot... or one of those helping hands guiding such a person to the next dot. And sometimes we see ourselves as crucial parts of that person's life. When, in all actuality, we are simply edge-dots leading to the ultimate picture of that person's life. Thus, dating is confusing. You can't see the whole picture quite yet, so that dot in your life or the dot you are becoming in someone else's life could be rather insignificant in the entire scheme of things. Or... it may be rather crucial. But we don't know which... which is what makes it confusing.

Point being, and what I got out of it, I want to be a dot in many people's lives. I want to help them accomplish their goals and dreams and become their best self. Whether I become a significant dot or otherwise, at least I've helped them on their way. Also, a huge thanks to all those who have become dots in my life. You, yes you, are helping me on my path of completing my picture. Thank you thank you thank you! I love you all.

I determined I have silly roommates...

Not just mildly silly roommates, majorly silly roommates! And yes, I do include myself (and my sister- pretty much an adopted roommate) in this "majorly silly" category. We do crazy things. Things like taking pictures at night on playgrounds, flinging ourselves back and forth inside a human rubber band, walking home in previously mentioned rubber band, squishing 6 people in a regulation-size canoe, swimming in real cold water at 2nd dam, sit in the tub together, have conversations about abstract concepts like emotions and the fall of Adam and the Big Bang theory and things that make our brains explode, create videos at midnight and feng shui in other apartments, throw epic birthday parties, take pictures like NONE OTHER, and create Life Mottos such as "Beat the Ratio."

Yes, we are silly, and proud of it. :) If you only could read half of the quotes on our quote wall and hear the stories behind them... But, as they always say, pictures are worth 1000 words... so here you are.
1st of all... for our dear friend in China-- we miss her face, but LOVE emailing and Skyping to keep in touch! :DPlayground FUN!!! :DHuman rubber band... yes, we walked all the way home in it. Roommate birthday parties... gotta love 'em. Yep, that's 6 of us. In a canoe. At 2nd dam. Jungle explorers... muahahaha!I love this angle... you can see just how close we came to swamping the little canoe of ours. hehe.CUDDLING!!! Love it. Camille died... but not really... but we were sad anyways. Tin foil party!!! We scrubbed and wrapped 180 potatoes in foil... gotta love linger longers.

I shouted, "Hello Logan!!!"

I've officially been in Logan for 3 whole days now... and I'm LOVING being back. :) Don't get me wrong, I immensely enjoyed my summer job in Jackson and I do miss the people I got to mingle with up there, but it's SO GOOD to be back.
And my roommates!! Ahh, my roommates... they are three of God's most choice daughters, and they demonstrate that every day by the way they speak, act, treat others, and choose to spend their time. I love these girls with all my heart. I look forward to a wonderful year getting to know them better via quote walls, late nights, silly moments, and giggling galore! We've already had some pretty epic adventures together- note that we have also adopted my little sister as part of our "roommate-ness" ;) She's pretty great though. We'll take her.
Adventures so far... ice skating with the institute, stalking the guy in the Nike shirt, posing on playground structures, feng shui art in Camille's room, licking pudding bowls clean, Wackee Six (of course!), and cuddling... according to the behavioral definition.

Oh, and our new motto for life is "Every moment is a photo-opp..." Thus, our legacy of silly pictures continues. Until next time.