More Summer Adventures

Summer Semester is officially over. The proof is above. When a semester ends it brings a variety of things one of which is cleaning checks. I had to pack up everything and put it on top of my bed, clean the fridge, the freezer, and a few other kitchen items. Finals ended really good. I received the grade I anticipated in my classes so I was happy about that. 

                                                                                                    

Once finals was over I hopped on a plane to Kansas City Missouri to visit Chris who lives in Liberty. I hadn't seen his family since I had been home from my mission. I also hadn't met Jett or Daxton, my 2 nephews. Jett was born while I was on my mission, and Dax was born shortly after I returned home. Dax is on the left above while Jett is on the left. It was so fun to meet them!!! They are such adorable little boys. I enjoy being an Aunt very much. 

One morning we went running with the boys in the stroller. It started pouring rain and we all got soaked. Jett and Dax were good sports about it. 

We did a variety of activities: swim, grocery shop, Liberty Jail, Independence Visitor Center, watch movies, and Disc Golf. It was so fun to see Chris and Echo as parents. There little family is doing so well. 

One afternoon I got to do a session at the Kansas City, Missouri Temple. 

Visitor Centers really make me miss being a missionary with poster's like this! Sister missionaries also give the tours... I even got to go out teaching with the Sisters! It was soooo much fun. 

Echo and I at Liberty Jail. With Chris working everyday, I had a lot of time to talk with Echo. It was a lot of fun to get to know her better. 

I love these little boys!! 

What I am going to miss most about summer. #fruitfruitfruit

I Can Do Hard Things

I love a talk in this past General Conference by Larry M. Gibson, recently released first counselor in the Young Man General Presidency entitled, "Fatherhood--Our Eternal Destiny". In the talk he relates a story of an endurance challenge he did with his 3 sons: walking 50 miles in 20 hours. Though overtaken with fatigue and pain when they had finished, they triumphed in the fact that they had done it. Brother Gibson took this event as an opportunity to teach his boys that they could do hard things. He says, "I told [my son] how proud I was that he had accomplished such a hard thing. I knew it would prepare him for other hard things he would face in his future." I love this example of powerful, intentional parenting. I know that doing hard things enables us to face future hard things with greater optimism, courage, and faith. That being said, let me tell you what "hard thing" I did this past weekend.

I ran a 10k with my roommate Allie Jensen! After setting the goal at the beginning of the summer semester, we each made plans as to what we needed to do to be ready for it. We each ran consistently for the next month. Starting short at only 2 miles...we slowly lengthened our distance to 3, then 4. It was quite the triumph when we started running 5... and finally we conditioned ourselves to the point we could run 6 miles. Race day came and I had one goal: to run the entire time! and guess what? I did just that! I never stopped. Even when an unexpected MOUNTAIN (ok it was only a small hill but it felt like a mountain at the time haha) unexpectedly presented itself on the trail, I kept running. I never stopped. The last mile was the hardest. Every turn I kept thinking the finish line has to be there but it wasn't. Motivation dwindled in those moments but I keep going. Both Allie and I are so proud of ourselves! It was a hard thing, but we did it. I know that I am physically stronger, mentally stronger, and spiritually stronger because of this event. I know that doing hard things brings added strength, added discipline, and added confidence. Truly Christ did the hardest thing of all--he completed the Atonement. Because he did, we do not have to face the hard things alone. We can have his added strength, his added discipline, and his added confidence, while we work to develop our own. Only with him can we do hard things. 

School...Summer...Fun

I can't believe that I only have 1.5 weeks left of school! The semester has gone by so fast. Here is a little picture update.

Kayla Barber (one of my roommates) and Tylie Polatis and I ran the "Temple to Temple" 5k on pioneer day July 24, 2015. It is a run from the Provo Temple to the Provo City Center Temple. They said an opening prayer before the race started and the person said, "Please help us all to have a good time." He meant that we would all have a fun but I took it as that we all would have a good running "time". haha it kept me laughing. 

I am talking Microbiology and it is very fast paced since it is summer semester. These beautiful girls and I study together regularly to keep on top of everything. Left to Right: Ashley, Suzie, and Sarah. Sarah is a twin as well! I am so grateful for all these girls. 

There is so much hiking to do up Provo Canyon and I have had the opportunity to do a few. It is nice toe get away from campus and be outside. It makes me feel more at home here. Ashea Hanna and I did Stewart Falls a few weeks ago. She loved it because she is from Kansas which is FLAT. The mountains and the view just amazed her. It is fun being back with good friends that I made Freshman year. Ashea emailed me my entire mission and I am so grateful to her for that. 

Grandpa Hartley's sister, Doreen and her husband Mazer live in Orem. They are so good to me and feed me Sunday dinner ever few weeks. It feels so good to have family so close. Being with them helps me feel more connected to home. Well Uncle Mazer turned 90! They had an open house for him at there house that I went to and helped with the refreshments and got to visit with family that I haven't seen in a LONG time. In fact, I don't know most of them very well... second cousins, third cousins. etc. 

Uncle Clinton and Uncle Gene. Classy guys right here. Uncle Clinton sure liked to joke. Actually, they both do! Uncle Clinton may have done it in a jokingly manner, but he gave me a lot of really good advice. He told me to never underestimate what I can do. I can do anything if I put my mind to it. He shared multiple stories to illustrate the principle. It made me very grateful for these wise, experienced, mentors in my life. Uncle Gene laughingly told me to take a BYU dance class because that is where he met Lola. hahaha 

The Birthday Man Uncle Mazer and me. He held up like a champion. He is usually pretty hunched over but he stood up straight the whole time and didn't stay in his chair to much. 

More Cousins that I haven't seen in awhile. Martha Oakerland and her daughter Olivia. 

 

Classy guys dress alike. I am so grateful for the strong heritage I have. These men and woman love the Lord and have served him all the days of there lives. I am so grateful for their incredible examples.

I went to a Lady Antebellum concert with Crishelle Steglemeier, her sister Chelsey, and Tylie. It was SOOOOO fun!!! Sam Hunt and Hunter Hayes performed as well. I loved singing along with the songs and dancing with good friends. 

One thing I love about living in Provo is being so close to missionaries I served with. Alyssa Smith got married a few weeks ago and it was like a mini mission reunion at her reception. Elizabeth Olvera from Miami even came! It was great to unite with her and Sister Montoya 

Left to Right 

Me, Sister Suyheen Montoya, Sister Lindsey Bird, Sister Sam Gordon, Sister Kelli Dougal, Sister Crishelle Stegelmeier, and Sister Hannah Dunford

Wouldn't be summer if we didn't hike the Y! I love spending time with Burgandy Nerenberg.

Shelby (one of my roommates) and her boyfriend Taylor got engaged this past week!! We are all so excited for them. 

And that is what I have been up to lately!