Simply put.

Going through advice to the incoming freshman at work today. 

Best advice?

"Don't judge. Just love. You'll be much happier."

Yes.

Just love.

Everyone needs it. 

Run.Drive.Sleep?Repeat.

I am thankful I have 2 legs because I get to use them for running.

This last weekend I ran ragnar. 

MOST WONDERFUL. TIRING. SPECTACULAR. PAINFUL. EXPERIENCE OF MY LIFE.

seriously. I'm addicted.

200+ kills. 197 miles. 12 runners. 5 injuries. 2 vans. 0 sleep. 1 awesome weekend!

Besides the small set back of an hour plus wait at one of the exchanges and 5 injuries on our team the weekend pretty much was awesome. 

We got well over 200 kills thanks to Joel's mad running skills on the "what the hill!?" leg of the race. And some sweet quotes. 

Getting ready to start... obviously a litte excited. 

This guy was the coolest volunteer. I'll be doing this when I'm old. 

FUNNY STORY. Right before my first leg I had to go to the bathroom really bad, so I ran to the front of the line said runner and found an open honey bucket. About the same time the honey bucket people were there to empty them... and in my hurry I neglected to lock the door... well I'm minding my own business in there and the door opens. I let out a little squeal as the guy just doing his job slammed the door. I got outta there as fast as I could. And it made for a really good laugh later in the day! 

Right after I finished my last leg. Most if it was downhill, and then a steady incline. It was HOT. I almost threw up. But I made a friend that leg too. When I run, I look out for people that are struggling to keep going and I always tell them to run with me. The lady I ran with that leg was hurting, and so was I but we pushed each other to the finish line. We made it and hugged, I hadn't even known her an hour before hand. See that's what I love about running - it brings you so much closer to people so quickly. And it teaches you how strong you really are. Which is much more than you know. 

Spent 36 hours in this sucker. 

The best part was cheering people on! we made so many friends along the course. Had so many dance parties. Would sing to everyone along the way! I loved it! Going up the "what the hill!?" leg was so much fun. So many butterflies. So many laughs :)

Van number 1! showered and happy to be done :)

The Spanking Spatulas!

And it wouldn't be a race with my brother if we didn't get our signature picture together. 

So, yes. I will be participating in another Ragnar. So fun!

And totally worth the sticker ;) 

Provo.Summer.Happiness.

I'm sitting on dottie's bed right now. 

Listening to THIS

Thinking about the Monday routine.

Work out, work, read a book, chill out, Repeat. 

My life is a little pathetic.

But that's okay, because I'm happy.

Yep I'm boring. In Provo. And so happy.

I don't have any silly date stories to tell you. I don't have updates from adventures abroad. 

I have tons of fun where ever I am. Laugh and adventure everyday. I'm happy being quirky. All you need is a little creativity and no shame to do what you love. Most nights are just spent being silly with people I simply adore. Example, My roomie just walked in with her hair in a side ponytail, hand on her hip, head tilted, hug grin on her face asking who she was. Then promptly yelled "YOU!" There is a reason I love living here. We all just get along, know how to be spontaneous and laugh. So what if it's different. We're happy and that is what is important. 

I did have a wonderful weekend, full of family, friends, and lacrosse.

The highlight was probably the drive home from PC singing songs at the top of our lungs, or yelling "HEY COWS!" out the window to get their attention. 

Moments like those are what make me love summers in Provo. 

They're perfect. We're so happy and glad to be alive. 

To many my life may seem boring and typical. But I am so in love with every little detail. 

Oh... you know. Just a typical trip to REI investing in sleeping bags and hammocks.
Camping? You better believe it!

Be still

Life is fragile.

b r e a k s m y h e a r t

A wonderful person in my YSA ward passed away this morning. 

I didn't know him to well.

the point is I knew him. And he graced my life with a smile. And a few fun group games.

As quickly as I met him he was gone. 

I know he's in a safe place.

Eager to work. Spread the joy, truth, and love that he knew here to everyone in the life hereafter. 

This gives me peace. 

and while I may not hurt as much as the sweet girls next door, or his darling sister. 

I'm glad that I can still know them. 

And that we can all grow and support and love each other. 

There are so many reasons to be hopeful

In a situation like this I'm beyond grateful for the knowledge I have. 

That one day we will all live with God again.

We will be resurrected, and that day will be just as bright as this morning.

 Calm and peaceful.

We are eternal. 

I have a great sense of peace about me. And know what I need to do next.

I have faith. 

"Be still and know that I am God." - D&C 101:16

Pride and Will

My body hurts. SO BAD. 

But it's a good hurt, because it means I'm getting stronger.

On top of training for ragnar & a marathon, no sleep, working full time, church stuff, and spending way to much time at Macy's grocery store I've started conditioning with the Lacrosse team again.

I have endurance. I know that. I've spend several months building up that endurance. And it FEELS GOOD to just be able to go run 7 miles. Even if it hurts and I want to stop. But I know I'm stronger than that and have so much more room to improve. 

The thing I lack is speed.

I want to be fast so badly.
At conditioning I come in last on the 100 M sprints, but the longer ones 400 M I'm near the top. I can go, but I gotta learn to be faster. 

We max out on things like pull ups and push ups. And it hurts, but knowing you can't do anymore it's something to be proud of. and knowing that you went until your breaking point you literally put every ounce of strength and grunt in, doing 5 more when you think you're done. That. That is will. 

We also have to run 10 miles a week on our own but that's easy. No problem

My goals before tryouts start is to run a 15 second 100 M
10 pull ups. BY MYSELF.
Have the ability and muscle memory to stay on my toes.
and to get a baller band.

I want this more than anything. And I won't stop until I get it. I won't stop after I get it. I'm here to be challenged. To have Pride in my self (personal respect in daily excellence) and the will to keep going. Even when I feel like throwing up, because this is just the beginning.

Why am I telling you this? It's because I'm working hard. I want you to know and hold me accountable to my goals. It makes me stronger, and while this all may seem very selfish... it sorta is. but I also want to be able to give something to my team. Be a player that builds and simply adds to the beauty of the game. I believe I can be that. I believe I am that. I will, I can, I am.

And if coach doesn't see just how hard I've worked. How many mornings I've drug myself out of bed to go run. How many times I've thrown a ball at  wall. How much sacrifice I've made for her team. How badly I want this. Then it's okay. Because I KNOW what I did. And if that's not enough, then nothing is.
I'll just go play rugby ;)

Once a laxer. Always a laxer.