First time GOLFING 9 holes!

  

 I was pretty excited after my 25-30 foot putt!!!

Our team ended up winning the 9 holes!! Our score: we were 1 under par :) 

 The other two teams we played against

 Yeah . . . did I mention I am the only girl on this team?

My team nominated me for the MVP award! They were sweet! I guess my 25 ft putt made up for my 25 ft drives :P Such a fun morning & afternoon at work!!

Summer Time {Belated}

 Some photos of when we went hiking last summer 

  

 ^^How cool is our stake that has all the BYU creamery flavors of ice cream for our summer activity?? Served by the bishops. Yummy!!^^

 ^^at President Worthen's reception. How cool is that ice sculpture?!?^^

 ^^Instead of going to work one morning--some of us at LDSP decided to serve with United Way and help build houses for a few low-income families^^ 

^^I made another wreath--thanks to my sister Camille!^^

New Full-Time Job!!

I got a full-time job at LDS Philanthropies!!

Working FT has its ups and downs.

Confession: around the time of graduation I wondered how long I will be working--as if it was this chore that I had to do to "fill in the time." Don't get me wrong, I like the work that I do but to be honest, I would have liked to be in a different position in life. But then one day at work I took on a more sacred perspective. This day was when I realized how I was building the kingdom of God. How He was trusting me to do His work. As my perspective changed I realized that the position that I am in-- I can deal with-- it will help me grow and develop. It's not just a filler. I am doing good, and sacred work. I know this is where He wants me to be right now. 

^^Isn't my work awesome?!?^^

{Graduation!!}

Sam and I Graduated from BYU!!!

It was a surreal experience. I cried. I am going to miss being a student at BYU. I am grateful Sam is still going to be a student-- it makes it a smaller change for me. 

President Utchdorf's message in general conference really brought me comfort:

"There seems to be something inside of us that resists endings. 

Why is this? Because we are made of the stuff of eternity. We are eternal beings, children of the Almighty God, whose name is Endless and who promises eternal blessings without number. Endings are not our destiny."

I am excited for the changes ahead but I feel inside that I am an eternal being that resists these changes at the same time. So I move forward with faith and trust in Him. 

Then we had dinner at Pizza Pie Cafe! So Yummy!!

Being Sick, Grandparents, and Work Retreat

^^On Monday, (the week before finals start) I had a really bad migraine and our wonderful neighbors, the Sutherlands, took me to BYU's health center to get a shot. Then on Thursday morning I took Sam to Urgent Care to get tested for strep throat. The doctor scared us suggesting that Sam might have mono, but luckily, it was only strep! It was a crazy week.^^

^^The Monday before Sam left to Pittsburgh his Dad's parents were in town and took us out to dinner. They have lived in California for most of Sam's adult life. It was great getting to know their fun personalities!!^^

^^At the end of November, my donor engagement team had their annual work retreat! It was lots of fun getting paid to have a day get-a-way up on the mountain near Draper.^^

 ^^We played a murder mystery game, a get to know you game, ate food and had a couple short speeches here^^ 

^^Then we did a treasure hunt (all over the area), here are some deer we drove by^^

^^Add this famous soccer player to my list of famous athletes that I have met. I wish I could remember his name. Does anyone know his name?^^

Life “Lately”

“Lately” as in the past few months… but hey, I still love the feeling of being caught up in one of my “journals.”

^^ In the middle of summer, Sam and I used one of our gift cards to go here. It was really good!^^

^^Went through the Temple with one of my Best Friends, Kenzy. We have know each other since kindergarten.^^

^^Before she left on her mission she came down and we spent some time together. {Long time joke, the orange Julius-- it's tradition}^^

^^Us three have been friends since about 3rd grade. It's great to have friends you've known basically your whole life^^

* * * * * *

This really nice lady came up to me after briefly visiting with her and she offered me a ticket to that nights football game!! So after I finished my test, we had fun at the game!

^^BYU vs. Middle Tennessee. Go Cougars!! :D ^^

* * * * *

Three Saturdays ago, Sam was able to go shooting with his capstone team. Capstone gives each team money to do some “team bonding” and that is what they decided on.

 ^^Sam said he was a little sore the next day^^

^^Sam doesn’t go shooting very often {once every few years}. However, his first shot hit his target! I’d say he is multi-talented.^^

Bragging moment: Sam told me that the sponsor of the capstone was telling the team about his phone conversation with Penn State (they are working together on this project)—he said that he didn’t have much to tell Penn State about the BYU team, except that Sam is the nicest. Sam said he didn’t know how that came to be {Except anyone that knows Sam knows that he is a sweet-heart!}.

Sam also told me about how the sponsor brought his kids and how he was parenting them.-- Story short, we are really excited for the day we are blessed to start our own family. 

 * * * * *

I got a new job!! My first official day was September 6^th. I got a migraine and it was our one-and-only-biggest-event-of-the-year for the donors. I was pretty upset—but also really determined. I was looking forward to this for weeks. I took naps in between my fluctuating “I feel like I am going to die and saying good-bye to my breakfast” on the family bathroom floor (which I didn’t care—I would have probably passed out if I tried to leave the building—and it was COLD—so it felt sooo good!). It was in the Hinckley Center—so it was also nice granite and really clean.

I am now working for LDSP (before I was working in a Dean’s Office for a Donor Liaison that worked for LDSP) I work with the Legacy Societies (donors that put BYU, BYUI, LDS BC, BYUH or the church in their will/ estate plan). It is lots of fun! They are very flexible with when I need to work which is so nice with a busy schedule. I also get to drive the nice cars to run errands in-- also really fun! However, I did cry a few times leaving my old job-- I had so many memories (good and bad). But I still feel like my decision was right so I can't be more happy. 

 ^^Old Desk^^

^^Old Office^^

^^New Desk^^

* * * * * 

 ^^Sam and I went rock climbing before school started. Thank you neighbor for the free tickets!^^

* * * * * 
One of Sam's best friends got married in St. George the weekend before school started so of course, we took a road trip. Luckily one of my step sisters just moved down there and so we were able to stay with her family for the night. We were so happy we were able to go. They hadn't seen each other in 4 years. It was an exciting time.