...Garden Party...

Two weekends ago Emme and I had a double date with Ben and Jason and us girls were personally excited about it, but it seemed pretty girly, so we didn't know how the guys would react. You know that once scene in "The Wedding Planner" where Jennifer Lopez meets Matthew McConaughey at the park and they watch a movie on the side of the building? Well basically that was what this was... Leu Gardens in Winter Park does a date night in the gardens where people can watch a movie and bring picnic stuff and lay on the lawns... It was fabulous! Emme and I decided to pack her picnic basket and bring blankets... Since this was our first time doing this adventure, we hit a few bumps that we now know how to perfect, like bring lawn chairs instead of sitting up on your arms for two hours, and bring a citronella candle so you don't deal with the bugs... The movie was "The Proposal" so I was pretty stoked because I just adore that movie! I'm almost positive that they guys enjoyed it because they never complained once, and they did laugh, so that's good right?

After we watched the movie we went back to Emme's house and we played Clue! I love that game so much... Emme, Jason and Ben happen to be some of my most favorite people in the world, so it was a really great night for me... I didn't take my camera to the gardens, but Emme did and I stole this picture from her!

... Tricked ...

Supposedly, according to my mother, Elder Neil L. Anderson was in the area and was giving a couple of firesides to different groups... She told me about the Young Single Adult one on Sunday and I even went through the effort of inviting some of my friends to come along for the ride (and by invite I mean I guilted them into coming by telling them that Apostles don't come all that often and that my mom was super excited to have them over for dinner before)... I seriously should consider going into interrogation or something like that because I have a way of making people do things that I want them to do (within reason)... so Jason, Emmy, Ben and I caravaned over to Tavares to have Sunday dinner with my folks... It was great... I haven't had that much fun with them in a while... Mom made a great dinner and dad really made everyone feel at home... We all laughed and ragged on each other and told stories--it was fantastic... what could make the evening even better? An Apostle! But wait?! I our dismay, we drove to the stake center and no apostle was there!!! Nope--my mom read the announcement wrong and it was for Single Adults, not Young Single Adults and apparently it was at a different building... So we all drove home, sad, tired, yet full from a good meal... Mom texted me as we drove home and told me that she made it all up just so she could trick me into having my friends and I come over for dinner... somehow that doesn't surprise me :)

...Persistence...

I am overwhelmed sometimes by how the Lord strengthens me... I lost my job in December and for the past four months I have been looking in Tallahassee and now in the greater Orlando area... Most days I would have a mental breakdown and be full of self pity because I was trying, but I was still without a job... I would still put in resume after resume and apply for job after job, but nothing! I would keep a constant prayer in my heart hopping something would come up... It did and with the Spirit guiding me and by me being persistent, I was able to snag a job! This entire experience has taught me that I can't give up and that the Lord has greater things in mind for us... I know that all of the breakdowns I had and all the pity parties were because the Lord knew I could handle more than I thought I could and He was proving it to me! I'm grateful for the experience, no matter how hard it was for me, because it reaffirmed to me that come what may, I can handle it and that I will rise above, and that I'm always able to fix my mistakes... Second chance, here I come! I won't screw it up, I promise!

...Blessed...

I am truly blessed... The Lord has always looked out for me because He knows I need good friends and no matter where I find myself, I always have good friends... Not just good friends either, but the kind of friends that I learn things from or the kind that help me grow into a better person because I know them... I have this picture frame that had hung in all of my rooms since I've moved out of my parent's house and I always change out the pictures in it (there are like 28 picture spaces)... the people in that frame are people who I have been blessed with in this life that have greatly impacted me...

When I first moved to Apopka, I had a really hard time getting over my move... I knew it was what the Lord wanted me to do, and because I knew that I also knew that He would help me get over the hump and adjust to a new life... I've only been here for a couple of months now, but I have made some quality friends now that I can't imagine being without...

(Morgan)

(Alyssa)

We all know about Jess Oveson by now (I think the consecutive blog entries about here were just a clue!) but she really was a huge factor in getting out of my slump from the move... Then we have Alyssa Coles... she immediately made me feel at home here and we connected! I'm so grateful for her because she lets me be me around her plus I love that we can be insanely honest with each other and not think anything of it (for example: I texted her the other day informing her that my boobs hurt, no "Hi" or "Hello!", but "my boobs hurt," to which she replied, "mine too," not a "wow, you're weird.") I love her! Alyssa also introduced me to Morgan Coles, her older sister... Morgan was always more than willing to help me with rides while I didn't have my car... she is fabulous and one of the least judgmental people I know... she is beautiful and smart and always full of great advice... Emily Beecher is like my soul mate (not in a fall in love way, but in a our souls are similar way)... she is like my little guardian angel and is one of the sweetest people I know... she understands me and supports my decisions and is more than willing to always help me... She is amazing, and any guy would be lucky to have her in his life!

(Emmy)

(Jess)

Basically, I know that the Lord has sent me these angels... I don't know if these girls will ever read this, but I want them to know that they have saved me and changed my life... I am grateful to the Lord for blessing me with them and not leaving me alone... I know I am never alone, but its nice to have people right there beside you... thanks girls, for being my angels!