LMP

The 7ish hour drive to Las Vegas seemed to go by so quickly! We stopped in St. George to have a picnic that Emily's mom had made for us. Chicken salad sandwiches, go-gurts, and fruit! We ate outside Swig and also enjoyed a Swig cookie and drink. The back was a little squishy with three adults, but nothing Em, Ash and I couldn't handle or laugh at. Then we were in Vegas!! Walking into the airport was a little surreal and so exciting. The trip had seemed so far away, and with college, I had hardly any time to think about the trip. But we got our bags checked and got out our passports it was real. I was going to Rome with two of my best friends!

One of my very favorite times of the week is when I walk home from Institute on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Institute is always amazingly spiritual, uplifting and inspiring. I receive so much revelation walking home because I am in tune with the spirit and feel sincerely desirous to be better. Today as I was walking home, I just felt peace. I looked at the mountains and was literally in awe. They were beyond gorgeous, almost beyond words or description. I felt God's love and power and reality. Orem is surrounded by mountains and they all looked different, unique in their colors and texture, but equally magnificent. I felt so grateful to be going to school here, and to be able to see the mountains. Describing those mountains to a blind person would be nearly impossible. I think that's how God feels about our divine destiny and potential. We cannot even imagine or comprehend something so grand. Another revelation from today: Heavenly Father created us to be dependent on one another...

....of Golda Cristine Dopp After waking up at about 7:30 or 8:00, reading The Book of Mormon and having breakfast (and getting ready) I walk to school. It takes 10 minutes to get from my apartment to the LA building. I usually take a picture of the mountains because they are beautiful. I feel so blessed to be surrounded by such beauty and going to school amongst the majestic mountains. Sometimes after Modern and Pointe and Technique and Orientation to Dance (from 9:30-1:00 or 2:15) Sierra and I go to the library for some soup, or if we're feeling splurgy, a cinnamon role Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays are my long days-school until 5 pm. Wednesday I usually volunteer at Timpanogos Elementary and I LOVE it! I go to the after school program that focuses on math and science, and the kids are all kindergarten to second grade. Today one of the little boys asked me if I was married. ha! They are seriously hilarious When I get back to the apartment I eat dinner, do h...

The Honors Program treated us to a Jazz game! Even though they lost it was a fun night. I didn't know Howard was so cute! ;) The Half-Time show was Red Panda. She is an Asian performer who rides a super super tall unicycle, then throws plates onto her head, from her feet and balances them. She got up to 15 plates!! The last time, she kicked five plates onto the other ten. Talk about skill and balance! Jayden and Dallin, friends we were sitting with, were freaking out. It was so funny. Gingers and Gentry Hip hop in Orientation to Dance! SO much fun, even if I can't "hip my hop" as Wyatt would say Honors also got us tickets to Iconic Classics by Ballet West at Capitol Theatre. It was a gala and opening night, so everyone was all fancy and they served sparkling cider and treats in the lobby at the end. I loved the performance!! In Symphony in C I wanted them to eat up the stage and travel a little more, but it was still stunning. The Kylian one, On The Over...

Excerpt from an email to a missionary friend:  I went to Young Women in Excellence last night and Ruby and Ari spoke. It was super neat because I was in charge of New Beginnings back in March and the themes of both nights were the same: Embark. Back in March I still didn't know what school I was going to, whether I'd serve a mission at 19, etc etc. And now, I kind of have embarked. I'm living on my own, I went to Europe for 6 weeks since then, I'm no longer in Young Womens, I'm at college and getting ready for a mission! It was a really good thing to think about, remember and analyze whether or not I'm letting Heavenly Father steer the course of my life. There are some stormy seas in life, but I am so thankful that I have a testimony that I know I can rely on and that Heavenly Father will work with and strengthen. Even if strengthening my testimony means more trials, I feel more peace and comfort than I ever have because I have come to see that God really...

Someone responded to the #prayforparis by saying this "Friends from around the world, thank you for #prayforparis, but we don't need more religion! Our faith goes to music! Kisses! Life! Champagne and Joy! #parisisaboutlife" I thought a lot about this. France is a place I am thankful to say I am a little familiar with. I've spent weeks there, have French friends, love the food, know a lot of the artists, seen the cathedrals and artwork and have even grasped a bit of French. I have stayed in Paris for seven days, wondering the streets daily with my little sister and Spanish friend. I am not French, let alone Parisian, but the city still has a place in my heart.  Religion is not something you turn to when you are weak, rather, it is the only thing that makes you truly strong. I cannot imagine not having a knowledge of the gospel and relationship with God, especially in a life-threatening event. Of course I believe in life and joy and music (and probably kisses, I...