Sophomore.

So yesterday I was blessed with the amazing opportunity to be present at the historic and spiritual event of the Inauguration of the sixteenth president of Brigham Young University Idaho.

No only was I able to be in the presence of President Gilbert, but also we President Uchtdorf, second councillor in the General Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. For those of you who do not know me, President Uchtdorf is my favourite apostle, his spirit touches me in a way in which no other apostle does.

As we rose to stand and greet President Uchtdorf, Elder Oaks and Elder Holland I was suddenly full of the sweetest spirit I had ever felt, I felt as if I could not have been happier in that time and place, I knew that was where I was supposed to be.

After we sat down and heard the musical items and remarks from President Gilbert and President Uchtdorf, I had an overwhelming confirmation that this is the true gospel of Jesus Christ and from that moment I made a promise to my Heavenly Father and to myself that I would do all I can to be the best that I can be, I will dedicate myself to my scripture study, church meetings, school work and my relationships with others. I have never felt such a strong desire to please my Father in heaven as I feel this day, I hope I will never let him down and that if I do that I can fully repent and return to being the best I can be. I know I will never be perfect in this life but I will try my very best to do all I can to be as close to perfect as I can with the help of the Lord and the atonement of Jesus Christ.

After I had dedicated myself to being spiritual and be my best, I have found that my studies within the gospel has developed and I have grown a deeper desire to hear the words of the prophets and the words of God. Last night I had the opportunity to watch the address President Eyring gave at the Vatican on the sanctity of marriage. I love the way in which he spoke of the love he has for his wife and how sacred the ordnance of marriage is within our gospel and our lives.

Also this message has been very relevant to my family foundations class in school. I love being able these amazing church messages in my classes, I feel that I am able to more fully understand the principles when I can relate other messages to what I am learning in my classes.

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In other news in my life, I am now a Sophomore in college. You know you are getting old when you walk into your science class and everyone is a freshman..... Although your day has to be brightened when you walked into your religion class and find out that your roommate/best friend is in your class! So I guess you could say this is going to be a good semester.

Although it is only the middle of September but fall seems to have come to Rexburg early. Wearing coats and boots should be a few months away but good ole Rexburg has decided to change things up and bring us the joys of fall early. I do love the season of fall though, it has its many perks such as sweaters, hot chocolate, scarfs, bonfires, movie nights, changing colours of leaves, long walks, thanksgiving, snow and of course the lead up to christmas. I cannot wait to be able to wear all my cozy sweaters and cuddle up in my blankets when I get home from class. 

Back in good ole England

So I haven't been great at posting recently but I have been enjoying relaxing at home with my family.

When it came time to move out of my apartment I was very lucky that we have some amazing family friends who were willing to help me move out, on the day I was leaving I met up with a couple who have a son on his mission here in the England London mission and served in our ward, after we had eaten they were so kind to help me move all my boxes and bags to another friends home there in Rexburg, I am so grateful that I was able to have help moving from such generous people. I then got on the Salt Lake express to the Salt Lake airport where more friends picked me up and allowed me to stay with them for a few days, whilst I was there I was able to meet the new members of their family and they really do make me feel at home with them. I am so grateful that I was watched over at every point in this journey.

Coming home at Christmas was in interesting experience, I got on my flight from Salt lake to JFK New York easily but when it came to getting my flight back to the Uk I found my gate but I was super early so there was another flight stationed there for the time being, so I decided to get some food (good ole McDonalds) and then see if I could wait at the gate, when I returned I saw, to my delight that it was waiting for my flight to come in so I went and sat down, only to find out a few hours later that the flight coming in was running late so instead of waiting 4 hours I had to wait 5 and a half hours for my flight. And just my luck at my gate there were no outlets and my phone was going to die so I took drastic action and got my laptop out to charge it and decided to read to pass the time, but as more people arrived at the gate I became more distracted with people watching that I had to put the book away and just watch the flow of people in the airport.
Once I was finally on my flight I realised that I was sat in the middle of a family so I offered to move over so the family could be sat together, and a bonus for me was that I was sat in an aisle seat.
On this flight I had planned to sleep most of the way as I knew I was be exhausted when I got home due to the time difference, although when it came to sleeping I only got about 2-3 hours as we had terrible turbulence and every time I closed my eyes I was overcome with the feeling of sickness and so I ended up giving up on sleep and watched some movies.
Once I had gotten off the flight I went through security very quickly I was not expecting the speed at which I went through the airport, although I made up for the speed through security by waiting for my bags at the collection, they always seem to take forever to bring the bags out and every one stands so close that you cannot get through them to get to your bags, even when I was chasing my bags on the carousel no one seemed to move out of my way to let me get to them. (rude people make me very angry) But once I had my bags I knew it was a matter of minutes until I would seem my family again and go home! I was so excited to see them!
Although I do hate traveling for so long as my appearance deteriorates dramatically during the day of traveling, I do hate having hair that doesn't like to go a day without washing (I do apologise to those who had to see me in such a state).
When I got into the car on the way home the lack of sleep on my flight and the time difference got the better of me, I slept the whole way home and then when we got home I went and freshened up and went back to sleep, I felt as though I couldn't get enough sleep and I was drowsy for quite a few days after but luckily I was back to normal just in time for Christmas.

After relaxing at home for a few weeks I began to search for a job and I was very unsuccessful and I became very discouraged, I was able to get one interview for a job but I did not get it. During this time I had a family in my ward approach me and ask whether I would be able to help them out and nanny for a few weeks at a time whilst the father went on short deployments with the military and the mother being a reservist working those same weeks, I agreed to help them out and I thought that I still had a chance of getting a job as well as helping this family but that became apparent that it wouldn't happen and I realised that helping this family is what I was meant to do whilst I was at home. I am so grateful that this opportunity was offered to me, this has allowed me to earn a good amount of money to go towards my living expenses when I return to BYU Idaho and for the summer also.
In this time I think someone has been trying to tell me something with nannying and then being asked to teach in primary and nursery and babysitting for another family, I am being overloaded with children during this break! I feel that it has taught me a lot of patience and more skills with children in this time and improved my confidence around children.

I am so grateful that whilst I have been home I have been able to see my best friend multiple times, some planned and some surprises. I have loved seeing old friends and strengthening friendships.

Thank you to those who have supported me through my travels so far, I love you all and am so grateful for the safety I have been kept in and the opportunities I am able to experience.