Jump in

There's 3 weeks left in the semester.

Let me repeat that-

THERE'S ONLY 3 WEEKS LEFT IN THE SEMESTER!!!!

I'm so excited to have a break from the school work and to be with my family.

These past two semesters have changed my life. 

I'm not the person I was the first week of January. 

I have found a part of myself that I never knew was there.

And yes, that is a cliche.

In these past 2 semesters I have had many new experiences:

Trying sushi for the first time- and I liked it

Doing my own laundry

New callings

Driving to Utah without the parents
Cooking my own meals- such a hard life :)

Bridge jumping

Running a half marathon

Staying at the hospital with Logan and his kidney stones- hospitals give me major anxiety so this is a big deal for me

Temple Tuesdays with Brown Rachel

And yes, this semester I will be getting my first B+

Talking with my Momma Lu about all these things she told me how proud she was of me.

She told me that when I left for school she knew I would do well, but I really just jumped in and took it all on. 

I know that jumping in has led me to many new adventures

Sometimes we hold ourselves back because we are scared to fail or worried of what others think.

But those are the times that you HAVE to jump.

I went bridge jumping last week with some friends from my ward and roommates. Brown Rachel said she would jump with me. I was all pumped and ready to go about it, until I looked over the edge.

That was a long way to fall.

It took me a few minutes to get the courage, but I did it. And then I could have done it all day

Every now and then we are in a position to jump, but the fear of the fall stops us. 

JUMP because you don't know the good that will come from it.

I'm grateful to have jumped into this year of school.

I'm even more grateful for the new jumps I have taken this semester :)

What are you waiting for? Jump in! :)

Much love,

Mitch

My Dam half Marathon

As I have mentioned in a couple of my previous posts, I recently ran a half marathon.

Back in February, Cody and Chelsea suggested that we run in the Teton Dam Marathon races as a family. I thought psh, that's forever away. I can definitely build my body up for that.

Wrong

I'm a procrastinator.

I didn't start to seriously train and run until May. The marathon was on June 9th.

And it really didn't help that for a good chunk of May I wasn't feeling good.

 BUT, June 9th came. And I ran that Dam half marathon.

 Before the race. Chelsea, Jared, Cody, and I all ran.

 Honestly, I wasn't excited to run at all. This is a lie for a picture

We all got together and stood by each other as the race started. Cody was quickly out in the front. Jared and Chelsea stayed close to each other for a few minutes, And yes, I was behind them all.

During the race all I could think of was being done with it and not ever doing it again. I was over it before mile 4 ever rolled around. 

That's when we got to the big hill. 

That is when I really was over running. It wasn't ever going to end. I wasn't ever going to reach the top of the hill. But I did. 

And when I got closer to the end, all I could think was I'm doing this. I'm going to actually be able to say I ran a half marathon. And then the glorious last corner came. 

I see a tie dye shirt running around the corner to come cheer me on and I knew it was Chelsea because Jared wouldn't be moving that fast right then. Then Jared comes up too. A little ways down I see Cody. The announcer calls my name and I cross that beautiful finish line. Kinzie is there waiting to take pictures and it's done. 

Never again!

 FINALLY!!!

 I'm so glad we ran this and were all able to accomplish this. 

Congrats goes to Cody and Chelsea for finishing 2nd in their divisions and Cody for finishing 7th overall. 

And just to clarify, I'm probably going to be running it again next year. So much for never again

Much love-

Mitch

My Daddy

First off, Daddy I love you.

Yes, he is my Daddy. That's what his name is in my phone. Every time he sends me a text just to tell me he loves me it comes up as Daddy.

As there have been some different struggles and hard things come up in my life, it seems like my dad has known when to send a little text to me to make me feel better. And sometimes having a message come up with the From: Daddy makes me want to cry because I know he's been thinking about me.

There's been some difficult things for me come up and my health hasn't been real great for most of this semester.

And I have had the opportunity to have priesthood blessings from him for these things.

A couple weeks ago I ran the Teton Dam half marathon.

I had been sick for a little over three weeks and I was sure struggling with wanting to run with how I had been feeling. The race was on Saturday and on Thursday my Dad called and asked if I wanted a blessing.

He told me that he would call my brothers and he would come up the next day to give me a blessing. Friday night my parents came up to Rexburg for the blessing, the blessing was given, and they turned right around and drove home. Literally they were here for 15 minutes. I was overwhelmed with the love my dad has for me. I know that he loves me and wants the best for me in all I do.

My dad is kind, loving, and very self-less. 

Growing up he always seemed to be doing something for someone. I'm grateful for his example and love in my life.

I'm kind of an emotional person. 

And when it comes to my Daddy, I'm really emotional.

I'm his little girl, but I'm not so little anymore.

I think the idea of me being old enough to get married and be in this part of life scares him, but it scares me too. But I know that he is watching out of me and will help me see the things that are best for me. Being the only girl with all big brothers, I know that I'm the favorite daughter :) but I also know that he really cares about me and the adventures I take on.
Sometimes when we talk and I look into his eyes, I can see how he sees me. I can see my individual worth through him. And I see his love as tears will glisten in his eyes and occasionally spill down his cheeks as we talk about where my life is going.

My dad is great! Hip-hip hooray for him!

Thanks for all you do!

Dad-

Happy Father's Day!

 I'll always be your little girl, your little Cinderella.

I love you

Love-

Michelle

My super power

What's my super power?! 

 I definitely can't fly or else I would have been to Hawaii already.

I definitely cannot read minds or I would know exactly what to say to make the world a better place.

It's not super speed.. No need for me to add on to that statement.

No X-Ray vision because I would feel uncomfortable with that one.

But it's better than all of them.

It gives me power to know what to do. It gives me power to feel comfort and love when the world is unkind and slightly terrifying. It gives me the chance to be connected to my Father in Heaven and He has the greatest power of all. It gives me the chance to slow down my life and focus on what really matters.

My super power is scripture power.

I love the scriptures, but I really love MY scriptures.

I love my black triple combination with gold edged pages.

I love the little snap that closes my thoughts and inspirations within it's pages. 

I love the words I have highlighted and the notes scribbled in the margins.

I love the answers I have found in them, especially at this time in my life.

 I just love em! Can't you tell?!? :)

Well, I lost them.

I know what you're thinking- "You love them so much and you lost them?!"

Sadly, yes, but in my defense I have 5 classes on Wednesdays and my backpack is full, so I carry them in my hands in between classes.

I put them underneath my desk in English and I never picked them back up when I left. 

Yesterday I realized the tragedy.

There were not on my desk, in my church bag, or anywhere in the apartment.

I hiked back up to campus to see if the Lost and Found desk had them.

No luck there.

I went into the classroom that I left them in and checked everywhere.

Nothing.

It was in that moment that I sat alone in the classroom that I realized how important my scriptures are to me. 

I wanted to cry.

Sure, I could go get a new set; but this was my new set that my parents gave me for seminary graduation. I hadn't used them until I came to school because I wanted them to be for this new stage in my life. There have been so many times in these past two semesters when life has seemed overwhelmingly difficult to handle and times when I didn't know what in the world I was supposed to be doing.

And it has been through these pages that I have found the solace I needed to escape those troubling moments and through the words that I have found the answers to many prayers.

My name isn't embossed on the front (I want to wait until I get married to put it on this set, I'm slightly weird I know) so no one would know if they were mine.

I woke up this morning with a hope in my heart that I would find them.

I asked the girl at the Lost and Found desk if a set like mine had been turned in, she went back to the closet to check.

She reached over and grabbed some and I instantly knew they were mine

And at that moment the angels started singing.

Gratitude swept over me.

Yes, I genuinely felt like this about my scriptures.

I apologize if you have now felt like you have suffered through this post to only read about my love for my scriptures, but I want to bear my testimony of the truth in the scriptures.

I know the Book of Mormon is true.

Simple as that, I know it.

I have received a personal witness that they are true, and I cannot deny it.

I know that if we are diligently seeking answers, the Lord will find ways to answer our prayers through our scripture study.

I know that the Book of Mormon was intended for our day and it is to give us guidance and direction for the things that we are supposed to do. 

I know that we can find our Father's will for us within the scriptures.

I'm so grateful for them.

Much love-

Mitch

P.S. Sorry for the lack of pictures. I will make up for it! :)

Lucky

I'm lucky.

Yes, I really am.

Today a couple of my classes were cancelled, which in and of itself is lucky, but that's not even close to why I'm really lucky.

I was laying on my bed, all snuggled up reading a book Mr. Logan gave to me to read while he was gone- Leven Thumps and the Gateway to Foo- when I succumbed to sleep. I woke up startled by a knock on the front door. My roommate Kelli answered and I heard my name being said. 

I waited to see if I was still groggy and having my mind play tricks on me or if it that really just happened; I heard something set down and the door closed. Someone had been there. And yes, they had said my name. 

I peek out of my door and to see this beautiful flower bouquet on the counter.

Daisies.. my favorite.

Suspicion set in.

There's only one person that would've known my favorite flower.

But he's in Mexico.

More suspicion.

I made my way to the flowers and oh, they smelled so good.

Snatching the card, I slid my fingers under the flap to open it, only to give myself a nice slice on my knuckle.

Paper-cut, blood... Gah.. It can wait. I was opening this card right then.

I finished opening it much more carefully.

I was right.

Logan was the culprit

I told you, I'm lucky :)

Thank you Logan for brightening up my entire week.

They are beautiful! :)

Much love-

Mitch

Sister

Growing up with all brothers has been a wonderful blessing in my life,

BUT I'm so grateful to have 4 great sisters-in-law.

I recently had the chance to spend the night with my sister Carrie. 

My brother Troy has started rotations and is off in Minneapolis, leaving Carrie and the kids in Shelley.

I got to spend the night on Friday in Shelley with her. 

When I got home we went to my house and were roasting mallows with Dad and Mom and Jared and Chelsea.  I love being with the fam.

But when we got to her apartment, I was so very grateful for the opportunity to spend time with her. 

Growing up I never really experienced "pillow talk" and it was fun to be able to have it with Carrie.

We stayed up way too late.

And I mean way too late.

But she helped point out a lot of important things to me, and it was nice to talk with her about everything going on right now.

It was something I needed that day.

She knew exactly what to say and she let me ramble on and on and on and on.. just like that.

Saturday we took the kids to Momma Lu's and she watched the kids while Carrie and I got a pedicure. That's something her and I do often together. 

It was a good relaxer and now my toes are pretty :)

(Well.. more like my toenails, not so much my toes)

I just want Carrie to know how important she is to me.

I am so grateful for this chance I have to get to spend more time with her as she is much closer than 17 hours away.

But most importantly, I look up to Carrie in every way. She is such a good wife and mother. 

I know that this isn't going to be an easy situation, but I know if anyone can handle it, it's Troy and Carrie. 

Carrie was my first sister and I'm not sure what it is, but there is a definite bond between her and I. 

I'm grateful to be able to learn from her example and do all sorts of fun things with her.

I love you Carrie! Thanks for all you do for me!

Much love-

Mitch