Blessed.

Now that school is almost out, I'm excited that I can have some time to blog! Warning: this may be a long blog because I've got a lot to catch up on. I'll look in my planner and write about my adventures (that are oh, so adventurous hahaha....not) since the last time I blogged.

First of all, I converted to eating healthy and exercising. Then I converted back to junk and not going to the gym. But starting Monday, I am converting again :). I ate so so so healthy for about a week and a half, went to the gym every single day, AND went to bed early each night. I was feeling so good and happy all the time. Then I knew this week would be super hectic and I wouldn't have time to go to the gym, so I figured I would at least enjoy eating yummy food too (translation: junk food). Starting next week, I have time to go to the gym again, so I will re-start my healthy eating. My meals consist of anything from brown rice and greenbeans (So good!) to salad with corn and blackbeans. It's amazing how once you start eating that way, you crave it. I never really craved cookies or candy (even when Erica proudly tempted me with her cookie that had ice cream and hot fudge all over it). Moral of the story: when you hear that eating healthy, exercising, and getting enough sleep will make you feel better, it's not a lie. It changed my life! Everyone should try it.

On March 5, Erica and I went to the Draper temple openhouse. It was SO beautiful. I hadn't been through a temple since the Timpanogos Temple in 1997, so it had been far too long. I'm not gonna lie...I cried in the sealing room. It is SO beyond beautiful and there is not a single place on the whole earth that is more holy or wonderful. On March 22, Alex and I went to the temple dedication with a couple boys from our ward. The broadcast was in the Marriott Center and it was so amazing to walk in and have silence when there were thousands of people seated. I took great notes. I love the temple and will have more to say about it below when I talk about General Conference.

Last weekend I went up to Idaho to visit one of my best friends ever. I drove up with Erica, Jenn, and Mike (one of the Elders that taught Erica). We dropped Jenn off at her friend's house in Idaho Falls and then Erica and I stayed at Xanthe's in Rexburg. It was so beautiful because we got there at night and the first thing we saw in the city was the new Rexburg Temple. It was fun to see the little town so often talked about. Everyone says it's so boring and all I hear is complaining about it, but I think it's really cute. It has lots of stores and good food places. Friday night Xanthe and I stayed up until about 4:30am talking. We hadn't seen each other for a couple months and had LOTS to talk about (*cough* she's probably getting engaged this weekend.........WEIRD!!!!!!!! I've never had any of my close friends get married and it is just weird. Weird weird weird. I'm going to not think about it now!). Saturday night we went to Xanthe's boyfriend's play "Rainmaker," and it was SO good. I really enjoyed it and though it was very well done. Erica and I woke up early Sunday and left for home, picking Jenn up on the way. Here's where the main story of the blog happened:

We were driving on the freeway and were still in Idaho, close to the Utah border. It wasn't snowing and there was maybe less than 1 cm of snow on the ground. As we were driving, Erica saw a patch of snow on the road, so she started to slow down. We were going too fast when we hit the snow and started swerving all over the freeway. Then we did a 180 and landed in the left lane...facing on-coming traffic! The first car to come up hit the snow patch too, so instead of trying to correct their car and hitting us, they drove into the steep ditch inbetween the two freeway roads. It was terrifying sitting in the left emergency lane, watching each car head toward us, knowing that any one of them could hit us and kill all of us. We finally got clear and were able to turn back on the freeway (and get back headed in the right direction). The greatest thing about it was the feeling in the car. At any other time, we'd all be screaming and really scared. But it was amazing how calm we were. It was pretty much silent. I know for a fact that God took the wheel. He protected us because we have a purpose on this earth. I had witnessed a miracle that made me even more grateful for my wonderful life and I pray that I will never forget it.

Mike (Elder Parker) drove up with us.

The Rexburg Temple was so beautiful!

BFF!!!! (I look like a horse!)

Erica and I thought it would be funny to pull over on the side of the road and take our pictures next to random signs. :)

General Conference! What a magnificent time of year! The messages shared were so touching. It is so special to hear the prophet's and apostles' voices. The main thing that stuck out to me was the counsel to attend the temple. Elder Scott said to make a time to go to the temple and never let anything get in the way. I need to take this counsel. I need to stop putting school before church, which is kind of ironic because I go to a religion university. Right after conference was over, I made my goal sheet. I started doing it after last conference in the fall. I like to look through my notes and make about one goal for every talk. Then each Sunday, I look over my goals and pick a couple to work on in the week. It helps me to work toward becoming like Christ and remembering Him always.

Sister Hall (Concert Choir conductor) was telling us how she thinks it is so sad that as Latter Day Saints, we don't celebrate Holy Week. I haven't been able to forget that thought since she told it to us on Monday. This is such a "Holy Week" and it has been so good. I cannot think of a great week of the whole year. Tuesday was the Choral Department devotional and each choir performed a variety of songs. Today and tomorrow is our concert titled "A Pilgrim's Journey Home." There is much to be said about this concert. It is a huge production that they have been planning for years. They haven't done such a production for about ten years and I feel so blessed to be a part of it this year. We have had rehearsals all week (last night we had a recording session with dress and make-up until 11:00pm) and tonight and tomorrow are out concerts with an audience. I pray that the audience will hear and feel our message. I was chosen to share my feelings about the concert in a filmed interview that I will be doing on Saturday, so I'm excited about that. In filming last night, there were many times when I got chills all over my body and tears came to my eyes. I have been so blessed to be a part of this choir. We truly are part of the choir of heaven. I'm excited for my two concerts and recordings. I feel so blessed!