Hardships and discovery

Today as a family, we read Mosiah 24.

I have such fondness for this particular chapter. 

I can always recall the message and the memory that goes along with it. 

You see, it was some of the hardest three months, I had to endure. 

I was in a new place, with new people, and had to start from ground 0. 

I was alone, and while I had someone glued to my side 24/7, 

The aloneness was a crushing weight. 

I couldn't call up my friends or my mom and talk to them. 

It was just me. 

Some days the anxiety of it all, the pressure, the leadership, the differences

It was too much and I often found myself in the bathroom

crying and pouring my soul out to God. 

One Sunday, it got the best of me. 

Everyone had left the church building. 

I could feel the anxiety building up again. 

I went into the chapel and kneeled down and began to cry. 

I told God, I couldn't do it. I'm done. 

I opened up my scriptures to Mosiah 24 and began to read. 

10 And it came to pass that so great were their afflictions that they began to cry mightily to God. 

13 And it came to pass that the voice of the Lord came to them in their afflictions, saying: Lift up your heads and be of good comfort, for I know of the covenant which ye have made unto me; and I will covenant with my people and deliver them out of bondage.  

14 And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions.

It was in that moment, that I knew, really knew that God was listening. 

That he loved ME. That he cared. 

Things weren't perfect after that. 

But, I did meet wonderful people and the hardship did get better. 

This lesson and scripture has always been engrained in my memory. 

Find your own scripture and let it be "yours."

~Linz

Background + Some stories = Adventure

(I noticed this in my drafts, so I finished it up 1/20/16)

One thing I have come to realize 

Is that every single day here in Peru

Is always an Adventure. 

Something always happens. 

We are now in our second wave. 

We went from having 10 volunteers to now having 20. 

So that led us to get another apartment next door to us. 

I am so thankful we made that last minute decision. 

Things are pretty chaotic and crazy around here but it's a lot of fun. 

When we leave to go somewhere it's a caravan of white people.

We need 6-7 moto taxis to transport us. 

It's quite the site and people love to stare, take pictures, whistle and shout at us. 

Story #1

The adventure of today: Santa Sara is a school about 25 mins out of Piura in the middle of nowhere. When we are done with projects there, in order to get back into town, we have to hitchhike. This has led to many interesting experiences. Today we got a ride in this dump truck all 6 of us! Not only that but we got to help name the driver's 7 day old daughter. He wanted a biblical name so we decided on Esther. ‪#‎oneforthebooks‬

Story #2

As mentioned in the previous Story, Santa Sara is far away. 

To get there we have to travel to the market (mercado) and go to a street where some cars are. 

Also no one in Piura really has heard of Santa Sara.  

We pile in a small Volkswagen. 

The driver is very particular about his car. 

I was to sit up front with Erika. I got in the front seat first and then Erika. 

My body was over the gear shift, this was not going to work.  

We started to drive and I hovered over the gear shift. 

Quite uncomfortable, let me tell you. 

It was apparent the seating situation was not going to work.  

I told Erika to sit all the say in the front seat and I would sit on her lap. 

I tried to move and it failed epically. 

The taxi driver who seemed quite stern, laughed and laughed. 

We joined him, because the situation was quite hysterical. 

I was folded in half draped across Erika, my head sticking out the window resting on my bent arm. 

My butt was now hovering over the gear shift, just high enough that when the driver shifted, his hand grazed my butt every time.  

A bit awkward yes. 

~Linz

An update

I haven't posted in a while... it's been about two months. 

Sorry.
This semester has been insane. 

This post won't be rainbows and positivity. (Fair warning)

Ever have a day where it's not horrible

But nothing seems to go right?

That everything seems to be stacked against you

Where you are on the verge of tears?

That was my day today. 

In the past 24 hours:

I found out I might have a stomach ulcer 

I got a parking ticket

There is a roommate that is stressing everyone out, our apartment lacks the spirit which doesn't help. 

My jam this morning was moldy

I couldn't find an outfit where I didn't look like a whale

In the midst of trying on my 6th outfit the fire alarm went off and blasted my eardrums. I threw on an outfit and walked to class. 

Then it began to pour rain. 

I was drenched and heading to my least favorite class. 

We made goody bags to hand out to other people. 

Inside I felt horrible and I just wanted to go back to bed and start my day over.

Instead I had to pass these goody bags out to brighten people's day, when mine was the darkest. 

Peru Series: Home + water

I'm glad to be back in the states! 

Spending 3 months in Peru was such an adventure. 

I'll always cherish those memories. 

I made great friendships with my team members, 

Met cute Peruvian children, 

Saw a culture and land that is completely different from America. 

I think we take a lot of things for granted that we have here. 

Little things that are actually big things. 

Like, Running water. 

Taking a shower anytime you want, or a hot shower for that matter. 

A wash machine, not having to wash your laundry in a bucket. 

A dish washer. 

Clean drinking water thats always accessible. 

Even the poorest person in America has access to clean, running, water. 

It's a luxury in Peru. 

Water-Filling Station.  

Most people use donkey's as transportation. 

~Linz

July 4th in Peru

July 4th was a bit interesting in Peru. 

It's been a while since I have been able to be with my family and friends. 

2 July 4ths while on a mission and one in Peru. 

I was a bit homesick, especially after seeing everyone's posts about the 4th. 

We had breakfast at our Hostel and I was ecstatic to find they had a lot of "American Food"

Bacon, eggs, waffles. 

I just wanted to eat the whole menu! 

I made a reslove to try and eat as close to American food as I could.  

OUr hostel decorated with red, white, and blue streamers and balloons. 

We went to the beach, laid in hammocks, did a lot of relaxing. 

We looked at the lunch menu.

They had wings, hamburgers, nachos!

I told the bartender, I just want to eat American food. 

"Honey you are in America."

"Well, USA food then."

I ordered the Nachos, It was very different but good. 

Made with Nacho cheese Doritos. 

There was a down hill slump for a while.

My ipad charger was stolen, 

My arm broke out in Red, itchy, welts, 

The bus people lied to us and overcharged us because we were white. 

But, we did make it home safely. 

We decided that we should eat at Papa Johns, 1 of 3 USA restaurants in Piura

The other being KFC and Pizza Hut and even then there is a Peruvian twist on it. 

I got A calzone and cinnamon Rolls. 

We made teams to find ingredients for smores. 

That's american right?

We reconvened, laughed at what we are able to find. 

We had to get creative. 

They didn't have any regular hershey's chocolate just almonds or cookies and cream.

 No regular graham crackers either.

Everyone said the smores tasted off, the marshmallows had a fruity taste. 

We were content and happy though. 

It was a good day, something was missing though. 

Then we heard crackling noises. 

We ran to up to the roof and there was fireworks going off!

It was like being home and it felt good, the day was complete. 

~Linz

Cajamarca

We took a short break from Piura (June 3- June 8)
On Wednesday night we got on a 7pm bus and got to Cajamarca around 4:30 am. 

We were able to tour the city and to see the culture which is much different then Piura. 
The people were so friendly, humble, and kind. 

It is located in the northern highlands of Peru at approximately 2,750 m (8,900 ft) above sea level.

Ely took us down to teach us how to make stoves and to show us a different side of Peru. 

I believe we all in fell in love with Cajamarca. 

Not only was it beautiful with it's tall mountains, 

It was also cold and dry here.

(We were a bit unprepared for how cold it turned out to be)

We had to take things slow at first because of the elevation. 

That was rough and then half the team was sick. 

We ended up making 2 stoves for families.

This is a valuable resource because of the high cost of propane.

~Linz

A stove that is almost completed.

A Completed Stove- PC: Sarah Tonks

A new way

I want to do the next blogs in Peru a little differently. 

More about things I am learning and observing. 

A series type of blogs. 

I think this will be better than a daily log of what I did and
it might help you understand more about the life here. 

So if there is anything you want to learn or know more about

Comment or message me. 

I have learned so much in the month I have been here. 

It is so intriguing how our cultures are so different. 

Yet, finding those similarities is exciting. 

Enjoy!

~Linz

Week 3 in Peru

I apologize for the lateness of the post.

 It's a bit tricky to write blogs without a computer and constant wifi. 

Some Quick updates:

Getting sick is inevitable. 

The whole house is pretty comfortable with each other and their bathroom issues. 

The weather in Piura is constantly hot and humid. 

The fan is literally my best friend. 

We have a bakery down the street for us.

The mosquitos are what we have termed "Hangry" They are vicious and huge. 

There are dogs everywhere.

Ok now to projects:

We went to a rural school called Santa Sara.  

This is where the whole corruption and politics really bothered me. 

We began painting the inside of the wood frame add on to the school room.

We have gone back a few more times to fix it up and to teach the kids about recycling. 

Their entire playground is covered in trash. 

Ana headed up the project, we taught them a song, did an activity, and then had them go out and pick up trash and put them in the appropriate bin. 

They are so smart!

Next we toured a few orphanages to see if they needed any help. 

My favorite project that we have started is teaching English classes at another rural school.
Our class is very intelligent and it's so fun to hear them learn and pronounce words.
They love to ask us questions.
We showed them a $1 and they were so fascinated by it.
They love to ask if we are married or single.
And one boy learned the words Kiss me from a book.
He loves to use that on us ;)

Our english class

Teaching the kids about Recycling

~Linz

The work begins

Monday:

Today we had a meeting and met the mayor and we took lots of pictures. Meetings and pictures that seems to be the thing here. I was sick most of the day due to not eating when I should have. Later we took moto taxis to another meeting they fed us alfajores and chifles!

Tuesday:

Not a whole lot happened today. Sadie and I ventured out by ourselves and got bread from the bakery all by ourselves! I was pretty proud. Later we went and played volleyball with the local YSA. I played soccer with some kids.

Wednesday:

We did a lot today. We woke up extra early to catch a 7 am bus ride to Tambogrande which is about an hour away. We went to a lot of different schools and the kids would just swarm us. Poverty was a whole new level here where people lived in small stick huts. We made juice and cookie bags to take to the schools tomorrow. We met sister Meg a catholic nun who has been in peru since 1987. She runs a small physical therapy clinic for the kids. She gave us some word of advice: 1. Find God in the journey, He is there even in the bad. 2. Don't eat the street food, we only have a short time here and we don't want to waste it with Matasuma's Revenge.
Thursday:
Oh yes. Today was the day of our Jungle Safari Adventure.  We split into two trucks.  Some of us were outside in the bed of the truck.  We went to the mountains and then on a dirt road for over an hour.  Our driver thought he was the operator of the Indian Jones ride/ fast and furious.  I thought I was going to die or puke a few times.  We got lost and he kept asking people for directions and they would swing their arms like they were directing music.  He got frustrated because they would never point and tell him exactly. After crossing a fair sized river in the truck and Bo asking if we were in Africa, because she expected a lion to jump out. We FINALLY made it! We ate with the kids and danced with them and passed out treats.  They have a one room school house and an outhouse for bathrooms.
Friday:
After our work we got on a 11:30pm bus and rode to Trujillo about 7 hours away.  We stayed at a house and slept til noon and then toured the Chan Chan Ruins.  They were pretty interesting.  Trujillo is a much cleaner city than Piura.
Saturday:
We got up early and went to the Trujillo Temple Open house.  It was so beautiful! Also eveyone was taking pictures of us. Still trying to get use to that. The artwork and decor in the temple was stunning.  We went to another part of the ruins and then headed back to Piura.  

Week 1 in Peru: the beginning

Thursday: 

Check out http://www.benmanningphoto.com/blog his name is Ben and he is in our group and his pictures are phenomenal. 

The journey began 2:30 am Thursday morning. Flew to LAX then to Houston. Met up with Sadie had BBQ. I had no phone and the wifi wasn't working so I couldn't contact my parents. Felt like a missionary again. It wasn't til I was on the flight to Lima that it finally hit me and i panicked for a minute. What am I doing?! But it was fine I watched 3 movies on the flight and chilled for an hour if that gives you an idea of how long the flight was. We made it to Lima and it was so hot. We got our tickets from Lima to Piura but security wouldn't let us through til 1:30 am. So we found the spot were everyone was sleeping and chilled. I got 10minutes of wifi for the next 5 hours. We later moved to benches past security and slept. 

Friday:

Been up since 2:30 am Thursday. It's now 11pm Friday you do the math. 

Landed in piura and were swarmed by taxi drivers yelling taxi taxi taxi! Insane! 

Had a meeting with the cities economics and tourist managers. I was so surprise by their welcoming news, friendliness and eagerness to help us. They fed us banana chips and fanta. 

Went to a restaurant and had beef soup, jello and chicken and rice. All for $3 U.S.. The KFC serves black beans and rice as their side welcome to Peru! 

We did a lot of laying around we were all so tired from traveling and the heat just made us lethargic. Later we were hungry so we got hamburgers which were really good. Here in Peru they add papas fritas (French Fries) to their burgers.

Saturday: 

Sadie's bed fell apart around 5 am this morning. It was quite comical. We went back to the place we went to for lunch yesterday. It probably will turn into our go to place. Then we went to a club and went swimming it was so nice to not be dripping with sweat for a few hours! 

Here was a conversations with a kid in the pool it was so funny! 

It was said in espanol but I'll write it in English 

Kid: hola! Are you from Brazil?

We laughed do we look Brazilian I think we are too white!

Us: no from United States 

Kid: what are your names?

We told him he would leave and come back and ask us a new question each time. 

My favorite

Kid: do you speak French?

Us: no we speak English

Kid:oui 

Later that night we went to Rustica a restaurant where they had singing and dancing. We went to a club and got in the front of a line thanks to a friend here. Everyone looked at us sober Americans dancing and they didn't join in til an hour later when the alcohol hit them. It was quite entertaining.

Sunday:

Woke up early and went to church. That was challenging to not be able to understand a lot. Went to the primary with sarah. The girls kept saying you are so pretty. I like your hair and your eyes. 

If you want to see pictures that coincide with this post go to my facebook. It's too complicated doing it without a computer.  Apologies for the length too. Ciao! 

The WHY?

Next week I will be in Peru, living there for the next 3.5 months. 

A lot of people asked me why I am going 
So I thought I would share a few of the reasons behind the why.
Truth is there are a lot of reasons why I chose to go. 
First, a while back I wrote on my mirror to travel to a foreign country. 
Call it a goal, a wish, a desire. 
(Things happen if you write it down)

Second, My roommate came to me and said her friend (who will be the country coordinator) 
told her about this opportunity and then my roommate told me about it.  
I would have someone that I know going with me.  
Third, I am young and not tied down with anything. 
Fourth, It was a new adventure, something to get me out of my comfort zone. 
After serving a mission, I now have the added courage to do challenging things. 
I felt like I was getting complacent again, so I decided to take a step outside my comfort zone. 
I am doing something that will not only benefit my life
 but will help change other people's lives. 
Did I doubt my decision? Yes
Am I nervous? Yes
Am I sad to leave my family and friends for a while? Yes.
But in the end I feel the same when I made the decision to serve a mission.
Fifth, probably the biggest reason:
WHY NOT?
Anything can happen if you let it life is out there waiting

so go and get it grab it by the collar seize it by the scruff one

you've started living life you just can't get enough

Anything can happen it's official you can choose the super

or the superficial sally forth the way we're steering obstacles

start disappearing go and chase your dreams you won't regret it

Anything can happen Anything can happen
-Mary Poppins

~Linz

Accomplishments

Wow another semester down.  

It really is crazy how time goes so fast. 

This semester has been really hard/challenging and really rewarding.  

I have learned a lot this semester both about my self and others. 

I learned more about what I want and who I want to become. 

The challenge that I gave myself was eye-opening and inspiring. 

I accomplished a lot in 4 months. 

Here is a bit of a recap for you. 

I tried rock-climbing for the first time, thanks to a former companion who pushed me

 (just like old times)

I wanted to become CPR certified so I did. 

I became R.A.D. certified

I did my 4th 5K (with a migraine)

I made the decision to live in Peru for 3 months

My group and I presented at Research & Creative Works Conference, where we won 2nd place. 

I learned how to take blood pressure manually.
I volunteered at the Wellness center on campus.
I was a Student Ambassador and gave weekly tours of BYU-I.
I did something that required a lot of courage.
This semester was full of experiences that happened
because I was willing to leave my comfort zone.

~Linz

Are you sure?

I love the devotionals here at BYU-Idaho.  

This semester they have helped me out tremendously.  

One of my friends was telling me about a devotional given a few weeks ago

Read it here

Lately I have been making a lot of decisions and choices

as many of us do.  

Many times we get an answer that we feel to be right 

and then we talk to those around us and they ask

"Are you sure?"

She talked about how Satan uses that as a tool to doubt ourselves. 

I am not at all implying that well-meaning people asking that question are associated with satan. 

But those feelings of doubt after we have received an answer are. 

Once we have received the answer, sometimes it's really challenging to remember that,

 when we are faced with doubt and fear. 

"We must also learn to trust the still, small voice of the Spirit. Through the priesthood and by the laying on of hands, we have received the privilege of enjoying the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost, a member of the Godhead, as we remain worthy."

"Learning to recognize how the Spirit speaks to you in simple daily experiences is crucial. The accuser, even Satan, will attempt to wear you down, planting seeds of doubt, fear, discouragement, and frustration in an attempt to weaken your faith. He will try to fill your mind with feelings of inadequacy and doubt, wanting to keep you from trusting and heeding the promptings from the Holy Ghost that enter your mind and heart even in small and simple things."

"Are you sure?" At times, even a simple small question of doubt can cause us to question ourselves and weaken our resolve. "

~Linz

Complacency

The past few weeks have been stressful to say the least. 

I still can't get over how life works. 

I find myself in a rut.  

God changes that real quick. 

He put many options, choices, decisions in my path the last month. 

I have had many things weighing on my mind.

Once again I am put in my place. 

The only person, I can truly rely on for answers is Him.

I am so grateful for the tools I have been given: scriptures, prayer, priesthood blessings, and the temple. 

Recently my roommate and I made a pact to be better.

To live by this motto everyday: (see picture)

It's been HARD. 

Yet so rewarding.  

I have had so much fun the past couple of weeks. 

Every time I do something new

Every time I encounter a new experience

That is what brings me joy. 

This is how I want to live my life. 

And the time to start is NOW. 

Add caption

That's all for now. Cheers. 

~Linz

Mission Series: 2 years +friends

Two years ago today- February 20th. 

I left my family, my best friend dropped me off, and I put my phone in the mailbox for the next 18 months. 

Little did I know the impact these people would have on my life. 

Little did I know that serving a mission blessed me with the greatest friends I could ask for. 

I never thought in a million years that I would make friends from a mission. 

The other day, my friend Sadie, mentioned: Remember when you were scared to go on a mission because you didn't want to leave your friends behind? Now you have a lot more."

I was talking with my MTC companion who said it perfectly: "I was blindsided by the friendships I made. I never thought that would happen."

Those 12 days in the MTC were so great. 

I laughed with these people, cried with them, shared fears, played pranks, and grew with them. 

Now we are all home. 

It's so good. 

My life is forever changed.

~Linz

2 years!

It's crazy that this happened two years ago!

Time sure does fly.  

I loved this day. 

So many special people around me. 

I love this gospel. 

The end. 

~Linz

Food for thought....

Today has been a rough day. 

 The kind were nothing goes right. 

Where negativity seems to be constant and taking over your thoughts. 

The type of day that you just want over. 

The kind that makes my testimony of God, stronger. 

That no matter how bad a day

There is ALWAYS good. 

Like a friend you can have long, in-depth, thought -provoking conversations with. 

A friend who shares things like this with you:

Everyone longs to give themselves to someone-- to have a deep soul relationship with another-- to be loved thoroughly and exclusively. But , God says, "No, not until you are satisfied, fulfilled, and content with being loved by Me alone-- with giving yourself totally and unreservedly to Me". I love you, my child. And until you discover that only in Me is your satisfaction to be found, you will not be capable of the perfect human relationship I have planned for you. You will never be united with another until you are united with Me-- exclusive of anyone or anything else, exclusive of any other desires or longings. I want you to stop planning, stop wishing and allow Me to give you the most thrilling plan existing-- a plan you cannot imagine. I want you to have the best. Please allow Me to bring it to you. You just keep watching Me, expecting the greatest things-- keep experiencing the satisfaction that I am. Keep listening and learning the things I tell you. You just wait. That's all. Don't be anxious. Don't worry. Don't look at the things others have gotten or I have given them. Don't look at the things you want. You just keep looking off and away up to Me, or you'll miss what I want to show you.

Then, when you are ready, I'll surprise you with a love far more wonderful than any you would even dream of. You see, until you are ready, and until the one I have for you is ready at the same time-- until you are both satisfied exclusively with Me and the life I have prepared for you-- you won't be able to experience the love exemplified in you relationship with Me, and is thus, perfect love.

And dear one, I want you to have this most wonderful love. I want you to see in the flesh a picture of your relationship with Me and to enjoy materially and concretely the everlasting union of beauty, perfection, and love I offer you with, Myself. Know that I love you utterly. I am God. Believe it, and be satisfied." -Author Unknown

~Linz

Firsts

I have had a lot of new experiences the past 5 months.  

                                                       I came home from my Mission

I went to my first Temple Sealing

I did something new to my hair

I got my first 4.0 in college

Cleaned the temple

Went to Spirit Conference
I drove the longest distance ever
Served as an I-Rep


It's been a great few months and I've seen a lot of blessings.
I'm ready for more adventures :)

~Linz

Christmas Blessings

It has been great to be home for Christmas!

Last Christmas, I was in Fort Collins, Colorado. 

So weird to think that was a year ago!

I have had many blessings the past week. 

We were able to skype Chandler today, that was fun. 

The biggest present that I was able to get...

Background: For the past 5 years or so, I have journaled through LDS journal.  

Here are some stats for you. 

Entries:735
Journal Word Count: 632,953

I got home from my mission and tried to log on with no luck.  

I found out LDSJournal had 1. Discontinued the site and 2nd, if you don't log on in 6 months, they deactivate your account. 

 Well I had been on a mission for 18 months.  

I tried contacting them for the past 5 months, since i have been home with no luck. 

I gave up hope, with a saddened heart.  

Hoping that when I die, my journal will be in heaven. 

Today, I decided to try one more time. 

I prayed and hoped. 

and guess what. 

IT WORKED!

I am beyond excited. 

Christmas Miracle!

Hoping the Spirit of Christmas is finding you all well. 

~Linz

5 lessons from this weekend

This weekend I had the opportunity to attend Spirit Conference.  

I learned quite a bit, so I'll summarize them in 5 lessons.
I hope I can adequately express my thoughts.
1. God always has a hand in our lives. In those moments of quiet reassurances it becomes more real to me that I am where I am supposed to be. I was born in the time I needed to be.  I am supposed to be at BYU-Idaho.  It's the perfect fit for me.  I was supposed to go on a mission at that specific time.  My life has been divinely directed by God. Easy? No. Worth it? Yes! 

2. We are to share what we know. "Touch for good the lives of people everywhere."

"We have an obligation to point the way." There is never a point in our lives where doing good or helping others should stop. Just because I am here at BYU-Idaho, a school full of Mormons, doesn't mean I can't have the opportunity to share what I know or serve them.  There is always a person that we can help.  Pray for the opportunity to share and help others during the day.  Heavenly Father uses us to be that "Angel" for someone else.  

The next three lessons are from the Spirit Challenge. I have done this activity before at Girl's camp. Every time, a unique perspective is developed.

 We were blindfolded and led to a field and sent through an obstacle course, representing our life here on earth.  

3.  Satan deceives us by telling us truths to fit in lies. 

After a long stretch of sliding my hands along a rope, I reached an obstacle.  A voice said to me: "You need to let go, you aren't on the right path.  This is a rope, not a rod of iron.  In the scriptures it says they held onto a rod of iron.  Is this a rod of Iron?" No.  "Here go under the rope and take my hand."  It was logical to me.  It made sense.  I thought it through and went under the rope.  No hand was there to guide me.  I had been deceived and that frustrated me! That was truth though! I am reading the Great and Terrible series by Christ Stewart, (blog coming soon about that) In the books he talks about the nature of Satan.  That's what he does.  He tells us truth to ultimately deceive us.  He will tell us whatever he can to have us follow him.  It became very evident to me in this exercise.  The consequences were immediate.  He was not there to help me.  I was left alone.  

4. We are never truly alone. 

After debriefing we were told that as we went through the course, there were people constantly watching us, around us, near us.  I never saw them or heard them, only a few times.  It made me realize that while we are here on the earth, we have people rooting for us. Unseen people.  Our Heavenly Father, Christ, our ancestors, family members and friends that have passed.  They are all there hoping we choose right, that we make it back.  It was also apparent that along with good there is evil forces watching us as well, hoping that we fail and become miserable like them.  

“There are others watching over you from the other side of the veil. We watch. We listen. And we understand. We never leave your side, Azadeh. Someone is always near, someone who knows you and loves you and wants you to succeed. You are never alone. There is always someone there. Think of that, remember, and it will give you the strength that you need.” - Chris Stewart.  

5.  We are bombarded with distractions every day.  

In the beginning, we were placed in a field and these speakers came on blasting heavy metal music, mixed with tragic news articles, and someone talking about how awful the apostles were.  My soul hurt.  It was all I could hear.  It was chaos and unnerving.  Maybe it was due to still trying to get used to music, after being home for only 3 months.  I did learn this, every day we are faced with distractions.  I open my computer and I am bombarded with depressing, tragic news that has happened in the world.  Are we letting the things of the world distract of things that really matter? 

Are we allowing ourselves to feel the Spirit? 

Are we constantly filling our time with plugged into music? 

Do we give ourselves some quiet, non-interrupted time throughout the day?

~Linz

My Thanksgiving list

The things I am grateful for, would probably take too much time to time, and be boring for you to read. 

So here is a shortened version.

1. My family- the ones that wrote me consistently, a refuge, my cheer squad, and the ones that have my back. always. 

2. The gospel- The answers that I have.  The peace I feel.  The Happiness I enjoy. 

3.  America- I am blessed to live in a country, where I can be who I want, say what I want, do what I want.  Thanks to those that keep it this way. 

4.  Those wonderful people in Colorado, Nebraska, and Wyoming- The ones that fed me, took care of me, encouraged me, listened to me, helped me, housed me, befriended me. You made all the difference. Thank you!

5. Education- I am getting a top-notch education, for really cheap, in a wonderful, enriching, gospel environment.
6. Food- The ability to eat and the ability to make.  I love both.
Happy Thanksgiving!

~Linz