The Greatest Gift

*I have been listening to EFY songs to and from work. Here are some lines from 2006.

Putting all my faith in Him

I reach out, He reaches in

Words only you can say

Prayers only you can pray

Strength you were sent to give

Hands you were meant to lift

He’s given me his trust

So I’ll be strong enough

Until the day through Your grace

I’m welcomed home

Until then

Prove me

I want to be stronger than I am

I want to stay faithful to the end

His light—the gift of his peace

When you live like you believe

Because He gave to me everything He had to give

I breathe, I see, I hope, I love, I live

Hole on to the gift of believing

Be strong

Elder Richard David Thomas

He's gone. He is going to serve the Lord for two years and teach the Gospel to the people of Bangkok, Thailand. He left yesterday. I miss him already. I love his smile, his hugs, and his foot rubs. He makes me laugh. We have amazing conversations about pretty much anything. I taught him to like Charleston Chews. He gives me nice compliments. He is shorter than I am. He was home schooled. He is incredible. He makes me want to be better. He is one of my best friends.

See you later and talk to you soon!

Camp Hawkins

I really wish I could think of a better title. Too tired.

So the day after I got home from Alaska I went to camp! This isn't just any camp. This is Camp Hawkins, a Camp for children with heart disease and their siblings. My best friend Bethany's sister is a Heart Kid so her and her siblings were all attending camp so  Bethany and I volunteered. She was a lifeguard and I volunteered as an Arts and Crafts Helper. It was so much fun! The kids were so fun and we got to do some cute projects. We tye-dyed our camp shirts. I quite literally dyed all day....haha. We also got to help the kids make a leather coin purse or bracelet. The third craft was a dream catcher. Sadly, I left mine at camp. They were adorable.

I <3 CAMP HAWKINS

Home At Last!

There are currently 4 different blog posts churning in my head so I will do them all right in a row. 

Here is the first.

The cruise to Alaska was INCREDIBLE! 

Saturday 18: Fly to Seattle, walk along the boardwalk

Sunday 19: Pikes Place Market (I have a new found love for farmer's markets), board the Pearl, explore the ship

Monday 20: Day at sea

Tuesday 21: Juneau, Whale watching (a couple of whales charged our boat, the tour guide and boat driver had never seen anything like that), glacier and nature walk

Wednesday 22: Skagway, cool train ride up to Canada, walked on a huge suspension bridge, shopping

Thursday 23: Glacier Bay (huge mile-long glaciers!)

Friday 24: Ketchikan, lumberjack show (yes, big burly men in plaid flannel shirts who climb and saw logs

Saturday 25: Victoria, Canada, Buchart Gardens (hundred-year-old garden with millions of gorgeous flowers!)

Sunday 26: Get off the ship, Pikes Place Market (again :)), Seattle Space Needle, Seattle Museum of Flight

The Ship was amazing. Unlimited food, hot tubs, shows, shuffleboard, pool, cheesecake, etc

p.s. I only gained two pounds! :) haha

Hello fellow bloggers and friends,

I know you're all going to be quite jealous but I am going on a cruise to Alaska today! I won't update this thing for a week or so but I promise I will tell you about the trip! I will think of you as I am stuffing myself full of all the delicious food on the cruise ship. Before I go I want to tell you about my day yesterday!

I worked and then went home and showered. Then I went to South Weber to visit my dear, dear friend Richie Thomas. We went to Costa Vida and talked for a couple hours. Then I had to say goodbye to him for two years. I'm going to miss that guy. Although we haven't even known each other for a year it feels like we are lifelong friends! Then I left his house and drove up to Logan. Oh, how I miss my Logan! I met up with my best friend Molly. I met her cute boyfriend. We had a girl talk session (cookies, milk, and crying included). I love her. Then we watched America's Got Talent until we fell asleep. I woke up early this morning and picked up Maegan from EFY. Then we left my beloved Logan and talked all the way home! Now, I should be packing but instead I am wasting time on the computer, typical!

Anyway, I hope you all have a fantastic week and remember..... I LOVE YOU.

Love Always,
Lauren

Life and Death

We'll see how this goes.....


So I decided that life is a funny thing. Yesterday I had the privilege to help at a wedding reception. It was absolutely beautiful and went without a hitch. A perfect location, weather that couldn't be better, a beautiful cake, amazing music, gorgeous flowers, incredible people and happiness that cannot be put into words. Today, I attended the funeral of one of the most compassionate men that the world ever knew. My heart aches for his dear family. Today, I also got to go to the Draper Temple to do baptisms for the dead. Ultimate peace.

As I think of these three events and how they all ended up being within 24 hours of each other, I can't help but think of life and death. God sends us to this earth at a specific time, to a specific place, in a certain family. We have a certain amount of time on this earth to gain knowledge and experience. We don't know what that time frame is. All I know is that we are given time and we are responsible for what we do with it. So what should we do? I guess to each person that is different. Some people go to school for a long time and earn lots of money in their career. Others marry young and struggle to make ends meet. Others don't even live past their childhood. What you do with the time you are given makes all the difference. Do you give of your talents and help those around you? Or do you focus on your own welfare and success? Do you strive your best to pray everyday and study the scriptures? Do you forgive and forget? Or do you constantly hold a grudge? I am not perfect. I make mistakes everyday, but I try my best. These past couple days have helped me realize that I need to try even harder.


Life is short so make it count. What do people see when the look at me? What is God going to say to me when I meet him again? How are people going to remember me when I die? 

Wow

1,000 views. I think that is pretty worthy of having its own post. It makes me wonder who looks at it.... :)

we we we so excited, we so excited.

Work. Scraped stairs. The whole time. Hot shower. Wonderful. Dinner with my mom and sister. Cute waiter. Delicious food. Swimsuit shopping with Maegan. Blue. White Polka dots. So excited. Grandma's house. So random. Lexie had a bath. Blasting The Climb and Single Ladies on the way home. Screaming at the top of our lungs. Windows down. So amazingly fun. America's Got Talent for the first time. Time for bed.

Gerber Daisies and Fluffy Clouds

My favorite thing to wear is a white Hanes v-neck.

I brush my teeth 3 times a day.

My favorite animal is a pink flamingo.

I always put my pillows in the exact same spot every time I make my bed. 

I haven't NOT made my bed since I was 10 years old.
I love the sky.

I have never gotten stitches or broken a bone.

I am currently working for Okland Construction.

I am a Daddy's girl.

I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

I can pop my hip out. 

I have freckles on my knees.

My biggest dream and goal is to marry my true love in the temple for time and eternity.

When I listen to music the volume has to be an even number.

My sister is my best friend.

I have red hair.

I love anything with coconut.

I own 42 t-shirts.

My favorite season is Spring.

My 13 year old brother is taller than me.

I love children.

I always wished I had an older brother.

I usually can't remember my dreams.

I love going to church.

I love anything Disney.

When I'm at work I have tons of time to think....

I think a lot about my future and about my loved ones' futures.

I love my mom like crazy!

I will serve a mission at some point in my life.

I lived in California for 4 years.

I am proud to be an AGGIE!

My favorite colors are turquoise and purple.

My aunt Jenni nicknamed me "Bug."

This is a completely random list of some completely random things about me. 

I hope that everyone who reads this learns at least one new thing about me . 

:)

Elder Zajac

Today is June 7th. 

Tomorrow is June 8th. 

Tomorrow Michael Jacob Zajac is leaving on his mission. 

Today is the last time I will see him for two years.

Michael Zajac is one of my best friends. He is always there for me when I need him. We went to the same elementary school, middle school, and high school. We didn't become friends until our freshmen year at USU. He is super tall and I have to jump to give him hugs....I love his hugs! I am so proud of his decision to represent the Lord on a mission to Richmond, Virginia. He is going to be an incredible missionary. I know he will serve with all his might, mind, and strength. I love him so much and am so proud of him! Good luck in the MTC and Virginia, Zajac!

Hello

Dear cute boys in my singles ward,

You probably didn't notice me, but I noticed you. My name is Lauren. I hope that sometime you will notice me and maybe even talk to me!

That is all for now.

Sincerely, Me

VORTEX

Went to Seven Peaks today. 

SO much fun. Michael Zajac. Kenzee. Richie. Jerrica. Josh. Kyle. 

I love them all. 

I'm fried. 

My legs. My back. My shoulders. Everything. 

I feel like a tomato. 

Will I ever learn my lesson?

To sum it all up: I love summer. I love my friends. I love water. I love the sun.

Worth the money.

Quote of the day:
       "I've always wanted to get sunburned. It's on my bucket list!" Love you Zajac :)

if you ever find yourself stuck in the middle of the sea

You can count on me like one, two, three
I'll be there and I know when I need it
I can count on you like four, three, two
And you'll be there 'cause that's what friends
Are supposed to do, oh yeah


You'll always have my shoulder when you cry
I'll never let go, never say goodbye 

Tired Eyes

New guy

Bad words

Razzleberry Pie

Brooms

Friendship

Smoke

B & D's

Michael Zajac

Beautiful weather

6 days

Bishop :)
Uneasiness

My Alexandra

Oreo chocolate

Dust