bentley traditions

The end of last October was the very beginning of Mason and I's relationship together, and it wasn't until January that I actually got brave enough to make the drive to South Jordan to Mason's home. That being said, I didn't get to be a part of any of the Bentley holiday traditions last year. I was pretty ecstatic when Traci messaged me and invited me to join them for Sunday dinner and their yearly pumpkin carving this year. I love going to the Bentley home!  It's like a little piece of Mason is there every time I walk in the door. And seeing his cardboard cutout helps a little bit too....haha Is it weird that they already feel like family to me? They treat me like gold and I feel adopted in to their family already. They are just the sweetest.

 So creative in my pumpkin carving....

where can i turn for peace

It has been much harder being away from home this semester. With so many goodbyes and changes that have occurred in my life lately and the goodbyes that are to come in the near future, it's difficult not being surrounded by family to help me through the challenging times. With these challenges there is always one place I can always rely on to comfort me and give me the peace I need.  The temple has become my source of peace. As soon as I walk through the doors I feel the love of my Savior envelope me. I have come to realize that my Heavenly Father knows me better than anyone. He understands exactly how I am feeling, and I know without a doubt that he hears and answers my prayers. I witnessed it today:

Where, when my aching grows

Where, when I languish

Where, in my need to know

Where can I run?

Where is the quiet hand to calm my anguish?

Who, who can understand?

He, only one

liquid gold

Apartment #108 is taking fall for all it's got before its gone. We drove up the canyon this weekend to see the leaves in all their glory. liquid gold. 

Not bad for tight jeans and heals.

peace and blessings

Thanksgiving is my 2nd favourite holiday of the year (next to Christmas of course), so missing Canadian Thanksgiving while at school just wasn't an option. The Johnson family always has our huge family dinner with Aunts, Uncles and Cousins. Like a typical Thanksgiving dinner there's a ton of food and everyone has their specialty. Uncle Eric's turkey and stuffing, Aunt Rita's sweet potatoes, Mom and Aunt Patti's salads, Aunt Jocelyn's caramel popcorn—everything is always perfect and delicious. Unfortunately replicating all these classic dishes was impossible, but we tried our best. Rawley, Jordan, Nathan, and I celebrated as Canadian family but the best part was getting to celebrate with all our adopted Canadian friends. Everyone pitched in to make it such a perfect Thanksgiving, despite being so far from home.

pumpkin huntin

Fall is by far Utah's best asset.  Everything is perfection. I'd never really experienced a substantial fall season until moving down to Utah, and I have to admit....I'm kind of obsessed. The weather, the colours, the activities. I love everything. Needless to say I got pretty excited when Melissa and I decided we needed to go to a pumpkin patch this weekend. Best.Decision.Ever.

I'd never been to a pumpkin patch before, and this will definitely not be the last time I go. I'm hooked.  Me, Eliza, and Melissa all stomped around in the dirt rows and gigantic sunflower stalks searching for our perfect pumpkins. One by one we found a pumpkin that suited each of us perfectly. We picked them by hand, brought them to be weighed, and then drove into the sunset giddy as can be.

Cheers to another fall.

blessings

I was reminded at the beginning of this week to count my blessings. It wasn't a direct suggestion, more of a general remark, but I decided to take the advice literally. And might I add, it was the perfect week to do so. With midterms coming at me in all directions, it was exactly what I needed to get me through the busy week and prepare me for this conference weekend. I found it easy to recognize the Lord's hand in my life. He is incredible. There were simple blessings and profound blessings but nonetheless I was flooded with gratitude toward my Heavenly Father. I could write a list going on for days about what I felt and witnessed this week, but I think I will just keep those things sacred in my heart. So if you are ever struggling to not only see the light in life, but feel the light that God has to offer you, "Count your blessings, you have many".