have a little faith

Mitch Albom is by far one of my favorite authors. I have every one of his books, which is only four, but still. In each one that I read I learn a little bit more...  about myself, about those around me, about the world. I cry a little. He writes mostly about real life stories. So I suppose that's why it's so relateable to my everyday. I'm just now reading the latest book of his that I bought just yesterday.. Or that a friend bought for me. It's titled "have a little faith." I've already planned on reading this one over again as soon as I'm finished... 

Anyways. Here is something that I read from it. I hope you all like it as much as I do.

From a Sermon by the Reb, 1975

"A man seeks employment on a farm. He hands his letter of recommendation to his new employer. It reads simply, 'He sleeps in a storm.'

"The owner is desperate for help, so he hires the man.

"Several weeks pass, and suddenly, in the middle of the night, a powerful storm rips through the valley.

"Awakened by the swirling rain and howling wind, the owner leaps out of bed. He calls for his new hired hand, but the man is sleeping soundly.

"So he dashes off to the barn. He sees, to his amazement, that the animals are secure with plenty of food.

"He runs out to the field. He sees the bales of wheat have been bound and are wrapped in tarpaulins.

"He races to the silo. The doors are latched, and the grain is dry.

"And then he understands, 'He sleeps in a storm.'

"My friends, if we tend to the things that are important in life, if we are right with those we love and behave in line with our faith, our lives will not be cursed with the aching throb of unfulfilled business. Our words will always be sincere, our embraces will be tight. We will never wallow in the agony of 'I could have, I should have.' We can sleep in a storm.

"And when it's time, our good-byes will be complete."

I feel as if more of us, including myself, should take this advice to heart. 

<3 

so. work it.

I just returned home from working an eleven hour shift. I'm still exhausted from the ten hour shift I worked just yesterday. And I'm pretty sure that I may just die after the nine hour shift I'm working tomorrow... I'm actually totally okay with working this much. I secretly love working. And not because I'll love looking at the next paycheck. That's definitely a plus though.. 

I'm kind of a lucky girl these days. I've realized that I have much to be grateful for.

Family.

Friends.

Prayer.

My loving Heavenly Father. 

And the list goes on...

Also. I was able to visit the Atlanta Temple this week with Arielle, her beautiful family, and her cutie pie boyfriend. I wish I could have went back each day this week. It's absolutely perfect. 

Arielle's sisters are by far the prettiest girls I know. 

I was trying to hold Moroni in my hand.. And I kinda failed.. 

<3 

practice makes perfect... orsoi'veheard.

Here is yet another blog about my running endeavors...

It's been seven days, more or less, since I started running around my neighborhood. Every day I venture out with my new shoes, my ipod, and an attempt at a positive attitude. I never knew how not good at running I really was until recently. After the first day and the first mile I could barely breathe. I'm sure my neighbors are thinking, "why is this girl, who seems to be merely walking at a fast pace, acting as if she's sprinted through a marathon."

But it's okay though. I can see a little improvement. I've lost a minute from my mile time and I can run a mile without stopping. Which makes me happier than it should.

That's all for now. I hope you all have a blessed day! <3

if you're not first. you're last.

I got a call yesterday from Kristen, a girl I work with. She says that some old guy came looking for me; asking her when I was supposed to be working and stuff. So. She was a little freaked out (Coach sometimes freaks people out. It's not his fault though. He's a nice guy.) Anyways. I called him moments after I got off the phone with Kristen. He only wanted to stop by and say hey and stuff. Then he goes on to tell me I need to be running three miles in under twenty-two minutes. Which is what I should be running at anyways. Only I'm not that great of a runner. My PR has only been twenty-five minutes for the 5k. He goes on to say that he wants me running at this time so that he will be able to give me a scholarship.... 

So here I am running at eight this morning. I probably look as if I'm about to fall over and die. And then it hits me... In just a few months. I will be running against real runners. Runners who have been training for much longer than me. Then I start to freak out a little because I don't think I have it in me to be that good. I know. That's not the way to think. I mean. I want to be that good. And I'm going to try to make it happen. I'm just a little afraid. That's all. 

I do like that fact that I'm running again though. I've missed it so much. 

p.s. I bought new running shoes yesterday. Take a look! :) 

my favorite time of day, is when you're near.

Something I have realized lately... I love my nephews. More than anything in the world. I love to pick up Logan from pre-k. We always head to the nearest convenient store and load up on goodies. (Which I'm totally okay since his mom picks him up shortly after we get home. I'm more than happy to get him hyper and fun and then let his mom have him. :)) I love it when Jaidyin lets everyone know that he loves me. They both say my name in this cute little voice. They both refuse to call me BrittBritt. And that makes me love them even more. (One day last week, Amanda, the mommy, told Jaidyn to call me BrittBritt. He comes into the living room, looks up at my mom, and says, "Nana, I see Brittney. But where is BrittBritt?" I just thought that was too funny.) I love their hugs and kisses. I love how they talk and the things they say. I love how they always make me laugh. Even if I want to cry. I love it when they tell me they love me. I just love these boys. 

I don't want to forget about Kaydence. Logan and Jaidyn's baby sister. From what everyone says. She's a miniature version of me. Only I think she's 93489384 times cuter than I ever was as a baby. It took her forever to finally start walking. Mostly because she would rather someone hold her. When she sees you coming towards you, she looks up and gives you the sweetest little smile. It's the most precious thing I think I have ever seen in my life. 

sunday morning. sun is shining.

"Girls are taught a lot of stuff growing up. If a guy punches you he likes you. Never try to trim your own bangs and someday you will meet a wonderful guy and get your very own happy ending. Every movie we see, every story we're told implores us to wait for it, the third act twist, the unexpected declaration of love, the exception to the rule. But sometimes we're so focused on finding our happy ending we don't learn how to read the signs. How to tell from the ones who want us and the ones who don't, the ones who will stay and the ones who will leave. And maybe a happy ending doesn't include a guy, maybe... it's you, on your own, picking up the pieces and starting over, freeing yourself up for something better in the future. Maybe the happy ending is... just... moving on. Or maybe the happy ending is this, knowing after all the unreturned phone calls, broken-hearts, through the blunders and misread signals, through all the pain and embarrassment, you never gave up hope."

I watched this movie today. He's Just Not That Into You. And I kind of loved this quote.

Today was conference. I was able to see the first part and I loved every minute of it.. I also had an interview for my endorsement for BYU and stuff. President Ballington (I'm not sure if that's spelled correctly or not) said some pretty inspiring things. Basically. He says that we all, as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, should always keep the Honor Code. Regardless of whether we attend a church school or not. Which got me thinking. Do I present myself as being a follower of Christ with every thing I do in my life? Honestly. I don't think I do enough. Someone, during conference, said something that I liked. "Preach the gospel at all times. And if necessary, use words." So I challenged myself to always remember the Article of Faith number thirteen. For those of you who aren't really sure what that it is.. Here it is... 

"We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul -- We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things." 

P.s. I just got a new phone. It's a smart phone and it's the best ever. I didn't have my scriptures with me. So. I just grabbed my phone and looked it up. Since I now have the Bible and the Book of Mormon at the touch of a button. How awesome is that?