Decorating Our Apartment for Christmas

One of my favorite things is decorating for Christmas!  I didn't want to do homework today so I went a little crazy with the snow flakes!  Cambrea's grandma sent us four boxes containing a bunch of decorations and a 24 days of Christmas package.  We get to open up one treat a day and they are all really fun, nice things that we can't wait to break into!! I can't believe how blessed I am to receive gifts from someone that I don't even know!

Playing in the Snow

One of my favorite things is playing in the snow!  We had a power outage in Rexburg yesterday so I got to skip all of my four classes and one of my roommates (Heather) and I went out to play in the snow!! It was a very exciting experience! We were making snow angels in colder weather than I have ever felt in my life!! It was -9 out and I had never felt negative weather before! It was a great bonding experience with my roommate :) This power outage was definitely a blessing in disguise!

Making Wherever I Am Feel Like Home

One of my favorite things is being at home.  This is why I was grateful for a roommate who helped in the process of making our dorm room make me feel at home.









Decorating my room not only makes it look pretty darn cute, but it helped me to adjust to my new world.

Being Caught in the Snow

One of my favorite things is watching the snow as it falls.  Growing up in California, I didn't get the chance to see many snowfalls so I was always very excited when we did get a little bet of snow.  Some of my best memories of childhood were when I would wake up in the morning to find that the snow had stuck in the night!  We would go out to play in a hurry, always having the fear that it would melt before we had the chance.  I remember sliding down our driveway on the boogie boards that we had in the garage, throwing snowballs, and making mud-infused snow men from the little bit of snow that we had.  I gained a great appreciation for snow in those years which I hope lasts through my first winter in Idaho.

Combining Education and Religion

One of my favorite things is how easily education and religion fit together here at Brigham Young University-Idaho.  We always say prayers to invite the spirit before class which is a huge blessing in my schooling.  I don't think I could possibly learn as much as I do without the spirit to guide me.  As I learn more in school, I feel as though the gospel becomes more clear and my mind is opened to the best things in this life and in the eternities.  I am thankful for this wonderful university that I have the opportunity to attend.

Developing New Skills

 One of my favorite things is learning how to do something new.  Before coming up to college, I decided to sew myself a quilt and a couple pillows.  It was challenging, but I learned a lot from the experience.  It is great to feel the sense of accomplishment after completing somethings difficult. 

Being Inspired

One of my favorite things is watching close friends as they head down the right path in life.  My roommate Cambrea VanKammen has been called on a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  She will be leaving this March to report to the Dominican Republic MTC after which, she will spend the remainder of her one and a half years of service in Puerto Rico.  She is such an inspiration to me in my life and I hope to follow in her footsteps very soon.

Discovering New Things

One of my favorite things is making new discoveries.  After moving to Idaho for school, I discovered that snowflakes actually form beautiful shapes!! I was able to take a few pictures of them before they melted! There are always new and beautiful things to discover and I can't wait to see what discovery comes next for me!

Capturing Special Moments

One of my favorite things is taking pictures of important events.  I had the opportunity to take maternity photos for my one and only sister, Paige Rushton. :) She has been married to David Rushton for almost a year and a half now and is expecting her first child!  I am proud to say that young Jolene will be born into the covenant this February!  We are excited to welcome her into the family.