Come what may and love it

Elder Wirthlin's talk yesterday morning particularly stuck out to me. "How can we love sorrow filled days? We can't, atleast not at the present. If we approach adverstiy wisely, it can lead to great growth and great happiness." He gave us ways that we can deal when things don't go exactly the way we want them to.

1st: LAUGH. He told a hilarious story about a blind date his daughter went on. Look the talk up to read it- it's worth it.
2nd: Seek for the Eternal
3rd: Understand the principle of Compensation (like Job)
4th: Put your trust in our Heavenly Father and His Only Begotten Son

I think that this was an incredible talk and really taught such an incredible principle. It reminded me of Elder Bednar's talk about not getting offended (which was also a great talk). This weekend I was reminded how lucky I am to be living today when there is a true prophet of the Lord on the earth who testifies and counsels to us of the Savior and the truth of the gospel. Conference is becoming more and more meaningful as I grow up and need more guidance in my life. It really is a challenge to be a teenager...and it is comforting to have apostles testify that my Reedemer knows and loves me and that my Heavenly Father is there to answer my prayers.

ROCKY POINT: the party starts tomorrow!!! Very excited- 15 years and counting!!!! It's different every year, but alwaysss fun. Can't wait. And Utah after that??! How lucky can a girl get?? Updates from the trips soon...

I have a problem

During breaks, I become a blog addict. I blog stalk, I write, and I continuously think about what I should write. I am, in a word, obsessed. It is pathetic and it leaves me wishing that I could spread out all of my obsessive blogging time over the rest of my life instead of just condensing it into a tiny 2 week period of time. I really do love to blog- sorry to be inconsistent!

PICTURES!

So, some of you wanted pictures...ENJOY

(they're all from my phone! LOVE IT!)

HAHAHAH Sister Seamons....wearing my sunglasses....great times
Hamilton vs. Dobson ME and ASHLEY
Me and Kody....friends since 7th grade!
This is Carlie. Her mom (Natalie) is one of my Young Women leaders and i took ms. carlie to her soccer game last week. Hilarious.
My babies!!! I love my Jaxon and Kylie...and Taylor and soon to be new baby!

FOOTBALL GAMES!!!
Marisa and Nathan (when we sang at the Diamondbacks Game)
MMAT=BFF
I LOVE MY HUSKIES!!!
She doesn't get out much!

Katie- notice she's cross-eyed??
My super cute brother- when did he grow up!?!
A Typical night out for dinner...
Family!!
BYE!!!

Senior Year

OK, so I know I need to update you all on my senior year. Needless to say, it is crazy. I feel like I am going insane. So now that we are on break I feel like I have time to catch you all up on what I have been up to....

School-wise, nothing exciting. I'm taking a schedule that is fairly rigorous but keeps me entertained at the same time. I have AP English 12, AP Statistics (funnn, I know), 2 choirs (Sol and Schola), Economics (double fun), and an Independent Study Sign Language Class. We get to travel to 8 of the local elementary schools and teach kids sign language every Friday. This has been so much fun for me- I love little kids and I love signing!! In addition, of course, I'm taking Seminary and LOVING this year. Its amazing what a little attitude change can do for a person...I am learning so much about my Savior's life and all that He has done for me.

Extracirricular (it really is one word) activities have got me goin' crazy. I am this year's Choir Co-President, Link Crew President, Best Buddies Secretary, and a member of the National Honors Society, and the Hamilton High chapter of Invisible Children. I have had so many opportunities to serve this year and although I have been questioned by teachers, sponsors, and my parents for getting "too involved", I think it's a blessing that there are so many opportunites available to get involved at my school. Best Buddies has been a really exciting, scary, new adventure for me. For those of you who don't know what this is, it is an organization that, not unlike Big Brothers Big Sisters, pairs students up with their peers that have some sort of mental handicap. My buddy, Alex, has cerebal palsy, and I wasn't able to meet him at our matching party because he can't go outside in temperatures over 85 degrees. I met his mom, though, and this should be a really cool year. It is going to be a challenge to hang out when he can't talk or walk but I can't wait to meet him.

Outside of school life.....hahahahh what outside of school life? Oh, you mean doing homework, taking the ACT, or getting ready to apply for college? Yep, it's stressful. Ha no, I'm joking. I still have fun with the friends, go to football games (GO HUSKIES), and de-stress as much as I can. As for now...I'm off to watch Ironman. Which I haven't seen. And I'm REEEALLLLY excited to see....so, bye. More soon!

Katie

Katie has started a blog...she has finally joined the rest of us. I haven't been on to write in FOREVER- but that doesn't mean I haven't been reading everyone's blogs. I just read them on my phone! Katie's blog is katherinemckenna.blogspot.com. Visit it and post a comment!

Scattergories

Play this just like you would scattergories. The letter of your first name is the letter that you have to answer all of the questions with!Good luck!

1. What is your name? Alli
2. A 4 letter word. AUNT
3. A vehicle: Audi
4. A city: Austin, Texas- (thanks Daniel)
5. A boy's name: Alex
6. A girl's name: Alice
7. A beverage or drink: Apple martini- not that I've ever had one
8. An occupation: Architect
9. Something you wear: Apple bottom jeans
10. A celebrity: Angelina Jolie
11. A food: apple
12. Something found in a bathroom: Avon makeup...
13. Reason for being late: Animal messes
14. An animal: Aardvark. Double points for the double a!
15. A body part: Adam's apple
16.Something you shout: AY! or All right All right All right All right All right HEY! (ok, I know, only at EFY would you yell this. and then clap. and then yell again.)

Summer

As the last sweet hours of summer drain away to nothing, I find myself reminiscing over the beauty I have discovered these past 2 months. The Bahamas- which I have yet to blog about- showed me some of the most beautiful and glorious beaches, sunsets, and waters I have ever seen. My trip to Girl's Camp revealed to me some of the most beautiful girls I have ever met and I thank my Heavenly Father for giving me the opportunity to serve those girls in such a position that I have become friends with these younger girls in a way that could never be erased. My trip to EFY has given me the beautiful gift of a stronger testimony, a better bond with my Savior and my Heavenly Father and friendships that no doubt can last a lifetime. It might just be because I am older, but I have been changed this summer by everything I have experienced. I cannot fully explain the depth of what I have learned and the person I have become because of those people such as counselors, young women, and friends that have touched me. I know now that with the help of my Father in Heaven I can overcome my trials. That although I may feel discouraged I am never forgotten.

I've also felt these many blessings as my family continues to pray for my Grandma's health. This past week she underwent her first round of chemo. Although it has been so scary to watch my grandma go through this, it has strengthened our family so much. We have been blessed with great faith and wonderful grandparents as examples. Even as they were sitting in her hospital room, they found someone they could share the gospel with- how amazing is that? We are truly blessed.

So, as I prepare myself mentally to go back to school, I pray that I might ever be searching for that person in need of service, or that person who is waiting to hear the Good News of the Gospel. I pray that this year may be what a "senior year" should be. I pray that all may be well. Ill write about the Bahamas soon (i promise). Sorry I've been so horrible! I love you guys!