the good
//i am finally starting to get over this dang cold i've had forEVER. you know what that means? i am finally able to belt at the top of my lungs around the house again! *fist pump*
//i have officially mastered the art of making the PERFECT sweet potato fries. i'll share the recipe on here someday, i promise (because it is seriously the best side dish to any sandwich ever. it's bomb.)
//i landed a second job last night to help pay for college tuition comin' up next month!
//finally got my little brother to watch SYTYCD with me & he loves it. SCORE.
//I MOVE TO HAWAII IN T-MINUS 24 DAYS. where has the time gone?
the not-so-good
//carhopping at Sonic in 115 degree heat has been really kicking my booty as of late.
//Luke told me i'm not allowed to leave for Hawaii because he will miss me too much. man. leaving my siblings in 24 days will definitely be a heart breaker.
//found out a very close friend of mine is battling some tough addictions & watching him go through that has been pretty difficult.
the awkward (these are only a few of the MANY awkward moments i've had this past week)
//waking up my little brother at 2am to kill a scorpion in my bed. (i am moving out in 3 weeks and can't kill a scorpion on my own??? c'mon em. get your crap together.)
//although, my cold is getting much better, my darned ears are STILL plugged (going on 2 weeks not being able to hear anyone). about 80% of the time someone is talking to me, i have to ask "what??" and have them repeat what they said about three times before i can finally understand them. super bad.
//spilled ranch dressing down my shirt while on my way to the gym yesterday, but i didn't want to waste gas and go home and change so i just went to the gym with the ranch spots on my shirt. (i did go to the bathroom and wash up before working out, but it was still pretty bad.) i'm sure the guy on the treadmill next to me thought it was super cute, right?
thanks for reading you guys. you're all the best & it really means a lot to me. have a wonderful day & embrace the good, the bad, & ESPECIALLY the awkward moments in your life.
Silver Linings
I am a strong believer in that every cloud has its silver lining. Even if I don't know what that silver lining is right now. This past week has had its fair share of storm clouds. More than its fair share, as a matter of fact. And I can't yet see the positive repercussions of what these trials will bring.
Yet.
BUT, I know that some day I'm going to look back on this difficult time in my life and think of all of the important life lessons I learned from it. And when it comes right down to it, even though life is throwing some curve balls at me right now, I feel OVERWHELMING blessed. I am convinced that some of the best people God has ever created are apart of my life. I kid you not, I have some dang awesome best friends. I also am incredibly blessed to have the gospel in my life and the knowledge that I can get through absolutely any trial with the help of the Lord. So really...yeah, life is kinda tough right now and I'm facing some challenges I never thought I would have to face, but holy cow am I blessed or what?
I think it's super-duper important to learn how to be happy even when things are hard. Everything is going to be okay if I am relying on the Lord for guidance. I learned that lesson from my sweet momma. She is such a strength in my life and she has taught me how to constantly have an attitude of gratitude and I couldn't be more thankful to her for that and for countless other things.
So, yes. Every storm cloud has its silver lining. But you know what? I quite like rainstorms.
Yet.
BUT, I know that some day I'm going to look back on this difficult time in my life and think of all of the important life lessons I learned from it. And when it comes right down to it, even though life is throwing some curve balls at me right now, I feel OVERWHELMING blessed. I am convinced that some of the best people God has ever created are apart of my life. I kid you not, I have some dang awesome best friends. I also am incredibly blessed to have the gospel in my life and the knowledge that I can get through absolutely any trial with the help of the Lord. So really...yeah, life is kinda tough right now and I'm facing some challenges I never thought I would have to face, but holy cow am I blessed or what?
I think it's super-duper important to learn how to be happy even when things are hard. Everything is going to be okay if I am relying on the Lord for guidance. I learned that lesson from my sweet momma. She is such a strength in my life and she has taught me how to constantly have an attitude of gratitude and I couldn't be more thankful to her for that and for countless other things.
So, yes. Every storm cloud has its silver lining. But you know what? I quite like rainstorms.
One year down. One to go.
On July 24, 2013 my very best friend left on an LDS mission to serve the Lord in Romania for two years. And here we are now, 365 days later and lemme tell ya, he is rocking it out there. Many of the European missions are so difficult but James really knows how to take a challenge and make the absolute best of it, which is truly one of my most favorite things about him. He is workin' hard out there and I couldn't be more proud of him! James says finding investigators to listen to their message can be tough so they think of super unique ways to contact which can go from drawing out the plan of salvation in chalk on the sidewalk to putting on a musical concert with a bunch of different instruments, which is what they are working really hard on right now. If you know James Brundage, you're pretty dang lucky, because he's one of the most fun-loving, spiritually minded, and genuine guys I've ever known and has a way of making anyone laugh right off the bat. I miss him lots but I wouldn't want him anywhere other than where he is right now, working as the Lord's hands and doing His work. He's changing lives, just like he changed mine.
I'm counting down the days until July 24, 2015. One year down. One year to go until I get to see my bestfriend again.
La revedere.
I'm counting down the days until July 24, 2015. One year down. One year to go until I get to see my bestfriend again.
La revedere.
Beautiful Trip with Beautiful Company
I spent this past week with some of my favorite people in this world in one of my very favorite places in this world-- The Golden State that is California. We started off our week away from home in the breathtakingly beautiful town of Big Bear in the most home-y cabin right on Big Bear Lake. We then spent a couple of days in Anaheim to go to Knotts Berry Farm and the beach. Needless to say, it was a vacation for the books!
SOME HIGHLIGHTS
-I was able to cross jet-skiing, kayaking, and pontoon boating off my bucketlist... the dare devil in me deemed jet-skiing to be my favorite part of the whole trip!
-Went to quite possible the largest antique thrift shop on the west coast. Seriously, I wish I took more pictures because it was something that needed to be documented! I fell in love with the shop and could have spent hours longer exploring all of the crazy cool antique treasures I found.
-I GOT A TAN. If you know me, you know this is seemly impossible on account of me being the stereotypical redhead (or ginger, if you must). Ha! And although I will never have the skin of a beach goddess, I can now say that I've gotten a little more color and now I have something to work off of when I move to Hawaii in t-minus 40 days!
-Getting completely DRENCHED on Big Foot Rapids at Knott's. A huge wave pretty much did it for me (might I add that my two cousins Sydney and Cabram did not get even a tiny bit wet) and all of the people waiting in line for the ride pointed and laughed at me when the aforementioned wave crashed down soaking me from head to toe. Although being freezing cold wasn't super fantastic, it was a blast and made for a great laugh.
-There are PLENTY more fun highlights but the best part of the whole trip was spending time with beautiful people that I love so much. Specifically, my cousin/best friend since birth, Sydney. Man, that girl is a dork. But that is why we are so dang close. Because heaven knows I am the dorkiest of the dorks. We laugh over the silliest things until our stomachs hurt and we are gasping for breath and our cheeks are sore. I feel so blessed to have had this girl by my side since day one...literally. We have pictures of us naked in laundry baskets at the age of one. Above all, Sydney is just a sweetheart who I can depend on for absolutely anything at any time. She is strong and won't compromise her standards for anything and is overall one of the best examples to me in my life. I love ya, Syd. Thanks for the unforgettable trip, luvah.
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*dramatically looking off into the distance*
I Learned from Linda
Yesterday morning, I woke up bright and early to drive to Coolidge, Arizona with about seventy other young adults from singles ward to spend some time with the sweet people in the Randolph House. Randolph House was founded in the 1950's and serves as a training facility for the severely disabled. Many parents of disabled children did not have the means or were not ready for the responsibility of raising mentally and/or physically handicapped children... and consequently decided to drop their disabled child off at Randolph House where volunteers of the community would raise and train them to become the best they could be. When I visited Randolph house yesterday I was heartbroken to know that the majority of the adults that were living within those walls had grown up there since they were young.
I was assigned to spend my time with a wonderful older woman named Linda. Linda did not speak nor did she make any sound during the two or so hours I spent with her. She was severely handicapped both mentally and physically. The woman who assigned me to sweet Linda (her name was Vicky if I remember correctly) told me a little bit about her condition and her personality, and told me that Linda was not a very touchy person. She liked having her space but also loved having company. As I wheeled her wheelchair from her room to the gymnasium in which we brought all of our friends to sing songs together, I talked her ear off about...well, just about everything you can think of. I knew she could hear me and I knew it was comforting to her to have someone with her.
In the gymnasium we all sang primary and patriotic songs that all of our friends loved so much. Some would jump around and others would sing (never on tune, but just as beautiful) at the top of their lungs the sweet words often about how much their Heavenly Father loved them. Linda did not speak but would move her body to the beat of whatever song we were singing. Oh how I loved singing with sweet Linda.
After a few minutes of sitting and singing with Linda, she put her hand out to me. Remembering what Vicky said about Linda liking her personal space, I was confused wondering if she wanted me to give her something. But I soon realized she wanted me to touch her hand. I put my hand on top of hers and she rubbed her thumb back and forth on my hand and then quickly let go. I teared up at her simple, yet tender gesture signifying to me of her pure love. She held her hand out to me multiple times before it was time for our goodbyes and each time she held on just a bit longer than the last. Seeing these people that loved so wholeheartedly the MINUTE I met each one of them was truly inspiring and humbling. I hope to be able to love as purely as each of them do.
SPREAD THE WORD TO END THE WORD
In the hours since my time at Randolph House, I have been pondering more about the sweet people I met. Their innocence is beyond what any of us can hope to attain. The adults of Randolph House are all mentally retarded and struggle with their mental and physical disabilities. Being retarded means to be mentally challenged but has evolved into a derogatory slang word that is thrown around so loosely. I heard it around school countless times every day. I see it on twitter/facebook/instagram ALL the time. I was once talking to a highly respectable grown adult and was appalled when he described his malfunctioning television set as "retarded". I know that people know what "retarded" means but most people do not understand how horrible what they are saying really is. "Retarded" went from a clinical description to a word of derision. As a community, it is of paramount importance to spread the word to end the word. It is hate speech. Truly, it is. And if more people would see it that way, less people would say it. If you agree with me, practice what you preach! Log on to www.r-word.org and PLEDGE to never use "retarded" in a derogatory manner. Once you've done so, post about it on twitter or facebook and let your friends and family know of how you are helping the cause and, consequently, inspire them to do the same. Seem simple? IT IS. It takes all of two minutes to pledge AND post about it on social media.
"Be the change you wish to see in the world."--Mahatma Ghandi.
I was assigned to spend my time with a wonderful older woman named Linda. Linda did not speak nor did she make any sound during the two or so hours I spent with her. She was severely handicapped both mentally and physically. The woman who assigned me to sweet Linda (her name was Vicky if I remember correctly) told me a little bit about her condition and her personality, and told me that Linda was not a very touchy person. She liked having her space but also loved having company. As I wheeled her wheelchair from her room to the gymnasium in which we brought all of our friends to sing songs together, I talked her ear off about...well, just about everything you can think of. I knew she could hear me and I knew it was comforting to her to have someone with her.
In the gymnasium we all sang primary and patriotic songs that all of our friends loved so much. Some would jump around and others would sing (never on tune, but just as beautiful) at the top of their lungs the sweet words often about how much their Heavenly Father loved them. Linda did not speak but would move her body to the beat of whatever song we were singing. Oh how I loved singing with sweet Linda.
After a few minutes of sitting and singing with Linda, she put her hand out to me. Remembering what Vicky said about Linda liking her personal space, I was confused wondering if she wanted me to give her something. But I soon realized she wanted me to touch her hand. I put my hand on top of hers and she rubbed her thumb back and forth on my hand and then quickly let go. I teared up at her simple, yet tender gesture signifying to me of her pure love. She held her hand out to me multiple times before it was time for our goodbyes and each time she held on just a bit longer than the last. Seeing these people that loved so wholeheartedly the MINUTE I met each one of them was truly inspiring and humbling. I hope to be able to love as purely as each of them do.
SPREAD THE WORD TO END THE WORD
In the hours since my time at Randolph House, I have been pondering more about the sweet people I met. Their innocence is beyond what any of us can hope to attain. The adults of Randolph House are all mentally retarded and struggle with their mental and physical disabilities. Being retarded means to be mentally challenged but has evolved into a derogatory slang word that is thrown around so loosely. I heard it around school countless times every day. I see it on twitter/facebook/instagram ALL the time. I was once talking to a highly respectable grown adult and was appalled when he described his malfunctioning television set as "retarded". I know that people know what "retarded" means but most people do not understand how horrible what they are saying really is. "Retarded" went from a clinical description to a word of derision. As a community, it is of paramount importance to spread the word to end the word. It is hate speech. Truly, it is. And if more people would see it that way, less people would say it. If you agree with me, practice what you preach! Log on to www.r-word.org and PLEDGE to never use "retarded" in a derogatory manner. Once you've done so, post about it on twitter or facebook and let your friends and family know of how you are helping the cause and, consequently, inspire them to do the same. Seem simple? IT IS. It takes all of two minutes to pledge AND post about it on social media.
"Be the change you wish to see in the world."--Mahatma Ghandi.
Blogging Amateur
I decided it was high time for me to create a blog since I am starting a different, exciting, yet nerve-wracking chapter of my life! Keep in mind I have never blogged before and, although I have read some dang good blogs, I haven't yet learned the ropes of blogging. So bear with me ;)
Let's start at the very beginning, a very good place to start (if you can name that reference we will be fast friends). I am by NO means, creative. My mom, my grandmother, all of my aunts and cousins are ALL incredibly creative, but somehow I must have missed that gene. So needless to say, this probably will not be one of those super cutesy blogs. Heck, I'm not even sure if anyone will end up reading a single one of my posts! I just felt that this next year was going to be a big year for me and I want a place to write down daily (ok lets be realistic, probably weekly) entries/pictures of interesting and exciting opportunities and fun that I hope will come my way!
I am so incredibly stoked for this next year. 2013 was SUCH a big year for me. So much change came my way, that I was forced to acclimate to a completely different way of thinking. 2013 was the year of a new Emma Fisher (how cheesy does that sound?). But REALLY. Last year was a huge year for me. I grew emotionally, spiritually, and intellectually more than any year thus far. Many would say, "Well of course you did, you learn and grow with every year." Very true. But last year there was a significant change in my outlook on life. I had to undergo some pretty tough changes and challenges that lead me to think about life in the "grand scheme of things". I learned who I was as a person, and I was able to see myself in a different way than I ever had before. I have become more confident in who I am, and what I stand for. I have had to turn to the Lord for comfort and relief from pain. My testimony of the Atonement and of the gospel strengthened into something it couldn't have without the test of my faith. It's a strange thing to say one is thankful for hardship. But I am. I learned that last year. I am GRATEFUL for trials and tribulations. Because I believe that the time when the Lord communicates to His children most, is when we are on our knees pleading for guidance/forgiveness/relief. It was during those times of desperation, when I heard my Father's voice and influence in my life stronger than I ever had before. I also learned that one can be happy during trying times. I often have to think to myself, "Emma, you do not live a sad life. You are just having a sad day." I have difficult moments. Who doesn't?? Sometimes those moments last for days or even weeks. BUT I often have to remind myself that these sad moments are but for a moment. They do not reflect my everyday life. I am happy. So INCREDIBLY happy. I have so much to be thankful for, how can I not be happy? That is why I'm excited for this next year. I know this year will be challenging and full of hardships, especially as I leave my family and Arizona and go off to Hawaii for school. Leaving my family will easily be the most difficult thing I've had to do thus far. But I am excited for the opportunities and new friends that it will bring.
So, college. I am so freaking ready for you.
(...in two months. I leave September 1st.)
Also quick shout-out to Erika Thompson for helping me in the design and creation of this blog. She rocks.
Let's start at the very beginning, a very good place to start (if you can name that reference we will be fast friends). I am by NO means, creative. My mom, my grandmother, all of my aunts and cousins are ALL incredibly creative, but somehow I must have missed that gene. So needless to say, this probably will not be one of those super cutesy blogs. Heck, I'm not even sure if anyone will end up reading a single one of my posts! I just felt that this next year was going to be a big year for me and I want a place to write down daily (ok lets be realistic, probably weekly) entries/pictures of interesting and exciting opportunities and fun that I hope will come my way!
I am so incredibly stoked for this next year. 2013 was SUCH a big year for me. So much change came my way, that I was forced to acclimate to a completely different way of thinking. 2013 was the year of a new Emma Fisher (how cheesy does that sound?). But REALLY. Last year was a huge year for me. I grew emotionally, spiritually, and intellectually more than any year thus far. Many would say, "Well of course you did, you learn and grow with every year." Very true. But last year there was a significant change in my outlook on life. I had to undergo some pretty tough changes and challenges that lead me to think about life in the "grand scheme of things". I learned who I was as a person, and I was able to see myself in a different way than I ever had before. I have become more confident in who I am, and what I stand for. I have had to turn to the Lord for comfort and relief from pain. My testimony of the Atonement and of the gospel strengthened into something it couldn't have without the test of my faith. It's a strange thing to say one is thankful for hardship. But I am. I learned that last year. I am GRATEFUL for trials and tribulations. Because I believe that the time when the Lord communicates to His children most, is when we are on our knees pleading for guidance/forgiveness/relief. It was during those times of desperation, when I heard my Father's voice and influence in my life stronger than I ever had before. I also learned that one can be happy during trying times. I often have to think to myself, "Emma, you do not live a sad life. You are just having a sad day." I have difficult moments. Who doesn't?? Sometimes those moments last for days or even weeks. BUT I often have to remind myself that these sad moments are but for a moment. They do not reflect my everyday life. I am happy. So INCREDIBLY happy. I have so much to be thankful for, how can I not be happy? That is why I'm excited for this next year. I know this year will be challenging and full of hardships, especially as I leave my family and Arizona and go off to Hawaii for school. Leaving my family will easily be the most difficult thing I've had to do thus far. But I am excited for the opportunities and new friends that it will bring.
So, college. I am so freaking ready for you.
(...in two months. I leave September 1st.)
Also quick shout-out to Erika Thompson for helping me in the design and creation of this blog. She rocks.
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