I keep thinking about people, so naturally I will continue to blog about them.

So, we go through life meeting people. When we first meet someone, we really have no idea what will become of that relationship.

For instance, when I casually met Sam in Fall 2009 we were both planning Preference dances and interacted very little. I never thought that a year and half later we would be sitting at Cafe Rio talking for almost 2 hours.

(Sam, I apologize for the picture. It just represents our relationship perfectly. Please forgive me. :) )

Around fifth grade, I started carpooling to Salt Lake Children's Choir with Elizabeth. 10 years later and we still keep in touch despite the large plot of land in between Provo and Philadelphia.

(Insert picture of me and Elizabeth here.)

It's amazing how God places people in my life and how he can wind two hearts together. Friendship is a miracle that astounds me daily. If you are reading this, I'm sure you have touched my heart. Thanks.

And that's what Jenny thinks.

Kumbaya

I was sitting around the campfire with my family this weekend. I didn't realize how much I love the campfire and how much I miss my millcreek canyon.
But I also realized something else- campfires are riddled with memories.

Falling in the stream with friends at several family parties.
Youth conferences with my fellow Olympus 2nd ward stripling warriors.
Burning school papers the summer after Junior year with my graduated buddies.
Hours of signs and mafia at girls camp.
Getting to know the Madrigals for the first time.
Celebrating Harry Potter's birthday.
Backyard parties.
And more...

As I stared into the wild flames and shimmering coals, I remembered all of these moments. It seemed as though the fire had collected the love from these special moments and kept them for me to experience all over again. The feelings of deep belonging, happiness, and love returned to my heart as if they were all happening again-at the same time. Although it is sad that I have drifted from many of the people in the memories, I am so glad that I can keep them in my heart.

"When such a friend from us departs,
we hold forever in our hearts
a sweet and hallowed memory.
Bringing us nearer, Lord, to Thee."

Campfires are magical.
And that's what Jenny thinks.

It keeps going and going and going and going and going and.....

This is what I need right now. I just need to a breather, just a few seconds, to reflect on this year. Time won't stop slipping through my fingers. I just need a little break to think about the new creature I've become in the last 12 months of living. Because, as much as it surprises me to say this, I have become a new creature. My experiences this year have changed me in unbelievable ways. But the slippery nature of time prevents me from recognizing these changes. Ugh. More thoughts to come. At least I know one thing will never change - my love for Sunday walks.




















God should've made life with a pause button.

And that's what Jenny thinks.

Have you changed the world? Would you like to?

The answer is yes. Even if you don't think you have changed the world, you have.

But that's not my point.

I was thinking. Christ changed the world. My most important is the calling to be Christ's hands. When we take the sacrament, we take Christ's name upon us. As I magnify my calling, I have the power to change the world as Christ did - our Savior and Son of God. As I take the sacrament, I act in his stead. Christ cannot be on this earth physically, but we can be his substitute and change the world like He could. I fully accept the calling. I can change the world in ways I do not comprehend. Christ instills power in me to do so.

That is so empowering and motivating to me.
And that's what Jenny thinks.

I got it made

I am so blessed. But this week, I am particularly grateful for 2 things.

1. Avery Anne Barrett - Okay. I know she doesn't have a middle name, but it just makes the flow so much nicer. Middle name or no middle name, she's still my best friend. We are so similar and so different and I love it. I don't know how I could ever live without her. We share our fears, joys, worries, embarrassing moments, plates, colds, silverware, EVERYTHING. I am so lucky to have her. I still believe the lie my mom told me - that Avery and I were twins separated at birth.

2. Singing - I love singing so much. SO MUCH. I am so blessed to have this talent - the talent to express emotion in the purest, most natural form. There is no explanation for how I feel when I sing. All I know is that when I sing, I feel. I feel everything. And I think feeling is so beautiful. It makes me feel alive. I think Georgia O'Keeffe said it best when she said,

"Singing to me has always seemed the most perfect means of expression. It is so spontaneous. After singing, I think violin. Since I cannot sing, I paint."

How lucky am I? I can sing and I have the greatest roommate ever.

And that's what Jenny thinks.

Out Loud

All of the knowledge inside your mind, heart, and soul is confirmed as undeniable truth when you say it out loud. An awesome experience today told me so.

And that's what Jenny thinks.

10,000 Lakes

One of my new favorite songs is 10,000 lakes by Ryan Shupe. My favorite line is this:

"Give me eyes to see. To perceive, to believe, to imagine the possibility. The possibilities."

We are all guilty of complaining about our unknown futures. Don't deny it. But there is no reason to complain, really. There are thousands, millions of possibilities. Each of them better than the next. Every day has possibilities that we can't even imagine. We are blessed with the freedom to choose - to choose which possibility becomes reality. What God has in store for each of us is an astounding mystery that I can't wait to discover.

So, please, please, give me eyes to see, to perceive, to believe, to imagine the possibilities.

And that's what Jenny thinks.