A Champion.

Cham.pi.on: n/  A person who has surpassed or defeated all rivals in a competition
De.feat: v/ Overcome or beat
O.ver.come: v/ Succeeded in dealing with
Suc.ceed: v/ Achieve for what one aims for
A.chieve: v/ Reach or attain by Effort, Skill, and Courage

So my question.. What is a Champion?  The first reaction to this phrase is a person who has defeated, overcame and succeeded above the rest.  But just as that champion, those he overcame put forth effort, had the skill and developed the courage to take on the challenge.  They are the champions I have respect for tonight.  

Champions.  We all have been on the top at some point in our lives and how great it is.  All the hard work seems to pay off and be worth it.  I am sure just as we have all felt that glory on our shoulders, we have all felt the discouragement of defeat.  The tears that come to our eyes as we ask ourselves, "Was there anything else I could have done?"  I want to remind you, that you are a champion.

I have been that champion.  The tears streaming down and hitting the floor as I walked to the locker room with my head down.  The champion that came in less then expected.  The champion that came in third even though my heart yearned for first.  I am a champion.  

Every champion was once a contender that refused to give up.  Every person, every champion has felt defeat.  But it is what we do with that defeat that determines the champion we really are.  This is the story of a girl who knows defeat.  A story of a girl who respects those forgotten champions.  The story of a girl who refuses to give up.  The girl who is a champion  For this is just a glimpse of what is to come.  The journey is to be enjoyed not endured. 


A champion.  What a journey it is.

This is the champion I have respect for tonight. As I watched this kid, I was reminded much of myself.  Though I didn't make a buzzer beater to get into the championship or average double digits, I felt defeat as I walked off the court.  He is a champion.  He put forth the effort, has mad skills, and had the courage to lead his team to a second place title after not being there for fourteen years.  What a journey and so much more to come for this kid!  

Colby Caldwell: A True Champion.

The universal language.

sonreír.  glimlag.  微笑.  lächeln.  sorriso.  미소.  uśmiech.  sorrir.  gülümseme.  

smile.
Each of these characters say the same thing.  Though they seem very different in the way they are presented, they all produce the same results.  The one language that speaks for itself. A way to say a thousand words without saying anything at all! What makes this expression so universal?  We all smile in the same language.  This simple act of pulling the corners of our mouths up towards our eyes is so significant in the rush of this everyday world.  I am so blessed to be reminded of this wonderful ability to be happy... to smile.  If you are finding it hard to smile, try making someone else smile.  Give a compliment, crack a joke and allow yourself to be HAPPY!  So if you need a little pick-me-up, try smiling.  Being the quote girl I am, these ones made the list! :)

And now for the grand event!  The video that changed my whole outlook on life!  The one and only: Validation! (It's long, but worth it)

So, this is the story of a girl.  The story of a girl who is surrounded by smiles, happiness and laughter. The story of a girl who is blessed to have so many wonderful people in her life that allow her to smile.  The story of a girl who is going to try a little hard to be a little happier.  The story of a girl who is going to smile more.. because it is the best curve she has!! The story of this girl!

His Will.

This says it all.

I know that God breaks us down, so he can build us up.  God is a God of kindness and happiness.  He breaks us down because he knows what is going to bring us true happiness.  He breaks us down so we will rely on him, so we can come unto him.  Our part in this process is trusting in his will.  This is the story of a girl who has been influenced by this principle.  The story of a girl who relies on the Lord to break her down so he can build her up.  This is my story, but he is helping me write it day by day.  May the Lord break you down... to build you up.

When You Say Nothin at All

Words are powerful. 

As a child, I would use the phrase, "Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me."  I would say this to convince myself that the hurtful words didn't affect me, but that is far from the truth.  Words have the power to hurt. But words also have the power to inspire.  Being the quote girl that I am, I tend to look for quotes that connect and motivate me.  For instance, "Life is like photography, we develop from the negatives." Words, when arranged in such a way... are beautiful to my ears.  Words have the power to inspire.

Words, the foundation of our language.  They can be used for good and evil.  They are powerful to the fragile beings that we are.  But what if there wasn't any words.  Sometimes the most powerful moments are when there isn't anything to say.  When a person loses their words and becomes: Speechless...

Today I heard this song and realized that:  Yes words are power, but Silence takes over when there isn't any words.  

This is the story of a girl, who has said the wrong thing at the wrong time.  The story of a girl who has been hurt by words but also lifted up by them.  The story of a girl who has been speechless over and over again.  This girl who is inspired to talk a little less and act a little more.

"In the End, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends. "

-Martin Luther King Jr.

How you see...

When I saw this, I immediately smiled... And this is why-

1) The message:  I will be the first to say that I have not always seen myself as I do now.  I believe that there is so much power in this principle because what you see, is what you radiate on the outside.  I used to walk down the hallway at school and admire someone for their confidence...I longed to have what they had.  How you see yourself... That is power.  I have learned and have a testimony that everyone is of worth and we all have a purpose.  We have the power to dream.. and DREAM BIG!  I challenge those that don't like what they see.. to change...  I did!  I am not talking about physical features by any means, but I am talking about how you see.. YOU.  Do what makes you happy.  Dance, Sing... Do what makes you.. You.  According to Dr. Seuss, "Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You".  So be happy, take risks, find something that inspires you... to be you.  

2) Old people have a special place in my heart.  I think they are so strong! They have so much to express and teach because they have done it all!  I find myself looking for opportunities to talk to older people.  I like to learn about what they did when they were teenagers.. what they did for fun.  I admire their love stories and learn from their mistakes... Their wisdom radiates.  I believe that old people are so dear to me, because I have had amazing grandparents who have changed my life.  I remember as a little girl sitting in church with my Grandpa Wendell and he would giving us horse rides on his knee.  I remember going to my Grandma Roa's for cake and ice cream on birthdays.  I remember sleeping over at my Grandma RueLeen's house every Friday night and then watching Saturday Morning cartoons.  I cherish these memories!  But more then that, I cherish talking to them.. and listening to them.  As you can see, I only mentioned three grandparents.  My Grandpa Fred died at a very young age... I wasn't even born yet.  Even though I may not know him in this life,  I know that I was with him before I came to Earth.  I know that he was a hard worker and was always cracking jokes!  I can't wait until I get to reunite with him and get to know him personally.  I know that everyone has a special place in their hearts for their grandparents..  I not only admire my grandparents, but every old person that I come in contact with.  This summer, I had the opportunity to meet an amazing lady.  She had so much to live for being at the age of 103.  I admired her strength and humor!  According to her "This is the story of my life".. She is an amazing woman with an amazing story.  Just as her story impacted me, I hope that my story can one day impact those younger generations.

This is the story of a girl who loves herself for who she is and who she is growing to be.  This is the story of a girl who is going to chase after her dreams.  This is the story of a girl who has had her life touched by amazing people, and she hopes to become like them someday.  This is the story of a girl that prays for those who don't like what they see, to change.  This is my story.. 

Grandma RueLeen 

Grandma Roa and Grandpa Wendell

The Love Song.

As many of you know, I am spending the next couple months of my life up in the land Far Far Away, Logan.  My first impressions when I moved up here was (1) how friendly the community was and (2) how great the water tastes.  I decided to make the transition smoother by taking a Freshman Class called Connections.  Connections is designed to introduce the new-be's to the campus and college life.  To be 100% honest, I really didn't care for the class.  It wasn't that I didn't learn a lot, it was just really long (6 hours a day for 4 days).  Another honesty note:  I was extremely homesick the second night I was up here.  After a nice dinner with my lovely mother and a late night phone call, I knew that I would be okay.  Being up here hasn't been easy, but I can already feel the growth in myself.  That morning on my way to Connections, I decided to take the famous, "Aggie Shuttle".  This was exactly what I needed at that moment of this transition.

As I stood in line among other Freshman Aggies, I could see the shuttle coming in the distance.  Many things went through my head as I stood there.  I wondered who I would sit by.  I wondered what we would do that day in class.  My mind simply "wondered".  As the bus pulled up to the sidewalk and the door opened, the first thing I saw was an older man with white hair, black thick glasses and a button nose.  He greeted me with a simple but powerful, "Good Morning."  This is where my mind took a trip.. it "wondered" into a vision of an old man and his wife.

On that day, I don't remember who I sat by.. or even the route we took.  I only remember the joy I felt when I opened my ears to the sound of an old love song.  I could hear the old guy sing along and we proceeded to pick up students.  This is when my mind took a journey into the life of this man.  I imagined him singing to his wife as they dance hand in hand.  I imagined Christmas and a Turkey dinner.  I imagined a love story full of laughter and love.  I imagined them younger and falling in love.  I imagined him picking a flower for her as they held hands in the park.  I imagined an etermal companionship and true happiness.

If someone was watching me that day on the bus, they would have seen my countenance change.  Every time I hear a love story or see  a couple in love, I feel a warmth inside of my heart.  This warmth had the power to change my outlook that day.  I often catch myself thinking about that day on the shuttle.  This experience may not have had an effect on another person as it did on me.  All I know is that I imagine me old with my husband.  I imagine us dancing together in the kitchen and holding hands in the park.  I imagine an eternal love full of laughter and service.  I imagine a love song... and a love story in the making.  This is the story of a girl who hopes there truly is a love story for the shuttle driver.  The story of this girl who longs for her love story to progress into a marvelous fairytale.

This is a good way to picture the Shuttle Driver :)

A Summer to Remember.

School is about to start.  It is crazy how fast it came!  I have noticed that as I have gotten older, my summers all just run together.  When people ask me what I have done this summer I usually respond with the regular, "working my life away."  :)  I do work- but I love my job!! Confession.. I have played this summer too!  If you would like to join me, I am going to give you a taste of a chapter the story of a girl- A Summer to Remember 2012.

A Summer that changed my life with the amazing people and experiences!  I maybe moving on to a new part of my life, but I will cherish this time of it.. forever.