Amazed

You are never gonna guess who I got to meet today?

The one and only Stephanie Nielson.

And it was incredible. Life changing.

She came to the College of Nursing's Professionalism Conference. She told us about how she loves nurses, how they are her sisters, how they made the difference for her.

She told us how the nurses showed her love and gave her hope. How they told her mother the truth, but then gave her mother hope. She told us how the nurses pushed her and challenged her.

I cried. The whole time.

Afterwards, I got to hug her. And tell her how incredible I think she is. I got to thank her for sharing her story, for being an inspiration. (Something I have wanted to do for a long time now.)

She has such grace, beauty, strength, and humility. I am amazed by her.

And then....

At the end of our conference Paul Cardall spoke to us.

Paul Cardall is a four time billboard chart pianst. But he was also born with a congential heart defect. He survived 36 years with only half a heart. And then his heart started to fail him. He waited for over a year for a new heart. And on September 9, 2009 he got it! The doctors weren't sure if he would even survive surgery. But he did. Then they said he would spend 4 months in the hospital. He spent 2 weeks.

His story was incredible. His strength and determination were inspirational.

I am amazed by him.

As I went running tonight I thought about how grateful I am for people like Stephanie and Paul. And how grateful I am for my body, for my heart, for my lungs, and for the ability to run.

Just The Beginning

I want it to be May 1st. I wanna be in Ghana.

I had a meeting yesterday that made it seem so much more real. It got me really excited. And I'm so ready to be there and serving and working and seeing and taking everything in. I can't wait to see everything and hear everything and touch everything and taste everything and smell everything and fell everything. And take it all in.

I already love the people.

It's already starting to change my life.

I can't wait.

Still Running

My half marathon training is coming along. Very slowly. But surely I guess. It gets kind of discouraging sometimes, but somehow I'm still running.

This is what my legs look like after I run-I had shin splints for awhile, but I got a cold and stopped running for about week and the rest seemed to cure them. At least so far.

I have to admit though, I really do not like running. It takes about every ounce of motivation I have to get me to go everyday. I did not get the gene for a love of running from my mother. But, like I said, somehow I'm still running. It's a mystery. And a miracle.

But I also have to admit I feel really good after I'm done.

If I ever make it to this half marathon I'm pretty sure it will be the hardest thing I've ever done. And I know that will be extremely satisfying. Maybe that's where my motivation comes from.

Happy running!

Real Love

Happy Valentine's Day!

I hope you have enjoyed this day. Even if you don't have a 'significant other' you still have people you love and people who love you. I hope you are able to celebrate them today!

Here are some quotes from some pretty amazing people about love.

How do you show your love? President Monson gives some excellent advice here.

And one of my favorite Mormon Messages:

"Never let a problem to be solved become more important then a person to be loved."

And here's a song for all those like me today :)

Happy lover's day from me to you!

THE Mom

It's my mommy's birthday!

This woman is incredible. I love her. A lot.

She's turning 49. So in honor of that. Here's 49 reasons why she is the best mom and my hero.

(this is no particular order)

1. She gave birth to me. I'm learning more and more this semester how incredible that really was. Especially because I was 10 pounds 7 ounces.

2. She raised me to be stubborn and proud. Just like her.

3. My mom is the biggest and craziest Utah football fan you will find.

4. She taught me how to be a Utah football fan.

5. My mom has run 10 marathons and counting.

6. She spends her days teaching teenagers Algebra.

7. One time she got lost....okay maybe more than once. It keeps her humble.

8. She loves her children unconditionally. No matter how many times we say or do stupid things she still loves us the same if not more.

9. She is a selfless server of everyone around her.

10. I can make her laugh at herself.

11. She's a big Jazz fan.

12. We can cheer for different teams, like during the super bowl yesterday, and still say I love you afterwards.

13. She has this obsession with a dog. It's kinda cute.

14. She has this incredible testimony that continues to amaze me.

15. I love calling her when I've had a bad day.

16. I love calling her when I've had a great day.

17. She helps me solve my problems.

18. She lets me take her jeep at 5 AM when my car gets towed.

19. She always believes in me and my dreams. Even if my dreams change on a daily basis.

20. My mom is my biggest fan.

21. My mom has a fantasy football and basketball team. And she wins.

22. She'll spend 100 bucks to go to Reba and George Straight with me.

23. She supports me in all that I do.

24. My mom listens to Rush.

25. She drives a Jeep with a big U on the tire.

26. She had three kids with no epidural.

27. This one time we got our picture taken together and we just laughed the whole time.

28. My mom went to college with three kids.

29. She always stands up for what is right.

30. My mom has an opinion and she's not afraid to voice it.

31. I'm learning how to take care of her when she gets old, cause I see how she takes care of her mom.

32. I could watch Criminal Minds with her for 24 hours straight.

33. She records everything on tv with VCR tapes.

34. She drinks diet coke like it's her life line.

35. When I go shopping with her she pays for everything.

36. My mom is a pretty good driver, except for that one time she almost got me killed turning on a red light.

37. She is the best person to have gospel talks with.

38. I can tease her and she usually doesn't get mad.

39. She's proud of me.

40. She always has to pee.

41. My mom spoils her grandkids. There isn't anything she wouldn't give them.

42. My nephews love her so much. They cry when they have to leave my parents house or even just their presence.

43. My mom could totally beat your mom up. She is so buff!

44. She lets me steal toilet paper from her.

45. I wouldn't live with Kristen if it weren't for my mom.

46. She cried when I moved 5 minutes from home.

47. She always believed I would get into the nursing program even when I didn't believe it.

48. I used to sing "bad mommy, bad mommy, watcha gonna do, watcha gonna do when they come for you." (to the COPS theme song) Then one time the cops did come and I hid under the bed cause I didn't want them to take my mommy.

49. I will always be her baby doll.

My mom is my hero. Happy Birthday Mamma! I love you!

The Good Stuff

I'm sure many of you have seen this video. But watch it again anyway. We all need some inspiration.

Some Sunday inspiration for us all:

Therapy

Playlists. I love making playlists. You know on itunes? It's the best.

I think it's become a type of therapy for me. And then I listen to the playlist for a few weeks over and over and over again.

It's therapeutic.

What's your therapy?

I'm Not Getting Sick

So I've been fighting getting sick since Sunday.

Today it got bad enough that I thought I might have the flu. I drove out to work and had them do a flu test. That nasal swab is awful!

Anyway, no flu! Hooray!

But I'm determined to not be sick. I kept telling myself I'm healthy, I'm healthy, I'm healthy, I'm healthy.

I don't think it's working.....