Life as of late

Hello hello!! 

So. I figured I would blog about my life or something. 

This past week has honestly been insane. I had 2 super crazy tests this week and about one billion things to do. So I was running on about an average of four hours of sleep a night. It is safe to say that after everything that has happened this week, I am emotionally, spiritually, and physically drained. But I survived! 

So one of my roommates Diane and I studied really hard this week. We were in the library a lot. And honestly, the library is kind of my favorite place. Ever. So naturally, we had to take unattractive pictures of ourselves while studying. 

Anatomy. It never ever EVER dies! 

This past week I've also had some super intense jam sessions with some pretty cool kiddos. 

And of course, I'm always having good times with my roommates. We've decided the motto for our room is "we keep it classy in 2204". Either that or "terrifying". 

So here's a snapshot of my SUPER attractive roommates. ;) 

Hi. This is Kirsten. She has cool hair. 

 And this is Hailey. She has a blue face.

And sometimes we stay up too late and get WAYYY too crazy.

Saturday I woke up early to take a test and then we had a ward picnic. We got to eat some yummy food, had some good company, and played some frisbee.

Kirsten and I! <3 

And, that evening, we played some games with some kids from our ward. Annnnnd may or may not have busted open a pinata. 

I am just super grateful today! I went for a run this morning could NOT have asked for a more beautiful day. Seriously. Utah is just gorgeous. The mountains, the trees, the flowers--EVERYTHING! I am grateful to be a part of this wonderful place. 

Life is beautiful. God is sooo good. Hakuna matata!

Mallory 

Start of something new

I know it seems like I've dropped off the face of the planet. But, I am in fact alive and doing well. 

This is gonna be a pretty big post. So, brace yourself. 

So after all my finals, I spent the weekend before the Spring term with my aunt and her family. We went to Moab and visited Arches National Park. I seriously have the best family in the world and I loved spending time with my adorable little cousins. 

Calvin, me, Peyton, and Kessie at Dead Horse Point

We all made it to Delicate Arch! 

My cute hiking buddies :) 

Landscape Arch

Then, I moved into my new apartment that weekend! The transition was quick and super crazy, but it worked out. 

 New bedroom! 

Our lovely living room

Yes, we do have a piano. Yes, it is the best thing ever. 

Our kitchen

On Sunday we all went to church. I actually got roped into teaching Sunday School the first week, but it was actually a lot of fun and a super good experience. Then we came home and ate our first roommate dinner. :) 

Chicken Alfredo! 

We spent the rest of the evening playing games and getting to know friends from our ward. 

The following Tuesday, I received a message from the Ward Executive Secretary--I was to meet with the Bishop that evening. I had a hunch of what that meant. Lo and behold, I was called that evening to serve as the Relief Society President of my ward. For those of you unfamiliar with this, the Relief Society is the women's organization of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that cares for the physical and spiritual needs of each of its members (check out the "What I Believe" tab above) and I was called to be the president of this group of ladies from my Bishop, who was inspired of the Lord to put me in this role. How inadequate I felt! I went upstairs and cried. I prayed that night and cried more. In fact, I cried more that week than I had in a long time. I knew this was a big responsibility that the Lord was trusting me to fulfill. I, however, accepted the call and dedicated my time to this calling. It has been a wonderful experience already. I've never been so close to the Lord. He is watching over me to ensure the necessary work for the sisters is being accomplished. He has blessed me in my time to accomplish not only all the things associated with the call, but also to do well on my school work and find sufficient time to study. I bear testimony to you that this organization is a divine one and the Lord blesses and watches over each of His beloved daughters, as well as sons. 

I can't hit on everything that happened in the past few weeks, but here is a snapshot: 

One of my very best friends entered the MTC on Wednesday, May 8 to serve as a missionary in Romania and Moldova. I was so blessed to see him and meet his family before he left. He is going to be such a wonderful missionary! 

I have had some of the best times with my roommates. I've known them like 3 weeks and I feel like its been years. I adore them all and am so so SO blessed to have them in my life! <3 

We be cute. 

Roommates who share milk together stay together! <3 

I also got to go to a bonfire with some of the kids from my ward: 

annnnnnd we did an Iron Chef competition. 

Aprons! :) 

love love LOVE her! 

Finished product!! Don't be fooled, it turned out to be GROSS. 

Well this week has been pretty boring. I had two midterms so I did a lot of studying. I'm also playing on an ultimate frisbee intramural team, so that's been a nice break from school and church stuff. 

I just can't even begin to express my gratitude for my Heavenly Father and all He has blessed me with. I seriously LOVE BYU with my whole heart. It is the best place. In the world. Better than Disney World (although, I wouldn't mind a break from school to go to Disney World...haha). I love it here. I love the campus, the teachers, the people, my program--everything is wonderful. Life is so beautiful. God is gracious and so good. 

Hakuna matata,

Mal