PACE FAMILY HALLOWEEN PARTY!

Sometime in September, I was talking to my brother, Andrew about throwing a party for our Pace cousins. We always talk about doing something like that, but it never happens because everyone is busy and nobody wants to be in charge blah blah blah. Well long story short, I decided that I was going to make it happen and I was going to go full out and host a fun Halloween party for my friends and cousins. And I did!

It was A LOT of work, a lot more than I even expected, but I was so glad I followed through and made it happen! I spent so much time and energy and effort on the invitations and decorations and I was so worried that it wouldn't pay off but it totally did. People came and brought food and stayed the whole night and just really had a good time. We hosted the party at my parents house and we told everyone that if they didn't come in costume that one would be provided for them. Most people came in costume, but there were a few people who had to dig through the dress-up chest :).

For dinner, we had potato cheese soup in bread bowls with salad and fruit and homemade rootbeer. Then we moved downstairs for munchies and a movie and a few very intense games of Mafia. It was fun! Even though we were so tired by the end, it was totally worth it to do something that got everyone together. I'm already making plans for next year......

Love, Rebecca

DON'T ASK

“Do you want to know who you are? Don't ask. Act! Action will delineate and define you.”

Thomas Jefferson

REFLECTIONS

Travel is so enlightening. I learned so many things on my happy Hawaiian honeymoon that have just completely inspired me, and I want to record them before they disappear completely.

I'll be the first to admit that I'm not a great traveler. I don't have a high tolerance for physical discomfort and I'm terrible at being spontaneous. But I'm learning. This trip helped me see what I want to be not just as a tourist, but as a traveler in the journey of life.

I want to be tougher. I want to keep going even when I'm too hot or too cold or when I'm soaking wet. I want to be happier. I want to be like "Mr. California" at the Polynesian Cultural Center (this funny little Japanese man who participated in the Tongan drum performance even though he didn't understand one word of English and just laughed at himself the whole time--sorry for the run on sentence) and keep a smile on my face no matter what's going on around me. I want to be nicer. We met so many people on in Hawaii who congratulated us and shared their advice with us and told us how beautiful we are. I love people! I want to be a better person.

I know that none of these feelings are new, but I sincerely hope they last. In this season of change and growth and uncertainty, I love knowing what I want and I really hope I can become the kind of person I want to be.

Love, Rebecca

HONEYMOON!

Cob and I took a late honeymoon to Oahu, Hawai'i last week. It was magical! We visited the North shore, Pearl Harbor, the Polynesian Cultural Center, the Honolulu temple, and tons of different beaches. Here's a few pictures:

(Sorry they're so small! Click on any you want to see enlarged.)

Love, Rebecca

GOD PARTICLES

God explodes, supernovas, and down upon the whole planet
a tender rain of him falls
on every cow, ladle, leaf, human, ax handle, swing set . . .
. . . and He wanted each of us,
and all things we touch
and are touched by,
to have a tiny piece of Him,
though we are unqualified
for even the crumb of a crumb.

God Particles, Thomas Lux

I love this poem! I can't help but feel overwhelmed by the love my Heavenly Father has for me. I am unqualified "for even the crumb of a crumb" and yet he has given me so much. I am so grateful. God is so good.

Love, Rebecca

BABY EZRA

I haven't posted in soooooooooooooo long and I'm so mad at myself! I have had SO MANY things on my mind and I kept meaning to share my thoughts here, but everything else kept getting in the way and I'm so darn picky with my words that I spend ten years editing every thing I write and before you know it, it's been weeks and weeks since I said anything at all. So today I'm determined to say what I need to say and not agonize over it forever. Here goes!

I had an experience almost a month ago that taught me the power of prayer. My brother-in-law's wife, Celeste has been pregnant for 9 months (obviously), and as she was approaching her due date, her doctor told her that she would have to be induced, because the umbilical cord had only one of two veins. Or something like that. (Sorry, I'm not a doctor or else I would give a more scientific explanation.) Celeste was disappointed and scared, because she was induced to deliver her first two children and the procedure was really painful and uncomfortable for her. The whole Peterson family decided to pray for her, not necessarily for anything specific, but just that she would be happy no matter what happened. Cob and I tried to pray every day that she would be able to deliver the baby the way she wanted to, that he would come soon, and that everything would be OK.

Then, during the first week of October, Ben (Celeste's husband) texted everyone saying that they were grateful for all our positive thinking and prayers and that the doctor agreed to let Celeste go into labor on her own! We were so thrilled. A few days later, Ben texted us again. He said that everything was still fine, but Celeste was really ready for the baby to come and we needed to use our prayers to get him here as soon as possible! That night, when Cob and I were praying, I said, "Please bless Ben and Celeste that Baby Ezra will come today..." and I almost stopped praying for a moment because I surprised myself with my request. I don't normally ask Heavenly Father for such direct, specific things, but for whatever reason, I felt like I should ask for the baby to come THAT DAY. We finished praying and went to bed.

The next morning, Cob woke me up and said, "Rebecca, LOOK!" And on his phone, there was a picture of the cutest little newborn baby you ever did see. I was incredulous. I couldn't believe it. He came! Ezra Oliver Peterson, born October 3, 2014.

I know that Baby Ezra came not just because of my prayers, but because of hundreds of other prayers that were offered on his behalf. But I also know that Heavenly Father heard MY PRAYER, and he answered it. God hears our prayers. He doesn't always send the baby right away, but he always hears us, and he always cares. I'm so grateful I was reminded of that.

I also learned that I love being an Aunt! Babies are the best.

Love, Rebecca

LIGHT/2

Doctrine & Covenants 50:21-24

21) Therefore, why is it that ye cannot understand and know, that he that receiveth the word by the Spirit of truth receiveth it as it is preached by the Spirit of truth?

22) Wherefore, he that preacheth and he that receiveth, understand one another, and both are edified and rejoice together.

23) And that which doth not edify is not of God, and is darkness.

24) That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, andcontinueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day.

GENERAL WOMEN'S MEETING

LDS Women's Conference was yesterday and it was amazing! I love hearing from women leaders, especially when they're so honest and straightforward. I especially loved Sister Neill F. Marriott's talk and found several things she discussed that related to my life. Sister Marriott focused on strengthening and sharing your spiritual light. She described an experience she had in the temple years earlier. She was pondering something sacred, and in her mind's eye she saw a proud, worldly woman who had great success but didn't attribute any of it to her Heavenly Father. She said "I don't want to be that woman, but how do I change?" I felt like she was taking words right from my heart. I know that I don't want to be selfish and ungrateful but it's so hard to change!

Sister Marriott said, "In the temple that day I learned it was only through the Atonement of Jesus Christ that my prideful nature could change and that I would be enabled to do good. I felt His love keenly, and I knew He would teach me by the Spirit and change me if I gave my heart to Him, holding back nothing. I still fight my weaknesses, but I trust in the divine help of the Atonement. This pure instruction came because I entered the holy temple, seeking relief and answers. I entered the temple burdened, and I left knowing I had an all-powerful and all-loving Savior. I was lighter and joyful because I had received His light and accepted His plan for me."

I love my Savior. I am going to make a greater effort to rely on Him more so my life can be filled with more light. I'm so grateful for the opportunity I had to watch Women's Conference so I could be reminded of my need for the gospel and my desire to live it.

Love, Rebecca

MY FAVORITE STUFF

-Laminator
-Electric blanket
-My new scriptures <3 <3 <3
-Quilt my mom made me for my wedding
-Poetry book from my parents
-Bed / Comforter
-Wedding ring
-Planner
-Original PINK sweatshirt
-Hospital waterbottle
-Kitchen table that Cob made for me while I was in mexico <3
-Magazine collection (specifically The Ensign and Real Simple)
-Furry vest

-Pink sweat pants
-Colored organizing shelves
-Wedding portrait hanging in my bedroom
-Basket under entertainment table
-Ribbon collection
-TV table
-Blue coffee table tray
-Quilt from India
-Jewelry box my dad made me
-Box that William made me
-Collection of white binders
-Christus statue
-Our new vacuum!
-3 glass jars
-Vocabulary.com app
-Highlighting pens
-Pink hole punch

-Holiday Fire DVD

-My cookbooks

-Cookie jar

-Hair straightener

Love, Rebecca

BIG

"Believe Big. The size of your success is determined by the size of your belief. Think little goals and expect little achievements. Think big goals and win big success. Remember this, too! Big ideas and big plans are often easier -- certainly no more difficult -- than small ideas and small plans."

David J. Schwartz, The Magic of Thinking Big

WE ARE UNSTOPPABLE

Last week I got the most amazing email from my favorite cousin, Peter. He is serving a mission in Sweden and he is one of the most hardworking, passionate, faithful, and expressive people I know.

He mentioned a principle he was taught in Zone Conference just a few days before. His mission president's wife, Sister Beckstrand, was a cheer coach in Utah before moving to Sweden to serve with her husband. She said several years ago she wanted to take her cheerleading team to Nationals. When she was talking to her husband about it, he said, "Honey its ok, (they needed A LOT of money to go) you've done enough for them." Sister Beckstrand replied, "I'm unstoppable." Later, Jim (her husband) went to work and she went to work on the phone. In just five days she raised 27,000 dollars and her team got to go to nationals. Three of her girls came home with gold medals. She said to the dance moms in tears, "The Lord wanted us at nationals." 

Sister Beckstrand went on and told the missionaries that one day, our children would come to us and say, "I'm the worst basketball player, I didn't make the team, I'm so worthless..." and we will have to dig deep and dig into our strengths to help them. She said her daughter called her last week and said, "I'm stressed, the car is broken, the kids are screaming and messy, the house is a mess and my husband is tired..." and she said with tears, "Britney. You're unstoppable! You're strong. You can do it." 

Peter continued his email saying, "A couple times in my life I have felt unstoppable. I feel that when I perform my concertos, I feel that when I push through my walls as I run in the mountains, finally losing those 50 lbs, as I gain the courage to ski off that cliff at Snowbird. I feel unstoppable when I contact people on the street, or knock doors. I think in my head, these people think they are holding us back by saying no, but they don't know that I'm here knocking on their door for my children. I'm being faithful and obedient so my children can be faithful and obedient. I wan't you all to know that I am unstoppable. I choose goodness, I choose light. I choose rightousness. I choose obedience to the commandments and to the covenants I have made. I choose a temple marriage. I choose an eternal family. I choose eternal happiness."

I LOVE the way Peter talks. It is hard for me to remember times when I felt unstoppable. I felt unstoppable when I danced in the musicals, when I went to India not just once but twice, when I memorized The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere, when I got accepted to the advertising program and then the creative track, when I got an awesome job as the marketing designer for a dance company, when I married Cob, when I started this blog, and every time I bear my testimony. 

The gospel makes me feel unstoppable. I'm so grateful for a loving Father in heaven who loves me and guides me every step of my journey through life. I know that if we will always rely on him, we can truly be unstoppable.

Love, Rebecca

HAPPY BIRTHDAY COB!

Sunday was Cob's birthday! It was such a great day. We woke up and went to the Ogden Temple dedication with my sister, Abby, then came back to our apartment and opened presents. I had a hard time knowing what to get for him, since we've been so blessed with wedding gifts over the last few months. I got him a chambray shirt from H&M (which I hope he wears even though he thinks it's trendy) and the game Bananagrams and a DVD player for our apartment. Nothing too exciting but fun nonetheless.

After stopping at the apartment, we drove home to Salt Lake to visit my family. When we walked in the door, everyone was wearing colorful party hats. It was hilarious. I LOVE how my family gets into silly things like that.

After dinner, we went to the Peterson's house and made dumplings and goulash for dinner. I'll be honest, it was delicious, but it gave me the worst stomach ache. I do not handle spicy foods very well! We skyped with the out-of-town Petersons and then hurried off to a musical fireside. Claire Sorensen, one of Cob's family friends, just returned from her mission and put together a musical fireside in lieu of an open house after her homecoming. It was absolutely beautiful. There is something so powerful about good music that I just love. There was nothing in particular that stood out to me, but I felt the spirit confirm the truth of each hymn as it was sung. It was a wonderful experience.

After the fireside was over we went back to my house for more cake and presents, and then we made the trek back to Provo. At Abby's request, we sung the entire soundtrack of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat from which my voice is still recovering. It was just a fun day. Cob is the best part of my life.

Happy Birthday!

Love, Rebecca

THOUGHTS AND THINGS

Random stuff about my life right now:
-I take like a 40 minute walk to school everyday and I'm learning to love it because I force myself to put my phone away and just think and pray and talk to God.
-I've been eating a lot more fruits and vegetables and it gives me energy and I feel so good.
-I drink water. Tons of water. Water is delicious!!!
-Whenever I'm feeling festive I listen to Christmas music and it makes me so happy.

-Cob's birthday was on Sunday and we went home to visit my family and when we walked in the door everyone was wearing these ridiculous party hats. Hahahaha
-On the way back to Provo that night, Cob and Abby and I sang the entire soundtrack to Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and my voice is still recovering from it.

-My electric blanket finally stopped working and I am DEVASTATED. It is my favorite material possession.
-I'm planning a halloween party for the Pace cousins and I'm literally so excited for it I can't stop thinking about it or planning for it.

Highlight of the week:
We went to a musical fireside on Sunday after having dinner with the Petersons and it was amazing. There is nothing more inspiring to me than the songs in the hymn book. With every piece that was played I felt the spirit confirm to me that the message was true. I loved the second verse of the song, "Savior, Redeemer of My Soul"

Never can I repay thee, Lord,
But I can love thee. Thy pure word,
Hath it not been my one delight,
My joy by day, my dream by night?
Then let my lips proclaim it still,
And all my life reflect thy will.

God is good. I love life. I think I might go to McDonald's after class today.

Love, Rebecca

PIED BEAUTY

GLORY be to God for dappled things—
For skies of couple-colour as a brinded cow;
For rose-moles all in stipple upon trout that swim;
Fresh-firecoal chestnut-falls; finches’ wings;
Landscape plotted and pieced—fold, fallow, and plough;
And áll trádes, their gear and tackle and trim.

All things counter, original, spare, strange;
Whatever is fickle, freckled (who knows how?)
With swift, slow; sweet, sour; adazzle, dim;
He fathers-forth whose beauty is past change:
Praise him.

Gerald Manley Hopkins

UNINSPIRED

I've been wanting to blog something for a while now, but every time I start writing, I run out of things to say. I try so hard to be happy all the time. Not just happy. I try to be good and busy and enthusiastic and spiritual and studious and a slew of other nice words. But today I am none of those things. I'm just hot and sweaty from walking around campus in 90 degree weather with my art board and computer and sweatshirt and book bag. Lalalalalalala... Why am I so opposed to using a back pack?

Oh well!

I'm going to buy myself Chick-fil-a and take a nap in the secret room of the library before I head to my last class of the week. Should be fun.

Here's to a great weekend!

Love, Rebecca

HOW TO LIVE

Push yourself to get up before the rest of the world. Start with 7am, then 6 am, then 5am. Put on a big coat and scarf and go up the nearest hill and watch the sun rise.

Push yourself to fall asleep earlier. Start with 11pm, then 10 pm, then 9pm. Wake up in the morning feeling rested and re-energized.

Get in the habit of cooking yourself beautiful food. Slice up tomatoes and top them with olive oil and fresh basil leaves. Fry an egg. Smother your toast in butter and way too much homemade jam. Sit and eat and do nothing else.

Stretch. Start by reaching for the sky as hard as you can, then try to touch your toes. Roll your head. Stretch your fingers. Stretch everything.

Find a large waterbottle. Start pushing yourself to drink the whole thing in one day, then try drinking it twice. Put lemons in your water and drink it with a straw.

Buy a beautiful diary and a beautiful black pen. Write down everything you do, including dinner dates, appointments, homework assignments, favorite foods, and things to do that day. No detail is too small.

Strip the sheets off your bed and empty your underwear drawer into the washing machine. Pour in a large cup of scented fabric softener and wash. Make your bed completely and take a nap on it.

Organize your room. Fold all your clothes and get rid of anything you don’t want. Clean your mirror and your laptop. Vacuum the floor. Light a small candle.

Take a luxurious shower with your favorite music playing. Wash your hair, scrub your face, brush your teeth. Lather your whole body with moisturizer and get familiar with your legs, then your toes, then the back of your neck.

Push yourself to go for a walk. Take your headphones, go to the beach and walk. Smile at strangers walking the other way and be surprised how many smile back. Bring a friend and enjoy their company without talking, just walking.

Reach out to old friends. Share a joke, reminisce, ask about their life. Suggest a catch up soon, even if you don’t follow through. Push yourself to follow through.

Think about what interests you. Crime? History? Romance? Find a book about that subject and read it. There is a book about everything.

Listen to good music. Turn off the radio and find an artist who really speaks to you. Wrap yourself in a blanket and listen to one song, then another, and another.

Be kind. Let cars merge into your lane when driving. Laugh and say, “It’s OK” when your waiter spills on you. Smile at babies. Compliment strangers on their clothes. Challenge yourself not to ridicule anyone for a whole day, then two days, then a week. Look people in the eye, find out who they really are. Talk to acquaintances until they become friends.

Lie down in the sun. Daydream about the what your life will look like a year from now. Open your eyes and take small steps to make it happen.

(This post was inspired by something I read on Twitter last week. I wish I could credit the source, but there was none listed.)

Have a happy week!

Love, Rebecca

THIS IS IT

“But this is what I'm finding, in glimpses and flashes: this is it. This is it, in the best possible way. That thing I'm waiting for, that adventure, that movie-score-worthy experience unfolding gracefully. This is it. Normal, daily life ticking by on our streets and sidewalks, in our houses and apartments, in our beds and at our dinner tables, in our dreams and prayers and fights and secrets - this pedestrian life is the most precious thing any of us will ever experience.”
Shauna Niequist, Cold Tangerines: Celebrating the Extraordinary Nature of 
Everyday Life

REAL LIFE IS SO GOOD

Are you tired of hearing about how much I love being married yet? Yes? I'm sorry!

I LOVE BEING MARRIED.

I can't help it! Being married is the best! But, I know how annoying girls can be when all they do is talk about their husband. So without boring you to death of the details of our relationship, I’ll tell you what happened today that reminded me how great real life is. Earlier tonight, Cob and I went to a mission reunion hosted by his first mission presidents. They are sweet and British and just absolutely lovely. He roomed with a few elders from his mission when he first got to BYU so I had met some of his companions before, but I loved meeting so many new people (especially their wives haha) and hearing stories about Slovakia and the Czech Republic.

Later that night we went to some concert at The Velor in Provo. Neither Cob nor I are very into the whole loud music and dancing scene, but we went to support a friend’s band, and we had a good time. When we got home, we realized that the next day was fast Sunday and we had NO food. So after a quick visit to my recipe board on Pinterest, we drove to Smiths. We didn’t finish shopping until about 1:00am and the whole time I just felt so happy. I told Cob on the way home, "I could not feel happier right now. I feel absolutely, completely, 100% happy."

I don't want to paint a picture of my life that isn't accurate. Cob and I are not a celebrity couple. (Even though it feels that way when everyone is so nice to us!) We're pretty typical newlyweds. We haven’t been to Europe, we don’t have a fancy camera, we don’t even eat at really expensive restaurants. We do regular things. We watch movies together, we return wedding presents, we go grocery shopping, we pay rent. We’re real people living real life. And it's not perfect, but it's really really good.

“And it came to pass that we lived after the manner of happiness."
2 Nephi 5:27

Love, Rebecca

MASTER THE TEMPEST IS RAGING

“All of us have seen some sudden storms in our lives. A few of them, though temporary like these on the Sea of Galilee, can be violent and frightening and potentially destructive. As individuals, as families, as communities, as nations, even as a church, we have had sudden squalls arise which have made us ask one way or another, “Master, carest thou not that we perish?” And one way or another we always hear in the stillness after the storm, “Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?”

We will all have some adversity in our lives. I think we can be reasonably sure of that. Some of it will have the potential to be violent and damaging and destructive. Some of it may even strain our faith in a loving God who has the power to administer relief in our behalf.

To those anxieties I think the Father of us all would say, “Why are ye so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith?” And of course that has to be faith for the whole journey, the entire experience, the fulness of our life, not simply around the bits and pieces and tempestuous moments. At the end of the journey, an end none of us can see now, we will say, “Master, the terror is over. … Linger, Oh, blessed Redeemer! Leave me alone no more.”

Howard W. Hunter

--

Master the Tempest is Raging

Master, the tempest is raging!
The billows are tossing high!
The sky is o’ershadowed with blackness.
No shelter or help is nigh.
Carest thou not that we perish?
How canst thou lie asleep
When each moment so madly is threatening
A grave in the angry deep?

Master, with anguish of spirit
I bow in my grief today.
The depths of my sad heart are troubled.
Oh, waken and save, I pray!
Torrents of sin and of anguish
Sweep o’er my sinking soul,
And I perish! I perish! dear Master.
Oh, hasten and take control!

The winds and the waves shall obey my will;
Peace, be still! Peace, be still!
Whether the wrath of the storm-tossed sea
Or demons or men or whatever it be,
No waters can swallow the ship where lies
The Master of ocean and earth and skies.
They all shall sweetly obey my will.
Peace, be still! Peace, be still!
They all shall sweetly obey my will.
Peace, peace, be still!

Master, the terror is over.
The elements sweetly rest.
Earth’s sun in the calm lake is mirrored,
And heaven’s within my breast.
Linger, Oh, blessed Redeemer!
Leave me alone no more,
And with joy I shall make the blest harbor
And rest on the blissful shore.

LIFE & LEMONS

I don't want to undermine the happiest day of my life by whining about how real life isn't as fun as getting married and sleeping in and making cookies and watching tv in bed. Being married is AMAZING. It's the best decision I have ever made.

But, reality has to set in sometime, and for me that was today. Because Cob and I didn’t really have a honeymoon (yet!), we had to go back to work the Monday after we got married. It was fine at first, but then I started to get bored. I don’t love my job and I don’t know what the end goal is for my career. I’m only mildly focused when I’m at work, and I’m super lazy and tired and unmotivated to do anything outside of work, because “working” takes up all my energy, even though I’m not doing a good job at it. It’s a terrible cycle to be caught in.

All of these frustrations were rolling around in my head today when I saw something that really struck me. There was a thread on Reddit discussing depression and anxiety and what to do when life gives you lemons. Everyone there felt completely discouraged and overwhelmed with all the “lemons" they had to deal with. I was commiserating with every comment. Life is rough. School is hard. Work is boring. The things that we hate need constant care and attention and the things that we love never seem to happen.

But then I realized something: Our existence can be totally stupid and miserable and boring and every other bad adjective we can think of.

If we let it be. IT'S OUR CHOICE!

We have the ability to make the best lemonade someone has ever tasted out of the crappiest lemons grown on planet earth. It’s our choice. We can take the lemons that life will inevitably give us and let them rot or throw them away, OR we can take a deep breath and start making some dang good lemonade! Of course this is easier said than done! It's scary to get up every morning knowing that what you’re doing isn’t fun or exciting or maybe even important. Making lemonade may be the hardest thing you’ve ever had to do, but the alternative is so much worse.

Life WILL give you lemons. Every day, for the rest of your life, you will be handed a bunch of lousy lemons that you don't want. The question is, WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO WITH THEM?

Love, Rebecca

LOVE

“Love is meant to be an adventure."

Gordon B. Hinckley

WE'RE MARRIED!

j.taylor photography

Love, Rebecca

YOUR HAPPILY EVER AFTER

My car broke down on the way to work this morning.

Again.

In the middle of the freeway.

I pretty much lost it.

WHY does this keep happening to us? Cob and I are doing everything right, we're getting married in 3 days, and yet our lives are just falling apart!

I honestly don't know if these bad things are the devil trying to keep us from getting married. It certainly seems that way. I do know that they have taught me to be more careful, more thoughtful, and more relaxed when emergencies arise. This is NOT easy for me. I am a planner and a perfectionist and I can't handle surprise parties, let alone a flat tire. I feel like I am somewhat volatile lately and it's difficult for me to see the big picture. I just have to keep reminding myself that this crazy busy season of life will pass and I will be able to breathe again. I read through President Uchtdorf's talk Your Happily Ever After in which he describes the trials characters in fairy tales had to go through to reach their destiny. His words were extremely comforting to me.

“In stories, as in life, adversity teaches us things we cannot learn otherwise. Adversity helps to develop a depth of character that comes in no other way. Our loving Heavenly Father has set us in a world filled with challenges and trials so that we, through opposition, can learn wisdom, become stronger, and experience joy.

My dear young sisters, you need to know that you will experience your own adversity. None is exempt. You will suffer, be tempted, and make mistakes. You will learn for yourself what every heroine has learned: through overcoming challenges come growth and strength.

It is your reaction to adversity, not the adversity itself, that determines how your life’s story will develop."

I am so tired of these trials. Sometimes I just burst into tears because I don't know how I can handle one more thing. But I know that there is a lesson to be learned from it. I'm learning to be grateful, to be patient, to be understanding, and to have hope for the future. Because in just a few days it will be my turn and then I can live happily ever after. Forever!!!

Love, Rebecca