Shanoah Lauren

Last week was practically perfect in every way. And saying that I feel like I need to follow it up with some extravagant story of how awesome my life is. Of some big event or some crazy adventure that I had. But honestly, on paper, last week was so mundane. I did what I do every week; school, work, Seven Peaks.

But what made last week so amazing and worthy of saying “Practically Perfect in Every Way” was in those small and most ordinary moments. Like on last Wednesday night, Mariah and I were just riding around and decided to ride this path by the Provo River (I’m not even sure if that’s what the water is called… But it was pretty and it goes right through Provo… So…) and we rode by this painted wall. And it was such a small little treasure, but I loved it probably more than normal people would. And then later that night, we rode over to Jerad’s. We watched Think Like A Man and then played Call of Duty. And I actually ended up taking a practice exam for my summer class that I’m currently taking. And those are things that we do all the time. But for some reason, at the end of the night as I wrote in my gratitude journal, my life just seemed so utterly perfect. I felt on top of the world.

Another time I felt like I was on cloud nine and nothing could bring me down was on the Fourth of July. And it was easily the best Fourth of July ever. But not because we did anything extraordinary. We did what we do every weekend, Seven Peaks all day and a BBQ. The only thing that was out of the ordinary was fireworks. I had my camera with me almost all day. And I was just capturing the fun we always have with each other; the jam sessions, the meals we have, and the ridiculous things we do. But as we drove up to the base of the mountains, just above where a couple of my friends live, to watch fireworks, the lighting got really bad for both pictures and videos and so I had to put the camera down. And it was in those moments that I realized the true beauty of this life I live.

All we did in those moments that I couldn’t quite capture with a lens was watch the fireworks all over Utah Valley and sing along to Roy as he played the guitar. And it was so simple. And it was so perfect. And I felt like my heart could burst for the gratitude that I felt in that moment. That there are moments that I will never be able to quite capture. I will never capture them through my lens, or even with my words. And those moments are truly the most beautiful moments.

I was telling my mom about these moments that I have experienced as we had our weekly chat the other day and she told me that she was happy for me because it was in those moments that I was experiencing the most pure forms of happiness that humans can experience. I come across pictures, quotes, saying, videos, loads of things as I scroll through various social networks, and I am constantly reminded of what true happiness is. It is not having everything you want–a job, a car, the latest phone, etc.. While those things are nice, they are not the defining of happiness. And I was reminded of that this week. True happiness is when you have something so ordinary and yet, you have never felt happier. And I had the blessing of experiencing happiness in it’s truest form.

What a beautiful Sunday yesterday was. From the meaning of the day, to what I did, to the weather. It was practically perfect in every way.

Sunday’s are the best. I know that I’ve already said that about a thousand times, but I truly love them. With finals being this week and me still having 5 finals to take, I was definitely  tempted to study all day yesterday. But I decided to keep my goal of no homework on Sunday’s. It took a lot to do that though… 

Anyhows, so yesterday morning I had the opportunity to go to one of my first friend’s at BYU’s farewell talk (wow, I probably butchered the grammar on that sentence… Forgive me). It was such an amazing sacrament meeting. The whole time that she was giving her talk, I was just thinking “Dang. This girl is going to be a killer missionary. Hungary is so lucky to have her.” Her talk reminded me of the meaning of Easter. And also, the girl after her. Her talk was amazing. The spirit was so strong between those two. I do want to share a quote with you from sacrament meeting. It might be my favorite (and longest) quote ever:

“Well, my dear sisters, the gospel is the good news that can free us from guilt. We know that Jesus experienced the totality of mortal existence in Gethsemane. It’s our faith that he experienced everything- absolutely everything. Sometimes we don’t think through the implications of that belief. We talk in great generalities about the sins of all humankind, about the suffering of the entire human family. But we don’t experience pain in generalities. We experience it individually. That means he knows what it felt like when your mother died of cancer- how it was for your mother, how it still is for you. He knows what it felt like to lose the student body election. He knows that moment when the brakes locked and the car started to skid. He experienced the slave ship sailing from Ghana toward Virginia. He experienced the gas chambers at Dachau. He experienced Napalm in Vietnam. He knows about drug addiction and alcoholism.
Let me go further. There is nothing you have experienced as a woman that he does not also know and recognize. On a profound level, he understands the hunger to hold your baby that sustains you through pregnancy. He understands both the physical pain of giving birth and the immense joy. He knows about PMS and cramps and menopause. He understands about rape and infertility and abortion. His last recorded words to his disciples were, “And, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” (Matthew 28:20) He understands your mother-pain when your five-year-old leaves for kindergarten, when a bully picks on your fifth-grader, when your daughter calls to say that the new baby has Down syndrome. He knows your mother-rage when a trusted babysitter sexually abuses your two-year-old, when someone gives your thirteen-year-old drugs, when someone seduces your seventeen-year-old. He knows the pain you live with when you come home to a quiet apartment where the only children are visitors, when you hear that your former husband and his new wife were sealed in the temple last week, when your fiftieth wedding anniversary rolls around and your husband has been dead for two years. He knows all that. He’s been there. He’s been lower than all that. He’s not waiting for us to be perfect. Perfect people don’t need a Savior. He came to save his people in their imperfections. He is the Lord of the living, and the living make mistakes. He’s not embarrassed by us, angry at us, or shocked. He wants us in our brokenness, in our unhappiness, in our guilt and our grief.
You know that people who live above a certain latitude and experience very long winter nights can become depressed and even suicidal, because something in our bodies requires whole spectrum light for a certain number of hours a day. Our spiritual requirement for light is just as desperate and as deep as our physical need for light. Jesus is the light of the world. We know that this world is a dark place sometimes, but we need not walk in darkness. The people who sit in darkness have seen a great light, and the people who walk in darkness can have a bright companion. We need him, and He is ready to come to us, if we’ll open the door and let him.”- Chieko N. Okazaki

I know that that quote was directed towards woman, but I think it can apply to everyone. Especially the part where it talks about how we sometimes generalize the atonement, but we do not experience hardships and trials as generalizations. I love that part. We all go through different experiences, and even when our situations are similar, the way the we react and actually experience the trial is different from individual to individual. And Jesus suffered for each individual, not for general situations. I love that.

^^These girls. Been there from the start. We’re going to miss you Emma!^^

Then, in order to fight the temptation to study, I went to Bryce’s apartment. I wrote a couple of missionaries and took a nap. It was glorious. It’s crazy how quickly time passes on Sunday. Because all of a sudden it was about 5 o’clock and we haven’t done any “Easter” activities yet. So, we decided to go to our apartment, dye eggs, and then make those eggs Deviled Eggs. That was the best decision we made all day. Our eggs turned out so cute. I even made an egg with our “Sunday Group” on it. 

 

^^ Ethan is the only one with shoes on, Bryce has his blue Dunder Mifflin shirt on, Sydney has brown hair, Shaun has a green shirt on, Tess has her “Red Hair,” and can you guess which one was me?^^

I love Sunday’s. And it truly makes me sad that we are all going separate ways for this summer… I’m going to miss our regular Sunday group, but I’m happy that everyone is just leaving for a summer and that they’ll be back before I know it. I never want to forget the lazy Sunday afternoons and that one perfect Easter full of naps, letters, laughs, walks, and some delicious Deviled Eggs.

 

I have greatly been anticipating this post for the last couple of days. As soon as I finish editing my videos and upload them, I am always just itching to share them, but we were supposed to have a “Video Release” party last night (which only the native’s and 3 other people showed up to…. Cool) and I didn’t want to ruin the amazing-ness of our video before the party.

So here is my official release. In the midst of finals, we get together and this video hardly does justice to how down we get. I love this group of people so much. They truly are my family away from home. So enjoy our ridiculous dance moves and you’re welcome for the 9 minutes of entertainment I added to your day (insert kissy emoji here).

^^ If you want something to seriously laugh about in this video, watch me at 2:47 and then watch Mariah at 2:50… I still can’t stop laughing. ^^

So, I realized that I have been the literal worst at blogging. This whole semester. I have been the worst at checking the blogs that I follow as well as being the worst at keeping my own blog up to date. And usually when I do blog, I dump a ton of pictures on you and vaguely explain all the happenings of the past X amount of time real quick. That stops now.

This semester has been one for the books… Full of some of the highest highs and the lowest lows. There have been so many laughs and cries, so many victories and great defeats, and some wandering. Being frank, I was a little numb towards life. Things weren’t awesome, but they weren’t terrible. They just were. And that’s how I spent most of this semester. In this weird Limbo of life. And I tried doing so many things to get myself out of that weird area. I tried hanging out with friends more instead of isolating myself and I tried sleep more; I tried almost everything. 

And as I was trying to figure out the difference between this semester and last semester–why I could go from so happy to so bleh and be stuck there– I just couldn’t figure it out. I was still working in the same place, still not going on dates, still in Living Legends. Everything was so the same. But then it hit me like a ton of bricks that the utmost important difference between the two semesters was my scripture study and my daily prayers. I had forgotten my the importance and strength of my relationship with God. And when I would remember that I hadn’t read my scriptures that day, I would be “too tired” to possibly take 5 minutes to read one chapter of the Book of Mormon. So I started picking it up again. I started reading one chapter a day as well as listen to one conference talk a day. I started making time to write in my gratitude journal instead of just getting 7 extra more minutes of sleep. And honestly, it has made all the difference.

I have seen myself go from the lowest point of my life (which was utterly pathetic and I look back and lol at myself now) to honestly in one of the happiest states of my life. In just weeks. 

When I started this blog, I not only wanted it to be a “lifestyle” blog where I shared the happenings of my college life and something like a journal for me, but I also wanted it to be a place where I expressed my faith and openly shared what I believed in. I forgot about that purpose until I was reading through my  scriptures and saw that I had highlighted a verse that talked about going and preaching wherever we were and next to it I wrote “Make your blog this.” 

So here I am, not only promising to keep you updated more on the daily Sanasa’s, but also letting you few readers who take the time to read what I have to say that I know that this church is true. And I believe in the power of God. I believe that there is power in prayer and that each time I kneel down, or say a quick prayer in my head as I walk to class, or even just “telecommunicate” to God, that He hears everything I say. That He knows what I go through and He knows the struggles of my life. And that He will help us, but only if we help ourselves first. I know that Christ lives. And I know that we have a true and inspired prophet on the earth this day. I know that the Book of Mormon is truly another testament of Jesus Christ and that if we study His word daily He will answer our prayers and guide us in our daily endeavors. I hate that I have to have “falling out’s” with these things to remind me of the power of prayer and scritpure, but I am so happy that I have any knowledge of God and His infinite atonement that let’s me recover and rebuild myself from these low points.

Life get’s hard sometimes, with weird times and awkward moments; such is life. But God and His word are the answers to all of prayers and the everlasting peace and joy that this life has to offer. 

Ok, so this post is a week late, but forgive me. With a finance midterm this week, it’s been the longest craziest week of life. 

Anyhows, so last week, my family got to come up! It was my first time seeing them in three months and it was much needed. They came up to watch my dance show. I was so excited and nervous all at once. They got here and we did what we normally do, we went out to eat before my show. It was so good to be with everyone again. I caught them up on all the latest (aka, school is hard and boys are sissy-nana’s and I have the best friends ever). Then it was time for me to report to duty. I was so nervous for this show because it was my “big debut” as a hoop dancer. I knew close to 30 people coming and I was so nervous. Never before had that many people come. But I went in with so many prayers for this show. Of course the show started out great because the Native girls got down to “Turn Down For What” in the wings as we were waiting for the show to start. I love those girls with everything inside of me. Before hoop, I knelt and said a huge prayer for Joel and I as we took the stage… We had put so many hours of practice into hoop and we knew we could do it, it was just a matter of actually doing it. I braced myself and took the stage…. And….. WE DID IT. One of my world’s fell apart, but I was able to do a makeshift world in a matter of like 1.5 seconds. I could not stop smiling. Best believe that when we exited the stage I jumped up and down yelling BOOOOOMMMM and saying “I did it!” I was in complete shock and awe and complete and utter daze that I actually did it. It was the best feeling ever. And I got to share that experience with my family and closest friends. I could not stop smiling for the life of me. And all of my friend’s made me feel even better about it all by their reactions when I saw them after the show. I was above and beyond cloud nine. I had never felt more loved, supported, and strong friendship in those moments. It was the best night of my life to this day. Then my family and I headed to the always good Roll Up Cafe for some dessert. It was such a perfect night. When I think about it, I still smile with the most overwhelming feelings of gratitude.

On Friday, I took the day off, slept in and prepared myself for a long, but great day with my family. We rented a puppy. Last year when my sister visited, that’s all she wanted to do, but unfortunately, all the spots were full and we weren’t able to, but this year, I was prepared and reserved a puppy a week in advance and we had the greatest time. The little stinker peed on my floor, but with a face like he had, how could I get mad? We took him on a walk and watched as he terrified some ducks (which was hilarious to say the least) and then we headed back home to return him. It was so cute and so fun. Then we went to the ever famous Slab Pizza. If you haven’t been, go. It’s so delicious. After that, my mom and dad went to go shopping and get stuff for dinner and my brother, sister, and I just walked around campus. I gave Cheese the grand tour and it was great. Then we headed home to get dinner ready. I was having some of my closest friends from my ward and from last year over for dinner. And my mom made navajo taco’s. To say they were delectable is an understatement. They were so good and I sure missed my mother’s cooking. I love showing my friends to my family and my family to my friends. We had such a great time. Then, my family and I headed to campus to go to the Pow Wow. I love Pow Wow. I love watching the dances and the cool foot work, I love seeing the beautiful and flawless regalia, I love buying some cool jewelry, I just love it all. Then we called it a night, went home (and by home, I mean my uncle’s house), watched an episode of Chopped and called it a night.On Saturday, we woke up at the crack of 9 AM and got to getting ready. We enjoyed a lovely breakfast of eggs, toast, and loads of bacon with my uncle and aunt. It was actually a really great breakfast. One of the best parts was that as we all slowly started filtering in from downstairs, we were all wearing black shirts and jeans. Great minds think alike. We then headed off to Kaysville to go visit my grandma and grandpa. It was so great to see them. It has been months since I’ve seen them, but I just love visiting them. I love going with my family as well because we just tell stories about all the fun we had as kids visiting the Wellings. We talked, caught up on life, performed for them, and then said our goodbye’s. A short, but great trip. Then we went to Salt Lake for a couple of hours to shop. It was some good therapy that I needed. Retail therapy, it’s a real and a dangerous thing. But luckily, I didn’t go too overboard. After a couple of hours at City Creek, we headed back to Provo to have dinner with my family. It was such a great dinner. We even played a super fun game afterwards called Tenzie’s. If you’ve never heard of it, I highly recommend it. Such a great night. After that, Aubrey, Michael and I went to Laser Assault for a good ol’ game of Laser Tag with the Native’s. It was a ton of fun and we DOMINATED. And what would a night out with the Native’s be without going to get something to eat? We had some good ol’ McDonald’s and some good laughs, and then called it a night. But Aubrey and I weren’t done. After dropping Michael off, we headed back to go hang out with my friends in my ward. She wanted me to dye her hair before they left the next morning, so when it hit 1 AM, we figured we should probably get started. Tessley spent the night that night, so she came over and talked with us and we filmed a project for one of my classes. It was a great night.

The next morning, we got up bright and early to pack the car up and head to church. I was very happy to have my family by my side during church. And while they didn’t get to stay the full three hours, I was happy to spent just a couple more hours with them.

Family is the best. I have been reminded so many times over again about how amazing my family is. We are highly dysfunctional, but they are my best friends and my eternal Ohana and I wouldn’t trade them for the world. That weekend and seeing my family was exactly what I needed after three months of one of my hardest semester’s ever. I miss them so much, but I can’t wait to see them in just a few weeks now.

 

 

What an amazing weekend. Like I can write and write, but I just don’t know if I’ll ever be able to relate the exact perfection this weekend had.

I’m going to start with Thursday. While Thursday is by no means the start of my weekend, it was such a great night. After a long day of work and classes, I met up with Mariah, Hannah, and Josh to get some food. I was expecting dinner to just be like an hour long, but no, we spent 4 hours together. We just talked and talked and laughed our heads off. I was in the off-est, but greatest of moods. I honestly just love our little group. We have the greatest times together.

On Friday night, we went to Salt Lake to celebrate our dear friend Grant’s birthday. It was so good! We went to this pizza place and it was good. Granted, I only had crust and the pieces of pineapple that fell off the pizza, but it was DUH-VINE. Seriously. I can only imagine what the whole pizza tasted like. (PS: I only had the crust because I’m questionably lactose intolerant, but that’s another story). And while there was nothing extraordinary about this night, this night was so nice and so good.

On Saturday I had early morning rehearsal and it went great. We ended on a perfect run through of hoop and Janielle was so happy (Hallelujah!). After a couple hours of homework, I went to the rugby game with Mariah. My rugby slash sports fantasy almost came true…. There was almost a fight on the field! One of the UVU players punched one of our guys in the face (Oh heeeeckkkkk no). It was crazy and intense. But awesome. After that, I did homework for just a little while longer and then it was time to get ready for the Academy Awards. My ward was hosting an “Academy Awards” event. Our FHE families made movies, and we got together to watch them, vote for our favorite, drink mocktails, and be classy as hoot. Honestly, I was looking more forward to that event than I ever was to any high school dance! Straight up. Syd and I got down to some good ol’ Avril Lavigne, Baha Men, and Lil John as we got ready. And let me say, we were looking fresh to death. I’m sure I will never be looking that good again until my wedding day! Serious. Then we went to the event. Everyone was looking so good! And we watched some great videos with some hilarious moments in them. We partook of some divine mocktails. And we won some Awards. It was so great. 

<p><a href=”http://vimeo.com/89888128″>Academy Awards</a> from <a href=”http://vimeo.com/shanoahlauren”>Shanoah Lauren</a> on <a href=”https://vimeo.com”>Vimeo</a&gt;.</p>

And what would an awards show be without an after party. Back Story: On Tuesday, while I was at work I could not stop listening to “Turn Down for What” and I knew I needed a good dancing fix. Sydney and I half jokingly but totally serious planned an after party to the Academy Awards. But on Saturday, we decided we were going to actually have it. We told a couple of our friends during the Academy Awards, but we didn’t exactly know how the turnout was going to be. And let me tell you, it was amazing. We pulled it off. In fact, it was so big, we had to take it outside. I only got a couple of shots from the after party, but best believe, it was going DOWN.

This weekend was so good. You know how you have those nights and events that you’re looking forward to, but they never live up to your expectations? Well, that was not this weekend. This weekend lived up to and far exceeded any expectations. A weekend I will not soon forget.