oh the pain

hanging out on the train, on my way home from Laguna.

    My summer was a blast! (too short, but still alot of fun) I went to Utah to visit McCall, Laguna Beach to hang out with Hailey, and San Fran to spend some time by myself. All trips taken by train, thanks to Dad for having the coolest job around :) I started beauty college in Citrus Heights and I absolutely LOVE it! The only thing that kills me is the hours: Tuesday-Saturday from 8am-5pm. Crazy! I have been there for six weeks now. I can not believe it has been that long, time flys when you are productive. ha! I have met some great girls (and guys) there and love them to death. We are constantly laughing! I will be on the floor this Saturday and finally be working on clients...no more mannequins! I am nervous, none the less, extremely anxious!

    My theme for the past couple months has been: pain. Unfortunately, I have had a couple events with pain involved...physical and emotional. 

   So one summer night I was hanging out with some dare devil boys who wanted to go longboarding and of course, I had to fit in and do it also. As I was going down the hill and picking up speed, speed wobble kicks in and I completely fall and roll off on the pavement and get scratches all over...both knees, left hip, left elbow, both hands, both shoulders, and to top it all off my face. So I missed two days of school (which is not good at all, because of me still being in freshmen class at the time therefore learning something new everyday an getting behind). So I could barley walk around and keep the pain off my mind. I honestly don't ever remembering getting this banged up and having to put so many bandages on. The most painful part was when Mom would have to clean out the wounds, I just had to sit there and cry out the pain while Dad held my hands and tried to cam me down. But thankfully, I have healed up really well and been able to get back to the pase of school and not get far behind. Of course, right when I am able to get around with out wearing band-aids everywhere...I got hurt again. I went sail boating with Dad and when we were pulling into the dock, my foot got stuck in between the dock and the boat and I have a fat scratch on my right foot. So for the next couple days I was not able to wear my shoe normal and had to slide around school. ha! So now I am sitting here with an ice pack on my foot cause of course,  my foot is infected. It is completely swollen and red. I went to the doctor and got some antibiotics so hopefully the infection will die soon and I can finally be band-aid free!
    

     I am so happy at where I am right now in life and so thankful for the lessons I have learned in the past couple months. I have been able to get alot of time to myself and grow as an individual immensely. I was listening to a talk the other day from general conference and I just love this: 

As Elder Dallin H. Oaks has taught: “Healing blessings come in many ways, each suited to our individual needs, as known to Him who loves us best. Sometimes a ‘healing’ cures our illness or lifts our burden. But sometimes we are ‘healed’ by being given strength or understanding or patience to bear the burdens placed upon us.” All that will come may be “clasped in the arms of Jesus.”All souls can be healed by His power. All pain can be soothed. In Him, we can “find rest unto [our] souls.” Our mortal circumstances may not immediately change, but our pain, worry, suffering, and fear can be swallowed up in His peace and healing balm.