Dresses.

I wear a lot of dresses. 

Like, a lot.

In fact, I wear a sundress in the summer almost every single day. 

I don't do it only for style. I wear them because: 

1. They are simpler and far less sticky than jeans. 

2. They are colorful and fun!

3. They make me feel more feminine. Which, ya know, sometimes I need. :) haha

Add some flowers,  polka dots, bows, lace, stripes and/or more colors and I am sold.

So, naturally, I am obsessed with Shabby Apple. 

There is a quick link for your convenience on the right side panel of my blog to check this awesome site out! ----------&> 
See these awesome dresses that are currently on my wish list:

Love the classic white dress with the bow!

Love the style of this. Accentuates the waist. 

Buttons!

Perfect teacher dress!

classic.

Just love the retro look. 

COMFY.

Polka Dots :)

More polka dots! Love the color. 

Love the red stripes.

Pink lace!!

Good news! They are having a summer sale, too! 

Go check out the Shabby Apple site today!

Thank you, adorable, modest fashion!

Now, who wants to buy me some of these? :)

How To Be Alone.

via

By Tanya Davis

If you are at first lonely, be patient.

If you’ve not been alone much, or if when you were, you weren’t okay with it, then just wait. You’ll find it’s fine to be alone once you’re embracing it.

We can start with the acceptable places, the bathroom, the coffee shop, the library, where you can stall and read the paper, where you can get your caffeine fix and sit and stay there. Where you can browse the stacks and smell the books; you’re not supposed to talk much anyway so it’s safe there.

There is also the gym, if you’re shy, you can hang out with yourself and mirrors, you can put headphones in.

Then there’s public transportation, because we all gotta go places.

And there’s prayer and mediation, no one will think less if your hanging with your breath seeking peace and salvation.

Start simple. Things you may have previously avoided based on your avoid being alone principles.

The lunch counter, where you will be surrounded by “chow downers”, employees who only have an hour and their spouses work across town, and they, like you, will be alone.
Resist the urge to hang out with your cell phone.

When you are comfortable with “eat lunch and run”, take yourself out for dinner; a restaurant with linen and Silverware. You’re no less an intriguing a person when you are eating solo desert and cleaning the whip cream from the dish with your finger. In fact, some people at full tables will wish they were where you were.

Go to the movies. Where it’s dark and soothing, alone in your seat amidst a fleeting community.

And then take yourself out dancing, to a club where no one knows you, stand on the outside of the floor until the lights convince you more and more and the music shows you. Dance like no one’s watching because they’re probably not. And if they are, assume it is with best human intentions. The way bodies move genuinely to beats, is after-all, gorgeous and affecting. Dance until you’re sweating. And beads of perspiration remind you of life’s best things. Down your back, like a book of blessings.

Go to the woods alone, and the trees and squirrels will watch for you. Go to an unfamiliar city, roam the streets, they are always statues to talk to, and benches made for sitting gives strangers a shared existence if only for a minute, and these moments can be so uplifting and the conversation you get in by sitting alone on benches, might of never happened had you not been there by yourself.

Society is afraid of alone though. Like lonely hearts are wasting away in basements. Like people must have problems if after awhile nobody is dating them.

But lonely is a freedom that breathes easy and weightless, and lonely is healing if you make it.

You can stand swathed by groups and mobs or hands with your partner, look both further and farther in the endless quest for company.

But no one is in your head. And by the time you translate your thoughts an essence of them maybe lost or perhaps it is just kept. Perhaps in the interest of loving oneself, perhaps all those “sappy slogans” from pre-school over to high school groaning, we’re tokens for holding the lonely at bay.

Cause if you’re happy in your head, then solitude is blessed, and alone is okay.
It’s okay if no one believes like you, all experience is unique, no one has the same synapses, can’t think like you, for this be relieved, keeps things interesting, life’s magic things in reach, and it doesn’t mean you aren’t connected, and the community is not present, just take the perspective you get from being one person in one head and feel the effects of it.

Take silence and respect it.

If you have an art that needs a practice, stop neglecting it, if your family doesn’t get you or a religious sect is not meant for you, don’t obsess about it.

You could be in an instant surrounded if you need it.

If your heart is bleeding, make the best of it.

There is heat in freezing, be a testament.


-----------------------------------------------------





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Because I Knew You, I Have Been Changed...

....For Good. 

10 points if you know what these song lyrics are from. 

Yep, you guessed it...

The Broadway Musical, WICKED!!!

 My friend, Ashley, and I had the incredible opportunity to go see this on Wednesday in Salt Lake City. We found decently priced (yea, well, "decent" is all relative) for way good seats Wednesday at 3. We left for the play at 5. Spontaneity at it's finest, people!

And it was worth every single penny that was spent.

Oh.my.goodness (you're supposed to pause at each of those periods--for those who know me, you will understand my intonation there! Ha. Dramatic pauses in between words; specific emphasis on the last word. Yea, Maria, I can hear you laughing). 

It was absolutely amazing. Chills were felt and tears were shed (I may be pathetic). I was moved on so many levels. Glinda was hilarious, Elphaba's voice was a mega power house and Fiyero was pretty cute too! 

I have many fond memories correlated with song "For Good." 

I have heard it sung beautifully at many funerals, 

I have listened to it in the car with my mom multiples times,

and I have analyzed the lyrics far too many times in my high school bedroom on the window sill. 

I saw this play when I was about 14 and that's when I fell in love with Broadway, but something about this time was different. 

I don't know what it is, but after I see a play that moves me like this, I can't stop thinking about it.

This may sound childish and naive, but it made want to be up on that stage so bad.

I dream of performing.

I, often times, feel more comfortable on a stage, than in real life.

Glinda is my all time dream role.

 I wanted to get up on that stage and make people laugh! 

One day, peeps. One day.

My favorite songs were:

 The Wizard and I (Elphaba rocked it vocally)

Popular (Glinda was freaking hilarious)

Defying Gravity (Duh...chills)

No Good Deed (Power House song! Wasn't a favorite until I saw it live)

As Long As You're Mine (Loved their blend and hellooooo sexual tension)

And of course, 

For Good (how can you not love this song?

We also hung around after the play and ran into the actors! 

It was so fun talking to them and getting to know them for a few minutes.

I am so grateful that I was able to see Wicked! 

Always a fun time. 

With Andy Kelso  (Fiyero) 

With Nicole Parker (Elphaba) and Alli Mauzey (Glinda)

We were like 5 year olds in a candy shop!

Have you seen Wicked? Did you love it?

What was your favorite song?

I have actually been decent at blogging recently.
I have had a lot to say.
You probably want to catch up on my thoughts.
A personal poem 
My "I'm not in the mood to blog, but I'll show you some funny photos" post
A quote that I'm pretty sure was written for me
My thoughts on the Colorado Shooting
The Bachelorette Finale
instagram pics and horseback riding!
OLYMPICS!!!


Oh life.
 Isn't it a funny, exciting, stressful thing?
Happy Sunday!
Here's to another week!
xoxo. 

OLYMPICS

The 2012 Summer Olympics in London have officially begun!

Yes!

I am not entirely sure why I am so enthralled by these particular Olympic games, but I am sitting here on  my couch (and may have been for a long time) still watching them. 

Note: it doesn't help that I attempted to go running at 130 this afternoon on a summer day in Utah. What am I thinking? I'm clearly not an olympic athlete. Shocking, I know. 

Than I progressed (digressed?) to a migraine. I am officially incapacitated, so the Olympics have been on all day. Either way...still completely enticed. 

My favorite sports to watch are volleyball, gymnastics and swimming (so, yea, basically all of the Olympics ha). 

I watched the entire Opening Ceremony last night, too. 

I'm not entirely sure what was happening. Was it just me or did anyone else feel like they were on drugs?

Either way, I still loved it. (I mean Voldemort AND Mary Poppins? Weird, but AWESOME. Right? No?)

It's London. They can do whatever they want. 

Here is what I tweeted last night:

in order...

@sierraainge: This opening ceremony only reminds how much I want to go to London.

@sierraainge: Is this opening ceremony real? or am I on drugs?

@sierraainge: How awkward does Kobe Bryant look while walking at this Opening Ceremony? At least Lebron looks semi comfortable. I still love America!! Ha

@sierraainge: I love that Obama can't even show American pride for his own coutry at the olympics by not being there.  *retweeted* 

@sierraainge: "Despite all the tension that may be happening between countries, the smiles on each of these olympian faces are genuine."

@sierraainge: holy fireworks.... #Olympics2012

Come find me on twitter...can you guess what my twitter name is? ;)

And then, I watched this absolutely incredible interview.

Normally, I try to stay away from politics on this blog.

I was raised in a family that got heated over politics--well, we got heated over most things, really--so I try to stay clear. But this interview with Mitt and Ann Romney is quite phonomenal. I don't care whether you're Republican, Democrat, Purple, White or Rainbow (yea, just go with it. you get my point), just watch this.

Some of my favorite quotes:

"When you attack success, you have less of it."

"Defining people on who has money and who doesn't is not the American way."

"She (ann) is the only woman I have ever love. Truly loved. I love her, but she is my hero. Not in just her physical battles, but because she raised 5 sons, too. And not just 5 sons, but MY 5 sons!"

Now try to tell me these people are rich, "not in touch" human beings....

Okay, let's get these competitive juices flowing!!!

What are your favorite events?

Anyone else love the Olympics as much as I do?

Or am I still a huge, fat nerd?

Constantly Learning.

Every time I lay down to sleep, I am bombarded with ideas, thoughts, and reminders of things I need to do in my classroom and/or for my future students.
So...yea...that's why I'm awake at 2:30 on a weeknight.
Save me. Now. Tomorrow is going to be a long day. 
This is getting real, people! I start teaching 4th grade in 3 weeks. Yikes.
As I stopped and thought about how unreal this fact is, my thoughts than transitioned into the past 8 years of my life --And how far I have come thus far (yes, believe it or not!).

I recently read my brother's blog post, which included some of his past frustrations from high school. One of the major frustrations of his was, of course, me. Naturally, with me being his younger sister, his life was difficult (ha!). But, being the younger sister who struggled with clinical depression was a whole other ballpark.

I recently have been thinking about how far I have come since high school. 

I am not the same person. 

And I cannot tell you how amazing it feels to say that.

Sure, I have my downfalls. 

Yes, I still react negatively to many situations.

Yes, I am still emotional.

But, overall, I have learned how to properly cope with this "situation" in which I will, probably, have to deal with for the rest of my life.

And you know what I've realized?

It's okay.

I'm okay.

I refuse to let my illness define me. I refuse to let my trials stop me from living my life. 

It feels amazing to know that I do, for the most part, try to live by the above statement.

And I'm grateful for brothers like Landon who have helped me realize that even though I am not perfect, I, and so many others can be seen for who we really are and not for our "weaknesses."

I am so happy.

Even on days when I don't show it.

I am so grateful.

Even on days when I don't feel it.

I try not to take life too seriously.

And let me tell you, laughter really helps. 

I am grateful for a higher power who knows me so well.

Who reminds me of my potential.

I am constantly learning.

And I am so grateful for this.

To read more about my personal battle, 

click HERE.

Thank you for all your love, support and kind words.

via

Dear Me {9}

Dear Me,

These girls are like your cousins. They make you laugh. They are crazy, but you love them. Always remember the memories with these beautiful girls. (Love you Dem and Candace!)

Dear Me,

YOU WENT HORSEBACK RIDING (Thank you, Bryce!) You absolutely loved it. You felt clueless when you got on the horse, but you were actually quite a natural. At least, that's what the others were telling you (little liars!). Your back was sore because you are severely out of practice. Little Blackie was calm and good to you though. Nothing better than riding a horse out in the country.

Get one of these. Soon.

I guess I had a good time?

Beautiful horse. Beautiful view. YES PLEASE. 

Dear Me,

You are officially, without a doubt, obsessed with big dogs. You spent 3 hours with Tanner's family looking at dogs to adopt in the future. 

When you saw little Lucy, this little dog, at the horse stable the other day, your heart melted. 

This is an all white Great Pyrenees.

Get one of these, too. Soon.

Dear Me,

Yes, you are a country girl at heart (key word: heart). You can't get enough of these rodeos! Love me some summer time cowboys and country music! Can't forget about the cowboy boots.

Dear Me,

This is posted in your classroom because you want your students to remember this. In  assignments. In school. In life.  Always remember this for yourself. 

"If you are not willing to learn, no one can help you.
If you are determined to learn, no one can stop you!"

Dear Me, 

Dear Me,

YOU ARE GOING TO THE BROADWAY PLAY, WICKED, RIGHT NOW.

YOU ARE LIKE A FIVE YEAR OLD IN A CANDY STORE.

SO FUH-REAKING EXCITED. 

(I'll keep you all posted on that, definitely!!! My dream, people! My dream!)

Come follow me on instagram!

@sisiainge

Other Letters to Myself:

Dear Me {8}

Dear Me {7}

Dear Me {6}

Dear Me {5}

Dear Me {4)

Dear Me {3}

Dear Me {2}

Dear Me {1}

Write your own Dear Me Letters!

LINK UP.

Only rule: Please put this button at the end of your post!

You are welcome to say my name or link them back here too. 

*Copy the html code and paste it into your post.  Click the enter button to link up.

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HERE IS MY BACHELORETTE POST.

Okay, raise your hand if you were going to pee your pants from excitement on Sunday due to the airing of the Bachelorette finale?
And, raise your hand if you are going to blog about the Bachelorette, ya know, because these are the real complex workings of our social media and our country? (run on sentence...just deal with it)
ALL OF YOU, BLOGGING FRIENDS, SHOULD BE RAISING YOUR HANDS.

I have decided to post some thoughts on the inner workings of this season.
I had to. I just had to give in.
Am I like every other blogger now?
You may ask: Why? Why, in Zeus's name, Sierra, are you posting about this?
And my response is: Because, dear world...Why not? (Yea. I still have 5 year old responses. It's fine)
It's my blog. I do what I want. 

I love them so much I even creepily download pictures of them from their instagram.
ahhhhh. It's fine, I have a personal connection. Just keep reading.
P.S. come follow me on Instagram! @sisiainge (ha--you see what I did there?)

1. Let's face it, this was probably my favorite season in a looong time. Especially if we are going to compare it to Ben's season (sorry Ben. Ya know, cause I just know you read my blog. Courtney? really? Like, let's get real here for 5 seconds). So much more common sense in Emily. I love it.
2. I didn't like Emily at first. Yep, I said it. I thought she was a high maintenance, southern diva who was boring. And although the first half off the sentence may still be true, I really grew to like her. A lot. I love how serious she was about finding true love. I love how honest she was with herself and with the guys. If she knew it wasn't going to work out, she sent those babies home.
3. I also really appreciated how real Emily was. I think she's a lot more feisty than people give her credit for. She knows what she wants, she knows what she values, and she does it. Plus, the girl is fuh-reaking beautiful. (We can just ignore the fact that she continues to get more work done on her face, but it's whatevs).
4. I loved the top 3. Like, really. I loved all of them. In different ways. I still think Sean would have been the best father (yes, my sister, Lexie, disagrees with me on this one). And although Sean is most compatible with ME (hardy har), I thought he was sweet and kind. Yea, he was a little boring. But hey, they can't all be perfect.
5. Can we just talk about how painful it was to watch Arie put love potion on Emily and than watch him try everything in his power to not cry when he was completely blindsided? Oh, my heart. I felt so bad for him. I seriously almost started crying (yea, I'm that pathetic). I just felt so much sympathy for him.
6. Yet, as I began to think about it, and as I have continued to watch Jef and Emily (cause I'm a stalker), I can tell they are head over heels for each other. Because the Bachelorette is real life. Duh. I think they might make it. Even if they may have issues with his mormonism past (YIKES I SAID MORMON. It's true....hold that thought), I really think they are going to make it.
7. Yes, back to the mormon comment. I know Jef is not "active" blah blah blah, his family is still very LDS--even though they dubbed over that his parents are doing "charity work" --mission presidents, people. Just let him say it. Goodness! I love what Bonnie had to say on this topic about Jef and mormonism. (thanks girl!). Either way, Emily is basically mormon. Seriously. All she talked about was having more babies and having a family. Ha! Either way, I do think it is something that will be an issue in the future.
8. Either way, I love Jef.. No, but, really. We met a couple weeks ago and I'm pretty sure he flirted with me (or just talked...either one works, really). But, hey, he was an engaged man at the time. And much to the dismay (confusion? I don't know the right word to write there?) polygamy isnt existent in the mormon world anymore. In case any of you still believe that, so I can't really go chase him down and remind him of our friendly, witty, banter with one another. Either way, he'll regret his decision and come back to me. Soon enough.
9. Watching these kinds of shows makes me want to fall in love.
But not on reality tv.
But still.
Should I try out?
Hahaha.
No, but seriously.

See? He couldn't resist me.

I have a lot more to say on the Bachelorette Season 823054843 (or am I off one?), but it's late and I have MY LAST WEEK OF SCHOOL EVER starting tomorrow.
So, yea. I get a little delusional any time after 11.
Okay, 9.
Fine....7 pm.

Any other opinions, comments, or questions you have on this past season of Bachelorette? Cause I have them. But I am having a major brain fart. I have all of these ideas to write (as usual) and then when I actually sit down to write--it's like my memory forgets everything. 
Eh, whatever.
xoxo. 


P.S. Happy Pioneer Day, Utah!! What a random holiday. I still don't think I have really "celebrated" it since living here. But, hey, super happy about no school? ha. Do i sound like a snot yet? So grateful for the pioneers who went through enormous physical, emotional, and mental trials for ME. God knew I couldn't be a Pioneer. That's why I'm on this earth now :) haha. 

My less than professional thoughts on the Colorado Shooting.

My thoughts are spastic and all over the place.

I have wanted to write this since Friday, but the right words could not seem to be put down. 

I couldn't sit still while watching Batman: The Dark Knight Rises on Friday night. No, it was not because of the intensity of the movie. However, that may have been a factor. 

It was because I couldn't get the horrible scene of the Colorado Shooting incident out of my head. This incident happened the night before and I couldn't shake the entire act out of my brain.

When they dimmed the lights at the movie theater, it went silent. It was the craziest thing ever. I have never been in a movie theater that quiet before. I could feel the tension in the room. I got up to use the restroom and I could feel everybody's eyes on me as I left the room. Not because they sincerely thought I was going to return and re-do what Holmes did, but because all of our natural instincts have heightened. 

It makes me sick to my stomach. Physically ill. I cannot seem to keep my eyes away from this story. I'm not sure why. I hear negative stories on the news all of the time. Yet, this one is different. It's like a bad scene in a movie. I want to cover my eyes because it is so scary and sad, but I cannot seem to look away. I continuously want to read more stories, watch more videos and know what really happened. 

As petty and childish as this sounds, it pisses me off. My first reaction when I heard about this was complete anger. What was possibly going through this awful man's head?  I want to know what motivates a person to do something so awful. I want to know what has happened in his life that possessed him to do this heinous crime. What is actually wrong with him? Because clearly, he was not mentally stable. 

Yet, as I stop and think about it, I have to remind myself that anger is not what helps stop these kind of issues. The media coverage, the constant attention, these angry posts by me, are exactly what the tool (for lack of a better word) wanted. 

I am reminding myself that there is still good in this world. There are still so many wonderful things happening. There are incredible people making a difference. We still live in a beautiful world. 

Yet, as loving as my imperfect heart is trying to be, I still cannot seem to wrap this entire situation around my head. 

A navy sailor with children was killed.

A girl, who had witnessed and survived a shooting only months ago, was killed in this particular shooting. 

A 3 month old baby was among the 59 who were involved in the shooting. 

A survivor's blog post hits hard.
A man jumped in front of his girlfriend to save her life. (oh, my heart). 

People. Real people. With children.With parents. With families. With friends.
Real influential people.
Real heroes. 

I think what is so hard to fathom is that this did not happen across the world--this was something that happened one state away from me. I have friends who live in Denver. I know people from Aurora.

My heart aches for those families who have been so negatively affected by this. I cannot imagine receiving that phone call; hearing that news.  

Facebook, twitter, and the blog world was full of deepest sympathies for these families. And I want to reiterate those heartfelt concerns. They are honestly in my thoughts and prayers. 

My blogging friend, Sierra (awesome name, huh?) writes: 

"Let us be examples for good...Never Let us lose faith in humanity....."

She has started a small fundraiser to help the Colorado Victims called COVA.

You are invited to participate. 

And for those out there who are aching: 

"...Please understand that what you see and experience now is not what forever will be. You will not feel loneliness, sorrow, pain, or discouragement forever. We have the faithful promise of God that He will neither forget nor forsake those who incline their hearts to Him. Have hope and faith in that promise. Learn to love your Heavenly Father and become His disciple in word and in deed."

-Pres. Uchtdorf

Sending more love than usual.

xoxo. 

I'm Pretty Sure This Was Written About Me.

Umm, yea.

Wow.

"I use music to speak when words fail me, even though words are as important to me as the air I breathe."

Yea, so I am obsessed with country. Whats up, country haters?! These songs are perfect. 

10 points if you catch onto the theme. 

That's all for today. 

xoxo. 

I Just Can't Do It Today.

Blogging, that is.
...I just can't.
It's not you, it's me.

No, like, I seriously cannot write anything of real substance today.
I have waaaayyyy too many things to do. (ironic that I'm sitting here typing this, huh?)
And I have a lot of things on my mind (big shocker there).
Please forgive me if I take a little hiatus from the blogging world for the next couple of days.
Don't leave me, k?

That's why I love the blogging world.
You're all so forgiving and loving :)
xoxo.


On another note, here are a few things that made me laugh.
Ya know, just cause I'm funny... No? too soon?

I'm pissed I didn't think of this. 

SERIOUSLY. COME ON. 

you're lucky if I brush my hair. 

e'ryday.

DOES IT. DOES IT?! (Ten points if you know the episode)

yea....about that....

truth. 

haha oh boy, you have no idea. 

ha!

uhhh...yea....

cough mom cough

yep.

I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN. It was a red flag, guys. 

kills me. every. single.time,

come find me on Pinterest!

It's the best waste of your time EVER.

xoxo.

Me.

I Am Me.

I am a laugh that echoes through a silent room.

I am a curvy body, dark blue eyes, and long, luscious blonde hair. 

I am a daughter, an aunt, a friend, a sibling, and a future wife. 

I am a daydreamer with a book in my hands on a rainy day. 

I am sundresses of all colors. I am polka dots. I am flowers. I am all types of colors. 

I am the smell of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies.

I am a screaming fan while watching a basketball game. I am Celtics' biggest fan. 

I am a combination of strength and humility, learned through life’s difficulties.

I am a writer of words, especially when speaking seems to fail.

I am the youngest child of a large family: feisty, stubborn, and lovable.

I am a song, a voice, on a stage with hot, glistening lights beaming towards me.

I am a wonderful family and supportive friends.

I am deep, close, meaningful relationships.

I am a feeler.  I am emotional. I am intense. I am nonjudgmental. I am an individual.

I am a crier who sobs through sappy chick flicks, who laughs constantly through comedies, and feels deeply through introspective movies.

I am green trees in Oregon, large mountains in Utah, and sunsets at the beach. 

I am outside. Feeling the sun, and being active.

I am a perfectionist, a list maker, and a hopeless romantic. 

I am wanting to be loved for who I am, not for what I look like.

I am human--making mistakes and trying to fix them. 

I am a sunshine lover. 

I am a driver, spending hours thinking in Ronda the Honda. 

I am singing and dancing openly everywhere: in the car, in my room, or on the street.

I am a life learner through my religion, through school, and through experience.

I am my hardest critic; having to remind myself of my potential, talents, and strengths. 

I am a daughter of God. I am loved by my Savior. 

I am a future teacher; worried, scared, but excited to change children's lives. 

I am passion. Towards teaching and towards life.

I am growing and learning. 

I am Sierra.

Dear Me {8}: And My Dear Friends...

Dear Me

And my dear blogging friends:

To those of you who seem to have: 

lost something dear to them,

gone through a terrible break up, 

suffered the emotional roller coaster of a death, 

did not reach a particular goal, 

lost the loyalty of a dear friend,

lost the motivation to keep going, 

or any other feelings of sadness, anger, frustration, or humiliation.

Read these two posts:

Are You Ready For This?

React

Watch this video. 

(thank you Kylie!)

It will change your perspective.

If it doesn't....watch it again. 

Amazing.

Listen to this song

(Thank you Hillary!)

Brand New Day: Joshua Radin

Read This: 

She also knew how to have fun, but knew when to stop and put her mind on other things.

 she had a wholesome look about her, a sparkle in her eyes, and a smile on her face. She knew why she was in school. She was there to learn. She dreamed of the kind of woman she wanted to be and patterned her life accordingly.

Find purpose in your life. Choose the things you would like to do, and educate yourselves to be effective in their pursuit. For most it is very difficult to settle on a vocation. You are hopeful that you will marry and that all will be taken care of. In this day and time, a girl needs an education. She needs the means and skills by which to earn a living should she find herself in a situation where it becomes necessary to do so.

For you, my dear friends, the sky is the limit. You can be excellent in every way. You can be first class. There is no need for you to be a scrub. Respect yourself. Do not feel sorry for yourself. Do not dwell on unkind things others may say about you. Particularly, pay no attention to what some boy might say to demean you. He is no better than you. In fact, he has already belittled himself by his actions. Polish and refine whatever talents the Lord has given you. Go forward in life with a twinkle in your eye and a smile on your face, but with great and strong purpose in your heart. Love life and look for its opportunities, and forever and always be loyal to the Church.

Never forget that you came to earth as a child of the divine Father, with something of divinity in your very makeup. The Lord did not send you here to fail. He did not give you life to waste it. He bestowed upon you the gift of mortality that you might gain experience—positive, wonderful, purposeful experience—that will lead to life eternal. 

Look to the positive. Know that He is watching over you, that He hears your prayers and will answer them, that He loves you and will make that love manifest. Let the Holy Spirit guide you in all that you do as you look to become the kind of woman of whom you dream. You can do it. You will have friends and loved ones to help. And God will bless you as you pursue your course. 

Remember this:

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I have realized how many wonderful people I have in my life in the past 24 hours.

I am so lucky for friends who call and are as pissed as I am. (ha!)

I am so lucky for family members that give me perspective on the future.

I am so grateful for my Savior who builds my confidence when I seem to question everything about myself. 

Other Letters to Myself:

Dear Me {7}

Dear Me {6}

Dear Me {5}

Dear Me {4)

Dear Me {3}

Dear Me {2}

Dear Me {1}

Write your own Dear Me Letters!

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Life is good, even when it is hard. 

It's fine, guys. 

We got this :)

xoxo.