twenty-fourteen

  2014 was an unforgettable year for me. I stepped out of my comfort zone on so many levels. I achieved things that I didn't think I was capable of.

  It all starting with my new year resolution, to be a friend to everyone I came in contact with. I wanted everyone to feel welcomed, loved, and that they belonged. That led me to the first change this year, running for Student Council. I really wanted to join and it had been my dream since my freshmen year when my idol of a neighbor, Kaleigh Martindale, was on it. I was absolutely terrified to run, but I did it with the encouragement of my friends and teachers. I'm so grateful for that push from them because I don't know if I could have done it without them. Being on StudCo has changed me in so many ways. I have made life-long friendships. I am so grateful for all of them and love them all so dearly.

  The next thing that impacted my life was being Section Leader over the saxophone section in marching band. they all taught me so much about loving and serving. They may have drove me crazy, but I loved every second being with them. You can't explain the feeling of being on the field with your best friends and preforming something that you all put so much time and effort into. The silence at the end of a performance is life changing. The crowd is torn between cheering or being in awe. Then, the loud roar of everyone clapping and screaming for what you put on the field changes you. Also, being able to preform and tour Hawai'i with my best friends was amazing. I am so grateful for the soldiers that serve our country. I cannot express my thanks enough. It was a honor to represent the USS Utah in the Pearl Harbor Memorial Day Parade. I love my band so much. They were my Ohana. They will always be my Ohana. I'm so excited to see what the others will achieve as they continue on in their lives.

  The third thing that impacted my life was being called to serve on the Westlake Seminary Council. It wasn't a called that I expected or even wanted. When I first got the calling, I talked to my mom about saying no. I was worried I wouldn't be able to give it the time that it it needed. After many prayers, I accepted the call. I am so glad that I did! The kids on that council have taught me so much about what it means to be a disciple of Christ. How to serve and love like he did. Being on the council has given me the opportunity to learn about my savior in a new light. I have been able to study his leadership, and hopefully emulate it. I'm so glad to have grown so much closer to Christ and Heavenly Father this year.

  2014 was certainly a memorable year. It had moments and experiences that I will never forget, but sadly it is now in the past. We now have to look forward to the new year. 2015 is full of decisions and events that scare the heck out of me; graduation, turning nineteen, college, among other things. I'm scared, but I know it will all be okay. I can trust in the spirit and everything will be alright. I'm excited to become better and grow more. Aloha 2014, it's been real. *mentally high fives you* Nice!!

"Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened." -Dr. Seuss








//Lizzy

Marvellous Morningside with Muffins

  I remember in my sophomore year, the Seminary had John Bytheway come speak at a morningside to us. I was so thrilled and excited because, I had always listened to his talks on tape growing up.
  After I had gotten my fill of muffins and milk, I sat down in anticipation of what was going to come. I was ready to hear and act on what he had to tell us. The message he shared was one that didn't really take heart in me. He spoke on how we should be ourselves. He told us "Dare Not To Compare." Back then that didn't mean much to me, but these past few months it has changed my perspective.
  When I was trying out to be Drum Major of my marching band, I asked my own Drum Major, Kylie, for some advice. I asked her how she did her job so well. I wanted to know her secret to being as good of a leader as she was. She gave me some advice I won't forget. Kylie had been under some pretty big and great leaders in her life. She told me one of her big things was to be her own leader. Don't compare herself to others who lead the group before her. "I'm Kylie and I lead like Kylie. I'm not Janelle or Mary and I won't lead like them."
  Lately I have been doing what most teens seem to do. Comparing. Wow, she is so spiritually strong. She has such beautiful hair, beautiful clothes. She gets such good grades. And even to my dismay, She has so many more followers and favorites on instagram than I do! All these things can bear down on us and tear us apart. It's one thing to notice each other's strengths, it's another to tear yourself apart because you aren't them. Everyone has gone through different trials and experiences in their lives that have shaped them into who they are. People love you and care for you because of who you are. Compare yourself to the person we are all trying to become; the Savior. We should be seeking to become like him, not get the most retweets on a witty tweet. Remember to seek him. He'll help you become the best that you can be.

"Dare not to compare."

//Lizzy

Prayers, Planes, and Patriarchal Blessings

  People often ask others for advice in their lives. They feel confused or conflicted because they don't know what to do. In my life, I have come to learn that the person that gives the best advice is just a prayer away.
  My life has always been confusing. With my parents being divorced since before I even began Kindergarten, I have had many things to cope with.  I have always felt that others had a better perspective on my life because, for the most part, they weren't involved directly. Whenever I needed help or advice, I would always turn to someone else. That of course isn't a bad thing, but it has made it hard for me to make my own decisions. Now that I am a senior at high school, so many big choices have been left for me to make. What college I want to go to, if I want to serve a mission or not, and many more choices. The sad part is that I still haven't made most of those choices yet. I am still waiting for others choices to influence my decision.
  I like plans. I like knowing where I will be in a year. The fact that I don't scares the heck out of me. Although I haven't made these choices yet, it's okay. I still have a few months to decide. The biggest comfort to me has been being able to turn to my heavenly father. Never in my life have prayers been so important to me. Like I said before, the person who gives the best and perfect advice is just a prayer away. My advice to others who are having to make so many choices is to turn to him. He knows us perfectly. He has a plan for our lives.
  I love reading my patriarchal blessing. Even though those times are further apart than they should be, when I do it is always a HUGE comfort to me! This past week I had the opportunity to travel to Hawaii with my marching band and preform in the Pearl Harbor Day Memorial Parade. I had only been on a plane once before when I was four or some tiny age. I was terrified that the plane was going to crash and I would die in the middle of the ocean. I was talking to my dad about it and it dawned on me. My blessing promised me that I would get married in the temple if I lived worthy. I had a splash of peace come over me as I realized that that also meant that I would survive the plane ride. I wasn't nervous for the rest of my wait for the trip. Once I was on the plane I freaked out, but nothing that a little prayer and a little brother to hold on didn't solve.
  I am so grateful for the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost and the knowledge of my family in heaven. I am so grateful to have been born into this church. I have no idea how I would survive without it.

  "Your Patriarchal Blessing is your passport to peace in this life. It is a Liahona of Light to guide you unerringly to your heavenly home." -President Tommy Monson

The Name is Zabeth

  Hey! My name is Lizzy Davis and I enjoy reading rad blogs. After reading enough I figured it was time for me to start one of my own.
   I play the saxophone and that pretty much consumes my life. (It's a Bari hard life.)
   I am a senior at the best high school on the planet. Thunder is my home.
   I feel that if you go to a sporting event and don't leave with a sore throat than you are living your life wrong.
   I'm on Student Council and love every minute of it.
   I am happiest when I see someone smile because of something I have done.
   I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I love it.
    Music is my language. I specialize in Jazz, Classical, Alt Rock and anything that I can dance to.
    Speaking of dancing, I can't do that.
    I am a sucker for cute movies. I wish to grow up into a life that would make the cutest movie that makes all the girls swoon.
   The two biggest goals in life are to impact someone's life for the better and to get married in the temple to my best friend.
    My family is with the people I love most, wither they are related to me by blood or not.
    I have a cat and her name is Cinder. She was the dream of my little fourth grade heart. Now she just sleeps on my laundry a lot.
    My worst subject has always been spelling. That will probably always be 100% true.
    Hand written letters make me unbelievably happy.
    I can't imagine a world without Christmas Lights. They are so happy and pretty. I like happy and pretty things.
    Glitter is the best color. But Blue is pretty grand too.
    "There is no growth in the comfort zone. There is no comfort in the growth zone."

//Lizzy