:-)

This past week has been eventful! I went hiking to a waterfall in the dark, snorkeling with sea turtles, rode the bus to Waikiki, and went skydiving! I also had plenty of relaxing time at the beach and reading good books. I can't believe my time here is half way over...

Happiness

My adventure in Hawaii is going great! Its not exactly what I expected it to be, but it has turned out to be so much more. I am defiantly learning a lot about myself and about life.

At first I was lonely here and it was hard, but I realized that attitude is the key. When I decided to have a positive attitude no matter what happened, things turned completely around. Nothing changed, but the way I looked at it changed and I was able to see how blessed I am to be here. As I began to have a good attitude and trust in the Lord I could just feel the blessings being poured out on me. I realized the hand of the Lord in everything I do and how much He truly is aware of me and is helping and guiding me always. I have always known this but being here has given me a renewed testimony. On campus we have devotionals every Tuesday morning and firesides every Sunday night. Each time I have gone the topic has been an answer to my prayers. I know the Lord wanted me to be here and is guiding my life. I am so grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who listens to my prayers and places answers all around me.

So here are some keys to happiness that I have learned while out here:

1. Be positive and optimistic.
Look for the good in every situation!
2. Trust in the Lord.
Fear and doubt ruin happiness.
3. Have Faith, Hope, and Charity.
These three things are really the key to happiness!

These things might seem basic, I'm just slow and it took something big to really make me realize what truly can make me happy. I know now that it doesn't matter where you are, what you are doing, or what trials you are going through; you can always be happy if you choose to be.

Surfing

Here are pictures of me and my roommate after we went surfing!



































And here is what I look at every day while I lay on the beach :-)

I GOT IN!

So today I found out something really exciting... I got into the accounting program at BYU!!! I am very happy that I finally know that I got in so I can relax and enjoy my time in Hawaii and know that everything else is taken care of. I start the program in the fall and then will graduate as an accountant in two years! This may not seem exciting to anyone else but its great to finally have some of my future figured out.

Paradise

I've been for more then a week now and things are really amazing! My roommates are awesome and my classes are easy and I'm right on the beach. What more could a girl want? My house is pretty ghetto but I'm getting used to it. It was kind of fun to hang up my laundry to dry...
My daily routine is to wake up and go to my one class of the day and then come home and head to the beach! Its a pretty laid back life here with time for a lot of meditating. Its so beautiful and relaxing to just lay on the beach.
I have also got to do some exciting things. My aunt Melissa and her friend were here so I went with them up to the north shore and saw some pretty sunsets and ate some awesome food. We also got shaved ice a few times which is a must. On Saturday I got to go surfing!! (pictures coming later) It was so amazing and really fun! We also went to the set of lost and got to take some pictures inside some of the sets. They were supposed to be filming the day we went but there was a storm so unfortunately we didn't get to see the cast.
I'm off now to take a nap and then go watch the sunset :-) I will write more later...