30 Day Photo Challenge: Day 27

Day 27: A picture of you and a family member.

Me and my Granny. I love her more than words can say. She is a super hero.

30 Day Photo Challenge: Day 26

Day 26: Something that means a lot to you.

My faith and religion. Nothing means more that knowing that I have a Father in Heaven who I can go to at anytime, whether it's just to talk or if I need something, and he will be there to listen. He sent his song, Jesus Christ, to earth to suffer and die for us on the cross, because he loved us so very much that he wanted to make sure we could be forgiven of our sins, be purified, and live with him again. I know that through him, I can be with my family for all eternity. I know that through the gospel of Jesus Christ that anything is possible. I'm thankful for the knowledge that we have a living prophet, Thomas S. Monson, on this earth who recieves direct revelation from God and leads and guides us. I'm thankful that I can have personal revelation through my personal relationship with my Father in Heaven. I know that it is the only way for me to truly be happy. I can't even begin to say how much I have been blessed. I know for a fact, that if it weren't for my faith, that I would not be here on this earth. I love being a "Mormon". Sometimes it's really hard, but in the end, it's always worth it. I love this gospel with all my heart and all that it stands for. It means the world to me.

30 Day Photo Challenge: Day 25

Day 25: A Picture of Your Day

Today we performed "The Wells Fargo Wagon" from The Music Man in my musical theater class. I was a 15 year old girl from 1912, thus, the bow.

30 Day Photo Challenge: Day 24

Day 24: Something you wish you can change.

I wish I could fix the Clean Water Crisis. It breaks my heart the amount of people that have to drink water that looks like this and what it does to their bodies, when all we have to do in America, is turn on a faucet and we have drinkable water.

30 Day Photo Challenge: Day 23

Day 23: Your favorite book

I have two.

This book changed my life and continues to change it every time I read it. I know it's such a stereotypical indie/hipster kid book, but I don't care.

This is the most inspiring book ever created. My theater teacher in high school read it to us at theater banquet and it hit me how much this isn't just a children's book. Now every time I babysit, I try and read this at bedtime and I always end up crying. For my 19th birthday when I was leaving for college, my best friend gave me this book. Then a couple months later, school and friends were really getting to me, so I decided to read this book. As I opened the book, letter fell out of the book. It was from my best friend telling me how much she loves me and how I've changed her life for the better. I have never felt more special than in that moment. I just love this book so much.

3's and 7's

So... they say death happens in 3's and 7's. So, I hope this is the end.

In October, my beautiful, sweet, amazing dog, Hanna, died of cancer.

In January, my loving, soft, sweet, and amazing cat, Miss Cleo, died of cancer.

Last week, my strong, hardheaded, gentle, inspiring, amazing grandfather, Billy Jack, died.

Last week, my roommate's 2nd cousins on her mom's side and on her dad's side both died.

Today, a teacher at my school, whom I wasn't personally acquainted with, except for having the door opened by him and the occasional smile, but who meant a great deal to a lot of my friends, died of lung cancer.

That's 3 in my family 7 from people in my close circle.

My granny, who means the world to me, was just diagnosed with cancer last week.

I know that with death comes a relief from pain and a reunion with our father in Heaven and that it isn't really a bad thing, but I pray to God that the cycle has stopped. I pray to God...

I dedicate this blog to all of those who have recently passed with love and admiration for the lives they lived.

30 Day Photo Challenge: Day 22

Day 22: Something you wish you were better at.

This was really hard. I feel like, as I woman in the culture we live in, were always told that we're not good enough. Therefore, even as the strong woman I believe myself to be, there are so many things I wish I were better at.

But, I managed to narrow it down to two.

I wish I were a better missionary. I tend to feel like I'm always lacking here. I guess it's just so hard to share something that is so special to you when their is a chance the person you're sharing with will ridicule it.

And of course, singing. It seems like I never feel like I'm quite up to par in the presence of my fellow singers. I know I have a gift, but I wish that gift were stronger.

30 Day Photo Challenge: Day 21

Day 21: Something You Wish You Could Forget

My brother told me when and where my niece was conceived...

30 Day Photo Challenge: Day 20

Day 20: Somewhere you want to travel

County Cork- Ireland. This is where my great grandfather set sail for America over 100 years ago.

30 Day Photo Challenge: Day 19

Day 19: A Picture and a Letter

Dear Meredith,

Here you are, on your first day of school, about to depart on your life long journey. As you begin your life, I want you to know that life is beautiful. It is going to suck... a lot, but you are strong, and you will get through it. Know that you always have your family and your Heavenly Father to lean on. They will always be there for you no matter what.

Also, be confident in yourself. I know you're insecure about your hair and your freckles, but they are what make you unique. You are beautiful and should embrace it. While people might make fun of it for you now, someday it will be what attracts people to you. Little kids are stupid and don't know what real beauty is.

Most of all, never give up on your dreams. The Lord has blessed you with so many talents and you should share them. Don't be scared and don't let anyone tell you that you aren't good enough. You are amazing. You are talented. You are beautiful. Never let anyone tell you any different. Stand up for yourself. And love yourself and everyone around you.

Love,

Yourself age 20

Keep Your Clothes On!

Here's the deal...
I HATE hot weather! Like, with a passion. It just goes against everything in my nature. First off, I'm obviously a ginger. Why is that relevant? Because it means that I am pale. Not normal person pale, but I'm-outside-for-ten-seconds-and-I-get-a-sunburn/ skin cancer/ ugly freckles kind of pale. And hot weather means a lot of sun, which means a miserable Meredith.

Second comes the modesty issue. I like to keep covered. That is also in my blood. I'm a good little Mormon girl. We don't do bikini's, mini skirts, short short, and tank tops. My body is a temple, so I treat it as such. But it's freaking hard to do that in hot weather!

And third.... duh duh duh.... the body issue. I'm a girl, so naturally I am body conscious. That's why I like winter. In the winter, it doesn't matter how fat you think you are, cause every body looks fatter than normal. We all pile on bulky sweaters and scarves and maybe a couple pounds of blubber too. And it's acceptable because we are trying to keep warm. But in the summer, everything comes off. So, I see the stupid LA skinny bitches (pardon my French) walking around wearing barely any clothes, and first off, I'm like "what whores!", then I get jealous that I don't have the body to wear those clothes even if I wanted to, and then I get jealous of how warm I am compared to them.

In conclusion, hot weather sucks! I think I need to move to Alaska or Canada or something. ASAP.