This will now be...

My missionary blog!! I am jubilant to be leaving on a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in......2 days and 3 nights. I will keep an account of all of my adventures here. I have read a few missionary blogs recently and love the inspiration I find. I can't wait to get out there. My next post will be from the MTC! :)

A to Z: Why I love life

A: I am an acrobat. not really, I just can't think of an A word. It's the first letter, I'm just warming up. Artichokes are good on pizza, that is a reason why I love life! (OK. I promise it will get better...)
B: I am reminded of my blessings again and again. A truly happy person is grateful for what they have. I credit my jubliance to counting my blessings everyday. Also, shout-out to my best friend Brooklyn, one of the biggest blessings of my life. She is a very grateful person and it shows :)
C: Frozen custard. mmm people. Frozen custard(old-fashioned ice cream) has been a big part of my life for the past 9 months. If you get a chance, go visit Nielson's Frozen Custard and your life will be changed. You will love life a little more after trying a caramel cashew concrete, a hot fudge sundae, or just a bumble-berry scoop on a cone. There are locations in southern and northern Utah, Nevada, Arizona and Virginia. Aside from the custard, I had an amazing experience working amongst cherished friends, and I learned so much! A swell first job.
D: Decency. The world needs more of it. But for the time being, I shall bask in mine.
E: Elephants. They are such gentle, perfectly lovely animals. I read a story about an elephant who became best friends with a golden retriever and it thoroughly warmed my heart. If I could have a pet elephant, my life would be made.
F: My family is amazing. My friends are amazing. (need I say more? I will) When you have people in your life that care, don't you just feel full? sidenote: Be a friend to someone today because you could be their only one. 
G: My relationship with God. If everyone in the world knew Him, life would be drastically better. I have come to know for myself that He does exist. He is merciful and loving and only wants the best for His children. I will serve Him to the end.
"(Root-)beer is good, God is great, and people are crazy."
H: Hats for bad hair days of course. Hats off to hats! And hugs. A strange custom let me just grab you for a second...but I like them.
I: Imagine Dragons. Only the best band ever to enter the world. Every song is amazing. I am not exaggerating. I tell you they are manna from musical heaven. Radioactive was good and I still enjoy it despite how "radio" "active" it has been. But there are plenty more where that came from my friend. Go ahead and listen for yourself.

J: Jesus. I love Him. What a matchless life, with matchless love. (see letter T)

K: Knowledge. It truly is power. I hope to learn all my life.

L: Love. I love people. I love so many things. One day I'll find my true love. It is true: love is more powerful than hate. Than fear. Than death. Than any force on this earth. Charity is pure love and charity never faileth. -Moroni 7:46

M: Memories. The past is over but it has shaped me and is full of happy things, along with lessons learned and trials overcome.

N: My niece and nephews. They are so energetic and full of so much light. I love little children! And I guess gnomes will go here. The G is silent therefore it isn't really there hardy har go english. Children are like garden gnomes in a way...they're short, and are frequently found bobbing around the yard.
O: Ostriches. They are real life Big Birds! need. I. say. more. Also, oranges. They're like life. Sometimes you just have to pull off the bitter peel to experience the goodness.
P: I am at peace with myself and my decisions. One of the most sought after things in this world is peace. I am so lucky to have it. It's something I just can't get by without. Neither could the hippies. P.S. Shout out to pumpkin pie. I'll always love you baby.
Q: The name Quincy. What class. Thorough.

R: Rainbows. Cliche, maybe. But by admitting it is cliche cancels out the fact that it's cliche. Right?

S: Style. It says a lot about a person that has taken time to get to know themselves and put time in distinguishing themselves from all the other humans in the world. Whether it be art, fashion, home decor, a vehicle (I personally drive a '69 Ford Torino, convertible style;), a blog, a family photo, hair, handwriting, music, or anything else that can have a "style."
T: Temples. In the temple we make sacred promises to God. We perform saving ordinances for our ancestors and are sealed to our family for all eternity. I can be reunited with loved ones because of the blessings of the temple and the atonement of Christ. He died so we can live again. (learn more at www.lds.org or www.mormon.org )
U: Umbrellas. I saw a short film in the previews of a movie I went to recently. It was about two umbrellas, one a girl and one a boy. They meet on a rainy day amongst a crowd of gloomy umbrellas. The people using them go in different directions. They try to find each other among the busy crowd of New York and after a short turn of events and some wind, they are brought back together. It warmed my heart.
V: Vegetables. The perfect addition to my daily meals. I love every veggie. Yes, even spinach.
W: Warmth.
X: XOXO it looks cute at the bottom of a letter.

Y: Yellow. Brilliant and happy.

Z: Zippers. what a great invention.
That's why I love life A to Z in a nutshell. :)

GENERAL CONFERENCE IS HERE!!

       Tomorrow and Sunday are two of the most exciting days!! General Conference is here at last! It happens semi-annually in April and October. Some of the greatest of men and women will be speaking and I know it's going to be amazing. I am so grateful for a living Prophet, President Thomas S. Monson. He is called of God. I invite all of you to watch General conference Saturday, October 5th, and/or Sunday, the 6th. The first session starts at 10 a.m. on both days followed by a two hour break and a second session at 2 p.m. Come and see what the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is all about. Learn about what we believe and hear beautiful music by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. The sessions are broadcast on T.V. and radio transmission. Check it out!
 I am sooooooo excited!!!:O

Here in the Power of Christ I'll stand

In Christ alone, my hope is found

He is my light, my strength, my song

This cornerstone, this solid ground

Firm through the fiercest drought and storm

What heights of love, what depths of peace

When fears are stilled, when strivings cease

My comforter, my all-in-all

Here in the love of Christ I stand

There in the ground His body lay

Light of the world by darkness slain

Then bursting forth in glorious day

Up from the grave He rose again!
And as He stands in victory

Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me

For I am His and He is mine

Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life, no fear in death

This is the power of Christ in me

From life’s first cry to final breath

Jesus commands my destiny

No power of hell, no scheme of man

Can ever pluck me from His hand

Till He returns or calls me home

Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand
-Owl City

Fear not

Why do we live in fear?
We are afraid of failure.
We are afraid of the future.
We are afraid of pain.
We are afraid of death.
What does this fear do for us?
In choosing to be afraid, we choose a fate of reluctance.
Of dragging our feet to the next building,
Cautiously tip-toeing around the cracks will only make us unhappy.
Let yourself be free.
Let your life be free.
Live it with full purpose and confidence, giving thought to not what's ahead,
But at this moment.
Be happy with what you have today, and don't be afraid.
Don't be afraid to shine.
Don't be afraid to be amazing in your own way.
Do not fear failure. Mistakes make you humble.
Do not fear the future. It's as bright as you make it.
Do not fear pain.  Pain makes you strong.
Do not fear death.  It happens to the best of us.
With fearing death, one may fear the unknown.
But riddle me this:
How could something so beautiful and intricate as is the mind and human soul
Remain stuck in the grave?
We are magnificent beings. Look at all humankind has accomplished.
Could this all come from nothing?
Death is not the end.
Your ideas, your intelligence, your personality, your love, your gifts, your beauty...lives on.
With this knowledge, don't live in fear.
Live in happiness and be confident you are capable of anything.

Listening to The Shins is like riding llamas through the sand on a crowded beach with grimacing faces covered in dirt staring up in dismay; only to be slapped on a smile, a gleam of happy once they notice the hand-stitched Ostrich on my polo.
"This is the life!" I chant, proceeding my vocals harmonizing "Girl Sailor." This is the life I've come to adore. This wrecking ball of precision. Precision with wide eyed flaws learning to close their eyes and let the pure sunrise emerge across their slumber and awake to mastery. It's all about the ride on the beach. And Listening to The Shins.

It's all good in the 'hood

I love my sister.
She is my one and only sister!
The past couple of days I have spent some great time with her and her precious kids. I am so grateful for that time!! She is the most amazing person I know. Hands down. I have never known such a caring, loving, absolutely genuinely considerate, Christlike person as she is. It's like, you just can't believe she is actually so amazing. All of the time, too! She is always thinking of others and never expects anything in return. She truly shines with wisdom of how to live. Of how to find true happiness. This happiness radiates and brightens my life. She doesn't spend her time in vain. She is found in the service of her family, friends, neighbors, her sweet little boys (100%) and she is always striving to better herself and others. What an example you are to me, Ember Leah. I love my sister.
What's new with HaySwens?
I found out the bestest news! My brother and his wife are having a BOY! YAY
I love my little nephew already. His parents are just amazing, so I just know he is going to be a special little guy. My family always gets the best Spirits, not to brag or anything, we just do. :)
I learned how to long-board! 
And I went to my first Yoga class!
And I decided I love cats.
Long-boarding is much like skim-boarding; so I caught on quick. I love it! And Yoga was incredible. Meditation is something I have always made fun of; you know, the "Haaaaahummmmm" action? Well it frankly works wonders. Not that I have any real stress wearing me down, but that funny duddy stuff they teach is, in reality quite revitalizing. And for cats, they are the coolest. They're like mini tigers! and that's pretty rad, so I'm down.
I went to my first Imagine Dragons concert. It was beyond amazing, we'll just call that sufficient description. You just have to hear those guys live for yourself. They outdo themselves. I am still in awe and it's been a week. I will never stop imagining dragons. They are WOW.
I broke my streak of unpainted nails. Summer means lots of Brooklyn and Haley nail painting nights. While watching Peter Pan. I love all 3 subjects mentioned.  
 Me=soaking in the simple pleasures of summer and savoring each millisecond, each part of the picture. A sliver of a moon and one single star at dusk. The warm summer air. Enjoy. Grow. And move on. Because you have to remember,
There's always another adventure around the corner. :)