Dear Livy,

This picture has been my desktop background for quite some time now:



Also, I do not wish to evoke any feelings of sympathy when I say this, but I must confess that it's been rough since we said our "see-ya laters" after Thanksgiving.

I felt as though the flights from Idaho to Tennessee were ripping me from a fantasy life of relaxation and bliss and plopping me back into exponential levels of stress and microscopic amounts of sleep. A little dramatic I realize, but I feel it illustrates my mental state well.

However, I know I was not alone in this. I realize that there are plenty of people with much more taxing schedules and life obstacles that have been feeling the worst of it these past few weeks, and therefore do not need people to feel sorry for me. I have a great life. I also am aware that this is only the beginning! :) What growth there is to come. I know that this is preparing me for more "fun" with finals and academics in the future, and shaping my character by teaching me to trust in the Lord.

And for that I am very, very grateful.



But I do still miss ya, Olivia Allred:




However, I'd like to tell ya that I'm doing a lot better! I realized through the middle of all this that I need to worry a lot less. And I need to be finding joy in all the wonderful little things. ...For example, one of my favorite fruits being in season:

And the beautiful sunsets we've had recently.

And the fact that Andrew, Sarah, and Max were all willing to appease me by jumping in the car and hurrying down the road for this nice view one night.
Love them.


As you may have guessed, this is actually more of a letter to my future self for when I need the pick-me-up. As Pres. Thomas S. Monson puts it, “Should you become discouraged or feel burdened down, remember that others have passed this same way; they have endured and then have achieved. When we have done all that we are able to do, we can then rely on God’s promised help.”


Now time for us to make the most of our Christmas break, eh?
Love and miss you, friend.


-lauren olivia