friends4lyfe #5

Joni Sip

I haven't finished yet with these posts yet and you are all so lucky because this girl named Joni is the best of the best. Joni is one of my roommates that I have had this year since January and to say that she is one of the kindest people ever is an understatement. She has to be one of the most loving, caring, service-oriented people I have EVER met and has made such an impact on my life. I hope she knows that. At first when you meet her, she's shy, but she loves with her whole heart. The way she shows that love is by serving others. I swear she is always looking out for other people, whether it is by quick notes or just asking how you're doing or by just acts of service. I swear homegirl does everything. I can't tell you how many times she has just come home with a York peppermint patty for me "just because" or how many times she has gone out to eat with me just to talk or how many times she has left me notes when she knows I am having a hard day. She is truly one of the most Christ-like people I have ever met and I have been truly blessed to have her in my life. I am definitely going to miss hanging out with her, but I know that whatever she does in life, she is going to be the best because she will put her whole heart and soul into it. Joni is the oldest in her family and you can just see the love she has for her family by how she talks and treats them. She is going to be one of the best mom's and I can't wait to see the day when we all live on the same street and I see her taking her kids to ultimate frisbee games ;)

Joni is my take-out buddy, my basketball watching best friend, and my "I work at Jimmy Johns and eat it everyday" role model. I love my homegirl!

Five random facts about Joni:

1. She loves the Jazz more than anything...I have learned not to judge her on this.

2. She is the most athletic person I know, I swear she is good at every sport, even bingo.

3. She is the oldest of five.

4. She and I WILL go to a Red Sox vs. Yankees game when I come home.

5. She has worked a bajillion jobs, including Pizza Hut and Jimmy John's. She's our suga mama.

I just love ya "Joni-fer"!

girls girls girls

I would like to say a few words about girls. I love them, I cherish them, and I am one of them (some find that hard to believe after they see how good I am at the man's game called whiffle ball), but sometimes I get so frustrated when I see some of them tear down other girls ALL OF THE TIME by little snide comments. They don't really think it's "tearing" someone down or rude, they just honestly believe they're stating facts with a compliment at the beginning. Here are a few examples that I have heard:

"Yeah her lesson was good, BUT did you see her skirt? Totally didn't cover her gross knees, poor girl."

"She is nice, BUT like, could she seriously just calm herself every once in a while, her voice sounds like something dying."

"Yeah I know she is going through a hard time and that's why she's gaining weight, but I am going through a hard time too, you don't see me crying or running to McDonalds to buy a big mac every time I have a problem."

"She does have great hair, but dude, did you hear her solo in church today? Kind of sounded like a boy going through middle school puberty all while singing a hymn."

After hearing all four of those statements I don't know whether to a) laugh at how ridiculous it all is or b) to throw my diet coke at them.

Honestly, I wish girls would just remember that we are all SISTERS, that everyone is going through a hard time! We were all raised differently and as such, we react differently to situations. We need to empathize and truly be our sister's keeper. Just because you start off by complimenting someone doesn't give you the right to ridicule later or EVER.

Who cares if Sandy wears pig tails still? That's how she likes to whip her hair!

Who cares if Donna likes to be center of attention by singing her sentences? That's what makes her shine!

Who cares if Wendy dates any boy that walks through the door? Let her get at that free food!

And who cares if Sasha is eccentric and draws anime? Let her be multi-cultural! She might even draw a picture of you and make you a warrior princess in her next comic book!

I just wish girls would remember that we are all here for a purpose, life is hard, and to have someone telling you that you aren't good enough, when you already think that about yourself, is not fun. We have got to empower people!

friends4lyfe #4

Victoria McBride

Can we just say that this girl is the most awesome person ever?! And I am being completely serious. I met Vicky just in January, but we saw each other around in our singles ward last year. She is my roommate and I am FOREVER GRATEFUL to have her as I go through the awkward dating scene which resides in Rexburg, Idaho. Funny thing about Tori is that she has a best friend/cousin and I have a best friend named KD, that went into the MTC the same day as each other, February 6th. With that happening, we really bonded. She has become one of my closest friends and I am so thankful for her loving heart. She is there whenever I need her and is always looking for ways to lift others up. She is the best and I hope she knows that. 

Also, she is engaged to a guy named Garrett who is equally awesome. They get married August 3rd! There is no way they can ever forget my birthday now (August 4th for all you who want to start saving up money for my birthday present now). Anyway, on to Tori. She has the best sense of humor, loves everyone and their mother, and is so easy to get along with. Just on Thursday we drove down to SLC in one day for her dress fitting and all the way down we could be laughing one second and then a minute later be in such a deep conversation about the gospel or past trials. I love that I can just talk about anything with her and I know she is a tender mercy from my Father in Heaven. She has been through a lot and has so much faith. She really inspires me every single day.

 I cannot wait to see her and Garrett get married! I have helped them prepare for children as being their permanent third wheel. YOU ARE WELCOME JOHNSON FAMILY.

Five random facts about Victoria:

1. She has so many ways to say her name. I am pretty sure I haven't called her by the same name once in this post.

2. She is very creative especially when it comes to graphic design.

3. Her parents live in France and she gets to live in Rexburg...lucky girl!

4. She will eat pizza with me whenever I desire it (friends that eat take out with you are hard to find guys!)

5. She is the sweetest person ever. she randomly just buys me a lemonade because she knows I love lemon and ade. 

I just love ya Aunt Vicky!

friends4lyfe #3

Mylissa Hoover

This here is Mylissa, Missa, Lissa, you can call her whaaaatever ya liiiiike...(cue T.I song)

Mylissa is my new roommate this semester and one of the most awesome girls you will ever meet. She is the one that introduced me to iPod idol (you all must try it), dancing like you just don't care, and the t.v. show "Criminal Minds." She is truly and honestly one of the strongest girls I have ever had the privilege of meeting. She has had some hard trials in her life and yet stands through it all with a smile on her face. She is constantly giving the best advice and never thinks of herself. I remember one day we were worried about one of our roommates and she just got out all of her self-help books and just started writing all the things we could do to help her. She is just the sweetest and I am so happy that I get to call her a friend. What makes me sad is that we now only have 3 weeks left, but she has definitely affected me for the rest of my life in the best way possible.

Always in the back seat, never the front.

Five random facts about Mylissa:

1. She loves "Twilight" more than she loves babies (sometimes), she even won a trip to Forks, Washington.

2. Her whole room is covered in One Direction posters. #madrespect

3. She is from the east coast!

4. She refrigerates her peanut butter...

5. She has the best music on her iPod...NSYNC's Christmas CD anyone?



I love the girl.

friends4lyfe #2

Nikki Tatham

This is Nikki and she is the sweetest person on this earth. I met her back in January through my friend Sam and connected with her immediately. She became my Costa Vida partner, my therapist, my spiritual confidant, etc. The list goes on and on. 

Back story on Nikki, she was baptized April 2012 and then moved out here to BYU-Idaho in September from Illinois. If she isn't the most courageous person on this earth, I don't know who is! She has the strongest testimony and I am constantly uplifted by it every time I see her. 

 She is seriously one of the most caring individuals you will ever meet...EVER. She is constantly looking for ways to serve others, whether it's a quick note or a phone call or baking cookies. She is constantly following the promptings of the spirit and she makes me want to be better all the time because of it. I mean she even moved into another apartment halfway through this semester because of a prompting to help another girl. HOW AWESOME IS SHE?! I am so thankful to have Nikki in my life because she truly has shown me what it means to have Christ-like love for everyone.

Five random facts about Nikki:

1. She drives a PT Cruiser (I know, I know, I almost wasn't her friend because of it ;)

2. She can cook like nobodies business.

3. She is a PRO GOLFER PEOPLE!! She had a full scholarship at her last college.

4. She has the cutest sense of humor.

5. She knows every song ever produced on this planet. I'm serious, any song that plays on the radio, even if it is from 1928, she knows the words.

Like I said before, I don't know how I get so lucky. 

Love you Nicuragua!

friends4lyfe post #1

.Ciara Brown.

I really don't know how to describe Ciara except by first stating that she is the most down-to-earth, beautiful girl...ever. I went to high school with Ciara for her senior year, but we never talked. Then, just last summer we were in the same singles ward and hit it off. I connected with her like no other and I knew there was a reason and PURPOSE that we were friends. Ciara is a convert to the church, she was baptized three years ago, and has the strongest testimony I have ever seen. She loves God more than anything and you can see that by the way she treats all those around her. She has such a tender heart and is constantly looking around for those in need. She goes to school in Michigan, but would always go on splits with the sister missionaries and truly is an example of what a missionary member is. For fun we always go on drives to the temple in Vegas, park in the parking lot of the Stake Center right next door, sit on top of the car, and just talk while looking at the temple with the strip in the background. Every time after we hangout, I always feel uplifted and leave wanting to be a better person. I love you Cici, thanks for being the best advice giver and showing me what it takes to truly follow our Savior. I la la la la love you!

Random facts about Ciara:

1. She doesn't have her license...essentially I am her chauffeur. 

2. She is 4'11, but don't remind her.

3. She dresses cuter than anyone in this world.

4. She works at Sonic...keep moving parking spots and make her skate to you, that's her most favorite thing.

5. She has an attitude...of LOVE AND KINDNESS. 

you know mama loves you, Ci.

Friends.

I've been thinking lately about how lucky I am with the friends that I have had throughout my life. Some of them are seriously tender mercies, sent straight up from heaven to help ya girl out, so I've just decided that this week, each day, I'll post something about a certain friend and tell all 4 readers of this blog out there how this friend changed my life. I think it will just add even more to my gratitude and love for them.

When this little girl grows up, she better be my friend.

From the Heart Choir

....soooooooo this semester I have had the awesome opportunity to be a part of a choir called, "From the Heart." It's a student run choir, not affiliated with the school, but we perform firesides every week. There is a spirit about it which is just so awesome and overwhelming, I feel so lucky to be a part of it. Because it is student run, that means everyone in it sacrifices their time and talents, we practice thursday for two hours and sunday as well. We truly give our whole hearts to singing these sacred songs and I am so thankful for all the members examples.


I remember seeing the choir perform last year and just crying the whole time #likeaboss

I also remember thinking that I so wanted to be a part of it, so I tried out this year, and when I made it I was so dang happy. There are about 25 -30 of us.

Rexburg wind, the ingredient to make anyone look like a model.

Onto why I love this choir so much. Last tuesday we had the opportunity to go and perform at the Juvenile Correctional Center in St. Anthony. All I can say is that it truly was one of the most powerful experiences of my life. Ah guys!!! I just feel so lucky that I was able to be an instrument in the Lord's hand and to be a part of it! I just know that as we sang that God loved those kids, infinitely. As we were singing a song called, "Come unto Him", I so badly wanted those kids to heed that call!

It was so different than singing at a normal fireside because I felt that these boys and girls at the center needed a pick-me-up and needed to know EXACTLY who they needed to turn to, to know that they are not, nor ever, alone.

I am so thankful for this gospel and I know that those beautiful boys and girls felt their Savior's love that night! When you know, ya know, right?

I love it.

P.S. mama feels that she is blogging too much, I'll stahp, maybe.

Father's Day

I know I just dedicated a post to my dad, but I would just like to say that I am thankful for a father who makes us wear pajamas to Walmart to take Christmas photos for 2011, forgets that we took photos at Walmart, then goes to Walmart the following October 2012, remembers them, orders them, and sends them out.

I love you, Dad.

Happy Birthday to the best of the best.

I just want to take a second and try to express how much love I have for that man below in the picture, squishing my Stolworthy cheeks that he blessed me with. 

Thank you Dad for being the most patient and understanding man I have ever met. To have all girls and to have that kind of patience makes you an angel on earth. 

Thank you for the Stolworthy head. It's big, it's bold, and full of knowledge. 

Thank you for loving God more than anything else and showing that to me every single day by the way you act and treat others. 

Thank you for letting me quit swim team after freshmen year because I absolutely hated it and would rather watch Smallville.

Thank you for showing me how to trust in the Lord through everything, no matter what. I remember when you went through the toughest trial of your life, feeling utterly alone, and yet I saw you every morning reading your scriptures, praying, etc and then at night do the very same thing.

Thank you for being a worthy priesthood holder. You make it look easy.

Thank you for loving that mom of mine more than anything.

-For kissing her in the kitchen even though all four of us girls thought it was just the worst.

-For taking her side in arguments that were against one of your own posterity, even though I KNOW I WAS RIGHT.

-For never speaking one bad word about her.

-For laughing with her until you both cry even though it's about one of us children.

-For going on leisurely walks together and still wearing workout clothes.

The love, sacrifice, time, and effort you put in your marriage has been such an example to me and I will be eternally grateful.

Thank you for never giving up on me especially through the hardest trial of my life. I'll be forever grateful, you have no idea. 

Thank you for still cheering for me and paying me my "goal" dollar even though I scored for the other team.

Thank you for your example of sacrifice. You work so hard Dad with your job, church calling, and then on top of it you have four girls that scream and run out of the house when they see a gnat.

Thank you for your HUMOR Dad! Honestly, you teaching all of us about having humor and a positive perspective on life is what has gotten me through some of the toughest times and the best of times. You are the funniest person I know.

Thank you for chasing Molly down the stairs and then sliding on the hardwood floor which led you into running into the wall making a huge hole. I have never laughed so hard. 

Thank you for putting me on time-out for seven hours that one time, grounding me, and taking my phone away. I'm sure one day I'll understand why you did it ;)

 Thank you for believing in me when I didn't believe in myself.

 Thanks for forgiving me after I have crashed two cars, had six concussions, and ruined two phones.

Thank you for chanting/dancing like a russian just so that Cate and I would have non-stop laugh attacks.

Thank you Dad for showing me that TRUE joy comes from the living the gospel.

Thank you for hearing my many rantings of how I would rather become a nun then go on another blind date in Idaho or any continent on this earth.

Thank you for showing me that failure is never fatal. "Fail big, fail gloriously."

Thank you for the daddy-daughter dates to starbucks playing checkers, the walks to Seastrand park, and making your infamous chocolate banana shakes.

Thank you for loving me.

What I am most thankful  for Dad is for you teaching me that I have a Savior who loves me infinitely and that by Him and through Him I can return to Him. This gospel is the best/most wonderful/most amazing thing in my life and I owe you for it by you showing me what a true Christlike example is. I'll love you forever. 

My life be like OOOHH AHHH OOOOOO.

I wish Mallory would wake up and help me in my quest to get a Diet Coke every once in a while.

Listen, we all know that I thrive off of awkward. It's my forte. I'm going to show you how good I am at it.

Take One: Today while I was walking on campus, I went to go buy a York peppermint pattie (if my future man for forever is reading this, know that york's will always soften my heart in any argument) When I went up to buy my York, I realized that I left my wallet at home, but I did in fact have a bag full of pennies. For five minutes, the poor man at the register waited as I counted out my pennies, lost track at around 60 something and watched me start all over again. By this time there were five people waiting behind me and by the time I got to the fifties again he said, "you know what, take the York, just take it".....so I did. As I left I heard the guy behind me say, "that's so sad that that girl is so poor that she had to use pennies. So sad."

Take Two: While sitting in my family foundations class we were talking about marriage and divorce. This girl next to me stated that she was married and they were getting divorced. I looked at her and said, "oh man, I'm so sorry, that must be so hard." She replied, "Um, no. He's a poor (expletive) excuse for a man, you should know that he (expletive) left me, for a (expletive) woman."....what do you say to that? Well, if you are Emily Stolworthy, you say," I'm sorry...oh that man!! Oh that man..." Welcome to my life.

on the plus side, I did drink a diet coke and we all know that makes the world go round.

Holla for some Rexburg nights.

You guys, I honestly think I am getting better at this whole "blogging"thing. Look at me?! Twice in one week, I deserve a whole plethora of cupcakes now. Anyway, on to my stories of Rexburg, Idaho. First, I have the most awesome roomies. I swear every semester there is some divine intervention going on and I get the most awesome people to live with/to learn from.

This past weekend, we celebrated one such roomie's 21st birthday. Victoria is one of the most amazing girls ever and I am lucky enough to call her my best friend (until our best friends get home...and maybe a little bit after that).----> that's an inside joke because her best friend and my best friend went into the MTC the same day last semester. I just love the girl. She's so strong, loving, and all around great. God really loves me guys. Now, for some los photos.

The beautiful Victoria. 

 We started out Tori's birthday with surprising her to get her nails done, then ate some Chick-Fil-A, mall time, and then surprise birthday time! Gosh, I just love that girl!

I'm a homemaker! With instant cakes!

Surprise party for Aunt Vicky

I know the coolest kids. 

 Onto my other roommates,
Joni is beautiful/awesome/the best basketball watching buddy.
Mylissa is the funniest/prettiest/best cake decorator.
Mallory is the dopest/cutest/best ipod idol contender.
 Dani is the loveliest/sweetest/ the best dancer ever.

The three best roommates you can ever have (Mylissa, ya girl me, and Joni)

I am just so thankful for all these beautiful ladies in my life. They are such examples to me and have truly taught me so many lessons that I'll keep with me forever. I hope to one day be half as amazing/loving as they are.

What lack I yet?

Hello all. I let myself eat a cupcake this morning because I am actually blogging again. Hip hip hoorah or hooray! Anyway, this past weekend has been awesome/a learning experience and I definitely have a lot of thoughts on my mind. 

First, I am a blessed, very blessed little girl. The Lord truly knows me and who I need at different times. Whether it's a random run-in with someone who says something that I need to hear or someone that I randomly hangout with after three plus years who sets an example or just awesome people who I randomly meet and become close with. Some of my roommates this past weekend got to meet some of my friends and said," Emily you always find the most awesome people as your friends in the most random places." I know it's not random and I am eternally grateful for them.

Second, Faith is something that I am cherishing a lot lately. I recently decided that I am going to restart the New Testament again. I was reading In Matthew 19 and something definitely stood out to me. A young man went to Christ and asked, "what lack I yet?" For some reason this hit me. I am constantly looking for ways to improve and sometimes that can get a bit overwhelming. I've noticed myself focusing on what I lack instead of what I have improved on. I cannot attain perfection in this life. I will always lack something and I need to accept that. It's in the eternities to come when I'll be made perfect. All the Lord cares about is that you are trying. He already knows you can do it.

Third, "Be not afraid, only believe." (Mark 5:36) I am not going to lie, preparing/going on a mission is so exciting, but also scary. I am so STOKED to go, which bothers me even more that I allow thoughts of doubt to creep in. All I can do is have faith and be believing, sometimes I even feel like I'm crying out "Lord, I believe; help thou my unbelief." (Mark 9:24) and you know what, He does help, always.

I am very thankful for trials, for a Savior who loves me infinitely through it all, and is my constant companion. When we put ourselves in situations where the Spirit can dwell, we will feel His presence, and we will come to know His nature even more. By so doing, we become like Him and one day will be able to stand in His presence with a smile on our face. I love it.

P.S.- I think I have 83 days until I leave! Hallelujah!

One of the best days ever.

I'm sure you all already heard that I got my mission call through every social media device on this planet, but I haven't blogged yet, so bear with me one more time please! 

I'm going to the Columbia South Carolina Mission!

So good at staged photos #professional

I got my call on April 11, 2013 and to say that I was excited is an understatement. Opening my call was awesome, I was surrounded by people that I love and that are such tender mercies in my life. To be honest, I had a feeling that I was going east coast english speaking, so when I read my call, I had this peace come over me. I felt so much love, it was a bit overwhelming. To come this far through everything and to be able to go on a mission is the most beautiful gift that my Father in Heaven has given me. I love this gospel and my Savior. I cannot wait to share it!

Here are some facts about it.

1) The state motto is, "While I breathe, I hope". I love that.
2)  I have no idea. 
3) That one guy from the Bachelorettes dad is my mission president.
4) I report August 21st!

I cannot WAIT to go!

Happy Easter.

John 11:25 "Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:"

My heart is so full today with love for my Savior. I am so blessed by Him that it is a bit overwhelming at times. I remember sitting at Stake Conference and Elder Callister called me up and told me to speak on the spot. As I was praying like my life depended on it on the way up to the podium, I just thought about the time I was in the car with my best friend KD and just started crying because of the overwhelming blessings God has given me throughout my trial. Even though my trial has been mentally and physically exhausting, my Heavenly Father has blessed me more than I think I have been tried. I felt so undeserving, but also felt so much love. That is exactly what I spoke about. The Atonement is a gift that can change the hearts and nature of man. It's so beautiful and sacred. I am so thankful for a Savior on whom I can rely when the times get rough and when they go great.

On another note....

MY CALL COMES THIS WEEK! Honestly waiting for my call has given me the gift of patience.

Decisions

Life is full of crazy decisions and I say that lovingly. Lately I have had to make some huge decisions that will alter my life for the better. One being deciding to serve a mission, my papers go in this Sunday! I remember last October I prayed and fasted about going on a mission and got the answer "prepare for a mission". After that, a lot of things were on my mind,  I then felt impressed not to put my papers in yet at the end of November. After that decision, I actually really started preparing for a mission without even realizing it. I would get up an hour earlier so that I could study for an hour and my prayers became dear to me again. When I came back up to school, it got even better. One day on February 11th, I felt prompted to go to the temple early in the morning like at 9 (THAT IS EARLY FOR ME #judgeme) and as I was walking there, I was wearing a long skirt and thought "I feel like a sister missionary, how rad!" (cheesy but it's what I thought) When I went inside the temple and was waiting in the chapel for my turn, the word "mission" came into my mind and I got an overwhelming feeling that it was my time to go. You guys, it was the most amazing feeling in the world!! I am so serious. It was imprinted on my heart that this was what I was supposed to do. Right after I got outside the temple, I called my parents and told them. They are stoked. My paperwork has taken longer then expected, but everything happens for a reason.. I know that wherever I am sent, I have been prepared to go to. I love my Savior and my Father. I know that this work is REAL and I cannot wait to be apart of it.



fyi. these photos were taken by a pretty lady named Brooke.
She's hilarious and you all would love her. Thanks for making me look sweet hunnay!

What.

Let me give you the deets of my extravagant life.

1) I am back at BYU-I
2) I have the best roommates ever.
3) My best friend enters the MTC....tomorrow
4) Don't know what I am going to do about #3
5) I love EVERYONE HERE
6) My english class will be the death of me
7) I love God's tender mercies

I really do love being back in Idaho. I just have realized that I need to be better at this blogging thang. It's sort of a release for me, so mama is gonna try to blog at least ONCE a week (I know...huge goal).