This has been my favorite quote for the last few years.

"We know that on some level Jesus experienced the totality of mortal existence in Gethsemane. It's our faith that he experienced everything - absolutely everything. Sometimes we don't think through the implications of that belief. We talk in great generalities about the sins of all humankind, about the suffering of the entire human family. But we don't experience pain in generalities. We experience it individually. That means Jesus knows what it felt like when your mother died of cancer - how it was for your mother, how it still is for you. He knows what it felt like to lose the student-body election. He knows that moment when the brakes locked, and the car started to skid. He experienced the slave ship sailing from Ghana toward Virginia. He experienced napalm in Vietnam. He knows about drug addiction and alcoholism. There is nothing you have experienced as a woman that he does not also know and recognize. On a profound level, he understands about pregnancy and giving birth. He knows about PMS and cramps and menopause. He understands about rape and infertility and abortion. His last recorded words to his disciples were, 'And lo, I am with you always even unto the end of the world." (Matthew 28:20) What does that mean? It means he understands your mother-pain when your five-year-old leaves for kindergarten, when a bully picks on your fifth-grader, when your daughter calls to say that the new baby has Downs syndrome. He knows your mother-rage when a trusted babysitter sexually abuses your two-year-old, when someone gives your thirteen-year-old drugs, when someone seduces your seventeen-year-old. He knows all that. He's been there. He's been lower than that."
 -Chieko N. Okazaki
"Lighten Up!" p.175

 I love it because I always seem to think my situation is unique to me and nobody else gets it. But this reminds me that while Jesus suffered for the whole world, he also suffered for every little thing about Robin Lesa Bell. Stressing about my chemistry grade, wondering if things in life will ever come together, the emotions of dating or the heartache of a break-up, my family dynamics, personal insecurities, loneliness, my health... Even silly things that matter only to me and no one else. I don't understand how it all works, but I know Jesus is our advocate with our loving Father. And THANK GOODNESS! :)

LET THE GAMES BEGIN!

Lately I am especially thankful for:  
My mind - I'm taking a chemistry class right now that is intense but I'm grateful that my mind is capable of learning and understanding cool things. Even when I feel like my mind is going to explode due to overload...I'm grateful it hasn't yet! Lately I'm also just grateful for everything I know. Its easy to see that people don't function well when they don't understand important truths. I'm grateful my parents taught me I could accomplish whatever I wanted. Not because I'm anything special but because anyone that works hard and does what they should, will be blessed and it will all work out. Some people really don't believe that but I'm grateful that I do.  
Mercy - I know that most things in life I can't do by myself and I'm grateful I don't have to. I can be such a space and do DUMB things but I'm grateful that people look out for me! Or else I'd have no phone, no wallet, I'd probably be stuck somewhere with my keys locked in my car.... ha! I'm so glad the Lord is aware and watches out for my scattered-self!
 Delicious Food - It just tastes SO GOOD! Amanda made an Asian steak salad one night that cured my grumpiness so fast! Paninis, bruschetta, raspberry-chocolate greek yogurt ice-cream (new favorite Ben & Jerry's)... What would the world be like without deliciousness? And of course summer, kids, family, the 4th of July, laughing... These are a few of my favorite things.


Naturally we need pictures. Even if they're totally irrelevant.... 

I don't care who you are, that's cute. I babysat for my cousin Heather- . This is her boy Logan.

I took a quick trip to Rexburg a few weeks ago. Here I am with Heidi's little girl Cora Macey.

And just because I miss this EVERYDAY.... Oh Lake Sammamish.... Pine Lake.... any lake? Utah is not meeting my summer needs.... Road trip?

Arches National Park

 

A group of us took a weekend camping trip to Moab, UT. and hiked around Arches National Park. It was a great group of people, unreal scenery, overall: FUN.

Savage-Grillo Wedding

Jen's little Luke is my bud.

I love the Logan Temple. My parents were married there too.

 My cousin Monica Savage was married to Diego Grillo April 21 in the Logan Temple. It was a beautiful day! Perfect weather with flowers in bloom...

Naturally I waited outside with the kids and missed the whole wedding since I'm not endowed. I've perfected the role of being the wedding babysitter for all my best friend's biggest day of their lives. And I'm not bitter about it!

When I moved here in September, Monica and I started going to the single's ward in our area, which is where she met Diego. So really, I am the reason for their eternal happiness!

Purple was the color.

Oh DANG!

Monica and I have been close since we were young. Her Dad (Mylan) and my mom are siblings. With my family always in Washington and hers in Utah, we were great pen pals through the school year and cherished our summers together! I'm so glad I got to live with her for a few months after her mission.

Paul and Diego :)

 

Congratulations Monica and Diego!

My cousin Monica is getting married April 21st so we had to partay.

Cheesecake-filled strawberries, Cucumber Sandwiches, Chocolate covered Strawberries, Cadbury Eggs, Veggie Tray
DELISH

Monica & Diego sugar cookie panties! Rachael and I had fun making those! :)

Lots of presents... gees I can't wait to get married!

Rachael's mom made her a beautiful quilt. I am jealous.

We Bought a Zoo

I loved the movie We Bought A Zoo! It was the first movie I've seen in a while where I walked away feeling awesome! I swear every movie has a "if only there wasn't that one part..." But not this one! It's not a total chick-flick, I went with 2 other guys who enjoyed it as much as I did. I just saw it in the cheap theater so it should be out on DVD now? Great soundtrack too! Watch it.

WHAT A WEEK! FIRST: VALENTINE'S DAY: I've always been a fan of the LOVE holiday. Exchanging treats in elementary school, excessive amounts of flowers and chocolate (my 2 favorite things), even if it is "Singles Awareness Day," I still like it! (and I've been single for pretty much all 24 years of life)

But this Valentine's Day I actually had a date! Vance and I doubled with Monica and Diego. We rode the gondola up the mountain at SnowBasin and had a 5 course meal at Needles Lodge. The view was unreal.

My meal included an "amuse-bouche" which was an asian-style shredded duck as featured in the photo. I liked that so well I ordered duck for my starter as well. Champagne-infused sorbet was the palette cleanser, halibut on quinoa in a citrus sauce with roasted veggies as the entree, and a rich chocolate tart with fresh raspberries for dessert! Of course I had to taste everyone else's dishes so by the end of the night I had enjoyed ceviche, lamb in a red-wine/coffee sauce,prime rib, gourmet chicken in polenta, a killer mushroom-brie bisque, passion fruit cheesecake, and peanut butter truffles that were more of a PB mousse covered in dark chocolate. OH BABY.

Monica and Diego:

Even Honey was excited for me:

Shortly following Valentine's Day is my birthday. And I LOVE MY BIRTHDAY! My mom flew into town Friday and when Jana Bell is in town, I am a happy camper. You know those people that don't want anyone to know its their birthday? I'm the opposite. I announced my upcoming birthday at the staff meeting at work a month in advance, when the random grocery cashier gives a courteous " Hi, How are you?" I say "I'm great, my birthday is on Sunday." So Sunday came and I was greeted with our tradition of breakfast in bed.

We had a big dinner at Aunt Lesa's with lots of relatives from the Savage side. I LOVE MY EXTENDED FAMILY.

Logan modeling Jana Bell's new Alaska hat

Mum n Uncle Todd

Aunt Renee put together an Alaska survival kit for my mom so here she is sporting her new attire/tools/animal poops.

Nathan is a good sport :)

Uncle Corey giving me my birthday shoulder-rub that I convinced him he owed me:

Vance made me a chocolate tart with raspberries to duplicate the one I loved so much from the Valentine's dinner. OH YUM. And My Mom's overbaked brownies... almost as good as Vance's creation :) My mom is staying for a few more days and I have loved having her here. Also, thanks for all the birthday love from everyone not mentioned in this post. :) THE END. For now.

GO ADELE.

VEGAS

My parents stayed the weekend in Las Vegas after my Dad had a conference in St George, so I drove down with some girls from work for the weekend. We decided to go on Thursday and left Friday! It was a spontaneous, quick trip that was well worth it. It was great to see my parents! Most people my age don't go to Vegas to hang out with their Mom and Dad but apparently I love my parents. Who knew?

I must say, they are quite the attractive couple. Oh dang!

Juuuust enjoying my king size bed in the Marriott

We watched a cute little 3D film at the 4-floor M&M store.

and I danced with the Red M&M.

Lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe. I LOVED the Aerosmith memorabilia!

And the highlight of the trip..... Riding the New York, New York with Jana Bell. She screamed the ENTIRE ride. And I laughed at her while screaming, the entire ride! She lost her voice and it made me laugh even more :)