I Love Music

If you know me... you know that I love music. I can't sing or play an instrument well; however, that doesn't matter. I still love it. One of my favorite things to do is look for new songs. I love finding those hidden gems that you'll probably never hear on the radio. 

In preparing to leave for my mission, I have been trying to find more gospel/religious songs. There are some great songs in that genre; however, I am really going to miss the rest of my music library. Today, I took a break from looking up songs for my "Mission Playlist" and went back to my "Be Chill" playlist which has some of my very favorite artists that I hadn't listened to in awhile. I thought I'd compile a list (for myself, and for anyone wanting some new music). These songs are all very.. "chill" :) haha.. which is my favorite kind!

Ben Rector: His "Into the Morning" album is fantastic. Favorites are "She is", "When a Heart Breaks", "Without You" and "Loving You is Easy"

Elle Mae Bowen: "Holding Out For a Hero"

Tyrone Wells: "All I'm Thinking of" "Happy As the Sun" & "Give Me on Reason"

He Is We: I'm obsessed with this band. Different style, but I love all of their songs. Check out "All About Us" & "Happily Ever After".. then all of them..

Tim Halperin: "The Last Song"

Steve Moakler: "Thing About Us" & "Hesitate"

Andrew Ripp: "You Will Find Me"

Parachute: "The Way It Was" Album is all really good. 

Mat Kearney: "Count on Me", "Where We Gonna Go From Here" & "Ships in the Night" Saw him in concert. Love his songs.

Jon McLaughlin: "Beautiful Disaster", "Maybe It's Over" & "Human" Looove him.

Boyce Avenue: "Dare to Believe" & "On My Way"

Cam Nacson: "The Words I Couldn't Say" & "Crazy Kids"

Ed Sheeran: "Kiss Me" & "Give Me Love"

Gavin DeGraw: His new song "You Know Where I'm At" along with many others

The Maine: "Thinking of You" & "Whoever She Is"

Graham Colton: "Hold onto my Heart" &"Love Comes Back Around"

Matt Nathanson: "Still", "Bent" "I Saw"

Jason Reeves: "Reaching" & "To This Day"

Joshua Radin: "Paperweight", "Brand New Day"  & "The Fear You Won't Fall"

Holiday Parade: "Driving Away" & "Look out Below"

Lindsey Ray: "You Make Me Happy"

Andy Grammer: "Miss Me" & "Fine By Me"

Ron Pope: "A Drop in the Ocean" & "Our Song"

The Script: Their popular ones, but also "Science & Faith" It's great.

Stephen Speaks: "Out of My League"

Icarus Account: "Unpredictable".. and others 

Maybe you've heard of some of them. These are just some favorites of mine that aren't very popular, I have many more but I think this is a good list. I, of course, love all my country and other popular music, but... there's a lot more out there besides what the radio plays. :)

I suppose I should get back to my Physics homework now.. 

Cowntdowns

4 days until Mom and Megan come to Utah.

24 days until I get home. 

57 days until I leave on my mission.

Today I realized I have been looking forward to these things a lot more than I should be. It's that whole "enjoy where you are" saying that I often overlook. 

As the weeks are winding down with school (right before they pick up again with finals), I have realized how much I'm actually going to miss this place. Sure, Utah isn't Oklahoma, but it's become my home away from home. When I drive into Utah Valley and see the big Y on the mountain.. I feel like I'm coming home. It's the same feeling I get when I look out the window of the airplane as it touches down in Oklahoma and I see miles and miles of flat land. I really have grown to love Utah for the friends I've made, the school I attend, the gorgeous mountains, and even the culture that sometimes drives me crazy. Sure, it doesn't compare to Oklahoma, but I'll miss it all the same. 

I'm really going to miss my roommates. There have been days where I've wanted to duct tape their mouths shut and put them in the trunk of a car... but besides those days.. I've loved the last 2 years we've had together. :) A lot of us are going different directions after this year, but nothing can truly break us up.

As much as I'm going to miss BYU, the roomies, and other friends.. It doesn't come close to the amount of excitement I have towards serving a mission. I've been reining it in as I finish up school, but once those finals are over... :) Let's just say it will be a great feeling. 

Something to Ponder on...

So I originally had posted a quote, but I found out that it wasn't legit. Sorry about that. But here's another one

"I am part of the fellowship of the unashamed.  The dye has been cast.  The decision has been made.  I have stepped over the line.  I won't look back, let up, slow down, or back away.  My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure.  I'm finished with low living, sight walkin, small planning, smooth knees, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap giving and dwarfed goals.  I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity.  I don't have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded, rewarded.  I now live by faith, lean on His presence, walk with patience, live by prayer and labor with power.  My face is set, my gait is fast and my goal is Heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions are few, my guide is reliable, my mission is clear.  I can not be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded, or delayed.  I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the adversary, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.  I won't give up, shut up, let up, until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, spoken for the case of Christ.  I am a disciple of Jesus Christ.  I must go 'till He comes, give 'til I drop, preach 'till all know, and work 'till He stops me.  My banner is clear.  I am part of the fellowship of the unashamed."

I can't wait to be a missionary.

Lazily Focused.

I'm probably number 1 on the list of best procrastinators at BYU. I'm really good at it. I'm not sure if that's a good thing or not.. but it doesn't change the fact that I procrastinate way too often. 

The real problem is.. it's all a mind game. Here's a peek into my mind:

• I'll sit down and do the homework that is due the next day, have extra time to get ahead on other assignment, but I don't. Instead I reward myself for doing my homework, by..well, not doing anymore homework. 
• I have a long list of things I want to do. Books to read and study, Spanish to learn, etc. However, when I do have free time... I decide to watch a movie, look up new music. I rationalize it to myself by saying, "You won't be able to do this for 18 months."
• I'm really good at planning, but I'm even better at not doing things when I planned them. I ask myself, "Do I have to do this now?" No? Then I do it later.
• Then there are the times someone comes and asks if I want to go out for ice cream, play a prank on someone, or watch a movie. Obviously all of those things are more fun than studying... so I go.
• I'm very focused and determined when I have a deadline over me... but not a week in advance. That's just how I work.

Bottom line. I'm okay with procrastinating, as long as it gets done. I don't want to look back on my college years and wish I had had more fun. I'm never going to be the student that studies all day, every day. Maybe I'll regret it when I start applying to PA Schools in a few years, but as of now... I don't think I will. 

And yes. I am procrastinating right now.

Post-Mission Call

It has been almost a month since I opened my mission papers.

Oh, how time flies. 100 more days until I leave, and I know that it will be here before I know it. I can't wait. I try to stay busy, and trust me.. it's not that hard to do while in college.. but it's always there. Whether it's in the back of my mind, or the front.. it's constantly reminding me of the amazing opportunity I have to serve a mission. There are moments where I feel like it's all a dream that I'm going to wake up from, but it's not.. and that's the best part. :)

Life lately:

 Volleyball Games

 Archery

 Movie Nights

 Chocolate Fondue, and Pretzels

& Basketball Games

I want to give a shout-out to my parents. 

I'll be the first to tell you that I often take them for granted. The phone calls, the random texts, and skype sessions. Whether we are talking about the weather, life, or a Thunder game from the night before, I look forward to every conversation. They tell me they love me. They support me. They listen to my occasional rants, and can always bring a smile to my face. More importantly, I love that they love each other. Whether it's a corny joke from my dad, or encouragement from my mom.. I don't know where I'd be without either of them.

Dear Sister Orr.... :)

 After a lot of waiting...I went to the mailbox in the morning, and the mailman had just gotten there! It was perfect. I may have slightly stalked him, but hey.. you gotta do whatcha gotta do. :)

Later that day.. I opened it! I had my family on Skype, and a lot of friends at my apartment.  Here's the video!

Dear Sister Orr:

You are hereby called to serve as a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You are assigned to labor in the Arizona Mesa Mission. In addition to your calling to share the gospel, you will be assigned to serve in the Mesa Arizona Temple Visitors' Center. It is anticipated that you will serve for a period of 18 months. You should report to the Provo Missionary Training Center on Wednesday, May 29, 2013. You will prepare to preach the gospel in the Spanish language.

I don't even know where to start!! I am so excited to be able to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. For those of you that don't know how it works, I will leave on May 29, 2013 to the Missionary Training Center (MTC) in Provo, UT. After 6 weeks of learning Spanish, how to teach and be a missionary I will head straight to Mesa, Arizona. I can't wait to learn Spanish and teach everyone about the gospel of Jesus Christ. I know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is true. I know that the Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ, in addition to the Bible, and that it has brought me more happiness than I could ever imagine. I love that I am going to Mesa, Arizona. I know it is the perfect place for me to serve, and I can't wait to bring the joy of the gospel to those I teach. 

I am so grateful for my family, and all the support they've given me with this decision as they have my entire life. I'm also grateful for all my friends. Even though they don't want me to go, they have all been so supportive. I can't wait to start this new adventure in my life. :) 

Okie Friends & 80's Night

Hello everyone. This first week and a half of school has been great. I've been staying really busy with the classes I'm taking, along with trying to work. It's been really good. I had an Okie night with Ryan, Rachel, the future Mr. & Mrs. Tyler Bean, and Dylan. We played Just Dance 4, some games, and appropriately watched the OKC Thunder beat the Lakers. 

As a family, we went sledding at Rock Canyon Park. It was FREEZING!! We had fun though :)

I went to Dylan's farewell talk on Sunday. He gave a fantastic talk! It was one of the best missionary farewells I've been to. It was cool to see how much he's grown in the last couple years. He will be an amazing missionary and is leaving for Spain the first week of February!!  

The highlight of the semester was definitely last night! Our ward rented out Classic Skating in Orem and we had an 80's night. It was so much fun! One of the best activities we've had. The activities committee must be really great... *wink* *wink* :)

Our Bishop and his wife definitely looked the best. They are so much fun.

Oh and I'm supposed to get my mission call tomorrow. I suppose that's big news ;) I can't wait to finally know where I'm going! It's only been about a 11 days since I put them in, but man... this waiting game is awful! Especially when you're trying to focus on school! But, hopefully I will be able to tell you all very soon where I'll be spending 18 months of my life :)