"Let us open our arms to each other, accept each other for who we are, assume everyone is doing the best he or she can, and look for ways to help leave quiet messages of love and encouragement instead of being destructive with bashing."- Marvin J. Ashton

So recently I have come to have a new favorite talk. No, it's not written by President Uchtdorf. I know this will be a shock to many of you (and it should be!) but my new favorite talk can be found here. It is entitled "The Tongue Can Be a Sharp Sword" and it basically talks about how the greatest charity we can offer people is our love and support. The title of this post comes from this talk. My other favorite paragraph is below:

"None of us need one more person bashing or pointing out where we have failed or fallen short. Most of us are already well aware of the areas in which we are weak. What each of us does need is family, friends, employers, and brothers and sisters who support us, who have the patience to teach us, who believe in us, and who believe we’re trying to do the best we can, in spite of our weaknesses."

I LOVE this. So this past week my goal was to support and lift others. Did I do well? Mostly. But I wish to express one moment in time that I actually succeeded. In my missionary prep class last Sunday, they challenged us to find someone in our classes that needed our help. I honestly thought that it was going to be hard and very awkward. However, it turned out to be pretty easy. I ended up sitting by this sweet girl named Meredith who was absolutely incredible. She came and sat by me on Wednesday again and I am so thankful for the opportunity to build someone up!

Two Wednesdays ago was a weird day. I am taking 16 credits this semester and trying to maintain a social life and go to work. So I have six midterms and papers and all this stuff going on last week. I was doing completely fine and studying for my American Christianity test in the Joseph Smith Building (the JSB) because I feel like I can absorb religious knowledge from the walls. One of my friends that I know because of Professor Cope saw me and I literally just started crying. Yeah. Can anyone say embarrassing? So as I'm crying, I realize people are in there and it's awkward so I run down the hall to Professor Cope's office with tears streaming down my face. I knocked on her door and at this point I am literally sobbing. She came, gave me a hug, and listened while I vented about everything in life. And then she solved all my problems by suggesting we go get fro-yo. So yes, I did break down emotionally. But honestly, it was the most liberating event in my ENTIRE life. Probably because I have never cried that much in my entire life. Also, it just goes to show that some people are in your life for a reason and I am so thankful that I have Professor Cope in my life. Seriously!! 

Now onto less serious things...

Like how I, Kelsey Marie Davis, ended up going to a Haunted House. Madison and Marisa have these guy friends Joey and Cole and they all wanted to go to this haunted house in Salt Lake City. Here's the thing. I hate scariness. I am WAY claustrophobic and deciding to twenty dollars to have people scare the cracker out of me was not my idea of a fun Friday night. When we were standing in line, we executed a plan and it really was only one idea: that I would ALWAYS be in the middle. So we start off and I am like hyperventilating about going in. Then Joey dares me to go in front. And not liking to back down from a challenge, I did!! I ended up leading the way the whole time and did not scream once. Favorite part of the whole experience? When Madison screamed at the sight of a midget. It was soo funny!

One random night that was really fun was our ward Halloween party. We ended up all getting dressed up and going to the party! It was actually way fun in only the way a Mormon dance party can be. Afterwards we got crepes from the Awful Waffle (which is soo good!) and watched Reba until midnight. Yeah, we're pretty cool. 

This past Wednesday I drove up with my friend Michal to go to Salt Lake. She and Casey are taking a class up there so I mooched off a ride. I know this may sound weird, but I LOVE doing things by myself. So I ended up walking around the Gateway mall which is this HUGE outdoor mall. I bought myself dinner and then headed over to the Joseph Smith Memorial Building to watch the movie. So there I am sitting by myself and I cried a LOT. I love that movie because it helped me realize how easy my life was and how Joseph Smith HAD to be a prophet!

Also as a random confession, I have now watched 27 dresses twice in 7 days. It is perhaps my favorite movie because it is so totally me!!

Two Saturdays ago was the most random Saturday of my entire life. I woke up and told Sam I wanted to watch the Lizzie McGuire movie. Guess what? She had it so four of my roomates ended up watching it. Marisa and Lindsey (two of my roomates) decided they would make a cracker load of pumpkin cookies so we could pass them out. So they did that and watched the Princess Diaries as well. It was such a great day! There were so many blonde moments and moments of pure joy!! I love the girls I live with!!

Now I have another confession. I am obssessed with this place called "The Chocolate." It is this little house that is converted into a restaurant. It sells cazookies (which is like undercooked cookies and ice cream) and cake and cupcakes and canolis. Basically, it's like the best gift given to women in this state. It is SOO good. I have gone three times in three weeks so if I look like I weigh a thousand pounds more when you see me next, it's probably because of this restaurant.

Other random occurrences including finding a place that sells steamers, donating a double count of red blood cells (and seriously died! I was so sick!!), watching the premiere of Bones/stuffing our faces with pizza, eating kielbasa and potatoes with my old roommate Michelle, and going to the movies with Sam. So yeah, my life's good!

Right now I am watching the Emma Smith movie. Am I crying like a baby? Yes. Yes I am. Why? Because I absolutely adore that woman. Her example of a person of intense faith and devotion in spite of trials makes me feel like I have nothing wrong in my life. She is the woman! I hope that someday I get to meet her and that I can grow to have her ideals and characteristics including her patience and love of the gospel. Also, I want to marry someone like Joseph because he called Emma the "choice of his heart." How adorable/cute/romantic is that? I want my story to end up like theirs and I hope it does. 

Now onto the random photo album part of this blog:

So we buried Madison in leaves and took a picture. We're so cute!

Our cute little costumes for Halloween!

Lindsey, Madison and I. 

Yep, I survived the Haunted House!

Remember how I talked about The Chocolate? This is a picture of how much I enjoy this place!

Marisa and I in the Halloween store!

Anyways, I am so thankful for the life I have. President Monson came for Devotional last Tuesday and it was INCREDIBLE!!!! I am thankful for his example and his light and that I am at a university where things like the prophet coming to speak happen!! Sometimes life is uphill where we strive to just make it to the next stair on the staircase but othertimes we get the opportunity to slide down the rails in eternal bliss. I love you all and I am so thankful for everything! (But most importantly, I'm thankful that I will be home in 12 days and that I get to see my whole family sooo soon!)