holla @ the dj for mini miracles.

This week has definitely been one for the books. Like my journal book. And I'm guessing if you are reading this you care about my life, so here is an update:

I will just let you in on a few "mini miracles" I experienced throughout this week. Cass and I decided to become videographers. We drove up the canyon and recorded everything we did. I realized how thankful I was for good friends this fine day. Friends who I could just blast music, get stuck in the snow, talk to cows and laugh with. The first mini miracle this week is friends. I know my Heavenly Father is aware of me because of the people He has placed into my life.

If you would like to view our MLK festivities here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwKEMSSZcTw

 The second mini miracle this week would be the blessings of the temple. I had the opportunity to take family names to the temple. I love being able to sit and feel of the special spirit that resides there. The temple workers are all so sweet. Being able to escape the world for a little with a close friend was just what I needed. 

Mini Miracle three, I got a TB test. You will all be happy to know I am TB free. woo! This was the last thing I needed in order to submit my mission papers to the bishop. I have scheduled to meet with the bishop on the 1st & the stake president on the 10th. I have never been more excited for something in my whole life. I cannot wait to dedicate 18 months to serving the Lord. I stay up late watching random people open their mission calls. I read my scriptures like it is a plate of my dad's food and I haven't eaten in a week. My hour and a half mission prep class doesn't seem long enough. I can already feel love for the people I am going to serve and I have no idea where that even is yet. The word missionary makes me smile ear to ear. I love this gospel and I want everyone to know what I know. To know why I am so happy. To know that they can be with their families forever. To know that their prayers are answered, that they are children of a loving Heavenly Father. Miracle three is that my online papers are submitted. YAY. 

Miracle four, I got a new roommate! Her name is Hailey and she is seriously awesome. She fit right into our C1O1 family. She came at the right time, we actually had plans this weekend. We had a blast at dinner with Cassidy's dad and playing catch in the hotel pool. The fourth miracle is new friendships. I am happy to say I have a new friend & we all love her.

Miracle number five happened today. In sacrament we were taught about family history and temple work. Sunday school, I went to gospel principles, Cass taught the lesson, it was only our roommates in the class and we had a wonderful bonding experience over the creation. I realized again how blessed I am in the friends department. Relief Society was great as always, we actually talked about mini miracles we noticed throughout our week, which inspired this blog. We also talked about developing our spirituality and recognizing the spirit in our lives. We had the wonderful opportunity to attend a devotional by an apostle of Jesus Christ, Quetin L. Cook, who came to speak to the young single adults of USU. His talk was on choosing the path of righteousness. My favorite part of the devotional was the hymn we sang as a congregation, The spirit was so powerful. I love the feeling I get among so many members of the church. The fifth miracle is Sundays.
These are just a few of the tender mercies or mini miracles I experienced this week. I am way happy and loving second semester even more than the first. I have 5 of the best friends anyone could ever hope to have. I am preparing to serve a mission. I am not dating because boys are gross and I am thinking of changing my major to biology. Well this has been an update by Taylor Alexis Peck. I love you all & hope all is well. Take time this next week to notice the mini miracles in your own lives. You'll be surprised at how many amazing things happened during your week.

There is Joy in the Journey to Perfection.

It has only been a week of this new semester and I have already learned so much. Some of you may not know this but I have decided to serve an LDS mission. This decision has already started to change my life. I have been striving to better myself in regards to scripture study, and let me tell you it has made all the difference so far. I am so happy. Little things that use to bother me are no longer an issue. I have more time to do the things I need to and feel more love for those around me.

This week I have experienced many different instances where I could have let myself get down or upset or revert back to my old ways of holding grudges, but I didn't. I didn't let some dumb boy decide how I was going to feel about myself. I let go of past feelings of jealousy and let an old friend back into my life. These may seem like small decisions, but for me they are huge. 

Moving now in life is essential. Everyone is here to grow. Part of growing is forgiving and forgetting. I always told myself that I could forgive but I didn't have to forget. I would hold on to things that people may have done to hurt me in the past and let that influence the way I thought about them. I know realize, that is not very forgiving. As I have been studying the scriptures more I have come to realize how much energy I have wasted holding grudges and constantly comparing myself to the success of others. Last night in a devotional giving by Brother Randall Ridd, the second counselor in the general young men's presidency, he talked about living with a purpose and with real intent. In the scripture Matthew 5:48 it reads "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." It says to be perfect, but in the footnotes, this kind of perfect means to be complete, finished, or fully developed. I know I am not perfect, but I am taking what life hands me and using those experiences to become whole and to reach my full potential in this life. I am with Tolstoy when he says "There is joy in the journey to perfection." I am all about finding that joy, in fact I have already found pieces of it in my roommates. my mission prep class. texts from my sisters or late night thought texts from a close friend. the scriptures. sacrament meeting. devotionals. snapchat wars. less than live Bachelor nights. coloring books. warm blankets. rain. prayer. little Cesar's pizza. one direction's new CD. giant snowflakes. the institute building. calls from my mom & dad.
I know that through daily scripture study I can continue to find that joy in my life. I cannot wait to serve the Lord for 18 months and be able to dedicate that time to teaching others about the love of God and His amazing gospel. Just something to remember as you go throughout this week:

“Desires dictate our priorities, priorities shape our choices, and choices determine our actions.” -Dallin H. Oaks

new year, new me.

It is now 2O15. Wow. I am happy to report that the year ended better than it started. At the beginning of this year I was still in high school, longing for Hermana Peck to be home, and counting down the days to graduation. This year ended with the Peck clan all back together, five new life long friends, and me living on my own in Utah. The changes have been hard but oh so needed. For like the fifth time I said goodbye to my family (update: it has not gotten easier). But I know that in order for me to grow it is necessary to be away from them. With a new year comes so much relief and hope. It is a clean slate, a fresh start. Goals are set and adjustments are made.It's a new year & therefore a new me.

I have realized that with this new year comes the biggest changes and decisions of my life this far. I have decided to serve a mission for the LDS church for 18 months. I have always longed to serve a mission but now that it is so close, the feelings are setting in. I am more excited then I have ever been but at the same time, scared. This year I will also finish my first year of college and turn 19.

I have no doubt that this year will be one for the books. I can already feel it. I have some of the greatest friends I have ever come across in my 18 years of life and I am finally becoming who I have always wanted to be. Change is no longer a scary and bad thing. It is inspiring. I love meeting new people and trying new things. And 2O15 will be filled with new experiences. Of course with the start of the new year, I have made some resolutions. I know, only 8% of people actually accomplish their "new years resolutions" and this year I plan to be apart of that 8%.

Life is meant to be enjoyed, not just endured. This is my moto for 2k15. I want to enjoy every second of this year, live life to the fullest. I want the people in my life to know how much they mean to me. I want to get out and try everything. I want to be spontaneous & outgoing. I want to be myself.

I have high hopes for this new year. Lots of goals to be completed and people to meet. So, I better get off the computer, get ready for the day, delete Netflix and trivia crack, and start talking to everyone I meet. Happy New Year, everyone! I hope it is filled with love & laughter. lots & lots of laughter. Let 2O15 begin. (I know it started 5 days ago, but hey, I was on break :P)

(this is how pumped I am for the new year! #2K15)