a sweet lesson

About two weeks ago my Co-Chair Chris and I planned to do Cupcake Wars as an activity in our Singles Ward for Family Home Evening. We were both really excited for the activity and, at the same time, we were really busy the week before the event was going to take place. On Sunday as Chris announced the activity, a few people asked if they could bring anything. I told one person "maybe some candy would be nice, if you could" and to the rest I really just said "no, I think we'll be alright". As I thought more about it, I kind of became prideful in wanting to plan the entire event on my own. I thought "oh! we'll have tons of cupcakes, and candies, and themes for the groups...." (Hmm, what is wrong with you Grace? You don't have the time to do that). As I walked into the kitchen to clean up the Munch n' Mingle food after church, Sister Porter, the bishop's sweet wife, asked if there was anything she could do to help. I quickly gave her the same response as the previous inquirer "Sister Porter, it would be awesome if you could maybe bring some candies to decorate the cupcakes." She replied, "Absolutely," and that was that.

Now set the stage for Monday evening. This is most likely my second or third Monday at my summer job, I am exhausted and my hair is jutting out from my head every which way (I don't mean to complain, but it was!). I find 25 minutes after work to run with Kendrick to Christmas Tree Shoppes and what do I find? Umm, some animal crackers, a packet of gummy tarantulas, and some JuJuBees. Basically, nothing. But me, being the stubborn optimist that I usually am, was convinced that these three things would be enough for the entire ward to create a mass of cupcake creations. Wrong. But we move on.

Chris, Kendrick, and I arrive at the church with 8 dozen cupcakes and 8 cans of frosting, along with our "goodies" from Christmas Tree Shoppes (for those of you who don't know what that is, it's a kind of more-than-a-dollar dollar store -- they have everything). As Chris and I were putting our animal crackers and odd gummy novelties into styrofoam bowls, our friend Nikki made an AWESOME sign to put up in the gym. Once we were finished, I'd say we had enough bowls for each group to have 4, so 24 bowls. Pretty good, right? Not quite.


As I was worrying "Will this be good enough? Will people think this is a cool activity? Do we have enough cupcakes?", Sister Porter, Bishop Porter, and their daughter Rachel Porter walk in with bags and bags and BAGS of candy and fun things to decorate the cupcakes. And we're not talkin' more animal crackers, we're talking Reese's Pieces, Gummy Bears, M&Ms -- the works. Chris and I could not believe our eyes. I felt so blessed to be supported by Sister Porter and her family. It was just a speechless moment as we rushed to fill more bowls - eventually each team was allowed 11 bowls. That is 7 more for each team than we had originally planned!

It wasn't until after the event, when I was back at Wellesley, that I realized the lesson that this moment had taught me. When we do our best, and even when we don't, the Savior makes up the rest. He provides us with the mercy, strength, and hope that create a surplus of spiritual resources for all of us. All I did was my best, and I thought that what I had literally "brought to the table" was enough. And just like that, Sister Porter, Bishop Porter, and their family showed all of us, and especially me, that the Lord has so many blessings in store for us that our so much greater than we could ever imagine. We must continue to be better a little each day. When we do this, we are promised blessings - which sometimes may even come as Gummy Bears or Resse's Pieces.

Here's a little secret - If I could just have an intense jam session/dance party with myself and some professional lighting.. it would be a dream come true.

This song is kind of shady, but hopefully you get the point.

summer's beginning

School has been out for almost three weeks and GOSH what a cool three weeks this has been

Right after school ended, I moved into Kendrick's room and we were able to be roommates for about two weeks. During this time, we ran errands and hung out - also, our friend Camille left and that was sad.

Last week I was able to attend the National Conference of College Women Student Leaders in Washington DC. It was a terrific experience because I was able to meet so many different kinds of students and people, in general. Lately, I have been realizing how many people actually live on this earth. I am struck by the vastness of the world every time I fly (in an airplane, of course). Humility is the only thing that I feel as the plane lifts off of the ground and into the air - leaving the sense of stability behind. There is no room for pride as you watch the things below you become smaller and smaller.

I have also started work as a Wellesley Student Orientation Coordinator. This is such a unique and exciting job. I work with fun and happy people - which is my favorite thing in the world. I hope to post more adventures as the summer continues.

you know what i think?

I think that sometimes people do things just so they can post about it on social media sites. The more I hear people talk about Mobile Uploads, Profile Pictures, and a witty status they can post about an event, the more I'm just like "sttttttttooooopppppp it". Now don't get me wrong, I am definitely guilty of all of these crimes, but hey - a woman can change. I am tired of people just complaining, bragging, and just posting unnecessary things all over the Internet.

Wanna know something ironic? I just spewed all of these random thoughts all over my own personalized social media sphere.

no coincidences

Today, before walking to the Library, a few friends and I stopped to look through the Sustainability Bin that was in our Res Hall Lobby. In this bin students can give away things they don't want anymore: books, clothes, lamps, etc. While we were looking through said-bin, Kendall had already found two top hats and a pair of boots, when suddenly I spotted a pair of turquoise Converse sneakers. I was excited to have found this treasure, but wasn't sure if they would fit my size 8 feet. With some encouragement from Kendall and Kendrick, I tried on the shoes - and they fit! I was stoked.  Instead of running them up to my room, I put them in my backpack and left for the Library.

Fast-forward to around 3 p.m. this afternoon. I had just come home from a meeting in the Campus Center and was now sitting on my bed, watching an episode of The Office. --Cue the pouring rain-- I am not kidding when I say that I thought Noah's Ark Pt. 2 was going down outside. It was insane. And I was heading to work in 5 mins. With my backpack packed and my raincoat on, I ventured out into the torrential downpour. I NEVER KNEW SO MUCH WATER EXISTED. I was soaking wet from the top of my head to my shoes - in fact, at one point both of my shoes were underwater in a puddle. So I get to the Music Library and throw off my backpack, only to realize that I had that extra pair of shoes in my backpack! I didn't have to wear soggy shoes and socks for four and half hours!

Long story short: Heavenly Father always provides us with what we need, when we need it. Coincidences do not exist, but our Savior does! That is the greatest piece of knowledge that I know to be true. It's about 23049820948208394 times greater than any paper I must finish by tomorrow at 4:30 p.m.

FIVE PAGES LEFT UNTIL SUMMER.

spring memories

I don't really have time to write a super long post - but apparently I have time to write a short one?

I think that I will start with the present and go into the past as far as story-telling goes:

1. Today - We will celebrate three birthdays! Tyler Clites', Kyle Duke's, and MINE

2. It's Finals Week - Boo. Fourteen pages left.

3. Tupelos Indian Food Dinner @ Anisha's House - it was the last time singing with this year's seniors!

4. Tupelos Clam Bake (Will expand upon this day in a later post)

5. Tupelos go to Mormon Church! What a cool experience -- I was able to conduct the music in Sacrament Meeting in the Cape Cod Branch

6. Professor Greer brought a cake to the last day of HIST 252: The Modern Black Freedom Struggle - one of my favorite classes at Wellesley



I'm kind of tired of listing, so I will just let everyone know that work starts on June 4th and I could not be more excited! Before that I will attend a Women's College Leadership Conference in Washington D.C., that I know will be an incredible experience.

Here's to an awesome, fun, thrilling summer!

This is something that has been on my mind lately. It's tricky to balance thinking of the future in the same sphere as cherishing each day. Plus, Sister Marjorie Pay Hinckley is quickly becoming one of my favorite people of all time. That is all. Happy Thursday!