LIVE for it.

So I kinda had this epiphany today in weight lifting. Me and Elise were talking about the second coming in weight lifting. bahah. only at BYU... anyways, so we were talking about how one of the signs is that the Saints are gonna be pretty brutally persecuted in the last, last days, like right before the second coming. and i was like, "BRING IT" i'd die for this gospel. and Elise was like I would too. And then she said something that was like BAMMM. She said, "I would die for this gospel, now I just need to live for it." it was WAYYY deep. and it got me thinking, would I live for this gospel? Do I live for it? How do you live for it? And ever since then I've kinda been brainstorming. Here's what I've come up with. You LIVE for it by not being ashamed of it. Being as Paul did when he said, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth..." (Romans 1:16). You LIVE for it by standing for it. At all times and in all things and in all places (Mormon 18:9). You LIVE for it by making it your top priority in life. By making sure you start and end your day talking to your Heavenly Father. By being instructed by the scriptures daily. You LIVE for it by sharing it with everyone around you. You LIVE for it by serving those around you. ETC. But yah. Those are just a couple thoughts I had. I'm gonna make it a goal to LIVE for the gospel each and every day of my life. The church is TRUEEE!!!

70th Ward

Kk, so don't get me wrong, I AM FREAKING STOOOKED OUT OF MY MIND TO GO TO BELGIUM. like more than you could know. but i am super scared about this semester ending and going home to Washington. Life just feels sooo right now. School is going well, I love being on campus, practicing in the HFAC, and mostly i LOVEEEEE my ward. I've met sooooooo many amazing people and made so many friends,and it scares me to have to leave. If i could have it my way, I would go home, go to Belgium, and then come right back here to my appartment, to my ward, to my friends. I just feel like four more weeks isn't enough. And as worn out as I am from school and stuff, I almost wish that time would just slow down and/or STOP. Change scares me. Always has, always will. And it's kinda ironic actually, cause obviously i needed my life to change to get me to where I am. But life's just been sooo good lately. Especially in the ward and with friends. Take yesteday and today for example... Yesterday was pretty uneventful until about 5:30. My ward had a game of Ultimate planned at the field across the street from the church. That was bomb. We played for like two hours. Then I went home and ran into Natalie and Jackie on their way to the gym. I decided to join them. So we went and worked out. After that we decided to jump into the Branbury pool with all our clothes on. We swam and laughed and played. It was suchhh a good night. It was one of those nights that made me realize, "oh, THAT'S why i'm here." It was sooo fun. Then today we had a scripture breakfast, then church, home teaching, prez meeting, which were all phenominal. But, after the meeting, me, Natalie, Sara, and Cho just talked and LAUGHED for a good two hours. It was soooooooo fun! It was hilarious. I was like peeing my pants. We talked about stupid boys, fangs, biting, spiders, bugs in general, mish work, friends, actors, you name it. haha oh my stars. Sooo funny. Then i went home for like half an hour til war prayer. Then went over to Jackie and Natalie's to play games slash just hang out with them, Brian, and Ray. I just love where I'm at in life. I love school. I love my ward. I love my friends (who are about an average of 23 btw, weird? haha). But its so wonderful. I will be eternally grateful for my many wonderful experiences this year. It was exactly what and who I needed in my life. Amazing. I don't know how he does it, but he never disappoints :] I love my life. The church is true. One more month to live it up to the fullest. ready, set, GO!
Love, Pono Santos

5Ks and Pi Dayyy!!!

SOOO MUCH PIEEE!

Sooo, I guess you could say my life is double O C. But it has been sooo fun. Last weekend was krayyy! I ran a 5K. And it was pi day. K done rhyming. Anyway. haha (that was the last one i promise) So yah. I ran the Rex Lee 5K [fo cancer] on Saturday the 13th. It was pretty good. The course started uphill, which sucked. But then it was downhill the rest of the way basically. So that was nice. I got like 29 minutes. [obvi needa work on the whole speed thing. haha] but yah it was fun even though i wish i got a better time! Andddd then Sunday was sooo bomb! It was pi day! ma second fave holiday!!! Andd i threw a pi party! It was soooo crazy. We had like 35 people in my tiny appartment. Luckily there was enough pie, and there was music [of course] and yah, just fun fun stuff. I love college. to quote a terrible song. haha. And as much as I hate to admit it, I'm totally gonna miss Utah this summer. my ward, campus, the Provo temple, the HFAC, everything. Especially the people. Like, I'm kinda scared of not having friends when I go home... So that shall be an adventure. haha Anyways, here are some pictures from all the festivities, Enjoyy! Oh yahhh! and here's a music video that was taken from the party. It's called PARTY! song :]

The Golden Years!

This is from a laurel's activity a couple years ago. Miss it. haha we were sooo bomb :] Yaaaaaaahhhhh. The church is true!!! Anddd I love Hannah Hansen, Laura Bull, Jenna Peck, Lauren Hatfield, Claire Pennock, Hollie Hansen!! Thank you for all you've done to strengthen me over the past several years. You are truely a blessing in my life :]

BELGIUM :]

Sooooooo, i had a plan for this summer. It was to find a job in Utah and go to school for spring and summer terms. BUT, yesterday! I decided I'm going to go to Belgium w/ Elise Osorio! I AM SOOOOOO FREAAAAKKING STOKED! IT'S UNBELIEVEABLE!!! I CANNOT WAIT. So yah, that is the new plan. And I am going home after that and hopefully working at Costco in Issy!!! I'm pretty freakin' stoked. It's weird that everything just changed so fast and weird to think that I'll be home in a couple months for like four months. That's a lonnnnnnngggg time. So yah. We'll see how that goes. haha. should be entertaining. It's kinda kray. But exciting. I wouldn't have it any other way. I'm STOKED. CANNOT WAIT!!! I LOVE LIFE :] The church is true. I gots to bounce to do hw. peace out.