When life gets rough

A friend and I were talking a while ago about growing up and going to college. I don't know if it's just her and I, but as soon as we moved out and "grew up" in a sense, life just dumped on us. Trials, problems, and heartbreak.
Do you ever just have those times in your life where NOTHING is going right? My life has seemed a lot like that lately. Where every turn and corner there are let downs and disappointment, and I seriously just can't seem to catch a break. I experienced quite the tender mercy however, I stumbled upon an article talking about how the Lord WILL give you trials you can't handle, because He wants you to turn to Him. And that is certainly what I have learned to do, with the Savior as the focus in our lives we can truly be healed and find joy.
Instead of venting about how life can be so hard sometimes though, I have really realized some important things through these trials, one of those being how important people are in your life. For example, a random girl whom I didn't know very well at all from my ward noticed I didn't look very happy; she then preceded to give me a hug (no doubt prompted by the spirit in my opinion) and asked if I was alright. I'm sure she had no idea how much that meant to me, but it had a huge impact on my day.
Another thing that has always been a constant in my life is my family. I could not be more grateful for such a support system. I don't think I thank them enough, but they mean so much to me. Just another little thing, my mom found out that I had just barely gotten sick, and before I knew it she came up to Logan with my Dad with a bunch of cough drops, dayquil and nyquil, AND a 12 pack of Mtn. Dew. The best remedies to a cold, right there folks.
I really am so blessed, and so it helps when I have rough days, weeks or whatever, to notice the blessings in my life. I have so much, and I would be ungrateful if I didn't list a couple of them.
Have a wonderful rest of the week! And if life has got ya down, take a second to count your blessings.
It really does help. (:

Some things that I've learned lately..

Hey, so I'm Caitlin if you don't already know, and I decided to re-start up my blog because I had some ideas on what I wanted to write about. Just a quick introduction of me if you don't know, I'm 18 years old, and currently a Freshman at Utah State University. Right now my declared major is Elementary Education, however the verdict is still out on that as to whether it's what I want to spend my whole life doing yet or not. Holy cow! That's a long time when you stop to think about it. I guess that's why I'm so indecisive, and this first post is kind of about that.. In a round about way.
It's interesting to me, the idea of "growing up." I remember in High School thinking that I couldn't WAIT to get out of there, but at the same time I never wanted to actually grow up, if ya know what I mean. Not only did that mean extra responsibility, but added stress onto what I already stressed about as a High School student. Now I honestly look back onto my High School days and almost laugh at the dumb stuff I stressed about. Looking back, I realized how much fun I had, and reminisce on memories that are basically only unique to being in High School. For example, Region for Rockettes is coming up, and I remember how stressed I would get about that.. At this time of year I didn't even stop to enjoy it because I took it so seriously. Now I would almost give anything to go back for a day and be a part of that team again and compete with some of my best friends out on that gym floor, doing what I love the most. Anyway, GOOD LUCK to the Rockettes this weekend, I love each and every one of them and I know they'll kill it. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my life now, but I guess if I could go back and tell myself one thing, it would be to stop, and just enjoy where I am in my life. Cliche, right?
Another thing I have learned lately.. Is that "growing up" is almost a side-effect of trials in our life. In general, moving out, being on your own and trying to figure out how to pay for college and housing and living.. it can all seem so overwhelming. I know I was overwhelmed at first, but I also learned how to rely on my Heavenly Father in times of trial. That is a skill that I hope to keep practicing, because I find myself to be the happiest when I put my life in His hands, putting all my trust in Him that things will work out.. And hey! They usually do, even if they aren't in a way you want them to at the moment. I have gained a testimony of this by enduring through some pretty rough trials which in the end, have refined me into a better person. So that's another thing that I've learned, that the Gospel ROCKS! I mean, I knew that before, but I definitely took it for granted.
So this is my life, and I sure do love it. There are so many ups and downs, but that's the best part of this roller coaster called life, right??
Thanks for readin. Have a great night. (: