Just call me Starla.

I'm turning 28 in a little more than 6 months. I don't even like thinking about this. In fact, I don't think about it. I thought about it for the first time ever with some friends the other day and freaked. And I've been freaking ever since. It's caused some serious self-reflection. To be honest, I have loved my life up until this point. The past few days have been hard, but also good. I have really seen Heavenly Father's hand in my life this past week, and it's crazy how He meets my needs in the most unexpected ways. 

Here are some new changes in my life as of late:

• Jacob and I broke up. Blk.

• Weight-lifting is my latest thing. I've kind of gotten sick of running and want to try something new. So I've started lifting weights 3 x a week. And I know what you're thinking. No, I'm not aiming to look like this:

or this

In fact, women can't even physically look like a man unless they take steroids or do ridiculous amounts of weight-lifting. I'm really just doing it to be healthy. And let me tell you- I've already noticed a difference in how I feel every day. I have more energy, increased appetite, my clothes fit better, and I just feel great. In addition, even though I've been running less, I went and ran 5 miles today and I'm not tired or sore. It was actually really easy because my core and body is just stronger.

So there's my plug for weight-lifting.

• My new favorite food that I would honestly eat every day every meal is this:

Pho. Phe. Phi. Fo? I don't know how to say but boyyyyyyyyy do I know how to eat it in less than 5 minutes! It is so good. In fact, everything at this restaurant is gold. I had a honey glazed pork dish and also some spring rolls and, and, and....oh wait you don't care about what I eat, do you? Well you should! Because if you ate this, I'm just sayin, it would significantly increase the quality of your life. I'm so glad I've discovered this restaurant that is located only 5 minutes from where I live. AND the food is super cheap too.

So there's my plug for Thai food.

• My most recent favorite song is Roar by Katy Perry. I've listened to it 15 times today. At least. This is what I feel like doing when I listen to it:

 
So there's my plug for music.

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I have seen so many tender mercies this past week that let's me know, without a doubt, that Heavenly Father is aware of me and a very, very merciful being. I will share with you just one of the many:

Yesterday morning I was faced with all sorts of doubts and concerns and loneliness. I was worried about a weekend of feeling super lonely with no plans. Sure, this always happens after a breakup, and sure I've gone through this before. But I've never dated someone as long as I did Jacob. And I've never been such close friends with someone I've dated.

Then randomly at work my coworkers (4 other 2nd grade teachers) decided they wanted to go to dinner last night (Friday night). In some ways, I thought, okay this will be a good networking/bonding activity, but it probably won't be that fun, considering my coworkers are 49, 45, 40, and 27. They're nice people, but we aren't really in the same stage of life and can't have that much in common...

WRONG

It turned out to be some of the most fun I've had in a long time. In fact, I even ended up canceling my activity I had after because dinner was so fun and we ended up talking for 3 hours. They asked me about my breakup and they were all ears, letting me vent, and validating me like girlfriends do. It was just what I needed. And I learned so much from them. Their perspectives were definitely inspired. And the coolest part about it was that I would have never expected to feel Heavenly Father's love for me through them.

HUGE tender mercy.

Just to mention a few more tender mercies:

• hiking with my friend Sarah
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

•  randomly had a training in Provo on Tuesday this past week so I could get out of SLC for a bit
• General Conference this weekend
• I have only a half day at work on Monday tomorrow!
• My mother is coming to town tomorrow! 
• The kids were really good this past week and I had many special experiences where I thought, "Ok, this is why I teach!" Bless their little cute hearts.

xox