Joshua Haymond Austin

 Joshua Austin.

Let me tell you a little bit about my best friend. I've known Joshua for a little over eight months and I can tell you he loves to have his face tickled, his hair played with, his meat plentiful, his workouts tough, and his country music loud. His favorite scripture is Joshua 1:9 because it's his name and his birthday, his favorite primary song is I Hope They Call Me on a Mission, and he gets the chills every time The National Anthem is played or sung. 

He won't ever admit it, but he knows every word to the song Love Story by Taylor Swift and it's my favorite song to blast in the car because I know he won't be able to contain himself from singing along...at the very top of his lungs.

 He's the handiest man I've ever met. If he sees something that needs fixing, no matter where it is, he fixes it. I think it's an impulse he can't control, but I secretly love it. Even if it's sliding doors in a fancy model home that should probably just be left alone. He can make the best welds known to man, and he's taught me what makes a weld great so I can agree that he IS the best welder known to man. 

He is the world's most confident dancer. I've quoted him saying, "I have no idea what I'm doing, but I'm confident so it don't matter!" (Sweethearts Dance, 2015) And boy, if you saw him, you would definitely believe that statement :) One of my absolute favorite things to do with Joshua is dance. He's a mean swing dancer and is probably the only guy on earth who has willingly said he would take swing classes with me, though he probably wouldn't admit that either ;) 

 Joshua can pick up anything on the spot and succeed first try. His senior year he decided (with a little help from me) that he would join the men's volleyball team, never having played volleyball before. And when I say he's good it's not just me being bias. It was amazing to watch him absorb every move he saw another player do, then go out on the court and replicate exactly what they just did. He went from never having played to being (in my opinion) one of the best players on the court and taking his team to state. And I think that's pretty great. His 6'4" frame definitely was a plus as well. I've never seen so many balls blocked. 

 We argue about the differences between counters and islands, cheese crisps and quesadillas, if summer or winter is the better season (which obviously is summer, hands down), if it's called rabbit hunting or bunny busting, and if the Jazz actually has a chance this season. We agree that mountain biking is one of the best hobbies in the world, fruity anything is way better than anything chocolatey, dogs always win over cats (though cat videos are always more funny), and a day outside adventuring is a day well spent. 

 Joshua holds my hand. Constantly. And I absolutely love it. He would rather hold ten groceries in one hand than let go of my hand in the other. He also kisses the back of my hand, which makes my heart melt. In the car, sitting on the couch, at the grocery store, playing board games---pretty much whatever we do he makes sure he has kissed the back of my hand. This is such a simple act, but he knows that once he does it, I'll always smile, and I think that's what I do most of---smiling. A constant smile is always on my face, to the point where I have to stop smiling once in awhile just to give my face a break! Josh is definitely the optimistic one. He loves to be happy and it radiates off of him. 

He makes sure I know I'm beautiful. I got a horrible haircut and I was pretty danged sure it was the end of the world. The right side was shorter than the left side and it was definitely noticeable. I was on the verge of tears the entire day, but when Joshua saw me he just tilted my head to the right, making the right side even with the left side, kissed my forehead and told me I look stunning and my hair is gorgeous. Never have I ever been more grateful for anyone than right in that moment. I knew that he wasn't just saying that to avoid an obviously close emotional breakdown, but that he genuinely meant what he had just said. And yes, I still have my moments where I complain about my hair, but never once did Joshua laugh at it. Every time I bring it up, he tells me I'm beautiful and I'm just starting to believe him.

 Joshua and I can talk for hours and hours and never run out of things to say. A couple weeks ago we went to Lake Powell and there were many nights we just laid on the boat or sat in chairs looking at the stars and talked. I learned so much about Josh and my respect and love toward him grew immensely. We talked about patriarchal blessings, prayer, families, the military, our fears, what we're excited for in life, our dislikes, our likes, childhood stories, and things that have happened to us that have made us who we are today. I learned about his desire to defend his religion and every religion and how he is excited to fight for what he believes is worth fighting for as he gets ready to join the Air Force. He's the strongest person I know and though the thought of him leaving is extremely hard, I would never take it away from him. He lights up when he talks about saving lives, and I know he will be able to accomplish anything he sets his mind to.

Joshua Austin, you're the giant to my midget and the best to my friend. 

You tickle me relentlessly, you use my head as an arm rest, and you laughed during my fish's funeral, but I wouldn't have it any other way. You make me one happy gal and I'm glad you're my darlin'.

Love,

Cortlee

04/12/15

This is the third post I've started tonight. It's late and my head is full of thoughts I can't seem to put into words. If anyone truly knows me, they should know this is a constant struggle of mine.

There's a quote that says, 

"That's what people do who love you. They put their arms around you and love you when you're not so lovable." -Deb Caletti

Unfortunately, that has been me these past couple weeks. I haven't been so lovable and I've been blaming it on everything from school to stress to loneliness to missing my brother, but I finally realized that while these things possibly had a negative effect on me, I was really the source of the problem. 

I'm not good at opening up, nor have I ever been. I shut down, get depressed, and don't let anyone in. I overthink. I worry. I complain. I feel the pressure of the world. Recently, I have felt all these things tenfold. I felt like everyone was against me, doubting and finding fault in my every move. I was being criticized from every angle in my life, and you know what? I was angry. I was mad at people for not seeing how difficult my life already was and for adding onto it. 

A lot of things are extremely important to me, and if we were to compile a list, at the top would always be family. During all this, I never once doubted my parents love for me. Sure, I got frustrated, but I never once felt unloved. I was not lovable, but they put their arms around me and loved me anyway. I have been blessed with one of the best families in the world, and I sometimes find myself taking for granted that fact.

There's one person specifically that I've always had a special connection with. Many of my childhood memories include him. From eating peaches late at night, to waking up early to go on drives around the ranch. This person is my best friend, my role model, and my inspiration. My Papa Pete.

My grandpa (Papa Pete) was born in 1930 and moved to Duncan, Arizona in 1935. He graduated from Duncan high school in 1948 and went on to play basketball for the University of Arizona on a scholarship. After meeting his future wife and my grandma, his plans for obtaining a degree changed and they were married in 1950. From there, my grandma's dad introduced my Papa Pete to the ranching life and they moved to Colorado to begin a life of ranching. In 1962, they moved back to Arizona and managed a ranch for a friend. In 1977, they fulfilled their dreams and bought their own cattle ranch, calling it Tanque.

An interesting story, but why am I telling you? Well, it has to do with one sentence my Papa said while we were visiting for Thanksgiving that has stuck with me since that day. He humbly said, with tears in his eyes,

"I feel so blessed. I have lived the American Dream."

My grandpa's life has in no way been easy. He has worked hard his entire life to get where he's at today, and because of that, he is one of the people I look up to the most. He has accomplished so many great things in his life, including being entered into the Cowboy Hall of Fame, and many people admire and respect him for his accomplishments. But out of all his many achievements, there is one that I think tops them all. 

On November 29, 2014,  My Papa Pete was baptized and confirmed as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  

When I think back to that day, I don't think about my terrible piano playing or the fact that my brother wasn't there with us. When I think about that morning and seeing my Papa Pete dressed in white, all I can think about is how perfect it was. The humility and happiness. The moment we all silently wished for and knew would happen, happened. In that moment, there was peace. 

I make mistakes. I get grumpy. Life throws me curveballs and I sometimes feel like giving up and striking out. But the great part about life is we are all given second chances. At any given moment, we can wake up and say, "Today is the day I'm going to be happy". And from then on, you choose each day to be happy. You choose. The American Dream was an ideal that started in the 1930's where success was achieved through hard work and dedication. But even now, it is still just as relevant. Life is sometimes hard work. It beats you down to the point where you just don't feel like getting back up. When that happens, when you aren't so lovable, let yourself be held by those who do love you. And when you're ready, you stand tall, and you live your life in a way that you can one day hold your head high and say, 

"I feel so blessed. I have lived the American Dream."

Whatever that entails for you, you live your own American Dream.

'Tis the Season to be Crafty

This year we went to Arizona for Thanksgiving break and all us gals brought a craft to do with each other, which was so much fun and all were super easy to make! So here's some we did...

So cute, right?! 23 days until Christmas!!

-Cort

Sunday Thought

It's been awhile since I've posted anything, so what's better than a little Sunday thought on this beautiful sabbath day!? 

For those of you that don't know, I'm laurel president and get the opportunity to go on visits and talk to some of the girls in my ward. A couple Sundays ago, my counselors and I went to go visit a less-active girl and invite her to a mutual activity with us. When we walked up to her house, there were a couple guys standing outside. We asked if the girl was home and one of the guys said that no, she had moved to Nevada and asked if there was a message he could pass along to her. I told him we were going to invite her to an activity with us, to which he asked if it was "a churchy thing". When I told him yes, he said, "Well, she's gone, but I'm sure she'll be there in spirit with you" and laughed and rolled his eyes at me. That little encounter really bothered me, and bothered me for a week after. One day in seminary, I was assigned to give the devotional and got up and told this experience and gave a scripture that went along with it. After sitting down, my seminary teacher walked by me and handed me a slip of paper. On it, it had the scripture Matthew 5:10-12 written. 

That says:

 

10. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11. Blessed are Ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

12. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

These verses really got me thinking about Christ's life and about missionary work. Missionaries mimick Christ's life. They get up everyday, preach unto the people, and are sometimes mocked and shunned for their beliefs. But it's okay, because the gospel is true; and in the end, it will always be true. Christ suffered each and every day. He was mocked, scorned, beaten, spit upon, rejected....and why? Because He loved His father and would do anything to serve Him. Missionaries love the gospel. They love their Savior. No matter what they go through, that desire to serve and that passion for the gospel will not diminish. Even though Christ's entire life was full of being laughed at and persecuted, he never gave up. He never quit serving and he never quit loving everyone. To me, that's pretty amazing.  

One Month!

Can you believe it? Elder Crockett has been gone an entire month. Let me tell ya, it hasn't been easy. But guess what? He's doing great! Only another month in the MTC, and he'll be headed to Taiwan for the next two years! So, here's some photos of his MTC life this past month...

Levi's bed. In his words, "I often hit my head because I'm not used to a blasted bar above my head" haha, disadvantages of being 6 foot 3 right?

I told Levi I was going to mail a letter to President Monson asking if I could go paint the walls fun colors. He didn't think that was the best idea, but I'm sure he'll come around. 

Leave it to Levi to take a picture of hand sanitizer. This is his life support. 

I'm not sure what the story is behind this one...? But I feel like this would be a fun "Caption this Photo" so you tell me. What would you caption this photo?

Guess who still gets to play the organ? This guy! It was like Christmas Day for him.

I think it's safe to say he's having the time of his life :) And though I miss him more than words can express, and I literally just teared up writing that sentence, I'm so so so proud of him and for his accomplishments. He is already an amazing missionary and has had so many great experiences to strengthen his testimony, and in return, my testimony has also been strengthened. I've always known missions are part of Heavenly Father's plan, and I'm now really starting to understand why. The love and happiness that comes from serving the Lord is unmeasurable. Two years is a long time, but it's a sacrifice that blesses the lives of so many, and that makes it all worthwhile.

~Cort

18 Days Down

I know y'all are wondering how the brother dearest is doing, so here's an update! He's been in the MTC for 18 days now (holy cow), and is loving it! He really enjoys Sundays and sacrament meetings entirely in Mandarin, and learning how to sing the hymns in Chinese. Right now, he says he just hums along and is being patient. Also, he's taught two lessons in Mandarin! He has such a strong testimony of the gift of tongues and is catching onto his new language so fast. He can understand and respond to basic conversation already!

He has given a special number, in a room fitting about 2,000 people! It's great to hear he's still using his talents to uplift many. And boy, I never thought I'd say it, but I miss falling asleep to his late night piano playing (even when they weren't soft lullabies).

And even though he uses hand sanitizer and washes his hands "regularly", which really means an extremely abnormal and excessive amount (can you say germaphobe?), he still managed to get sick. He went to the doctor and had a cold and fever. He says he's almost back to normal, though. I can guarantee he's going to be washing his hands A LOT more now ;)

Other than that, he's doing fantastic! He likes his companion, even though he walks extremely slow for a guy that's 6'3", loves going to the temple every Monday, and loves the spiritual environment he constantly gets to be in!

In one of his emails he said,

"I really enjoyed this quote by President Uchtdorf yesterday:

"This is the paradox of man: Compared to God, man is nothing yet, to God, man is everything."

I was actually studying 3 Nephi yesterday too, Dad! It goes right with the quote from President Uchtdorf. The Nephites are constantly sinning then being forgiven, falling back into sin, then repenting and continuing the cycle on and on. Samuel the Lamanite teaches that they will be destroyed if they keep it up, but they keep it up. The time of the prophecies come and guess what? The prophecy is fulfilled. These people, who have been warned time and time again, and are in the middle of being destroyed cry out to God for help. He could have destroyed them but instead, "a voice was heard" and Christ invites them to come unto Him so that He can heal them. The Savior and our God are so forgiving and merciful. No matter what we do we can always turn back to them and Christ will receive us with His arms outstretched. Read 3 Nephi 8-11. It might possibly be one of my favorite parts of the Book of Mormon."

Doesn't he just sound like an amazing missionary already?? I'm so grateful for him. 

His companion, Elder Gathright, is in the red shirt.

Only 713 days until he gets home! (But who's counting, right?) 

~Cort

p.s. He would LOVE hearing from all of you! And he suggests using Dearelder.com---it's the easiest for him and he can read it the day of, instead of having to wait for P-day!

Dear Elder Crockett

Today we dropped you off at the MTC to begin your journey as a missionary. Every time I think about hugging you goodbye for the last time for two years and seeing you walk away with your three suitcases trailing behind, I get teary-eyed. And gosh darn it, why does it have to be so hard??

I remember the first time I ever really learned to recognize a prompting from the Holy Ghost, and it was with the help of you. We were 8 and 10 and at the ranch playing on the big hay stacks behind the barn. Something we did almost daily, and had done hundreds of times in the past. The piles of hay looked as normal as they ever did, and nothing seemed wrong. We were about to run behind the hay, in the small gap between the stacks and the wall, when all of the sudden I stopped in my tracks and without even thinking about what I was saying, I said to you, "I don't feel good about this." You immediately halted, looked at me with the most serious look I had ever seen you give, and said, "Okay." and we walked out of the barn and didn't go back. Later, as I asked why you hadn't even questioned why I said that, you told me about receiving promptings and that if we were to always listen to them, we would be protected. I don't know what would have happened if we had continued running behind the bails of hay, but that doesn't matter. You taught me a lesson that day, and most importantly, you became my role model and hero.

Levi, I'm going to miss you so much. I'm going to miss randomly dancing with you in stores, going on late night hot chocolate runs, and laughing until we cry. I'm even going to miss you waking me up in the morning by laying on top of me until I can't breathe. I'm going to miss the way you would always tickle my feet, even though I hate it, and the way you would call my morning hair a "lion's mane". 

As hard as it is, I know you'll do great things in Taiwan. I know you'll be a fantastic missionary, and I know you'll touch the hearts of many. I can't wait to hear about all the amazing experiences you have and watch you grow as a person. I can't wait to see you in two years.

I love you.

~Cort

It only took a year...

Today I filled the last empty frame that was hanging on my wall. It's complete. My room is finally complete! So, to show off a lil bit, here's some snaps of the finished look! :D

 Huge shoutout to my amazing mom for making the pillows on my bed and for turning my horrible sketches and visions into real things! Isn't she the best?! The headboard and bed frame used to be brown, but I repainted it with chalk paint, which is the coolest stuff ever. Seriously. Go have fun with some. You won't regret it ;)

Little corner of some of my favorite things. Way cute tile from my friend Alyssa, a Book of Mormon in French, and a couple more of my favorite books :)

 I saw painted mason jars on Pinterest and decided to make some of my own. I love them!

 I repainted these frames, and painted the bottom picture :)

 Another shoutout to my mom for making my curtains :)

 I love this thing. Two words: Super handy.

And then my favorite lil collage in my room! I painted the far left sign, with one of my favorite sayings, and the other three frames and the 'C' were all gifts :) 

One year later, and my room is done :D

~Cort