• Harry Potter:  Harry taught me the power of perseverance.  He showed me that no matter how dark our lives may seem and no matter what may happen to us, we can still be strong.  Harry taught me that no matter what has happened to us in the past, we have to keep moving forward.  Harry taught me to be brave and to be willing to sacrifice everything for the ones we love.  Harry taught me to be selfless.
• Ron Weasley:  Ron showed me how much we can accomplish if we only believe in ourselves.  We are stronger than we think we are, and though we might sometimes feel overlooked or ignored, we should never forget the potential that we have.  Ron also taught me how to be a true friend.  He showed me that even though things aren't always easy, true friends will always find their way back to one another.
• Hermione Granger:  Hermione showed me how to have patience.  She showed me that no matter how hard it may be, some things are worth waiting for.  Most importantly, Hermione taught me how to work hard and always try my best.  She showed me that it's always possible to give 100% and more.  She taught me to value wisdom and education.  She taught me how to be a true heroine.
• Luna Lovegood:  Luna taught me how important it is to be true to yourself.  She taught me that it's okay to be different and that it's okay to stand out from the crowd.  Luna showed me that it doesn't matter what other people think about you as long as you're happy with the way you are.
• Sirius Black:  Sirius taught me the importance of family.  He taught me to value the time we have with them because we never know when it will come to an end.  From Sirius, I learned how to love unconditionally.
• Neville Longbottom:  Neville taught me that we will all have our time to shine.  Sometimes it's hard to believe in ourselves when everyone around us seems to be excelling more quickly, but that doesn't mean that we should give up.  If we keeping trying our best and working hard, we will one day be able to soar above the clouds.
• Severus Snape:  Snape taught me the power of true love.  He taught me how to be loyal and true no matter what the opposition is.  He taught me to do everything you can to protect the ones you love.  Always.

Exactly one year ago, my family and I arrived in Sao Paulo, Brazil.  I still remember how crazy and life changing it was to step off the plane and be in a completely different country.  I had no idea what to expect: the only thing I knew about Brazil was that they were really into soccer.  Heck, I was so ignorant that before we moved here I thought Brazilians spoke Spanish (spoiler alert: they speak Portuguese).

Living in Brazil has definitely been an adventure and an opportunity that I wouldn't trade for all the world (except I would maybe trade it for Oreos and root beer because Brazil doesn't have those luxuries...just kidding...kinda...).  Anyway, to commemorate this year of a lifetime, here's a short glimpse of what it's been like to live in the wonderful country of Brazil:

• Brazilian breakfast consists of cold lunch meats, hot dog soup, and drinkable yogurt.
• My family and I saw The Hobbit over Christmas break.  Luckily for us, the movie was in English with Portuguese subtitles.  However, that meant that we had no idea what was going on when the elves spoke because the subtitles were still in Portuguese.
• Milk in Brazil comes in boxes that aren't refrigerated.
• McDonald's in Brazil tastes just like McDonald's in the United States and I have never been so grateful for anything in my entire life.
• My mom ordered pizza one night. She didn't know what one of the Portuguese words meant, but she ordered it anyways. The word was anchovies.
• You do a lot of waiting around for elevators when you live in Brazil.  And sometimes you even get stuck in them for a couple hours.  Right, mom?
• Instead of seeing deer on the side of the road you'll see capybaras.
• You're a nobody if you don't own a pair of Brazilian Havaianas.
• Brazil is one of the most beautiful places on earth.
• Cheddar cheese aka happiness doesn't exist in Brazil.
• Traffic laws are completely irrelevant in Brazil.  People casually turn left from the right hand lane all the time.
• When you go out to eat, you don't get unlimited refills on your drinks.  This has caused me a lot of pain and suffering.
• Brazilians eat everything with a fork and knife: hamburgers, pizza, sandwiches, etc.
• There are no Taco Bells in Brazil. 
• Whenever we go back to the United States, we bring a bunch of empty suitcases to fill with cereal, Oreos, peanut butter, and Pringles.  It's serious business.
• I'm pretty sure it couldn't be more obvious that I'm a stupid American.

Before we are born, we pass through what is known as the veil.  Passing through the veil causes us to forget our pre-mortal life.  Though it is sometimes hard to understand, the veil is necessary for our maximum growth and development while here on earth.  Bruce C. Hafen said the following about the veil: "There are some things about ourselves, about godhood- that we learn only by developing skills on our own." 

The Plan of Salvation

The church has 141 operating temples worldwide, with many more planned and under construction.  Temples are beautiful, sacred buildings, and because of their great importance and holiness, not everyone is allowed to go inside.  In order to enter the temple, a person has to be a worthy member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

"Latter-day Saint temples are considered houses of God, a place of holiness and peace separate from the preoccupations of the world.  They provide a place where Church members make formal promises and commitments to God."  

Mormon marriages also take place in the temple.  A marriage that occurs in the temple is a marriage that is centered around God.  A marriage in the temple is a marriage for time and all eternity.  A marriage in the temple is the beginning of an eternal family.  We believe that families can be together forever.


Enduring to the End

Life is not easy; it never has been.  We all experience the feelings of pain, loss, and sorrow.  Sometimes we go through things that are so incredibly difficult that we wish we could just give up.  But we can't.  The point of us coming down to earth was to be tried and tested so that we could learn and progress.  We have to endure to the end, and if we do, we will be rewarded.  We can take comfort in knowing that our troubles will not last forever.  Doctrine and Covenants 121:7-8 says, "My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; and then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes."

Even though life is hard, we are never alone.  Gordon B. Hinckley said, "When all else fails, our Lord is there to help us."  If we trust in and rely on the Lord, he will help us through any trial or struggle that we may have.  He will always stand by our side.  He will support and strengthen us if we only rely on him.

When my siblings and I were growing up, my mom would write down some of the funny things that we would say.  I ran across her list a little while ago and couldn't stop laughing; kids say the funniest things!  Anyway, I thought I'd share some of my favorite Holdaway children quotes with all of you.

Me:

• "When I get married I'm going to find someone with lots of money.  Isn't that what you're supposed to do?"  (4 years old)
• My mom was getting me ready for church and I asked, "Is today fast Sunday?"  My mom told me that it wasn't, so I thought for a minute and then very seriously asked, "Slow Sunday?" (4 years old)
• My mom asked me if I knew what mommy's job was.  "You work for me," I replied. (5 years old)
• While watching Olympic wrestling I said, "They aren't dressed modest, mom.  Are their suits on backwards?" (5 years old)
• While we were driving to school one morning my mom and I passed a police car.  I warned her, "You better act like you know what you're doing, mom, cause there's a police man." (6 years old)
• During the winter Olympics I liked to pretend that I was a figure skater.  Before I started one of my performances I addressed the audience and said, "Before I start my skating, I want to thank all of you for watching me.  If you want to throw anything onto the ice, I will accept it.  I'm really enjoying all of my medals." (7 years old)
• "All the boys in my class love me.  Even the one who picks his nose."  (7 years old)

Cameron:

• "I can't like Raisin Bran." (2 years old)
• One night Cam asked my dad if he could have ice cream for dinner.  My dad told him that he needed to eat something healthy.  Cameron responded, "Ok, I'll have healthy ice cream then." (4 years old)
• "Holdaway...that's a funny name!" (4 years old) 
• My mom put chapstick on Cameron's lips and he screamed, "SHE'S TURNING ME INTO A GIRL." (4 years old)
• We were going out to eat at a buffet, and we explained to Cameron that a buffet is a place where you can get whatever you want.  "Good," he said.  "I want a toy." (4 years old)
• "Mom, I'm cool you know.  So I don't hold hands." (4 years old)
• Cameron was showing how he could count to 20, but he accidentally skipped over the numbers 15 and 18.  We pointed that out to him, and he paused and said, "Uh, I'll count those later." (6 years old)

Parker:

• My mom told Parker that he was "double cute!"  He said to her, "You're double cute, and your feet are double stinky!" (3 years old) 
• Parker's foot fell asleep and he described it by saying, "My foot is all sparkalish!" (3 years old)
• Parker came up to my mom and said, "You know everything, right mama?"  "Yes, I do," she replied.  Parker then said, "But dad doesn't know everything, right?" (3 years old)
• Parker went into the bathroom, pulled down his pants, and said, "Let's see if this dog will talk." (4 years old)
• Parker is lactose intolerant, but one day my dad accidentally offered him something with cheese in it.  "I can't eat that, dad.  I'm black toast intolerant.  But I still like black toast though." (5 years old)

Paige: 

• "I'm going to marry Justin Bieber." (5 years old)
• A frog jumped out of the bushes when my mom and Paige were working in the garden.  My mom asked Paige if it was a frog or a toad.  "I need to learn my frogs and toads," Paige said.  My mom said that she did too.  "Mom, you're forty, you should know your frogs and toads by now." (5 years old)
• I asked Paige why she was so cute.  She said, "Because Jesus made me that way!" (5 years old)
• We were driving past the temple and Paige said, "That's where you get married!  But you need a boy first." (6 years old)
• Paige put a cough drop in her mouth but didn't like it very much.  She said, "Great, this tastes terrible.  But I already put it in my mouth so now I have to deal with it." (7 years old)
• "Mom, I forgot.  Are we African American or Native American?" (8 years old) 
• "I'm just being sarcasm." (8 years old) 
• "Emma, does everyone you know speak English?"  "Yes, Paige, did you forget that I live in America?"  "You don't live in America.  You live at college."  "My college is in America."  "No it's not.  It's in Illinois." (8 years old)
• "Emma, are you the only Mormon at BYU?" (8 years old)

Here are ten videos to help you realize that you actually have it better off than a lot of people.

1.  Track and Fail:  Ouch.


2.  Fragile - Handle with care:  Or not...

   
3.  Miss South Carolina answers a question:  You're right, Miss South Carolina, I don't have maps or anything like such as but I am a US American and that's all that really matters, right?


4.  American Idol:  Just stop.  Please.


5.  Runway Woes:  Even the best fall down sometimes.


6.  Hair Tutorial Gone Wrong:  Bad hair days are very real for this girl.


7.  Lip virgin no more:  No.


8.  Adult baby: o.O


9.  People of Walmart:  Save money, live better.


10.  Rejected Proposal:  I do............not.

This is my dad.  He's crazy, hilarious, and he's one of my best friends.  He's helped me become the person that I am today.  He's always pushed me to try my best, and he's believed in me even when I didn't believe in myself.  Looking back at the past 18 years of my life, I've realized that he's the one guy that's always stood by my side no matter what: he came to every play that I was in, dropped me off at the ACT each of the sixth billion times he made me take it, and even sat through four years of my high school's extremely long band concerts.  He put up with my crazy mood swings, my bad hair days, and my Asian fetish and still proudly calls me his daughter.  And it takes a pretty special guy to handle all of that.  *insert round of applause* 

So in belated honor of Father's Day, here are a couple of my very favorite dad memories:

• My dad has a snapchat.  And it's the best thing ever.  The day he got it was honestly the best day of my life because he's made me laugh so hard.  I've probably screenshotted more snapchats from my dad than from anyone else because they're hilarious.  If you don't believe me, see for yourself.

•  Over Christmas break, my dad and I stayed up until 5 AM playing Monopoly.
• "Emma, don't let taxes get you down.  They depress everyone."
• My dad has flame-patterned spandex running shorts.
• Keep slamming those trails.
• One time I went with my dad to run errands at Costco and out of the blue he bought me a Harry Potter computer game.  I've never forgotten about that because of how happy I was.
• My dad's Instagram>>>>>>>>
• My dad took me out on a date to go see my favorite old movie, Gaslight at the Marquis Theatre in Downtown Northville.  Then he bought me a Strawberries and Creme frappuccino from Starbucks.
• I used to watch Phantom of the Opera with my dad all the time.
• My dad took me to see the midnight premiere of Eclipse and I'm pretty sure he was the only guy in the audience.
• Me: "Dad...what would you do if I came home and told you I was pregnant?"  Dad: "I would go get my gun and shoot half the Asians at Northville High School hoping I got the right one."
• My dad is an extreme coupon-er.
• My mom and my dad try to go to the temple at least once a month.  I didn't think much about it then, but that's something that I want to try to do with my future husband.
• My dad used to pick up boxes of Krispy Kreme donuts on his way home from work.  He would also get a fun little paper donut maker hat for me and each one of my siblings.  

• I've hardly ever seen my dad cry, but he did cry when I got my patriarchal blessing and when I opened my mission call.  It was really touching to see that.
• My dad calls himself Pancho on occasion.
• My dad took my brother Cameron and I to Cedar Point a couple of summers ago and it was super fun.
• My dad is just as much of a brownie addict as I am.

I love my dad; he's one of the best people I know.  I don't know where I would be without him, and it's an honor to be named after him.