For everybody, everyhwere and at anytime...

Last Friday I got to go to a few classes of BYU's Education Week. I loved the 3 speakers that I got to listen to but there was one that I really loved. It was by Brother Bartholomew (who I had for Book of Mormon one semester my freshman year of college). The topic was about how we know we have been through a spiritual rebirth. This may have been his topic...but I took something completely different from it.

He started talking about how becoming Christ-like is a life time pursuit, and that often times we don't even realize that there has been a change in our lives. He then talked about how when we have a change of heart, we become a new person...and we aggressively pursue the light of Christ.

This was all great, and he had some good insights...but then he shared a story of his life:

When he was in high school...he decided he was going to get on a sport's team because he was sick of being beaten up by all the jocks. He figured by being on a team he would gain respect and have a team to back him up. He tried out for soccer, basketball, football, baseball and wrestling...he was cut from all the try-outs and did not make a single team. He was pretty sad about this...but then he had the cross-country team approach him. They had 4 members on their team, and they needed a 5th player to actually be able to compete against different schools. He accepted their offer to join...and so began his running "career." He trained with the team, and went to all the competitions....he came in dead last for every competition. Then it was the state finals...and he had the 2 fastest kids on his team. At state, the 2 fastest kids crossed the finishing line as 1st and 2nd...and instead of resting and celebrating they kept running and turned around to find Brother Bartholomew. When they did, they ran the rest of the race on either side of him. And all three of them crossed the line together.

When he was telling us this story, he was very emotional. As was I...he painted a beautiful picture of how this life should really be done. Some of us are so worried about where we are in this life, if we are doing good, how close we are to Christ...but we need to realize that the real thing that defines us is the path that we are on...not where we are on it. If we are on the right path...then we need to help those around us get on the path, or to stay on the path.  And we also need to realize, it doesn't matter who finishes it first, or last...but that we ALL make it. We need each other every step of the way. Some of us may fall short, or want to quit the race....but we need to realize the Atonement of Jesus Christ is for everybody, everywhere and at anytime. He died for each of us...and together we can make it. We call each other Brother and Sister in this church, because that is what we are....Brother and Sisters. If we could all have this attitude I believe there wouldn't be so many who decide to quit the race. We all are after the same goals, we all have the same potential and we all have the same love from our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ....why couldn't we all make it?

This next semester as I enter into new classes, a new ward and into a new apartment...I really want to reflect to others that the Atonement is for everyone, everywhere and at any time. I want to help others on the path, and I want to cross the finish line with several people on either side of me. Heaven wouldn't be heaven if those I loved were not there...and not only those I love...but all those who I have come in contact with in my life because we all deserve heaven.

I'm so grateful for the knowledge of the gospel that I have. I'm grateful to know my purpose here, and that when things get hard I know I can turn to the Lord to help me through it. I cannot deny God's and Jesus Christ existence in my life...there have been too many times where I have felt so blessed and loved that I know I'm not in this life alone. I hope that I can help others feel that love as well.

A Perfect Day

Have you ever had a perfect day? I did this summer. July 4, 2012. It was perfect from beginning to end. Looking back at my summer, that was by far my favorite day. Nothing extraordinary happened, but I was completely happy that whole day.

It started out with a morning breakfast with my family and my good friend. After breakfast, my friend and I took a long walk. It was so hot, and I even got sun burnt on this walk...but during the walk my friend and I just had a lot of deep conversations about life, religion, faith, and relationships. After the walk my friend and I chilled for a bit, and just relaxed at my house. We then decided to go see a movie...can't remember what movie we saw...but I just love going to the movie theaters...so anytime that happens I'm happy. After the movie we walked to Applebee's from my friend's apartment. I love Applebee's...some people complain about it, but I like it. After dinner it was getting dark so we hurried back to my friend's apartment and watched fireworks from their deck. After watching fireworks we then watched a movie, and then I went home.

Nothing special...but that good friend and I spent the day doing exactly what both of us wanted to do. We weren't rushed, we took our time with things, had lots of thought-provoking conversations and just enjoyed one another.

I write about this experience because I want to remember that the simple things in life are what make it so grand.

"Do You Remember Lying on the Grass?"

This summer has been overall good. It wasn't too exciting, no crazy trips or anything like that....but I had a fun time.

Recently I had to make a choice...it wasn't an easy one and it still isn't easy. But I woke up one more morning definite on what decision I had to make. It was an interesting experience to wake up with an overwhelming decisiveness even though I hadn't thought of my decision much. Now its been a week later, and I still feel my decision was right. It was a choice that would effect my future, a choice that I will continue to make every day. I realized over this summer just how important my relationship with my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ is. I've been around people who are so certain of this relationship, others who have no idea they have one, others who are seeking it and others who once had it but have turned away from it. Each of these people have changed my life and shaped my relationship with God and Christ to be stronger. We are all on this journey to figure out what this life really means. To me its joy, love and showing my gratitude to God. From this summer I have a clearer picture of what my future holds, and I'm excited.

I'm overwhelmed with gratitude for each of my family members this summer. I feel my relationship with each one has grown closer, and it just gets me excited for the future and how much closer we can all be.

In two weeks I'll be moving back to Provo, and I'm excited. I feel that this next year will be as good as I make it. I'll be moving in with roommates I don't know. I'll be starting my program and wont have longer then 3 weeks off for winter break for the next year. It's going to be a lot of classes and lot of hard work but I feel like I can do it.

To be missed.

It feels good to be missed. Sometimes life just changes without you even knowing it and you end up in a new situation you didn't even know happened. One of my dear friends and I have become a little distant as a late...nothing big has happened in either of our lives, but the time we use to spend together has dwindled. Last night I got a text from this friend saying they missed me! I felt so loved. I had missed them too, but didn't know if they were really missing me. I'm grateful for friendships and those friendships in particular where you feel loved and sometimes missed.

Lazy Writer

So I'm writing this while procrastinating going to work...but I felt like writing. I don't know what about yet...but there are things on my mind.

Lately my summer has been full of work, lots of sleeping, lots of playing, lots of joy, lots of laughter, some boating, some vacationing, some romance, some heart ache, some reading, a little organizing, a little preparing for the fall and a little bit of thinking.

It's been a good summer, I can't complain. I've been to Zion, California, and will be going to Moab in August. I don't love my job, but I need the money. I do love my naps, but know I need to be awake more of my life. There are things that have changed me this summer, and I think it's for the better. I've said this before, but I'm so excited to start in my new major in the fall. The next year I'll be in classes, but I don't care! I feel like my life is headed in a good direction. I like who I am. There are things I need to work on, but I love that I'm able to see that.

Someone told me this summer that they think I'm someone who wants to be a free spirit. And I would have to agree. But I think that's me, I'm part of complete opposites in my head...and they are constantly battling it out. I have dreams of just traveling the world...but then the other half of me knows I need money to do that. I want to be crazy and fun, but then the other half of me is content with being chill and clam. I look at a lot of people who are those free spirits and I envy them...but at the same time I'm totally just grateful to have those people as my friends!

I wish I was better at blogging like I once was, but there are just so many other ways I'm sharing my life that it's hard to keep them all updated. So for those who still check my blog, thank you and sorry I've become a lazy writer!

June

I can't believe its June already. 3 more months and my life will be crazy busy with 16 credits of school. But until then...I plan to make this summer awesome. So far it has been pretty good, but I can just tell the best is yet to come.

On a side note, my brother and his family move tomorrow to Windsor, CA (yes, that is where I grew up). I'm really excited for their new adventure, but I gotta be honest and say I'm going to miss them like crazy! My brother's whole family is over, the kids have been crying all day....but I'm going to miss this. His 4 kids are going to grow up so fast and I don't want to miss a single day! I've enjoyed having them in Utah and they will be missed dearly. But I'm glad they will be in Windsor, cause I love that town and it'll give me an excuse to visit more often!

Love Despite Of...

Well I'm starting to become a once a month blogger now...kinda sad, but each time I think about writing I find something else to do instead.

I love Sundays. They are inspiring and rejuvenating. Today I had to give a lesson on the Restoration to the Relief Society. I honestly was a bit nervous because of the RM's in the room, but wanted it to be comfortable to all. So I mostly tried to have discussion about it. Something that I was overpowered with was the feeling of love from God. I have this theory about the Gospel. And well...when it all comes down to it, its all about love. God loves us, so He gave us His son to Atone for us. We love God, so we follow His commandments. See, love. That it's basically.

Before Relief Society, I went to my ward's marriage prep class, taught by wonderful Sister Lamoreaux! Amazing. She talked about the decision we make to love someone. That in marriage, we don't just fall into love, but that we decide every day to love the person we marry. It's easy to love someone because of something....but to love someone despite of something is even greater.

I kept thinking about how that is how God loves us, and that is how we are supposed to love everyone. It is not easy, but I think with practice it becomes easier. I know that I already love who I am going to marry, because I've already made that choice. I haven't found him yet, or fallen in love with him...but whoever he is...I know I have already decided I want to love him every day despite of his short comings. And I hope that he can do the same.

Life is interesting, and its amazing to me the situations I'm put in to learn and grow. I know God is directing my life. I can feel His influence every day. I know that when I pray, He truly listens. I know that I'm blessed with this knowledge, and I know it doesn't come easy to everyone. Someone made the point today that its a choice to look for God in our lives. He doesn't just appear to us and say, "Here I am." But He gives us subtle hints, and if we are looking for those hints...we will find that He is everywhere.