Last weekend I was blessed with the opportunity to go to my good friends Open House in Utah. I met Nate my second semester at BYU-I, when I knew nothing about life and thought college was going to be a breeze. We've both grown a lot since then and I am so glad I met him when I did. I was going through a hard time my 3rd semester and him and I went on a walk to talk about it and as we were walking he said "You know what you gotta do? Scream I'M PUMPED!!!!!" and proceeded to yell it. Nate is not a loud guy, so this surprised me a bit, but through the years I have kept this saying in my mind when I'm feeling at the bottom of my barrel. I'M PUMPED! I'm getting pumped again.
I also had the opportunity, at the Open House, to see my other good friend, Matt! Matt, Nate and I were like the Three Amigos. They were my boys! And now they are all grown up! It made my heart so happy to see Matt and Rebekah, and to see her cute pregnant belly! I have no desire to have a baby of my own right now, but I am happy that I get to be an adopted aunt to so many cute/soon-to-be-cute babies!
Throughout my 5 years (Yeah... Don't switch your major...5 times) I have had the special opportunity to get to know some of the finest people on this planet! I have also met some really scummy people... But lets not focus on that. They have taught me how to love, be loved, be a friend, serve, be served (a lesson I am still struggling with), that it's okay to cry, to get back up when life knocks me down, and how to become closer to my Heavenly Father.
As the semester winds down, I would just like to say Thank You. Thank you to all those who have helped me, and been kind to me.
I have been blessed.
Saturday, November 22, 2014
Saturday, November 1, 2014
The day everything changed
November 1st.
Ever since 2003 this date has been a day of reflection, prayer, and appreciation. Appreciation to the Hokansons for not giving up on me, for Michelle inviting me to Achievement Days, for Connie giving me rides every Sunday, and for all the people I've met in the past 11 years that I never would have if the events of this day never happened.
November 1st, 2003 was the day I was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Today was the day that everything changed. It's been 11 years since I got baptized and every single day since I have been grateful for my 12 year old self at making the decision to be baptized. It's a big deal, deciding to join a church. Especially when you are making that decision on your own. It hasn't been an easy road. I think sometimes (at least for me) we think that since we are members of the Church and we are doing everything we are supposed to be doing, we are supposed to be without trials. But I have learned that that just isn't so.
At the beginning of 2013 I got the strong impression that I needed to start preparing to go through the Temple. I was no where near getting married and I had already received an answer that a mission isn't for me. So I was confused at this very strong prompting. I started preparing and I felt very ready to go. I talked to my Bishop. He quickly turned me down simply stating "We don't do that in this ward." The semester ended but I still felt very strongly I needed to go through the Temple. I was in a new ward so I talked to my Bishop. "We don't do that in this ward because it's never turned out good. I have always regretted it and I know I will with you as well." Heart broken and discouraged, a new semester came and I was in a new ward and a new Bishop and I still had the desire and prompting I needed to go through the temple. So again, with a nervous heart, I asked my Bishop if I could attend the temple and receive my endowment. Same answer. Same discouragement. "Maybe when you graduate. You'll be ready then." With a heavy heart and a lot of tears later on Tod and Garritt's shoulders, I decided it just wasn't time.
And then the storm hit. (see previous post)
I have been thinking about my baptism day a lot, and I have also been thinking of the hopeful day that I will be able to go through the Temple and make covenants with my Father in Heaven. I wonder what that little girl who was nervous and excited to enter the waters of baptism, would think of the woman I am today. Would she hate me? Would she be sad for me? Would she love me? Would she be proud of me?
I have so much to do to get back on track and be the person I want to be. Sometimes when I think of it, the task seems impossible. But I know I can and I know I will. Because even though I've changed, that little girl inside me that knew that this Church is the only true Church of God, is still there. I know it. I feel it. I know the Book of Mormon is true. I'm starting to re-read that again. Maybe you'll join me? It will change your life.
Ever since 2003 this date has been a day of reflection, prayer, and appreciation. Appreciation to the Hokansons for not giving up on me, for Michelle inviting me to Achievement Days, for Connie giving me rides every Sunday, and for all the people I've met in the past 11 years that I never would have if the events of this day never happened.
November 1st, 2003 was the day I was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Today was the day that everything changed. It's been 11 years since I got baptized and every single day since I have been grateful for my 12 year old self at making the decision to be baptized. It's a big deal, deciding to join a church. Especially when you are making that decision on your own. It hasn't been an easy road. I think sometimes (at least for me) we think that since we are members of the Church and we are doing everything we are supposed to be doing, we are supposed to be without trials. But I have learned that that just isn't so.
At the beginning of 2013 I got the strong impression that I needed to start preparing to go through the Temple. I was no where near getting married and I had already received an answer that a mission isn't for me. So I was confused at this very strong prompting. I started preparing and I felt very ready to go. I talked to my Bishop. He quickly turned me down simply stating "We don't do that in this ward." The semester ended but I still felt very strongly I needed to go through the Temple. I was in a new ward so I talked to my Bishop. "We don't do that in this ward because it's never turned out good. I have always regretted it and I know I will with you as well." Heart broken and discouraged, a new semester came and I was in a new ward and a new Bishop and I still had the desire and prompting I needed to go through the temple. So again, with a nervous heart, I asked my Bishop if I could attend the temple and receive my endowment. Same answer. Same discouragement. "Maybe when you graduate. You'll be ready then." With a heavy heart and a lot of tears later on Tod and Garritt's shoulders, I decided it just wasn't time.
And then the storm hit. (see previous post)
I have been thinking about my baptism day a lot, and I have also been thinking of the hopeful day that I will be able to go through the Temple and make covenants with my Father in Heaven. I wonder what that little girl who was nervous and excited to enter the waters of baptism, would think of the woman I am today. Would she hate me? Would she be sad for me? Would she love me? Would she be proud of me?
I have so much to do to get back on track and be the person I want to be. Sometimes when I think of it, the task seems impossible. But I know I can and I know I will. Because even though I've changed, that little girl inside me that knew that this Church is the only true Church of God, is still there. I know it. I feel it. I know the Book of Mormon is true. I'm starting to re-read that again. Maybe you'll join me? It will change your life.
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