"Learn Something New Everyday"

Oh what a lovely week I've had so far! In only a few days, I have learned so many lessons! Let me share four with you-

 

Lesson Number One:

"In Good Company"

When you decide to move, and your journey is going to be longer than 10 hours, make sure you have a car buddy who is more than willing to sing along to your fantastic mix of Disney and 90s boy bands. Make sure that this individual is especially good at singing along while "resting their eyes." Bring the kind of person who will make you laugh, poke you annoyingly when you even THINK about getting sleepy, and listen as you share every single thought that flows through the rivers of your mind. 

This person for me, was my best friend and mother. Lots of laughter, tons of screaming our favorite Backstreet Boys songs, many trips down memory lane, several words of advice, and too many pictures taken of someone sleeping! I couldn't have asked for a better car buddy :) 

Lesson Number Two:

"Love What You Do" 

I started working this week, and I have to say....I have NEVER loved a job so much in all my life! I work with superstars of all ages, everyone is so kind and welcoming, the atmosphere is friendly and encouraging, and I look forward to coming to work every day. This job is going to be quite the blessing for me! Matter of fact, it already is. This wonderful place is called Hollywood Kids Academy! It's a theater studio for children, teens and adults. 

Working here is showing me what it is I truly love. Theater! I studied theater for 3 years in Cedar City, Ut., I'll be finishing up my degree here in Vegas next semester, and my dream was actually to open a studio of my own! A studio just like the one I work in now! Teaching children all about acting, singing and dancing teaches them to be confident and creative! Those two things are very important to me. 

However, after coming home from my mission, I wasn't sure what I wanted to do! I came up with all sorts of careers I thought I would enjoy, and I still might enjoy them, but I am learning that I can't push aside my love for the theater and helping children come to love it all as well. So, as I said before, this job has been a blessing to me already! As I try to figure out what path I want to take in life, I have the opportunity to experience the one thing I wanted to do since starting college! 

I love it, and I always hope to love what I do! 

Lesson Number Three: 

"You Are Never Alone" 

This lesson has been one I've learned over and over and over again. Heavenly Father loves to remind me that I am never without love.

It's hard to move away from my family, and an adorable little city I love! But, since I've moved, every day I have had friends and family text me, call me, write me o Facebook, email me...just to see how I am adjusting! What incredible people! It's nice to know that no matter where I am in this world, the people I love are never far away. 

Heavenly Father and the Savior Jesus Christ have also been reminding me of their presence in my life. The other day, I was driving home and I felt prompted to stop at the temple, park there, and just be. Soon enough, I found myself praying. I began to pour out my heart to my Father in Heaven, speaking of things I wasn't even aware I was feeling, and as I did, I knew with every fiber of my being that He was listening to my words. His love is indescribable. I can not fathom how He could love each and every one of us, flaws and all, but He does. Trust me, He does. With this constant love, I know that I am never alone in this world.

This leads right into the last, and most recent, lesson I've learned-

Lesson Number Four: 

"Be Thou Humble" 

Tonight as I prepared myself for bed, I overheard my grandpa speaking to himself in the other room. I played spy for a moment to make sure he was alright, and what I found was a handicapped man wise in years, who has seen and felt much sorrow and affliction in his lifetime, at the edge of his bed, arms folded, thanking his Father in Heaven for this life he has been given. I listened as he prayed for everyone he possibly could, and never once did he pray for himself. As I listened, my heart was filled with light and love and warmth. Today I was far too caught up in my own world. All my thoughts were centered on myself. Then, through a simple grandfathers prayer, I witnessed sincere humility and realized that I needed to be more like that. 

Yes, it's easy to get caught up in ourselves. We are human, we all do it! And we should focus on ourselves at times! But, let's not get so tangled in a web of pride and instead take a moment at the end of each day to reflect on this beautiful life and exactly who has given it to us. We are the creation of a King. I know that He blesses me far more than I feel I deserve, and that knowledge of His constant love and trust in me is encouraging and humbling. 

I can only strive to live up to my duties as royalty...as a daughter of a King. As I do so, I'm certain I will find myself focusing inward yet again, but I also know that every time The Lord will humble me. And in those moments of humility, we allow Heavenly Father to mold us a bit more, to guide us, and to inspire us to become better. 

I am so grateful for these lessons I've learned so far. I needed reminding on how much I value the relationships I have with my family, how exciting it is to finally find something I love to do, that supportive friends..no matter where they are... will always be there for me and keep me from feeling alone, and how with Heavenly Fathers love and our willingness to humble ourselves, the weak will be made strong.

(Check out Ether 12:27 in the Book of Mormon)

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! There are lessons to be learned in every single day. Try to focus on their timing and significance in your life right now! 

Parked Cars and Comfort Zones

It's been a while since I've been home from my mission. Nothing has really been solved, but we are on the path to figuring it out and pretty confident that we will! I've thought a lot about what to do next. Since being home, I have felt as though I was thrown into a room with a thousand doors, but instead of being excited to open a door..I just sat in the middle of the room afraid to open any of them. That's called a "comfort zone" folks! I have loved being here in Washington with my family day in and day out. They make my world a brighter place! I love Washington! But, I am in my comfort zone here. I'm not quite progressing like I hoped I would be. I thought about moving to Orlando and working at Disney World again, but that plan just didn't seem to work out. Then a new plan presented itself! I was blessed with an offer for a great part time job in Vegas by a family I love so much! I prayed long and hard about this opportunity, and everything simply fell into place and felt right. I'll be moving back tomorrow! I'll be staying with my grandpa and keeping him company, working, and starting up school again next semester. I'm excited to finish and finally have my degree! 

After being sent home early from Russia, I have become even more attached than normal to my lovely family, and so this decision has been one that pulls on my heart strings a bit! But, I know that Heavenly Father is directing my life and that if I will put all my trust in Him, I will learn and grow. A wise young lady once advised me, unknowingly, with such words: "Heavenly Father can't drive a parked car! Sometimes we just have to make a move." (Thanks Melany ;)) It's time for me to take another little leap forward and see what He has in store for me! 

Remember: 

"He may know how to succor His people"

Today has been one of those days where I legitimately miss being a missionary. I went through all of my pictures, journals, and little things, and I relived all the memories and moments that molded me into who I am today. I loved being a missionary. I know I served the amount of time that the Lord needed me to serve. Instead of being sad about coming home early, I feel blessed that I was ever even able to experience the things I experienced. Time just isnt relevant.
A song came into my head as I was looking through my things. This song was, and is, my favorite primary song (childrens church song). It's called "My Heavenly Father Loves Me." These are the lyrics:
Whenever I hear the song of a bird,
Or look at the blue, blue sky,
Whenever I feel the rain on my face,
Or the wind as it rushes by.
Whenever I touch a velvet rose,
Or walk by a lilac tree,
I'm glad that I live in this beautiful world,
Heavenly Father's created for me.
He gave me my eyes that I might see,
The color of butterfly wings.
He gave me my ears that I might hear,
The magical sound of things.
He gave me my life, my mind, my heart,
I thank Him reverently,
For all His creations of which I'm a part.
Yes I know Heavenly Father loves me.

As I sang this song in my head, I was reminded of just how much Heavenly Father loves me. I am reminded in the memories I made as a missionary, I am reminded by my loving family and friends, I am reminded in the wind, the rain, the snow and the sun. Everything around me, everything that I am, is all a part of Heavenly Fathers never-ending love. What a blessing that is. Because He loves me, He knows how to "succor" me, or as a very wise young lady once told me.."Succor means run to. So He is running to you." Heavenly Father and the Savior know exactly what I need and when I need it. They know how to push me in the right directions, how and when I feel that overwhelming love, and most importantly...the plan for me. Although I may not be able to see the plan Heavenly Father has for me, I know that He has one. Trusting in Him is something I've had to learn this year....and I know it's something I still need to learn. I am so thankful for the lessons He teaches me and for the kind reminders of His love. I hope that you all look around you and feel His love. It's in everything =]

Breathe In Today

Today I was able to enjoy some time with one of my best friends who is currently serving the Lord. Being around her and her companion was a lovely reminder of what it was like to serve a mission. The spirit that radiated from them both was simply beautiful. After spending time with them, I stood on soft sand while the warm Florida ocean waves kissed my feet. I could feel Heavenly Father's love for me so strongly. For me and for everyone around me. The Earth is such a blessing to us. Often times, I get caught up in my activities and I forget just how beautiful the world around me is. When I stand on a beach, I never forget. I am always reminded and I am always humbled. I needed to spend time around those two amazing sister missionaries this afternoon as well as enjoy those moments on the beach. I needed to be reminded of the things that matter most in this life. The world in which we live, and how we treat one another. Our relationships. Our relationships with everyone around us, ourselves, and most importantly, with our Savior and our Heavenly Father. I came across this quote tonight, that picture down below, and it was also something I needed to see today. My dad has always told my brother and I to "live in the now". I've never really been able to do that! But, my dad is right. If we are looking back, then we can never progress, and if we are looking too far ahead, we will miss the moments as they come. We wont be able to take in the beautiful creations God has given us, nor will we be able to build those relationships that are so important. If you're like me and have a hard time living in the now, think about this picture. Remember that all good things come from God. He wants us to take each day as it comes. Enjoy His creations, love yourself, love those around you. He doesn't want us to look back and dwell on things that we can no longer change, because if we do, then we might get stuck in thought...stuck in regret....but, like it says in this picture--there is something good coming. Have faith in that and just breathe in today.