People and Meaning

*Fair warning, this is a long post, so brace yourselves.

Life has a way of bringing people together for simply significant reasons and in mysterious ways. One cannot simply define the emotions of an everyday heart, but it's sure an adventure worth living for. Being constantly surrounded by people is an interesting side story to any situation. One simply doesn't know who will come in or out of a life, and the amount of impact they will have, but no matter who it is, it's important and so are they. 

The first person I want to recognize is a woman of compassion, beauty, dedication, love, and amazement. Although I have known her forever, she was sent into my life to teach me so many things. 

My beautiful mom is one of the most incredible people I've ever known. There are no words to possibly explain the impact she has had on me. I look up to her in so many ways, and she continues to make my love for her grow. The relationship between a mother and daughter is one of the most outstanding things ever created. We may view things differently, or have bumps along the way, but she's one of very few that I know will love me forever and ever no matter what. Differences and arguments don't change the love I feel for her, in fact, they make me love her even more because I know we'll shortly be laughing at the other person laughing. If you don't know my mom, you're missing out. She's incredible. Happy Birthday to her a couple weeks ago! 

Next is a situation where I'm grateful for people with educations and their willingness to engage themselves in what they are good at. (Even if the situation sucks...) Lucky me got my wisdom teeth out a couple weeks ago. I had told people that I was going to be that one person who has the worst experience with it, and that I would be the story that made people nervous to get theirs out. I decided I should stop saying what I think when it involves situations like that, because they tend to come true. It was the worst week (still going, but thank heavens it's getting better) of my life. If you know me, I'm a walking mystery in the health aspect of life, and long story short, my body decided to throw everything at me at once on the day I got them out. So, to anyone getting theirs out in the near future, I wish you the best of luck and I hope it's a more pleasant experience than mine. I am, however, grateful for such a concerned and friendly Oral Surgeon. 

Sometimes it's not just one person who impacts your life, but a group of individuals. I have a deep love for surprises. Sometimes I can be a tricky one to surprise though. I tend to guess, and I am a very good guesser. This past week however, I was surprised, and clueless. My birthday is coming up, tomorrow in fact, and my sweet best friend invited me over to her house. Little did I know that I was in for the most exciting news ever. Her and her family surprised me with a trip to Hawaii! The entire family is going, and somehow I got invited along with them! I was seriously holding back tears all night. I'm counting down the days, and I can't even begin to say how grateful I am for every single person in that family. They all have become so near and dear to my heart, and they have helped me in ways that are unexplainable. They have adopted me into their family, and I will forever feel so blessed to have them in my life. 

Do you ever stop and wonder how a friendship started? One that has lasted a life time? I have grown up with one of the most amazing boys, and had to part ways after 14 years. A mission is such a bittersweet event. I wouldn't have the situation any other way, but saying goodbye for two years is such a hard thing to do. He has been there for me through the thick and thin, and has always been one to care about me very openly. I have cherished the time we spent together, and look forward to the day he comes home. He's been a huge blessing in my life, and I'm so excited for him to bless the lives of so many others.

Last but not least, there are the people who enter our lives as strangers, and grow to become someone extremely dear to our hearts. Someone who has a new outlook on the world. Someone who shows you how endearing life can be. I've been blessed with one of these people. I've come to know someone who I never knew even existed. Someone who has seen me for who I am and treated me in a way I thought only true in movies. Someone who has replaced fear with confidence. Someone who is different than many of the people I know, and what a mark he has left on my life. My eyes have been opened to something beautiful and mysterious, and I could never express my gratitude I have for that. There aren't many people who can show you a new perspective on a life you thought was already amazing. I'll forever be grateful and have him dear to my heart.

Life is an amazing journey. I definitely can't complain about my adventure thus far. I'm beyond blessed and I wish I could share my love and happiness to all those who lack it. I hope we all can find the positive in our life even when things get tough. "Even the darkest night will end, and the sun will rise." 

Some Days

"Some days you wake up and begin to wonder

What a long night, where was the slumber?

Tired and weak you get out of bed

Pushing yourself for the long day ahead.

Some days you make it to noon and give up.

Some days you think you've just ran out of luck.

No one understands what goes through your mind,

and no matter what you say you're always behind.

But when you look in between all the frustrations,

you find not one, not two, but three tender creations.

Creations you see can be all shapes and sizes,

unexpected, planned, full of surprises.

We all have small blessings, some we ignore.

But stop and recognize them before you rush out the door."

Days like today I need to stop and realize how great life truly is. You can't let being sick, having a busy mind, a constant worry ever replace how much positivity surrounds you. I'm the type of person who always has a plan, who worries about everyone and everything, but today I sat back and enjoyed one of the happiest friendships I have. Unexpected visits from long time best friends can turn anything into a positive situation. I wish I could explain my love and gratefulness I have towards them, but it's not possible. Also, not just the ones who came tonight, but the two others too. I am so blessed to have such amazing people in my life that care about me so much! Friendship is a beautiful thing. <3

Happiness Is Real

Sometimes we need to be reminded of what happiness is, and what it can be. Not just happiness, but real happiness. If you're like me, you're probably thinking to yourself, "Is there a difference?" Tonight I was taught a valuable lesson that I will forever hold near to my heart.
If you are unfamiliar with the name Al Fox I highly recommend you look her up. I had the privilege to listen to this sweet sister tonight at a YSA Relief Society dinner. She's a convert to the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and boy is she an inspiration. I won't tell you her whole story, but I want to touch on some meaningful things that left me spiritually enlightened.

1- Happiness is REAL. There is such a thing, and you can have it all of the time. It's called the gospel and the Book of Mormon.
2- It's not about me, it's about you. It's about where you are going, and what I can do for you.
3- Never stop. When you stop is when the feelings of doubt, insecurity, nervousness, and weakness crawl into your body and mind. You just always have to keep going, and things will work out how they are supposed to.
4- God always hears your prayers, and when he answers, he provides a way for you to be rewarded with that blessing. That's just how it is. You've just got to keep the faith.
5- You are going to go through hard things. Things you don't feel you can overcome, but if you turn to the Lord and pray in times of despair, you will be made into a person stronger than you could imagine. Someone so much better than you ever envisioned. You'll be able to do all things. Not only should you turn to the Lord in times of despair and hardships, but also in times of triumph and joy. He always listens.

What a blessing it is to know what real happiness is. I'm so grateful to know of the truthfulness of this gospel and to have a testimony burning in my soul at all times! It truly is the light in times of darkness, and the joy in times of sorrow. I'm a proud member of this incredible church.

'Tis the Season

   There is no better way to start the Christmas season than the First Presidency Christmas Devotional.  There's something magical about being surrounded by hundreds of people ready to feel the Christmas spirit, in a beautiful building, and in the presence of the Prophet of the Lord. Not to mention the beautiful voices of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and the orchestra echoing through the hearts of the people watching. 

   This year, more than ever, I have felt the Spirit of Christmas so strong. I am so grateful for the wonderful holiday season we get to enjoy and emphasize all that we believe in.

If you didn't get to watch the Christmas Devotional, you can watch it here :)

Being Thankful

"Some days, we forget to look around us. Some days, we can't see the joy that surrounds us. So caught up inside ourselves, we take when we should give. So for tonight we pray for what we know can be, and on this day we hope for what we still can't see. It's up to us to be the change, and even though we all can still do more, there's so much to be thankful for. Look beyond ourselves, there's so much sorrow. It's way too late to say I'll cry tomorrow. Each of us must find our truth, it's so long overdue. So for tonight, we pray for what we know can be, and every day we hope for what we still can't see. It's up to us to be the change, and even though we all can still do more, there's so much to be thankful for. Even with our differences there is a place we're all connected. Each of us can find each other's light. So for tonight we pray for what we know can be, and on this day we hope for what we still can't see. It's up to us to be the change, and even though this world needs so much more, there's so much to be thankful for." - Josh Groban

'Tis the season to be thankful! It's mid November, and the holidays are quickly approaching. It's my hope that we can remember that it's not about what we receive or what we have. We have so much to be thankful for, so be a giver of all things good and valuable. Cherish the spirit you feel throughout this wonderful season!

"This is a wonderful time to be on earth. While there is much that is wrong in the world today, there are many things that are right and good. There are marriages that make it, parents who love their children and sacrifice for them, friends who care about us and help us, teacher who teach. Our lives are blessed in countless ways... We often take for granted the very people who most deserve our gratitude. Let us not wait until it is too late for us to express that gratitude... My brothers and sisters, to express gratitude is gracious and honorable, to enact gratitude is generous and noble, but to live with gratitude ever in our hearts is to touch heaven... My beloved friend President Gordon B. Hinckley said, "When you walk with gratitude, you do not walk with arrogance and conceit and egotism, you walk with a spirit of thanksgiving that is becoming to you and will bless your lives." We can lift ourselves and others as well when we refuse to remain in the realm of negative thought and cultivate within our hearts and attitude of gratitude." - President Thomas S. Monson