(Just a note: This isn't us announcing anything. I'm totally not pregnant, and I don't want anyone to incorrectly assume so.)
I am approaching a point in my life which I have been either trying to rush or avoid for the past year. I've been acting out of terror, knowing that this moment has to come, but afraid of what will happen when it does. I've tried rushing it, trying to get it over with, or I've tried hiding from it, never wanting to face it. The moment has finally come, and all I can do at this time is flow with it, and wait for whatever comes next. Right now, the most terrifying thing to me is making all of this public. I'm tearing down walls I built to keep myself safe. To make things right, though, I have to let someone in. I have to talk, and I don't know how to be as honest and open as possible any other way. Maybe this is dumb, but it feels right.
The moment I have been anticipating has come. I've waited over a year for it, never knowing exactly when it would happen, but knowing it would. I wasn't even sure what exactly it would be. I just knew it would be from the Lord, somehow. Something would be set into motion, and I would be involved in it. It seems so simple, now that it's here.
It began Saturday night. Daniel and I were talking about our short-term plans, and he gently reminded me that as I am not working right now, it may be hard for my emotional health this semester. (Yes, I finally quit. It felt right and necessary to quit my job at NuSkin.) I realized the truth in his words, and thought about what would make my life have more meaning this semester. I don't have kids, so I wouldn't be able to wrap my life around them like I had planned on doing by now. I remembered that I felt most whole when I was in Young Women and would help organize and participate in service projects. I looked up United Way to see what I could do for them, and decided on making and donating a quilt to a program designed for At-Risk Youth. Since my quilt-making skills are far below average, it takes me quite some time to get my quilts right. Based on this, I figured I could get one done by Christmas, and donate it as a Christmas present.
Last night, our home teachers came over, and shared a lesson with us which brought to my mind an experience, the details of which I will not share at this time. What I will share from this experience is that the Lord heard the prayer of me as a small child when I only had the simple faith of a small child. He didn't have to, and could have let the consequenses of what was happening continue. He did hear me though, and this reminded me that he doesn't forget me. I sometimes forget him.
Today I got the supplies for my quilt, and began working on the blanket. As I cut the fabric and shaped the blocks, I had ample time to think. Since I was keeping busy, I wasn't able to dwell on much, which was a blessing to me. At unpredictable times as I felt a twinge of guilt, thinking of some of the things I have said or done, which at the time seemed harmless, but looking back, realized I had said or done something which may have been considered rude. The worst ones were when I realized I had good intentions, but didn't listen to the Spirit, so ended up hurting the ones I was trying to help. Like I said, I was busy, so didnt dwell on these experiences too much.
Before Daniel went to bed tonight, we were talking, and I realized that I have been placing my life on hold, actually, a better phrase would be that I haven't been living my life, waiting to have a baby. In waiting for this, and being consistantly dissappointed, I haven't been enjoying anything in my life that the Lord has blessed me with. I realized all of this, and came to the conclusion that I need to stop waiting for this event that just isn't happening. It's time to stop letting myself hurt so deeply over my loss, and stop wasting the precious days I have on this earth. In all of this, I don't feel a sense of obligation to do any of this. Instead, I feel the river of peace which, for me, means it is time to go and do.
At this time, it is so simple. It is time to get up, and listen to the promptings of the spirit as I do what the Lord requires. I could run and try to hide, but this isn't the time to do so. I could say "no," but that would not be right. What I will do is flow with this river of peace I feel, and let it take me wherever it will.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Epiphany
I was reading a book just now, and in it, one of the characters talked about the concept of immortality. The way he phrased it was like this, "Can you imagine never dying? Never fading? Existing, as you are, for all time?"
I always understood simply being immortal as a step down from having eternal life, but never understanding why, exactly. I guess I thought that being simply immortal had the disadvantage of not being with the Lord. In a sudden moment, while I was reading, I came to understand that being simply immortal means I'm in this state, undying, forever. Of course, in the Resurrection, the world will most likely be a much different place, but at that point I will not have progressed or have further opportunity to grow. I will live forever at that point, but, being without the Lord, my existence would mean almost infinitely less than if I had obtained eternal life.
Perhaps that's why it's phrased "eternal life." It is an eternity of purpose and meaning, therefore an eternity of life, rather than just an eternity of existence. For quite some time, I've struggled with the idea of existing vs. living. We can exist without living a day of our lives. We can exist, intentionally or not, without purpose and meaning in our lives, denying ourselves the joy we would otherwise feel. That purpose which brings us joy and sorrow is what causes us to live rather than to simply exist. I think I'm finally beginning to understand...
I always understood simply being immortal as a step down from having eternal life, but never understanding why, exactly. I guess I thought that being simply immortal had the disadvantage of not being with the Lord. In a sudden moment, while I was reading, I came to understand that being simply immortal means I'm in this state, undying, forever. Of course, in the Resurrection, the world will most likely be a much different place, but at that point I will not have progressed or have further opportunity to grow. I will live forever at that point, but, being without the Lord, my existence would mean almost infinitely less than if I had obtained eternal life.
Perhaps that's why it's phrased "eternal life." It is an eternity of purpose and meaning, therefore an eternity of life, rather than just an eternity of existence. For quite some time, I've struggled with the idea of existing vs. living. We can exist without living a day of our lives. We can exist, intentionally or not, without purpose and meaning in our lives, denying ourselves the joy we would otherwise feel. That purpose which brings us joy and sorrow is what causes us to live rather than to simply exist. I think I'm finally beginning to understand...
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
More Gold's Gym
Okay, to update on this fiasco, I finally ended up driving to the cooperate office, where they told me it would be impossible to cancel my current membership. As a consolation, they had me sign something that says I dont want to continue my membership after the contract is up. (Oh, and they normally charge $5 for it, but she said she wouldnt have me pay.) On top of that, they said my account was delinquant! Way to kill my credit without contacting me at all...I fixed that issue, so hopefully in 3 months Golds Gym will be a distant memory to my poor checking account.
I HATE GOLD'S GYM!!!!
Just so EVERYONE knows, GOLDS GYM IS EVIL! I've been trying to cancel my membership, but they REFUSE to answer the phone, and last time I tried, after being on hold FOREVER, someone picked up the phone, was talking to someone else in the office, AND HUNG UP! They didnt even talk to me! The first time I tried, they said it was impossible to cancel my membership! If you want to be gripped by the very chains of Satan as he laughs and pokes you in the eye, go to Golds Gym. If not, run like the dickens away from them!
Friday, July 10, 2009
2 years!
It has officially been 2 years since Daniel and I "officially" started dating. That's 24 months, so I am going to list 24 reasons why I thik he's cool.
24. He's a good cook. Like, I come home "too tired" *wink wink* to make dinner, so he makes it.
23. He always takes the stairs two steps at a time.
22. He has curly hair like me, which helps our chances at having cute curly-haired children
21. He speaks Spanish and English, which is WAY more than I speak. I still struggle with just English.
20. He says weird things in his sleep.
19. He's amazing with kids, and a sucker for little girls. (Just ask Kyla and Mimi.)
18. He gets me to do things I wouldn't normally do, like ride in a chairlift.
17. I get him to do things he wouldn't normally do, like allow me to cling so tight to his arm he loses circulation while riding on said chair lift (notice my terrified expression while smiling)
16. He's my favorite shoe shopping buddy
15. He has a cool scar that makes little kids stare silently at his arm for prolonged periods of time.
14. He's good at proposing to me
13. He can sleep through the fireworks on the 4th of July
12. He's generally very easy to get along with, no matter who you are.
11. He took me to Monsters vs. Aliens 3 times! And didnt even really want to go once!
10. He looks good in a tux
9. And is very silly
8. He loves his family
7. He doesn't yell at me. Ever.
6. He has good insites when it comes to scriptures
5. And makes sure we have couple scriptures and prayer every night
4. He's good at just about everything
3. He noticed me a year before we started dating
2. He holds and honors the priesthood
1. He took me to the temple and now we get to be together forever!
I know, I know. I talk about my husband a lot. He is just really cool!
24. He's a good cook. Like, I come home "too tired" *wink wink* to make dinner, so he makes it.
23. He always takes the stairs two steps at a time.
22. He has curly hair like me, which helps our chances at having cute curly-haired children
21. He speaks Spanish and English, which is WAY more than I speak. I still struggle with just English.
20. He says weird things in his sleep.
19. He's amazing with kids, and a sucker for little girls. (Just ask Kyla and Mimi.)
18. He gets me to do things I wouldn't normally do, like ride in a chairlift.
17. I get him to do things he wouldn't normally do, like allow me to cling so tight to his arm he loses circulation while riding on said chair lift (notice my terrified expression while smiling)
16. He's my favorite shoe shopping buddy
15. He has a cool scar that makes little kids stare silently at his arm for prolonged periods of time.
14. He's good at proposing to me
13. He can sleep through the fireworks on the 4th of July
12. He's generally very easy to get along with, no matter who you are.
11. He took me to Monsters vs. Aliens 3 times! And didnt even really want to go once!
10. He looks good in a tux
9. And is very silly
8. He loves his family
7. He doesn't yell at me. Ever.
6. He has good insites when it comes to scriptures
5. And makes sure we have couple scriptures and prayer every night
4. He's good at just about everything
3. He noticed me a year before we started dating
2. He holds and honors the priesthood
1. He took me to the temple and now we get to be together forever!
I know, I know. I talk about my husband a lot. He is just really cool!
Saturday, May 16, 2009
The Office
I'm not sure who all watches The Office, but I'm totally buzzing about the season finale! I DID NOT expect that! (Sorta jelous of Jim and Pam, but I'll someday get over it.)WOW!
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Monday, Monday
Today, I had a pretty remarkable experience I'd like to share.
Before I went to work today, I was not feeling well emotionally. Had I had even the slightest sign of a headache or stomachache, I would have gladly called in sick. I felt very terrified of going to work. I couldn't figure out why I was so upset and worried about work. I guess kept thinking people were out to get me and I kept imagining the constant criticisms I would receive while at work. I did not feel safe, and I was almost in tears by the time I got in the car to drive to work.
I realized I had been so nervous, I had forgotten to eat, so on the way to work, I stopped at Hogi Yogi, thinking that MAYBE I could keep down some ice cream. While pulling in to the parking lot, I said a very small, humble prayer, asking for the strength to get through the day, for the wisdom to know what to say to my customers, and for help in general, since I knew I could not get through the day by myself.
On my first call, I noticed my voice sounded much braver and much more confident than I actually felt. I remembered things about one of the new programs the company is launching, and I had forgotten to read through the manual before going in today. I was able to more effectively explain policies to customers who were not familiar with them, and I took little notice of the hostility some customers had toward me after enforcing these policies. The Lord answered my prayer, and provided me with much more than I had even asked for to begin with. Based on how I was feeling before work, there was no way I could have gotten through the day without having a complete meltdown. I just wanted to get through the day and go home, but the Lord gave me enough resources to not only get through the day, he helped me enjoy the day. Instead of worrying about the customers who were upset with me, I was able to gladly accept the gratitude from the individuals I had actually helped. For example, I walked a woman through placing an order online. This sweet lady didn't even know how to type the web address into the address bar, but learned quickly and was a pleasure to talk to. After she successfully placed her first online order, she thanked me so wholeheartedly that I spent the next half hour just smiling and happy. This was far beyond anything I had asked the Lord for or even expected. I'm very thankful He was watching out for me and made my day more than just bearable, even though that is what I asked for.
Before I went to work today, I was not feeling well emotionally. Had I had even the slightest sign of a headache or stomachache, I would have gladly called in sick. I felt very terrified of going to work. I couldn't figure out why I was so upset and worried about work. I guess kept thinking people were out to get me and I kept imagining the constant criticisms I would receive while at work. I did not feel safe, and I was almost in tears by the time I got in the car to drive to work.
I realized I had been so nervous, I had forgotten to eat, so on the way to work, I stopped at Hogi Yogi, thinking that MAYBE I could keep down some ice cream. While pulling in to the parking lot, I said a very small, humble prayer, asking for the strength to get through the day, for the wisdom to know what to say to my customers, and for help in general, since I knew I could not get through the day by myself.
On my first call, I noticed my voice sounded much braver and much more confident than I actually felt. I remembered things about one of the new programs the company is launching, and I had forgotten to read through the manual before going in today. I was able to more effectively explain policies to customers who were not familiar with them, and I took little notice of the hostility some customers had toward me after enforcing these policies. The Lord answered my prayer, and provided me with much more than I had even asked for to begin with. Based on how I was feeling before work, there was no way I could have gotten through the day without having a complete meltdown. I just wanted to get through the day and go home, but the Lord gave me enough resources to not only get through the day, he helped me enjoy the day. Instead of worrying about the customers who were upset with me, I was able to gladly accept the gratitude from the individuals I had actually helped. For example, I walked a woman through placing an order online. This sweet lady didn't even know how to type the web address into the address bar, but learned quickly and was a pleasure to talk to. After she successfully placed her first online order, she thanked me so wholeheartedly that I spent the next half hour just smiling and happy. This was far beyond anything I had asked the Lord for or even expected. I'm very thankful He was watching out for me and made my day more than just bearable, even though that is what I asked for.
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