Mile Marker 103.

I know, I've been home for a while, and have yet not managed to post something. The real answer to that is that I'm changed, and I'm new, and I didn't want to just sum up my mission or life but wanted to figure out who I am again. Mission me was different than pre-mission me, and post-mission me is trying to be the best combination of both of them. And it's hard. Life is hard.

I've started beating my self up in a way, saying, "I'm an 'RM,' I shouldn't be doing... [insert whatever it is I am currently not perfect at, (i.e. sleeping in, putting off reading my scriptures or being to scared to talk to a new face]." Let me just say, I used to think RM's were this breed of really amazing people who knew all the answers to everything, now I understand they are not, or I just got gypped of that blessing.

But today I had this epiphany while I was teaching Relief Society. Life isn't meant to be easy, we struggle, and sometimes we have to learn and relearn the same things over and over and yet over again. We are always trying to improve and grow so we can return better. It made me think, "Do I really trust that God knows what He is doing in my life?"

For instance, yesterday, my friend, Annalisa, and I were driving from Rexburg to Logan, Our original plan was to stop in Idaho Falls and go to the temple, but we got talking and decided to go to the temple in Logan instead, and to stop by her house in Idaho Falls so she could get her car and wish her mom a happy birthday. Well as we get there I realize I left my phone in Rexburg, and my dear mom was willing to drive it down to me. When she gets there, she takes off going north and I take off going south, right behind my friend.

A few turns after we left, I get a call from Anna, asking if she could say a prayer to give us safety as we traveled, something I truly appreciated, both at the time and later. She prayed, and we kept driving. A couple miles onto the freeway, my check tire light came on, so I tried to call my friend, to ask her if she saw anything wrong with it. By the time I got ahold of her I was already slowing down and bouncing along the road, so when she called me back I told her that I needed to get off the road, she looked back and saw the smoke coming from my tire and pulled right over. My tire was super flat.

We started cleaning out my trunk to get to my jack and my spare in an attempt to change my tire (something I had seen done but had never actually done myself) when we got ahold of my dad, who said he and my mom (who had just gotten back from delivering me my phone) would come meet me and change it for me. Knowing, even with the travel time, he could change it faster and safer than I could, I put the things back in the trunk and closed the trunk. As I heard the click of the lid closing, I realized my keys, the one way to get into the trunk, were now safely locked inside it. GAH!!!!

Annalisa's first thought again was to pray, and afterward, she and I googled, phoned friends, and did everything we could possibly think of to get into my trunk, but by the time my parents got there, half an hour later, we were still locked out of it. We let Anna leave so she could get down in time to go to the wedding she wanted to go to, and we kept searching for a way in.

About 30 minutes later we decided just to call a tow truck and get us off the freeway, so we called the insurance to see if a tow would be covered, and the guy walked us through a couple more options we had and tricks to try to get into the trunk. (My favorite was when he asked if it was a hatchback, knowing that if the car was a hatchback the trunk was connected to the interior of the car and I could just climb over the back seat.) 2 hours, a lot of negotiations and phone calls later the tow truck came. For those of you keeping track that is 3 hours sitting on the side of I-15.

 

Another 2 hours would pass before the locksmith was able to break into my trunk, by taking my door apart. Then another 30 mins or so to put the door back together and actually change the tire. By this time All the nearby tire shops are closed and I just have the spare on my car.

My dear parents are saints, they drove all over to help me, didn't get frustrated or upset, and even let me switch cars for the week so I wouldn't have to drive the donut all the way down to Logan. That is an example to me of how to get through the hard times.

I did eventually make it down to Logan, but instead of the 2 hours and 45 mins it usually takes, I was nearing 10. And I just kept wondering why God was keeping me from getting to the temple, the friend's wedding, and planning for my lesson. These were all good things, right? Why would he keep me from them? Takes me back to that question: "Do I really trust that God knows what He is doing in my life?"

I don't know if God was sparing me from something worse, like you often hear in stories, or if I just needed to learn a lesson (don't put your keys in the trunk), or if I just needed humility and patience (lessons I never quite seem to learn), but I'm grateful that it wasn't worse than it was. When you think that if it was later, farther south, hotter, colder, if I was by myself, my parents were busy or any other factor that was thrown in, it could have been a lot worse, but just like Annalisa prayed for, no harm came to us, and we both made it to Logan. God is Good!

So I trust God. I trust he has things for me to learn, and I trust that I'm down here to learn them. I trust that He can use me in His work, bless me and guide me, despite the fact that I am imperfect. I trust that His ways are not my ways and that His ways are better. He knows what He is doing, He has been doing it for a long time. So I do trust him.

Mosiah 23:21-22 says: 

"Nevertheless the Lord seeth fit to chasten his people; yea, he trieth their patience and their faith. 

"Nevertheless—whosoever putteth his trust in him the same shall be lifted up at the last day."

"Nevertheless" all the trials in life, I know that God is real.  And that if I put my trust in Him, He will help me, lift me and carry me through ANYTHING, whether it be my own imperfections, or being stuck on the side of the road for hours. Trusting God is being willing to act on promptings given, whatever they might be, obeying the commandments, or having patience and faith in hard times knowing that you will be better for it. Hard is a constant in life, but as we trust in God, He will turn us into something even greater.

Yes, I'm now an RM, but I'm still imperfect, just learning and growing and making mistakes like everyone else, every single day, every single Holly Day!

This is the talk I gave my lesson on that inspired my pondering.

California Here I Come!

Last time I wrote, it was about a Large White Envelope. I opened it that weekend... I went home and had a lot of my close friends and family that could come over. Everyone one guessed, and a couple people got really close and guessed the missions right next door, but no one got it exactly right. I am going to the:

California Carlsbad Mission.

My heart now belongs to warm and sunny SoCal! It is honestly quite perfect for me, and I know that is where the Lord wants me, because I'm not doing this for my family, for myself, or even for the people in California. I'm leaving my life for Him, because he gave his life for me.

But this call is bittersweet. See, I talk a lot about my roommates, but that is because they instantly became my best friends! From the first time we emailed after finding out our roommates, I knew these girls were wonderful. We became the kind of friends that could tell each other anything, and I mean anything! These girls were the reason I didn't get a lot of sleep some nights and the focus of a lot of my memories. These are the girls who I became an adult with, who bonded as we were forced to face the real world by ourselves!

But in just a few short months, Kate will be in Spain, Cass in Ecuador, me in California, Tay in Argentina, and Hailey here in Utah! I've only been apart from my best friends for two LONG weeks, but I already feel so alone. I know my companions will become close, and in two years we'll be back together. I guess I just hate saying goodbye.

I also have friends in Rexburg I don't want to say goodbye to, and this isn't even the half of them. These friends I know it will be hard for me to see a lot, even on my return, which made it almost even harder to say goodbye. These are the girls I've grown up with! My friends for up to 10 long years.My friends that were there for braces, girls camp, boys..., first date, graduation, all my teenage experiences.

There is also the hardest goodbye, aside from my roommates, my friends, my hair, my home, I also have to say goodbye to my family. In 59 days I'll say goodbye to my two brothers, my sister and my brother-in-law, my parents and to the most adorable 16-month-old little boy. They are the ones who have supported me my whole entire life! And will support me for the rest of it.

I know I'm a little bit early in all of these goodbyes, I don't leave for two months (minus two days), but being away from all of these amazing people makes me realize how much I'm going to miss them all!

But what am I gaining? I'm gaining an adventure in the most amazing place in the world! (I mean it's got Legoland! What more could you want?) I'm going to have the most amazing experience ever! Hard, but worth it! Carlsbad is warm and gorgeous! I am so lucky to serve the lord, who I love so much in such a beautiful place in my native language.

So while I won't be a Hermana, a Sœur or an Imōto, I will be a Sister, Sister Palmer! And I will be exactly where I'm supposed to be, doing exactly what I'm supposed to be doing!

What is the point of all of this? Well, you know the saying that a missionary is someone who leaves their family for a short time so that others can be with theirs for eternity? I guess all the best things in life require a little bit of sacrifice. With all the goodbyes I'm saying, I'm setting myself up for some wonderful hellos! And I can't wait! I know that this is what I'm supposed to be doing! I know a mission is right for me! Now it is just a matter of preparing.

California here I come! :)

10 Things to get YOU through a Tough Week

1) Read the Scriptures! The scriptures are your best friends. They are filled with people who testify of Christ and are Christ-like examples in their testimonies and actions. Shouldn't we all strive to be perfect even as our Father and Jesus are perfect. The scriptures testify of them. We need the words of the prophets to bring us closer to our father and older brother.

2) Pray! Heavenly Father loves you and wants to help you with what ever you're going through, but you need to ask. Ask and it shall be given. So often we want the giving without the asking.

3) SMILE! Spiritually minded is life eternal. Think positive! Think of God. Your thoughts guide how you act and what you say, make them positive and think of things you want to become. Be an optimist and let there be a smile on your face! If you pretend your happy hard enough for long enough, pretty soon even you'll believe it!

4) Plan a Reward! You can't just keep going, going, going! You need a break from everything sometimes, find a way to let it all out. It gives you something to look forward to!

5) Focus on the Reward! When you get your reward, when you're taking a break. focus on that. Set a timer if if is a quick break or leave your homework behind, physically and mentally if you are going somewhere. For that time don't think about what you have to do, just on the break! 

Side note: This weekend I went to my nephews birthday party, I brought homework to work on, but didn't touch it. It was amazing!

6) Laugh! This kinda goes along with smiling, but you need to laugh at yourself, at a tv show and with (not at) others! Friends are amazing and the right ones can make a tough time a lot better. They care about you, just remember, you need to be there for their hard times too.

7) Eat Healthy! Food is amazing! It makes you feel good, but HEALTHY food, like fruits and veggies make you feel even better! But eat what you're craving (if it is not so healthy food, eat it in moderation...). But don't ever stop eating. Don't regularly skip meals. That's bad, and you get really hungry and grumpy.

8) Make Lists! Lists are great. If you make lists you won't forget anything, and you know exactly how much you have left. Plus it feels really good to cross things off!

9) Let Some Things Go! No one can do everything. That list, don't feel bad if you didn't get the little this checked off. Its okay sometimes to put somethings off and put yourself or other important things first!

10) Talk it out! I like to talk a lot! It helps me so much to talk to someone I trust about my problems. Find someone, be it a parent, sibling, roommate, friend and share your secrets. It is no good to keep them bottled up. Talk about the weight on your shoulders. You can trust this person.

Do your Best! When it is all over that is all you can do. Looking back all that matters is that you did your very best.

Small and Simple Miracles

"Nevertheless, because those miracles were worked by small means it did show unto them marvelous works." Alma 37:41

Wow! Two weeks ago I realized just how strong my testimony was, and in the last two weeks I have seen so many blessings from it. The gospel of Jesus Christ makes me so happy! Today in Relief Society (one of the most amazing organizations in the whole entire world! If you are female, 18 or older and not going, I suggest you start! It will better your life!) we talked about recognizing the spirit. Our teacher started off the lesson by having us all talk to our neighbor about a "mini-miracle" we had seen in the past week, a trait we have we're confident in and something that made us smile in the last week. For the second two I always answered I'm confident in my testimony (see my last blog post) and what made me smile was my friends and roommates, as they always make me laugh, and I'd share one story or another. For the miracle though, I thought of one, and then as others shared theirs with me I thought of more kind of like theirs! So here are my miracles, not to tell you how amazing my life (especially the last couple weeks) is, and not to copy Tay (who posted a blog post very similar just about an hour before I started this one; the lesson must have been really good for us both to have the same thoughts!) but so you guys reading this can recognize the different ways the lord works, and notice the miracles in your life. Now lets see if I can remember them all (I bolded the miracle so you don't have to read them all):

1. First miracle: Binary. :) You are now thinking I am the biggest nerd ever, (yeah, you're probably right. The end). But seriously. Starting this semester I was so worried  about my digital circuits class because I had no idea what to expect. Either the first or second day of the class she gave us reading and it was on binary. I dreaded it, and as I started reading I was so lost and bored, but then it clicked. Now the class I dreaded the most is my favorite, and on a side note the two classes I was the most excited for I don't like.
2. This as been the most amazing January ever. There is like no snow on the ground and it has stayed well above 30 during most days! Warm winter in Logan! :)
3. Oh and along those same lines, the inversion has stayed away! In version is basically really thick fog that lasts for days. I love being able to see the temple and the mountains. Those are what make Logan really beautiful!
4. I am an Undergraduate Research Fellow (URF). That means I get a scholarship to do research starting freshman year. In most fields freshman don't do a lot with research, and if they do it is feeding the animals, taking data/measurements, sweeping and cleaning the beakers, etc. I like encryption. There is not much for a freshman to do in encryption because we don't know all the math/science/computer science we need to yet. I was having tough luck finding a spot. A couple weeks ago I emailed two professors, one over the URFs and the other my last attempt at finding research I was interested in helping out in. My meetings with both professors eventually fell on the same day half an hour apart. the first was URF. I basically told him I couldn't find a spot and I needed to defer until after my mission when I would have more experience, then I went to the second one and it was a perfect match. He said he wanted to see what the results of his idea would be but it was a simple enough idea that even a freshman could help with it, and it was in exactly what I want to do with the rest of my life! He still has to approve the project but cross your fingers and say a prayer for me that it'll work out!
5. I have the craziest roommates ever and last weekend I spent a whole half hour listening to Tay talk without taking a break. She is the most hilarious person I have met! She is so kind and loving and has a glowing testimony, but that night I needed the laugh and boy did she deliver. I heard her whole life story and the whole time I'm sitting there thinking, I could never be as spontaneous and funny as Tay! She is our entertainment in C101!
6. My schedule this semester is crazy. I have pretty much back to back classes from 8:30 or 9:30 to 2:00, 4:30 or 6:00. and MWF are when all my engineering classes are (digital circuits, linear algebra, mission prep (okay, not really engineering), computer science, and on Wednesdays my Circuits Lab). Wednesday I had homework due in every class but one (and no that one was not mission prep). And the other class the assignment was due Monday after our big roommate sleepover. But I got it all turned in and the only thing I missed was sleeping in and being lazy Monday morning!
7. Speaking of homework, I was super stressed about my math homework because I didn't exactly have my math book yet. You see I though I had gotten a good deal and ordered the wrong thing. The book store was all out and if I ordered a new one online it wouldn't be here until next month. The professor kinda posted the assignment late and so I couldn't really borrow someone in my classes and the library didn't have one. I did order one online just so I'd have it for the next assignment, but I was in a pickle. Monday I get a text from someone I had emailed a week ago. They asked me if I still wanted the book. I said yes very much. I was able to cancel my order online because of the holiday weekend and turn in my assignment complete and on time!
8. Thursday night my five roommates and I get a text from our RA: "...I totally forgot to mention that we're probably getting a new roommate tomorrow..." We have had two empty beds in our dorm since the end of last semester and had speculated when/if we would get a new roommate. If the spots did get filled we also wondered what she would be like. not to mention the five of us are really tight and we didn't want the new girl to come in and feel let out or be awkward about it. Needless to say we were a tad worried, but honestly we had no need to be. Hailey is amazing and fits in with the rest of us like she's been here all along. I can't wait to get to know her better over the coming semester!
9. Friday night! Some of the girls from the second floor had a party and we ate dinner, played games, talked, ate LOTS of candy and watched both Despicable Me's in out PJ's! It was a ton of fun! When the second show was over we all decided we were tired and called it a night. Then when we got to our room and into bed we all decided we caught our second wing and stayed up for another hour talking and getting to know Hailey better. Lots of fun!
10. On Saturday, Cass's dad took us all out for dinner and swimming at the hotel he was staying at. It was so much fun! We played keep away in the pool and it was more fun than I had had in a while, especially in a pool! It was fun to just let go and procrastinate homework.
11. Today has been a day of miracles. Let me start with Sunday school. Our ward now has three Sunday School classes and Cassidy gets to teach two weeks a month. Because of farewells and the increase in classes gospel principles was pretty empty this week. In fact when all is said and done it was Cass who was teaching, the other four of us roommates, and Katie who is practically a roommate anyway. It was really great just having a small class, and Cass is a great teacher. She is an amazing person over all actually she's been such an example to me since I've met her.
12. Two eternal truths that spoke to me from Sunday school. We learned about the creation and emphasized on the fact that all things denote there is a God, and since God is light, as his children we are light too. The earth is perfect, self-mending and beautiful. It couldn't have just became that way, it had to have been created. I know that one day we can be kings and queens of our own kingdom and be the light to our heavenly children.
13. Relief society we had the lesson on mini miracles which has brought all these events to my mind.
14. As I walked out of Church today I had a big smile on, I realized that church is the only high I need in my life, because it makes me happier than I ever could be with anything else. I also realized that I have gotten more out of it in like the last two months than I ever had before! The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is completely true and totally amazing!.
15. Today I made homemade dinner for my roomies and I: three cheese, quick lasagna. Homemade food is a miracle for a college student. The end. No but really I love cooking and my roommates seemed to like it too! (at least no one died!)
16. We had a valley wide institute devotional today, and our guest apostle was Quentin L. Cook. He spoke on choice and choosing the best of the things that truly mater first. It was such a blessing to hear from an apostle of the Lord.
17. The day's I read my scriptures I'm happy the day's I don't I'm not. And if I go I day or two with out reading I'm less likely to read the next day. Personal scripture study is amazing.and i'm so glad I read today! I found the gem I started my blog with and a couple other amazing scriptures that spoke right to my heart.
18. I'm amazing at procrastinating homework, and I'm trying hard to keep the sabbath day more holy, (and before someone says "Kitchen Scrabble" Just know it's a work in progress. So we stayed up till about 11 watching a movie, then I ate food and read my scriptures for an hour so I could work on a homework assignment due tomorrow at one. (again I have classes tomorrow from 9:30-2). I was prepared for a long night. I start working on it and then start playing the game. What if I only get 50%,60%, 70%. While I'm doing this I see an announcement online that it is postponed until Wednesday! I worked on it a little bit then called it good.

Now again, while I want to share my what I'm doing and my thoughts and feelings with you, I don't share these things to make my life seem perfect of amazing. It's not. But The gospel makes it better. One thing the gospel teaches is to notice the little things. "By small and simple." What little miracles have occurred in your life today? This week? This month? Think about them. Write them down. Be continually noticing new ones! You will be blessed! Thank you for reading my rather long post. 

Beautiful Logan!

The Game of Risk

Starting the game. Yellow: Cass. Red: Tay. Green : Kate. Blue: Holly.

I've ALWAYS hated the game Risk! Why? I don't know, maybe because it's my brother's favorite! Maybe it is because it takes FOREVER! Maybe it's because I always loose! I mean even as a I started writing this yesterday, I was playing the dumb game and lost... (Freak-en Satan!) Or maybe it's just that I hate the idea of the whole world at war.

Yesterday I taught my first lesson ever in Relief Society! It was about Missionary Work and the Second Coming of our Savior Jesus Christ! They always say when you teach a lesson you learn more than if you just listen and participate, and I believe whole heartily that that is true. When you prepare or teach, you have to learn as much as you can about the subject and then only share the highlights. I learned so much about the peace of the gospel in preparing the lesson.

I know each sect, person and group has a ton of good in them, but I also know that as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints I have access throughout my life to all the keys of eternity, and the opportunity to live with my loved ones forever and ever. This knowledge gives me peace. This is the peace of the gospel. This is the peace I want to share with my spiritual brothers and sisters throughout the world! I want to serve a mission so that others may live with their families forever as well. I believe in forever!

The game of Risk is about World  War Three. This is a war I know will happen. It has to! Before Christ comes again, there will be another world war. Ironically a lot of the fighting I at least did was in the areas that WWIII will be fought in: The Middle East and Jerusalem. In our game, as yellow (and no, for once I wasn't yellow, Cass loves yellow just like me) slowly took over the world I couldn't complain too much. (Ironically, as a side note, yellow also started in North America, home of Adamondiamin and the head quarters for the LDS church.) Yellow is happy! How happy will we be the whole world war is over when Christ comes again.

No I don't think at first we will be happy. As the world is baptized with fire, and some of our brothers and sisters who are unrighteous get taken with it, I think we'll feel lots of sorrow for them, but then when the smoke clears and the whole world is so good and righteous that Satan is bound as if by chains we will be as the people in 4th Nephi, when in verse 16 it says: "...surely there could not be a happier people among all the people who had been created by the hand of God." What is the key to happiness? No contention. How do we achieve that? True peace and love. Where can we find peace and love? In the gospel of Jesus Christ.

I believe everything can be related to the gospel of Jesus Christ, mainly for the reason that our Savior and Heavenly Father created EVERYTHING.

So Risk. The name of the game is a gospel principle. We need to take good Risks. Risk the opportunity to talk to someone new about the gospel. Risk how people look at you to hold fast to your standards. Risk not getting your homework, or other stuff done to read the scriptures and talk to your Father. Life is about risks, but when you Risk something good for something even better, you will be blessed for it.

So while the game is still not my favorite, and I'm still not a big fan of wars, I look forward to the peace at the end of the battle. I enjoy playing games with my roommates so much, and even when we are battling over Asia and they won't even let my keep my stupid Europe, I enjoy the competitiveness, bet even more, I enjoy when its all over and I (second place) and Cass (first place), can stay up till after one laughing about stupid high school stories, even though a little over an hour before i was ticked she beat me.

Sometimes we have to take a Risk to get better, or endure a battle to have true happiness and peace.

The Wonders of a Smile

I wrote the following essay for my English 2010 class, I wanted to share it with everyone:

"We all know her or sometimes him. The girl or boy that everyone loves, who can brighten anyone’s day. They never cry; they never appear hurt or sad in anyway. Simply put, they are good at smiling. Can I tell you a secret though, they weren’t always happy. Don’t get me wrong, there are days where they didn’t have a care in the world, but most of the time the smiles are because it is all they can do to keep from falling apart. No one’s life is perfect, including theirs, but he or she doesn't let it stop them. To them, their problems are personal and they don’t need to burden others with them. Instead he or she has decided to try to relieve others of their burdens and troubles. When they ask questions such as “how are you?” they really care. Somewhere in all of this caring and being concerned for others, he or she found that all of their concerns were lessened.

"How do I know all of this? I am that person. Well to me I’m not. I do my fair share of crying and have had more than enough bad days. I don’t always feel happy, and I rarely feel like people go out of their way just to say hi to me. That person is in my life, but I don’t feel like I can fill her shoes. Throughout high school that girl, in my case that person was female, and many others thanked me for my positive attitude and constant smile, traits I don’t remember possessing. I do remember trying to be happy, and I do remember listening as others vented to me about their bad days. I remember my smile sometimes making me happier, but I remember the smiles of others helping as well. Somewhere along the line however, I became that girl-- the one that people gravitated to when they needed a piece of sunshine.

"I believe in optimism, and even beyond that, I believe when the world is falling apart around you, you can and should find something to be happy about. In the midst of an earthquake where the whole world it seems is crashing down, hold fast to that lamp post, a pillar of light, holding steady in the chaos. For myself, that light usually comes in the form of sweet caring and supportive friends, or in the glowing smile of that girl.

"In high school, we'll say her name was Alli, she cared about everyone. Our senior year Alli became student body president, not because everyone thought she was cute or funny, though she was both, but because everyone knew she generally loved and cared for everyone she met. Everyday she would meet someone new and strike a conversation with them. The next day or several days later she was able to again converse with them about things they had told her. Alli had a knack for making everyone's day better, even if they just passed her in the hallway. Surprisingly to me, on more than one occasion she thanked me for my smile.

"Most of the time something as simple as a smile or a sincere greeting can turn a day around. The reason behind the smile varies though. Sometimes my smile symbolizes sincere happiness, while other times I smile because it is all I can do to hold myself together. If I stop smiling, I cry. It is these days that a smile from someone else becomes my light post, steady through the tremor. These days make me want to smile for others.

"I believe in smiling; I believe in optimism. I believe anyone can become that person, the one who can turn anyone’s day around for the better, all it takes is a smile. A smile is a powerful tool, one that can lighten your spirits, along with those of who knows how many others. This I believe."

The past couple weeks have not been easy at all for me. I feel like my emotions decided to take a roller coaster ride and it's been quite hard. Despite it all, I know when I put a smile on my face, I become happier, and when I don't dwell on my problems they seem to lessen.

"It's funny how some distance makes everything seem small." This weekend I'm in Arizona for my cousin, Courtney's mission farewell, and that step away from my problems made them seem silly. My mom told my aunts, uncles and my grandma about one thing bugging me, and they all started laughing and said, ot that's funny. Not in a hurtful way, but it made me realize, maybe it is a little silly and I shouldn't be worring as much about it as I am. So I joined them and Laughed.

To end my blog today I just want to quote one of my favorite scriptures, "A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones." Proverbs 17:22.

Some Water and Sugar to go with your Lemons?

So I was going to write about Yellow and Holidays and kinda why I named my blog this, especially since I'm really new at this whole blogging thing, but, I decided to write something different. This has been on my mind the last couple days.

"Everything happens for a reason." My roommate reminded me of this the other day, and I agree that it does. In the moment we might not see it, but take a step back, or wait a while and the purpose of an event can become clear as glass.

"What doesn't kill you makes you stronger." "You can only grow from this." "My trials make me a better person." How often do we hear these sayings? Yes, they may have become overused, but what isn't now a days, in a world that has existed for thousands of years and been home to billions of people, it's hard to have an idea that is purely your own, but the things that are over used are so, because they work, they are real. That is definitely a purpose behind each event in our life, because if you chose to you can grow from anything and everything.

Sometimes in life, disappointments can give you hope. Anger can give you determination. A spark can give you hope of a fire. Care can give you strength and reasoning often leads to pure understanding and respect. Hey, in the past week alone I've felt all of them.

Again, a cliche, but life hands you lemons. Bad things will happen to everyone, whether they be old young, rich, poor, introverted, outgoing, optimistic or pessimistic. Bad things happen, but I am a fond believer that the ultimate decision of what to do with the lemons is up to you. You can toss them back (but from my experience, it is hard to through trials and changes back at life), you can take them as is (but then that gets sour), or you can make them into something sweet, like lemonade. Yes, you have to provide your own sugar and water, but it is possible.

My sugar is optimism and determination. Knowing that I can and will get through this alright, and having the perseverance to take whatever life throws at me, and come out on top, as a better person. The water for me, is the tears I shed over the change, the talking and thinking it out. Actually discovering how I feel and where I want to go from this. Talking it out with those I am close to, currently includes my family, roommates, friends from home and my Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ. And then I take what they tell me to mind as well, cause they all have advice. Ultimately though the decision is mine and mine alone.

With out the right amount of sugar and water, no lemonade will turn out alright, so the important part is to deal with the problem, face the issue, but don't give it too much time or thought. Know when it is time to stop. Each case is different. Lemons are different sizes and life hands you several all at once. it takes practice to understand the recipe, and I'm not claiming I know it yet. I know what lemonade tastes like though, I know how I want to feel when it is all over, and I understand that there is a recipe. This is a good start.

Lemons are all around us, but life throws them at us for a reason. A good batch of lemonade does a soul good. So when you do get some citrus to the face, don't forget, with a little water and sugar, you have an amazing treat on your hands! :)