1-2-2016

For the past month and a half I have been preparing to make it to the temple. And all that preparation has paid off! I had the wonderful opportunity to go to the Orlando Temple yesterday to take out my own endowments! It will be a day I will always look back on with reverence and awe. 

As I was preparing, everyone said it'd be overwhelming. And that is an understatement! It really was a jam packed day full of information and new concepts. But the spirit that was there was so cool. Even though I didn't fully understand what was going on, I felt such an immense amount of peace and calm as I was experiencing new things.  And it gave me just a glimpse of how grand a reunion it will be with my family if I live up to all my covenants. Definitely gave me a renewed sense of determination to live the Gospel faithfully and endure to the end! 

I'm just so grateful for the chance I had to enter into God's temple and continue on my progression back to Him. Words can't express how much joy I feel, and the sweet spirit that entered into my life as I completed my endowments. I know that life will continue to be hard, and I'll have trials and temptations, but I know that I now have extra protection and strength given me to face them all.  I know that this life is to learn and grow and make it back to Heavenly Father.

As this new year is starting, I couldn't think of a better way to welcome it than by going to the temple. It has set up this year to be a year of change and a year of growth and a year of coming closer to God. And I'm excited to see what it brings!

Summer Recap

This has been the first official summer that I've worked full time in my career. It's been a little bit of an adjustment. I have had to change my perspective a little bit on what summer means now.  Working full time and no longer being in school will do that to you I'm understanding.

To be honest though, this has been one of my favorite summers! My schedule at work allowed me to be able to still do a lot with friends and family while still working full time. And that's something I have been very grateful for.  I have not felt like I've had to miss out on anything because of work, which was something I worried a lot about. Being on my own this summer I was also able to spend a lot of time with Leanne, having her stay the night with me when I didn't have work the next day. It was nice I could be a home away from home for her!

But that's not what made this summer great.  This summer I was able to reconnect with a lot of people I grew up with.  It has been an eye opening experience as I've been able to see how the Gospel of Jesus Christ can literally change people and how it's changed me over the years.  I spent a good deal of time with people I grew up with but wasn't very close to through high school- and they've become some really good friends who I look up to greatly and who I value incredibly.  And just as importantly, I got to rekindle a friendship with one of my best friends through high school with whom I had a large falling out. As I've seen the obstacles we have overcome in letting the past stay in the past and allowing each other to grow and change, there is absolutely no doubt in my mind that it is because of the Gospel that we've been able to do so.  The Atonement has worked greatly in my life over the years and I can tell it's worked in her life too. As we accept our brothers and sisters in the Gospel, there is literally no obstacle, no misunderstanding that we can't overcome with Jesus Christ by our side. That is a lesson I have been grateful to be reminded of this summer.

 

    

Three Month Stock

Just under three months ago I made the big decision to move out on my own! The choice was actually thrust upon me rather than completely up to me, but the outcome is the same. It's funny how things just seem to fall into place when they are right.  I've come to really appreciate having my own place. Not only am I in complete control of what goes on in my apartment, but I've also grown to love the solitude I get from being by myself.  That was something I wasn't used to, living with my family for eight months after finishing school. I have had the opportunity to learn more about myself- who I am, what I'm interested in and where I want to be in the future.
I have been immensely blessed since I have moved back home.  I have a good job at one of the hospitals here in Tallahassee which has been very good to me. It has allowed me to save a lot of money, finish paying off my car, and afford to comfortably live on my own. All of which I am incredibly grateful for.
There is no doubt in my mind that all of these, and many other blessings, have come from righteously living the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As I have exerted faith this past year in moving home and settling down close by my family, I have been shown countless times the love that God has for me. I've seen glimpses of the potential He sees in me, and have felt His enabling power as I have worked on progressing both temporally and spiritually.