Back to the Old (but Lovely) Grind

     Shout out to my amazing sister Jennifer for keeping this blog for me while I was gone! I'm truly grateful. I wasn't sure whether or not I would keep up this blog when I got back home, but I wanted to. I've been back almost five months now so clearly it has taken me awhile to get it going! I don't know why today is the day I decided to write, but I'm just in the mood and I think I should encourage that by following through and getting my thoughts out. My mission was amazing. It was perfect. Imperfect people can have perfect moments and I just had an 18-month long moment. It's funny because people always say that they couldn't imagine their missions any other way. Trying to think of going to a different place, or having different companions, or teaching different people...it just wouldn't be the same and it wouldn't feel right. I was where God needed me, where He wanted me. It took me a long time to figure that out, but I think it is finally starting to dawn on me. If I learned anything from my mission it is that God loves me...that He loves all of us. Because of that love, I know that He has my best interest at heart. As we exercise our agency wisely, the best possible outcomes will happen. Most of the time they won't happen when we expect or want, but the happy endings will come. They have to. Coming home from the mission was hard for me; harder than I thought it would be. I was doing the things they told me to do. I got busy. I had a calling and a job (two actually) and I was spending time with my family. I went out with the sister missionaries. But despite all of the wonderful things I was doing, these amazing experiences God was blessing me with, there would still be lots of times when I was just overwhelmingly sad. Sadder than I had ever been before. I couldn't explain...I still can't, but I've grown because of it and I still know that God loves me.
     I'm back at BYU now and things are better. I'm even busier and this time it's with things that really matter to me. I'm studying to become a doctor! At least I think so :) we will see what happens! It feels right though so I'm going with it. I live with two sisters I served with in the greatest mission in the world plus three other amazing women and I love everyday. It's funny how things always seem to work themselves out. Some people say I live in a dump, but I don't think so! And if it is, well then to me it is a nice dump. The ward is great even though I am still getting to know them...I should really try harder on that front!
     Classes are in full things and the semester is flying by. Sometimes I wish time would just slow down so that I could get my bearings. There is still so much to figure out and do and sometimes I feel like I can't keep it all straight, but I guess that I just have to take it one step at a time. I'm not dating anyone at the moment, but I'm certainly not opposed to the idea haha just waiting for the right guy to come along. That's another thing that seems to really happen in God's timing and not in my own! But that's alright because I know that I need to become a better person first. So that's what I'm focusing on. School, work, and becoming more like Jesus Christ because ultimately this life is all about becoming anyways!

10.03.2014 - One More Week

You might wax on longer, but I’m not complaining! I love every word. Wasn’t conference great? That is cool to think that we were all watching it together! I didn’t hear the MTC choir except for about 20 seconds, but I want to hear it! I can do that soon. I’m definitely in for singing. As long as we all do it together. :) 

09.29.2014 - Fall Doesn't Fall Here

I’m used to calling you that so I’ll just stick with it. :) But you’re right, I’m sure I won’t be used to anyone calling me by Michelle…that’ll seem so foreign! It’s weird even just typing it haha. My week has been good for the most part! Lots of meetings and a sick day so not too much proselyting, but still good things happened! 

09.22.2014 - Autumn Equinox

Fall…we don’t really have that here haha I kind of miss that. Definitely survived the rain here…loved it actually. :) I don’t think that’s a sign that you need to be released…I think it’s a sign you need the calling longer! :) I like those four things that she mentioned in her talk. They are definitely true. 

09.15.2014 - The Best

I appreciated your long e-mail this week. :) So thank you for writing on Sunday night instead of this morning! Haha I loved how you referred to that first paragraph as your trunky mom talk. You’re the best. It’s crazy to think that it’s only a month away. Please tell me where the time has gone?! Because I can’t seem to figure it out.