The Three M's

Marriage, Missions, and Mommies...

Isn't that what everyone is doing these days? If I could make a list of all the wonderful people fulfilling one or more of these things I would.. But I honestly can't! There are too many. I am truly blessed to know such fantastic people gaining their blessings of the temple but I just cannot keep up. Too many happy goodbyes. In the last even, four months I don't know how many receptions I have been to. And missions calls? I lost count as soon as President Monson said "we have also given consideration to the age at which a young woman might serve". Thinking of those words coming out of his mouth, my heart wrenches with excitement for all the women who will now be able to serve a mission who previously would not have had the opportunity. I know that the work is moving forward! The Lord's church is growing as the gathering of His sheep becomes more urgent.

But I am sick of saying goodbye. It's a great goodbye when they are in a nametag and tie but I am ready for these wonderful missionaries to start coming home. In the month of April I know of four boys (men!) coming home from serving full-time missionaries, and I am so excited! Every time one comes home I have flashbacks of all the crazy fun things we did as highschoolers and remember how blessed I am to have had such great friends.

With these snowballing amount of The Three M's comes the question... "Are you dating anyone or are going on a mission?" "Well I'm going to school!" Of course I have prayed about a mission and have a great desire to serve but as of right now it is not my turn. I am continuing to do my best as a member missionary and see the blessings as I do so. And I love dating! Which is one reason I know I am not ready to have ring on my finger. I am still a kid enjoying my last few months of being a teenager before hitting the dreaded... TWENTY. Plus, I LOVE college! I love NAU, I love Flagstaff, I all the experiences I am having, and I love everything I am learning about myself and the world. I know right now I am making the decisions I need to make for myself. No doubt. All the people of The Three M's are making the right decisions for them. And all is wonderful! It's a happy day when I see another friend choosing to serve the world and get set on their adventure of a lifetime. I love the love in people's eyes and the ear-to-ear beam on their faces as they prepare for eternity together.

Life after high school is a time to make decisions and learn. Everyone learns in a different way. Everyone can benefit from another's learning. And that's what makes life fun and full of surprises.

As I walked to class on Friday this song came on my Pandora station. Looking out the window of the Health and Learning Center and seeing this beautiful snow storm, it seemed quite fitting. Although the snow could have caused our death driving back to valley, it is quite amazing. I love the purity of snow. At times I think my toes, nose, ears, and hair might fall off, but I always I find myself unable to keep from smiling. I love living in a place so majestic.

The B Book

I thought I would explain my title a bit.. I love Dr. Seuss! His messages within such simple poetry have so much to teach. When I was little I had The B Book memorized. "Big Brown Bear blowing bubbles biking backwards bump baby bird's balloon..." There isn't much of a lesson there, it's just simple fun, but it is fun to reminisce on the little things that made you smile as a kid. Here are a  few of his quotes for today...

Decision Making

I made this blog mostly for myself but if I can enlighten or cheer up one person who reads it then I will feel fulfilled. My heart has been so full the last few weeks. I have been faced with making decisions that Heavenly Father knew I had the strength to make, even when I didn't believe it. Although I wish someone could hit me and tell me which path I am supposed to take, I know my testimony and faith are strengthened when I am assured that I have made a correct decision.
I first came here to NAU simply because they offered me the most financial aid and I thought it would be an easy adjustment to college life. What a blessing those two things have been! Since before I graduated high school I knew I wanted to study music therapy and work with kids with autism. I know I have so much to learn from these earthy angels. NAU does not have a music therapy degree so I planned on only being here for a year then transferring to ASU or Utah State. ASU never felt right and out-of-state tuition is expensive so I started looking into BYU-Idaho. I applied, and have been accepted! As soon as I received the email I started planning out everything I was going to do until I got there. That night I called my mom and my excitement turned into insecurity. And after that, more and more things began to get even better in Flagstaff. I prayed to Heavenly Father asking Him to let me know if Idaho was not the right choice for me. It sounds ridiculous though, that a church school can be the wrong place to attend. Finally the irritation got the best of me and I changed my mind. "Fine! I'm staying in Flagstaff!" And the weight was gone.
I almost become sad when I think of not experiencing attendance at BYU-Idaho, almost. But I know the fact that I'm not really sad is a sign that I am supposed to stay in Flagstaff. I definitely did not expect to fall in love with this place as much as I have. The laid-back hippie life has rubbed off on me. I remember coming up to Flagstaff to visit my aunt, uncle, and cousins as a little girl and absolutely loving it. I begged and begged my mom to bring us up more often. Now I'm up here fulfilling my dream. It's like Heavenly Father knew I would love it before I did. I love the feeling. I love the people. I love the fresh air. I love the food. And I most of all love that I know I meant to be here.
Along with that, I will not be studying Music Therapy, but actually Human Development. I have recently heard of a field in child development where I can certify as a specialist and work with parents to help their children learn and grow healthily and happily. I expect this job to be just as rewarding and blessing rich to myself, my family, and others and their families as a job as a music therapist. I am so excited to get started!
I am so grateful for the power of prayer. I love the scriptures and everything about the Gospel, but my favorite part about being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is having a constant communication opportunity with my Father in Heaven. It is such a blessed gift.