In Light of this New Week . . .

This week, I anticipate lots things.

This week I anticipate lots of homework.
No sleep.
Exams.
Late night laughs with Rachel. and Katie. and Hope. and Tasha. and Chelsea.
Temple trips that matter.
Frozen noses.
Rain.
Feeling sad about something.
Smiles.
Speed walking to class.
Late nights in the library.
A text about my mission call.
A phone call from my mom.
Late night piano songs in the HFAC.
Messy hair and T-shirts.
Laundry and dishes.
And perhaps one night I'll get five hours of sleep.

:)

And since I know my anticipations are quite similar to many others', I hope this poem will help you. Because despite the hard things that will inevitably come, it's important to take on the attitude of Elder Wirthlin. In the words of his mother, "Come what may, and love it."

You started the race with a confident pace,

And you waved to your dad with a smile on your face.
You were confident till you looked up ahead,
And the scene that you saw caused you to dread;
For out in the distance you could see the dark clouds,
And tears started to form as you whispered aloud,
"Dear Father in Heaven, help me to be
As steadfast and strong as thy Son was for me."
Then came the pains as you struggled to climb
The hills and the mountains that lengthened the time,
The rocks and the boulders that cluttered your way,
And caused you to trip and from the path stray.
The wind 'gainst your hair and the sweat on your face
Caused you to feel you were losing the race.
While you might think it too much for the pain that it cost,
As soon as you choose to give up, you've lost.
It matters the tears that you cry when it's tough,
But it matters much more that you never give up.
Although you may think that you're losing the race,
Or in order to win you must quicken your pace,
Remember the Saviour, who overcame all,
Is there with His hands when you start to fall.
It isn't the trials or mountains you face:
What matters the most is that you finish the race.
Go forward in life with a twinkle in your eye
And always remember God wants you to try.
Then press forward through life with a smile on your face,
And God will bless you to finish your race.

~Alissa Murdoch

Inspired from President Hinckley: "Go forward in life with a twinkle in your eye and a smile on your face . . . and God will bless you as you pursue your course."

Therefore, In light of this new week, let us remember to keep the perspective that things will be alright.

Come what may, and love it.

And there are officially 50 DAYS until Christmas :) HUZZAH.

Perspective.

One of the most discouraging parts of life must be when, no matter how hard you try, you just can't seem to succeed. No matter how late you stay up doing homework, writing that thesis statement, or making flashcards, you just can't get it.

A road block, a cliff, a giant wall: any word can be used to describe this pebble stone in your shoe, mostly because it just needs to be a word expressing that you are stuck. At the end. And at a loss. In a trial. In a predicament. In the dark.

You ask yourself, How am I supposed to succeed? I can't do better than my best, and clearly I'm not strong enough to break through this wall of steel. 

Don't believe that.

Ever.

All you need is to change your perspective. Yes, grades are important, and at some point you might need to be accepted into the Nursing Program or the Physics Program or whatever major you want to pursue.

Just remember one thing. Well, remember lots of things (like that chocolate helps a lot, the cup really is half full, the Saviour loves you, you can do it, all trials will give you experience and be for your good, etc.)

But be sure to remember this.

(And this is what makes me ridiculously happy all the time.)

:)

Remember that someday, you will have a best friend.

An eternal best friend. And they will love you more than anyone else in this world.

And you will go shopping for cereal together. You will laugh together over forgetting to put sugar in the cake or burning the toast. You'll do dishes together and drink hot chocolate together. You'll go on walks and bike rides and play tennis together because there's no one in the whole world who you'd rather spend your time with more than that wonderful bestest friend.

And you will be happy. Oh, so happy.

That's one of the things I look forward to most in this life. It keeps me going sometimes, in all honesty. And maybe that sounds a little weird, but it's all part of having an eternal perspective. Look at the long run. Look at who you are going to be. Look at your potential. Forget about that test you failed, and just do your best on writing that thesis statement, and endure work for just a little longer. Hold on, don't let go, and keep trying. It will work out. Heavenly Father promised it would.

So it will.

And in the meantime, a little chocolate along the way never hurt anyone :)

Chicken Little?

Yes, please.

The sky is, in fact, falling. Ah, the beauty of Autumn: gotta love those crunchy leaves and unpredictable projectiles.

The Army of Helaman.

They couldn't have been much older than my eighteen years, and they couldn't have known much more than I know. Besides having strong testimonies of the Saviour, they probably didn't know much about battle. Sure, they'd most likely heard stories and seen the awful conflicts, but never had they actually fought for their families, religion, and lives.

I feel like them sometimes, especially in relation to Heavenly Father's call to serve. I've never been on a mission before, but I've heard wonderful stories, and I've watched missionaries work miracles as instruments in the Lord's hands.

But I've never taken mission prep classes, let alone sat down and practiced teaching someone principles of the gospel.

. . . but then again, while I may not be able to teach the principles as well as I wish I could, I have something I can share better than anything else. And that is my testimony.

I can go to Chemistry and learn all about atomic theories; I can go to French class and learn about why you pronounce the "s" in tous for the sentence, "Je les ai tous mange" but not for the sentence, "Tous les bonbons sont petits"; I can go to American Heritage and learn about utilitarian views of society; and I can go to Nutrition to learn about the enzymes your body can synthesize.

And I could try to explain to you what I know about atoms, pronunciation, and enzymes, but I can guarantee there will be something I don't understand, and something I can't explain.

My testimony, however, is not a theory about atoms and molecules, or a structured method of pronunciation, or even a broad viewpoint of something.

Rather, my testimony is built from small experiences, small truths, and small words from the pages of the Book of Mormon. It is living: it grows. It is real: I can feel it. And it is special; it is precious.

It is my treasure. 

And like those 2000 young men in Helaman's Army, I have faith in God. I trust Him. And It's nice to know that while I have many weaknesses and shortcomings, He trusts me. And He helps me.

I picture thousands of young men and women running to find those who are wandering; those who feel hopeless; those who are lost. I imagine an army of youth going forth to share the good news of the Gospel. I picture them sharing their testimonies of the Saviour.

And I have been given the opportunity to be one of them. It's so wonderful to know that I am doing the right thing. Even when I don't know how to do it.

I will.

Even though I don't know how it will work out.

It will.

Should I be afraid? The world tells me yes, and the attacks and temptations of the devil definitely merit fear.

But the gospel is true, isn't it? Then what else matters?

So, soon I'll be like those stripling warriors. For now, I will not doubt. I'll go where He wants me to go. 

"Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have been called of him to declare his word among his people, that they might have everlasting life." 3 Nephi 5:23.

And I can't wait.

:)

love, a daughter of God.

Of Red Leaves and Happy Things.

I've decided I love autumn.

I love the beauty of the red speckled leaves; the crunch of the acorn shells under my shoes; and the colorful trees that can be spotted everywhere I look.

But I also love the concept of autumn: I love autumn because of what it means.

It means it's time for long sleeve shirts and fuzzy scarves, mittens and Scottish caps; it means hot chocolate and soup for dinner and warm blankets at night. It means General Conference was two weeks ago, and I get to go on a mission after Fall Semester. It means somebody asked me to Homecoming - one of the best autumn nights ever and definitely one of the best dates. It means I get to bring more grape juice to college because my family made 50 quarts of it. It means Thanksgiving is coming and this semester is halfway over. HUZZAH.

That's what Autumn means: it's more than just red leaves and hot chocolate.

It's warmth. Hearth. Thanksgiving. Blessings. Tender mercies. and Love.

Warmth because of my fuzzy socks.
Hearth because the thought of my mother and my home bring happy tears to my eyes.
Thanksgiving because that means there will be no school for three days!!!
Blessings because President Monson challenged us to count them - large and small.
Tender mercies because Heavenly Father cares about me, and his tender mercies come no matter what day or season it is.

And lastly,
It means love. Love because everything is evidence of God's love for me. Even if it's a trial.

and lets be honest . . . it's also kind of fun to be in love ")

Love, Sunny