We met our FHE groups this last week! We had a ward social and dinner that the Bishopric put on and it was really nice. I really enjoyed seeing other people in my ward in a less formal environment. It was nice to finally see who we were going to be paired up with for the next couple months too. Although I must admit, that sadly, we have two apartments of girls to only one apartment of guys'. I'm hoping that despite some rumors and whatnot that I have heard, that we can actually get through this semester without drama and awkward relationships cause "so and so" likes/liked "so and so". Hopefully it'll all work out, but with so many girls there is no guarantee.
The rest of the week kinda just flew by. Just school and work again. There's not really much time for anything else in my life. I told my mom this week that it's probably a good thing that I sit next to only married guys in all my classes because honestly, I don't really have time to date. Nor do I really want to, guys are weird. So there's a blessing in disguise, weirdly enough.
On another note, this weekend was fantastic! We had a Once Upon a Time marathon like all night Fri and all day yesterday before the broadcast. It was fantastic! My roommates are so much to be around and we're always laughing! Speaking of the broadcast, it was amazing!! I really hope you all were able to see it! I remember watching the 1st Annual General Women's Meeting last year when I was still on my mission last year. I remember being so intrigued and excited. I also remember feeling so inspired and uplifted. It was another testimony builder for me, that even across thousands of miles, the meetings were still the same and I could still hear the same counsel my mom and friends did back home. It was amazing last year for me and it was just as incredible this year. I think it would have been cool to have been with my mom and sisters, but I still appreciate the opportunity to go anyway. For those of you that haven't seen it yet, check it out: https://www.lds.org/general-conference/watch/2014/10?lang=eng&vid=3810237340001 You won't regret it!
This week was also a really big eye opener concerning gratitude and being grateful in trials. I have noticed a lot this week how Crystal has been handling her whole situation. I know that she's in pain almost every day and usually she can't take her meds again for a couple more hours when I show up, but what amazes me is her attitude. Here you have a normal, crafty, service-oriented, busy mother of 3, who has now been confined to her bed 24/7, except to use the bathroom. And yet, she still has a smile on her face, still is so concerned about others (including myself), still laughs and tries to keep herself busy with whatever projects she can do while sitting in her bed. It's so inspiring. I'll have you know that she asks me every day when I walk in how I am, how my day was, if I met any cute guys, etc. etc., the list goes on and on. And when she asks she doesn't just go through the formality of it, but actually listens to everything I have to say. She's not void of visitors either! I would say she probably has on average at least one a day, if not more. Yet she still shows me that she cares about me or anyone that she talks to for that matter.
In trying to apply the things that I have observed or realized for myself I remember when a time when I was really struggling on my mission. My companion and I were not having very much success and we were taking it out on ourselves, there were hard times going on at home, and honestly, I was confused as to why I was struggling so much and experiencing so many trials when I felt like I was the best missionary that I could be. The lessons I learned during that time I hope I never forget. I learned so much about trials and how important they are in our progression, especially our eternal progression. But we can choose to be grateful in our trials and choose to let them shape us into the persons that Heavenly Father would have us become. It's a pretty awesome realization when you truly can apply it. It has really taught me a lot about how to really look and seek for the lessons amidst the hardest times of my life, and rest assured this can be applied to all of you as well.
As the second verse of "More Holiness Give Me" says, "More gratitude give me/More trust in the Lord/More pride in his glory/More hope in his word/More tears for his sorrows/more pain at his grief/More meekness in trial/More praise for relief."
So grateful for your blog. It also inspires me. I to are trying to be grateful in my trials and find joy in service. Wouldn't it be super to have all the girls in our family be together for a women's conference. Now that would be terrific!!!!
ReplyDeleteI also love the women's conference. It sure gives me a life that I always need.
Love ya