Change Does Come... It Just Takes Time

  When you know you need a change in your life, does it happen right away? Sometimes yes but most of the time no. You either need to find that change, or work to change. Either way most change does not happen over night. Which that can suck. You get impatient, or discouraged, or frustrated on finding that change. All of that definitely what happened to me this past little while and I would like to share.
  So a couple months ago, I felt the need that it was my time to leave my job. It was definitely a hard decision because I loved the girls I worked with. I wanted to be there for all of them, however, if I did that, I would never leave. Also, I had this feeling that they too needed someone new. A new point of view, a new person to get to know, and a new perspective. So I started the thing everyone loves to do... search for a new job. Not. haha. Anyways, that process was long and hard. I would get a call here or there and maybe an interview, but nothing more. Then I got offered a job! Woohoo. But even at the interview, I knew it wasn't the job for me... So back to the drawing board. Tried to be a reciptionist for a moment, yep not for me either. So then I was getting frustrated. This was a couple month process of not finding what I want. I was still with my old job, but I was then bringing my frustration to work which was not okay.
    Then I went to the temple. I had this thought, apply for three more jobs. I thought about it and was like oh yeah I can do that. Three more. I got this. So I went home and got online and applied for three more jobs. Two days later, I got called for an interview. That next monday I got the job. I was so excited and nervous. The job was new territory for me and some of it would take me out of my comfort zone. But I felt that it was a good place to be. So I accepted. Well jump two weeks later, I start this new job and guess what... I got a call from another job (another one of the three), and after talking to my mom, I decide why not go to the interview. I go in and I was completely myself. I wasn't trying to sell myself, lie to get them to choose me, or whatever. I went in thinking I have a good job, yes this is a better job, but be myself and see what happens. Now jump two weeks more aka last thursday. I got a call.... I GOT THE JOB! What the?! Are you kidding me? This job can be the start to my career. I am still in shock.

  Going through this time, I have had to learn a lot about patience and trusting in the Lord. I could have taken two other jobs, that I was not into at all and probably still be in the struggle of figuring out what I wanted. There were moments when my patience was getting to its last straw. I kept praying and wondering what was the Lord thinking? What was His plan? Why isn't letting any of these jobs work out? I was so confused and was wondering when was it going to work out? And honestly, I do think I needed my first new job before this new new job. Being able to feel to be completely myself, having to work with them for an interview time, and having to call back when missing their calls. Its so strange how it all works out and how it does. I keep thinking what if I accepted one of those jobs I felt that werent for me. Would I still be feeling this way or what? Probably not. I am so grateful for the opportunities I have been given.

   Oh and to add on I got a new calling in church. So this month is already starting to be a month of new things in my life and its only November first?! WHAT? There is still 29 more days, so who knows what else will come about. But know this, that I promise you, that God has a plan for each and everyone of us. His plan is awesome and personal. We follow the plan, and we will have happiness. Pray and find our your plan. You might have to wait a couple of months to find out, but I promise, He knows what He is doing.

"Its Because You're Mormon isn't it?"

  When people ask if I drink alcohol, tea, or coffee, I tell them no. The next comment, if they know my religion, is "Oh its because you're Mormon isn't it?" or "Oh yeah you're Mormon." Yes I am Mormon but truth be told I HATE that comment. Let me explain more.
   I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. In the Doctrine and Covenants, we are given the word of wisdom. This part of the scriptures, talk about how alcohol, tea, coffee, tobacco, and etc. is to not be consumed. It also talks about how to have a healthy lifestyle and to treat our body as a temple. Prophets have encouraged us to not partake in these substances and we cannot partake of these substances to have a temple recommend. Also, who else encourages us not to partake in these substances... Doctors, research, history, and etc. More than one person has mentioned over years how bad it is for your body. We only get one body and one lifetime on this earth... Why ruin it?
   The one thing I absolutely love about my Church is that we are encouraged to follow these guidelines for us and that we are to pray and ask our Heavenly Father for conformation about whatever is asked from us. I love that because I have the agency to follow or not. I have the choice to want to be worthy to enter into the Temple. Also, with having a mother who is a member and a father was a non-member, I really did have a choice. My dad supported our choice to go to church, but if we ever said we hated it or that we did not want to partake in baptism or wanting to stop going, he would support that as well. So it was really up to me to decide what and how I wanted to live my life.
   I chose to listen to what the prophets have asked from us. It was my choice not anyone elses. Its not just because I am Mormon. It is because I do not want to put those substances in my body. Really for multiple reasons. One honestly, I think that each one of them smell horrible. Two I have some genetics that these substances would just make worse. Both of my parents had cancer (yes it sucks), so guess who has the likelihood of getting cancer... Yep you got it, its me. Also, fun little fact, the cancers my parents had are more likely to happen to me with every bit of alcohol that enters into my body. So needless to say that is another MAJOR reason I say no way. I already have high chances, I don't need them higher. Three have you seen the prices of alcohol,tobacco and coffee? Really do you know how much you could buy if you don't spend that money on alcohol or tobacco or coffee. Sorry I really enjoy my shopping and would much rather spend my money on shoes or clothes. Four doctors have done research for years about how its bad for your body. I am pretty sure doctors know exactly what they are talking about, hence their experience and schooling. Five a Prophet of God has asked for these substances to not be consumed by us. The Prophet is Heavenly Father's mortal spokesman. What he says is what Heavenly Father wants us to hear. So its God that has asked us to not consume these things.
   So no its not because I am Mormon. I choose to not consume these substances because I want to smell good, I do not want to up my chances for cancer or any other disease, I like spending my money on shopping, doctors know what they are talking about, and because we were asked by the Prophet to not do so. I know that me being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has influenced me to choose this, but it was MY CHOICE. So next time you are in a situation and a person says no to whatever it is, please don't say "Oh its just because you're Mormon." Just say Okay and accept the fact that the person does not partake in it. This goes for anything, not just the addictive substances. Remember we aren't just our Religion. We all were given the agency to choose what we do and don't do. What are you going to choose?

Challenge: Go to the Temple Everyday for One Week.

  When life gets hard what should we do? That was the question I had and have had for awhile now. Being out of college and in the real world is hard. The decisions that you have to make, the bills, and responsibility. Well a lot of that has been really eating at me and I was stressing and really needing to really think on what I want to do with my life. What am I doing to progress in life? What should be my next step? How am I going to get there? Do I really want to go through the stress of graduate school? What if this or what if that. Yes lets just say its been a little stressful. For me when I am stressing or need a place to go, I head to the temple. I go to whatever temple is closest to where I am, and I go and really think about my questions, concerns, fears, goals, and its a place I can sit on the grass outside, sit in my car, or go in and no matter what I feel the exact same... Peace. As I sit wherever on the temple grounds, I feel the peace and able to pray to my Heavenly Father and ask Him what I can do and tell him my thoughts and my fears. Its a place where the worldly little things to do not distract me and a place where I do not have to worry about judgement, being perfect, or being different. The temple is my favorite place so I made a challenge to myself. Go on temple grounds for everyday for one week.
   How this started was that monday is when all my questions really got to me. So I went and got some food, and ate lunch on the grass in front of the Draper Utah Temple. I sat and looked to the temple and was questioning what needs to happen in my life. And I just felt this peace all around me and knowing that my Heavenly Father is there for me. Also, I looked around the temple. Now the temple is on a hill right next to the mountains. I saw the leaves have already started to change colors. That just made me stop and think about how sometimes life needs to go on. The seasons change and so do we. Life always needs to be changing and sometimes things work right for a little while and then it is time to move on. Monday though I knew I needed to go inside the temple and do the Lords work. However, it being closed on mondays, I texted my friend Alyssa and made plans to go tuesday.
  Tuesday I met Alyssa at the Bountiful Temple. This was fun because we haven't hung out in awhile and also neither of us have been in the Bountiful Temple. As we were in the temple, when we were all done, we still just sat there to think. And as I once again prayed and thought about my struggles and questions, I was wondering, what if I go to the temple everyday? Also, I wanted to be brave and go by myself. Not for the fact that I don't like company but to prove to myself I can go alone. That when I need to go, I dont have to wait to see when others are free to also go, but that I can hop in my car and go.
   Wednesday I had all planned to go by myself. Then that morning I was asked to go with the girls I work with during my shift. I was like ummm... YES! Then I don't have to go alone, I get to go with my girls, and I get to go while I am on shift. Legit right?! As I walked in with the girls and branch presidency it felt so good. I see these girls everyday and they have gone through some hard things. To watch them do the Lords work, to be able to have a recommend to go in. It was amazing. After I even talked to them in the car on how much I love to see that they are able to go and that how forgiving and caring our Heavenly Father really is. Sometimes we make mistakes, the world gets the best of us, sometimes we stray a little from the path, but no matter what Heavenly Father is willing to forgive and help us to get back to the path.
  Thursday I was determined. I was going to walk into the temple and go by myself. I did not make excuses and went straight from my morning shift to the Jordan River Utah Temple. Once I walked into the temple, I knew I was doing what I needed to be doing that morning. And as it turned out they needed my help with sometime and the workers were happy to be there. It was a warming feeling and I felt like I could do anything. This in itself helped me to realize that I can do anything I set my mind to. I felt this sort of confidence that I have not felt for awhile. Also, a feeling of I am able to go whenever I want and I can walk into the temple alone, but I will never be alone. Others walk inside as well, and the workers are always there.

  Friday I continued and felt to go back to Jordan River. As I walked up, I walked past a couple of different people and we said hi and to have a nice day. Just that comfort of people saying hi and smiling just makes your day so much better. Once again as I just felt so at home. The day just went by better and so did the weekend. It was a perfect way to get ready for my weekend. Also, by the end of this trip to the temple, I felt ready to continue figuring out what is next to come in life and that my stress that started at this week, is now gone. Is all my questions answered? Nope not yet and that is okay for the fact that I did get some answers and guidance to what needs to be next for me.

   I want to make this challenge to people reading. For one week go to the temple everyday. Go in, sit on the grass, go inside, whatever it may be. Go there and really go with a question or concern. See what is to come. Your week will go so much better. Also, see how much that it can become a struggle to go daily for the week. You start getting the thoughts that well you already went yesterday, or you really would like a nap, etc. DONT FALL FOR IT! Once you commit to the challenge, do it and finish it! Don't let Satan stray you from going to the temple. Life gets hard but if you take the time to do the Lords work and be there, I promise it will make your life a little easier. We weren't put on this world to have a hard life. We were put on this life to enjoy it, to learn and grow and to one day go back to our Heavenly Father and say I did the best I could and when I needed help you were there for all of it the good and the bad. Thank you for never turning back on me.