My Future - Deciding on a Major

I've been running my mind away! ;) Now that I've finished the Pathway Program and have started my one BYU-Idaho online class, I have been pondering about my future and what my future has in store for me. I have so many dreams and things I want to accomplish while I am alive on this earth, but I wonder if my Heavenly Father has a different plan for me than what I originally wanted in my life. It kind of scares me because I don't know what He expects of me. I don't know what He wants me to major in college. I don't know when Chris and I will start having children. I don't know what other trials and temptations will attempt to stop me on my path.

I'm not going to lie. My future frightens me to death. It doesn't have to scare me, though. I should be looking forward to the future. Our prophet, President Thomas S. Monson, once stated, "Your future is as bright as your faith." I have a lot of faith in my Heavenly Father and His plan for me. I have faith in myself, knowing that I can do it without being scared of what the future holds. I know that if I am true to the gospel, if I attend the temple and do what I am supposed to, I will receive answers. The only problem is that I am so impatient! I want to know things right away (that's one of my many flaws that I need to work on).

Now that I am officially enrolled in BYU-Idaho, I have been thinking quite a bit about what I should major in in college. I wanted to be an occupational therapist assistant. Basically, I would be helping patients with physical therapy. I thought that would be interesting. I have also thought about being a medical assistant. I would like others to be well and healthy. The other day, I was talking with my mom about what I should major in. She said that if I really wanted to become an occupational therapist assistant, I would have to take a lot of difficult courses. I would have to take microbiology, metaphysics, and other hard classes that I don't really have an interest in taking. I don't really care for science plus, it's harder for me to learn all at once. After I heard all the classes that I was supposed to take to earn that specific degree, I tried to rethink my decision. My mom suggested to me that I should major in marriage and family studies. So I prayed and pondered long and hard about it. I also researched it a little and it sounds perfect for me. It focuses on the importance of home and family. The goal is to teach doctrine, principles, theory, and skills to help maintain and strengthen the home as the most effective institution in society for impacting the well-being of the family unit.

The one thing that I have ever truly wanted to be is a mom. I want to have children and raise them to be good kids. Marriage and family studies ties right into that category. I have been getting baby hungry because I see some of the friends and others that I went to high school with are married and have kids of their own now (I feel so left out!), but I know it will happen when it is supposed to happen. Maybe I need to learn how to be a better wife to Chris before I can be a good mother to our children. All I can say is that I know Heavenly Father knows what He's doing and I should just trust Him.

It's funny how our decisions on what we want to be can change in an instant. I guess I really don't have to decide now if this is what I want to be. There are so many options to choose from in this world. I just hope I make the right option for me and my family.

Heavenly Father wants all of our dreams to come true. He wants us to be happy. He wants us to pursue our dreams no matter what the obstacles. He knows what we want to accomplish and what we are capable of. I'm so grateful I have a Heavenly Father who's interested in my future and in my well-being. I'm thankful that He knows what I want to do with my life even if that means it's not what I'm supposed to do with my life.

The Weekend of Inspiration

General Conference was broadcasted yesterday and today. I didn't get to listen to most of yesterday's session because I took the puppies to the church building while Chris and Cyrus shampooed our carpet. We walked around the pavilion behind the church for a few hours. I was upset that I wasn't able to listen to Conference when I wanted to, though. If you really know me, you will know that I am (and always have been) a freak about General Conference. Maybe it's because I don't want to miss out on what our Church leaders have to teach us. Buddy and Bella played together for most of the afternoon (which is not a surprise at all).

When I was younger, I would usually go to Ashton, Idaho (that's where my mom's from) and watch Conference with Gran and the rest of the family. We would have a lot of food, play around with my cousins, and listen to what everyone thought of the talks. When I was a little girl, I remember writing in my journal during one weekend of General Conference and I was so confused why my mom and the aunts took notes. I could never understand it. As I got older, I started to take notes as well because I had to for my seminary classes. My teacher had the class and me pick one "power phrase" from the talks given by the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve. I really enjoyed doing that. I wanted to remember what our church leaders taught me, personally. And from then on, I became a quote nerd (who are we kidding? I am still a quote nerd!). I have two Composition books filled with quotes from Church leaders, television actors and actresses, and even some family members and close friends. If someone says something I think is profound and I want to remember it, I will write it down. Eventually, I would like to get my quote book published and give it to my children when they have children of their own. I hope it gets passed down to many, many generations. I hope they treasure the inspirations I've collected over the years.

It's hard to choose just one Conference talk that I could say was my favorite, but I'll give it a try. ;) I had two favorite talks that I loved from Saturday's sessions. One was given by Elder Dallin H. Oaks. He stated, "Loving kindness is required, but a follower of Christ, just like the Master, will be firm in the truth." I also really enjoyed the talk given by Elder Jorg Klebingat. He stated, "Keep your eyes on the Savior, care more about what He thinks of you, and let the consequences follow." It was also cool because some of the Church leaders gave their talks in their ow native language. I thought that was awesome.

Today's sessions were pretty awesome too. My favorite talks were given by President Henry B. Eyring and Elder Russell M. Nelson. President Eyring talked about revelation. We need revelation from God to receive answers. He stated, "The revelation of the parent has lasting effect in the personal revelation of the child." I thought that was wonderful. As parents, we should set a good example and be open to receiving the revelation Heavenly Father wants to give to us. Elder Nelson spoke about what sustaining the prophet really means. He stated that no prophet has ever been elected. He has always been chosen by Heavenly Father. He stated, "We sustain 15 men as prophets of God (the First Presidency and the Quorum of the 12 Apostles). They are committed to see that the Lord's will WILL be done!" I thought that was so profound. These men love each and every one of us and want us to help others come unto Christ.

I'm so grateful for the prophets and apostles of the Church. I'm grateful for their counsel and love for every member around the world. I can feel their love whenever I watch General Conference or talk about them in lessons on Sundays. I'm thankful for their inspiration and preparation to speak what they feel is in their hearts.