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.

To Step Away or Not to Step Away from the Screen? That is the Question

It's sad that I'm even talking about this, but I think this problem should be addressed sooner or later. As Americans, we are so attached to the screen. Whether it's our phones, the television, video games, or the computer. Whatever happened to going outside just for the sake of being outside? Whatever happened to evening dinners with family? Whatever happened to pleasant conversations at the dinner table with those families? I think our generation is deteriorating away with technology. I mean, when was the last time others had Family Home Evening with each other without all the technology? When was the last time we had a meaningful discussion about anything without using our phones as the first resort?

I know I need to work on this too, obviously. Technology is as important to me as anyone else. I use the computer to do my schoolwork. I watch movies on the television. I use my phone for just about everything. I blog, for heaven's sake (that's the only way my pictures will work is if I use my phone to put them on the correct posts I want)! :)

Even though technology can be very useful (like using it for missionary work), I believe that there are a lot more important things than technology like spending quality time with our families, serving others, developing talents, reading tangible books (I personally like to feel the novel. That is why I say it like that), the list goes on and on.

Mr. George Feeny (a character from the 90's television show "Boy Meets World," which I am a little obsessed with, mind you) said it best: "Gutenberg's generation thirsted for a new book every six months! Your generation gets a new web page every six seconds, and how do you use this technology? To try and beat King Koopa and save the princess. Shame on you. You deserve what you get." I would much rather read a tangible book than be wasting my time away on my phone, the computer, etc. Though, it makes me wonder: are we using the technology we have been blessed with efficiently or do we use it as an excuse not to put effort into anything worth working for? 

We do deserve what we get if we don't use the technology wisely enough. I've always thought Mr. Feeny was wise. ;)

Last year, during a session of General Conference, Elder Richard G. Scott, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, stated,“Be wise in how you embrace technology. Mark important scriptures on your device and refer back to them frequently. If you young people would review a verse of scripture as often as some of you send text messages, you could soon have hundreds of passages of scriptures memorized. Those passages would prove to be a powerful source of inspiration and guidance by the Holy Ghost in times of need.” Technology can be used for the better instead of the worse, yet it goes both ways. I love that we can use technology for missionary work. We can help others become closer to Christ using this wonderful technology Heavenly Father gave to us. We should be using it more efficiently to spread the gospel to all of God's children, ready and willing to listen to the message. We should use it to help us remember things that are going on in our lives (that's mostly why I use my phone, the laptop, etc.). We should use it to communicate better one with another.

I hope that whoever is reading this takes a step back and thinks of all the wonderful things they could be doing with all this technology that has been given to us and use it to their advantage. I hope they think twice on how technology is being used in the world today and become a positive influence others can follow.

Being a Military Wife

It is very bumpy road for all of us. For me, personally, it is difficult being a military wife. When Chris and I were dating, he didn't want to be in a serious relationship because he knew that he was going to join the Air Force really soon. He was going to break up with me. Just as soon as I started to really like Chris, he dropped the bomb on me telling me that he was going to join the Air Force. I took that as, "I can't be with you anymore because this is what I really want to do with my life." Unfortunately, you all know how well that worked out. ;) Still, it has been a bumpy ride.

The year 2012 was a year full of exhilaration, fright, and apprehension. We got married in July, Chris left in September for Basic Training, and I didn't see him until the end of March. One night before Chris left, I was bawling my eyes out because I knew he was leaving soon. We got in an argument and he went to sleep on the couch. I went to get him a few minutes later and I asked him, in tears, "What if you never come back?" Chris wrapped his arms around me and kept telling me, "I will always come back for you. You're my baby girl. You're my baby girl."

Basic Training was a challenging time for the both of us because we couldn't be together every day like most newlyweds usually are. When he left, it broke my heart that I couldn't be with him every single day. On the plus side, Chris had the opportunity to call one person once a week. He told me to always keep my phone on me (if you know me, sometimes, I don't answer my phone because I'm busy or I forget to make sure it's not on silent) because I knew that he would call me. Those phone calls were the highlight of my week. It was always nice to hear my sweetheart's voice on the other end of that line even if it was only for one day. We also have great families that helped us while we were away from each other. Since I was living with my parents again, sometimes I would forget that I needed to see Chris's family too. Luckily, I made it all work out. It's so convenient to have both of our families living in the same town. Chris's family lives right around the corner from my family (okay, maybe not right around the corner- I had to drive a ways- but close enough).

One of the happiest days of my life finally arrived.  I got to see my sweetheart again. In the middle of November, Denise, Chris's mom, and I had the opportunity to attend his graduation from Basic Training. We traveled from Shelley, Idaho to San Antonio, Texas for it. I remember seeing all the graduates in a long line. Chris told me that he wasn't supposed to move until I went and grabbed him. I gently touched his hand, and he turned around and, with tears in his sea blue eyes, gave me the biggest embrace he has ever given to me in his life. He whispered in my ear, "I did it, Baby Girl. I did it." and gave me a kiss on the cheek. It was so rewarding to see that he was as excited to see me as I was to see him.

At Chris's graduation from Basic Training- that was the first time I saw him in two months! What a happy day that was for both of us!

I will never forget the day Chris came home. It was the day of my birthday. At about midnight, I felt someone come onto my bed. At first, I thought it was my sister and I was just about to tell her, "Get back in your bed!" Finally. I decided to look over to see who it was, trying to open my eyes because I was still half asleep, turn over and I fall back asleep. Then, my brain finally kicked in, screaming at me, "It's Chris, you goober! Wake up, woman!" I turn over again and give him a hug. I remember telling him that I missed him and I was almost on the verge of tears. That was the best birthday present I have ever received. To sum it all up, it is hard being a military wife.

While he was in tech school, Chris sent this to me with the message, "I love you." This pretty much sums up on what being a military wife is really all about. 

I don't know what I'm going to do if Chris ever gets deployed (it is nice to know that he will be in the medical field since he's a surgical technologist. When he first told me he was going to join the Air Force, I was worried because he likes guns and hunting. I assumed he'd be out there fighting, but he will be in a hospital the entire time which make me feel so relieved!). I might blow a fuse, but I don't have to worry about that right now. I'm just so happy to be with My Christian again. I figured I'll cross that bridge when it gets here. I think it might be a little easier if we have children soon or if we still have Buddy and Bella around so it won't be so lonely.

It's so difficult to say goodbye to someone you love so much, but it is so rewarding to know that Chris is doing what he loves, what he really wants to be doing for me, for us, and for our life together.

At Chris's promotion ceremony last week. He's a Senior Airman now! I'm so proud of this studly hubby of mine!