Settling In

The pictures are for my mother. Sorry they are not better Mumsie. But that is the gist of my apartment. My favorite is my my photo collage on my wall. I get to look at it every night and it makes me really happy, because I get to sleep next to the people I love. I'm taking the advice of my dearest sweetest Jari and treating my new school experience just as that; NEW. I remember back in January I could not wait to get back to school. I had a calendar I'd cross off each week...53 days until I leave! 40 days until I leave!! I was wishing my time away hoping the time to leave would come sooner and sooner. Then something crazy happened, I started loving my time at home. I was so happy and thought "no no no, time needs to slow down, I don't want to leave ever!" I had wasted at least two months thinking how much I wanted to leave home that I gave up on life a little. I didn't care about anything but the fact that I got to leave soon so what I did at home up until that point didn't really matter much. When time came to actually move away I was so sad to leave and even more sad that I had wasted precious time not getting to know those around me sooner, as well as spending time with my family. But in everything there is a lesson to be learned. I am feeling a little bit like I was this past January...I can't wait until I go HOME, but this time I am stopping myself from thinking that way, because the truth of the matter is time passes. It always has and it always will. I'll be home soon enough but for right now I'm at school. I don't want to look back thinking I wish I had spent my time better, and enjoyed my experience for what it was rather than spending 4 months wishing I were home instead of in Idaho. So that is what I'm trying to do, as President Monson calls it "Finding Joy in the Journey." We are going to live each day so might as well try to do it with a good attitude. Some days will be good and some days will be hard, but if we just push forward all will be well. One thing I do know is life is meant to be joyful.

"Let us relish life as we live it, find joy in the journey, and share our love with friends and family."

-President Thomas S. Monson

 

We will be helped those days we do struggle, but remember we are not given more than we can handle. The Lord will never forsake us, He will not leave us, and I love that promise!

 

"It isn’t as bad as you sometimes think it is.

It all works out. Don’t worry.

I say that to myself every morning.

It will all work out.

Put your trust in God,

and move forward with faith

and confidence in the future.

The Lord will not forsake us.

He will not forsake us.

If we will put our trust in Him,

if we will pray to Him,

if we will live worthy of His blessings,

He will hear our prayers."

 

-President Gordon B. Hinckley