new beginnings

I am taking a giant leap of faith this summer. After an incredible experience last summer in Jerusalem, I don't know how 2013 will ever compare. Although it has been a serious reality check that I am actually staying in Provo this summer and not living the dream in Jerusalem--I've never before felt so strongly that I am exactly where my Heavenly Father wants me to be. As winter semester wrapped up and I realized that I need to figure out what my summer plans were, I started applying for job after job. I quit my job as teaching assistant because I knew that I would eventually fall back on it instead of searching diligently for something new. I cried after I quit that job. Not only has it been easy and fun, but I have met people and professors that have literally changed my life. So after my dramatic exit from the School of Family Life office, I turned in dozens of applications and had a lot of interviews in other places. Each time I was pleased with how the interview went and was told that I would receive a call in about a week--even if the answer was no. Nobody ever called. Applying for the MTC bookstore was nothing different. I sent in my application, set up and interview time, attended my interview, was told that I did a fantastic job and that they would call me in a week. I wasn't expecting a phone call. I realized weeks earlier that when people say they will call...they don't. About twenty minutes after my interview I received a phone call from the MTC bookstore offering me the job. I couldn't say no. Working at the MTC is no dream job. I have to wake up at 6:45 every morning and I am no morning person. Just ask my brother. I don't love my co-workers, and rarely do I feel excited about going to work. But I do know with absolute surety that I am exactly where I am supposed to be. I've never felt this way before. Heavenly Father surely has a plan for me and for once in my life I feel like I am doing what He wants, even if it isn't what I want.

I don't feel like I'm living my "dream life" right now. But does anybody feel that way, ever? (Except for the time I lived in the most beautiful building on the other side of the world with 78 of my best friends...that was dream life). Some days it's all I can do is get up, get ready, and try to go about my business with a smile on my face. Other days I'm happy, and I mean really happy. I think it really just comes down to perspective and having a good attitude. I can choose to be down because things aren't going the way I would like them to, or; I can choose to live my life with a smile on my face and with faith in my Heavenly Father. I choose faith. I choose to happiness. I choose to align my will with my Heavenly Father's will and trust that He has a plan. I choose to have faith that His plan is better than anything I have come up with (although my carefully thought out plan seems pretty good to me...).

This summer is going to be fabulous, I know it. But I have to make it fabulous. So here is to a new beginning, a new semester (for some, not me!), new friends, new experiences, and a new attitude about life!

To learn more about what I believe. 

My beautiful friend Caitlin (Sister Hibbert) and I. THIS is why my job is great!