Sometimes, Things Just Don't Go As Planned

Life is life. Sometimes, things just don't work out how you hoped. Sometimes, things are difficult and challenging. Sometimes, people disappoint you or hurt you. Sometimes, situations become more difficult then they need to be.

It's during these times, however, that our faith is truly tested. It's during these times that we drop to our knees in prayer and plead with Heavenly Father for His strength. It's during these times that we learn what we are truly made of.

I am SO grateful for the wonderfully fun times I was able to have this weekend. I am so grateful for the joy and happiness I have in my life, and for the opportunities this weekend to spend time with friends.

But now it's the week before Finals, the week before check-outs, and the week before we all go our separate ways for 5 months. Or two years.

While these next few weeks are going to be extremely challenging and my life is going to completely change again, I have faith that if I trust in the Lord with my whole heart, and rely on him completely for strength, I will be blessed to deal with all that comes my way.

Here's an example from this morning:

I didn't have class until 1, so I was able to sleep in until 8:30, wake-up, and get to work.

I began by filling out my ILP Documents for my trip to China next January. As I pulled out my passport photos, I realized that one of them was missing. I carefully searched through both drawers in my desk, removing everything and sorting through folders paper by paper, but to no avail. Thankfully, when I called ILP, they only need 4 passport photos as opposed to 6 as I originally understood.

It seems that in the last two weeks, I have been losing EVERYTHING. First- my coat, which I left in the office at Glenwood (and was able to retrieve). Second, I left my uniform in the locker rooms after work (which I was able to retrieve after wearing a borrowed uniform for a shift). Third, my cream hat which I lost somewhere between Sharae's car and walking up to the temple on Friday (hopefully, someone returned it to the front desk which I will find out the next time I go). And finally, fourth, this passport photo.

Now, for any of you that know me, I don't lose things. I am extremely organized, and work very hard to always be prepared. I know I need to extra careful about not losing things these next couple of months because Satan is trying to get to me in any way possible. He knows that when I forget things or lose them, I feel extremely inferior and annoyed. So, I hope to find my hat and photograph, and remember to be more careful so that I won't be annoyed by losing things!

Silly little challenges will NOT ruin my day though :)

After going to Comparative Literature, I attended my LAST Book of Mormon class. SO sad! I will miss Brother Merrill a lot. Every single lecture brought the spirit, and I have come to have such a greater knowledge and stronger testimony of the Book of Mormon because of his teaching. I am so grateful for the impact that he has had on my first year at BYU.

We learned today that true love, real love, the pure love of Christ has power. Real power that in time of great need, can have physical and tangible power.

"perfect love casteth out all fear"

Tonight was also our last Family Home Evening activity with my current family. We had a BBQ, and had dutch oven peach cobbler. So delicious, but I will miss my family very much. "Families can be together forever" though :)

Oh, and I finally cut the cake today and enjoyed my first slice! Was also able to share with Sharae, Jesse, Ryan, Joseph, Cameron, and Peter. The absolutely delicious cake is spreading joy and love.

Life keeps on rolling. Only 12 more days until my life completely turns upside down...