Stop And Start

It is amazing what happens when you take fun notes in Church!  And not just any notes, but notes that can be pretty to look at and distracting to take.  BUT I did learn so much.  And in Relief Society.


















I titled the notes

It was like an epiphany! And it went something like this:

I'm coloring in my title and listening.  Suddenly, BAM!  The chills, the hot face, the "Oh dear, the Spirit is trying to talk to me" thought.  I stopped.  Looked up at who was talking and forgot myself.  Here it was, right in front of me.  The answer I needed in this very trying time of my life.

Background:  I have been feeling very...useless lately.  It's hard to see your purpose when all you seem to be doing is studying for no tests, cleaning for a family who is taller than you, and sleeping in a room without a roommate.  Can you even imagine how hard it might be for a person in that situation?  I didn't when I made this plan.  In fact, this plan presented in my mind like heavenly bliss here on earth.  And it's not that it is so terribly bad.  I just get bored and lonely.  I didn't realize how much my roommate meant to me.  Even when they were loud getting ready for school in the morning when I had another hour to sleep or when they cooked better food to eat than I did.  I LOVE them so much!!  And it only took THIS STRANGE CIRCUMSTANCE to see it.  For that, I apologize my dear roomies.

Okay, so now I have 12 days before I leave for Brazil and I'm looking back at my journal and see this entry,  "You will become what He wants you to become when you allow Him to mold you."  And there is the answer I was looking for.

I wasn't NOT studying for no tests, I was studying for those Brazilians waiting for me.  I was cleaning NOT JUST for a taller family, but for the skills that I had slacked on at college.  I honestly can't tell you the last time I really cleaned my apartment which is awful - sorry roomies.  And last but not least, I was NOT sleeping in a room with no roommate for NO reason.  I'll forever have someone in my room sharing my room making my room clean or dirty for the rest of my life.  I shoulda/woulda/coulda enjoyed being alone while I had the chance.

So I will.  I will to all the above.  I will stop making lists of what I need to do.  Rather I will take those to-do lists and see them as what they will help me become:

- eye exam
- packing
- eat

To-Be

- a missionary who can read
- an organized missionary
- a healthy missionary

This was sort of a silly post and crazily organized one.  But its intention is sincere all the same.  I really do want to become someone the Lord is proud of and I can do that by looking at my life from His perspective.  Understanding the why's of my doings and how's they will make me.

XOXO - amanda

My-Not Farewell Talk!

I have been called to serve as a Missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Cuiaba, Brazil. I'll be serving for 18 months starting March 19. This is the last time to see me before I am off to Brazil for 18 months! So come hear me talk! If you can't make it to see me then, come on over to my house at 6:00 pm Sunday night for an open house where we can chat, eat and laugh! See you then! (house address: 4810 Spring Lake Pkwy Mansfield, TX 76063)

First Post - New Blog - My Way to Happiness

It's fun to write a blog.  Because anyone can write, but only a few want to.  I want to write.  I would love to one day write a book, a novel; I want to wow readers with my words; I want them to quote me and my perfect words.  It's on my bucket list.  One day I will write for the enjoyment for all to read.  Real paper that can be flipped in anticipation for the next words.  But until then -- I'm writing online.
I also need somewhere to post my emails from when I'm in Brazil.  So, here it is.  
A new start.

My first writing business is my sad goodbye to my last blog.  Something about it just never felt right.  I felt that I couldn't really create it and make it me.  Which made it hard to want to write in it.  And then there are those awfully embarrassing posts from when I was younger and naive.  I just needed a fresh start and here it is.  After many hours of research and discovery I have found that Blogger is the blog spot for me.  I also finally found a name that is just right.  

On my journey to happiness, I start here.  Preparing to serve as a full-time missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Brazil, Cuiaba.  

So follow me.  Grow with me.  Find your happiness.

"You should be able to undertake and complete anything you desire."