~Christmas Goals~

I'm home for Christmas!

I actually had a mildly fun plane ride over here because I was seated in a row with an LDS Sister missionary and a very friendly college student, and we enjoyed some conversation at the beginning and end of our flight.

Being home has been fun. There's a lot to do and to help out with, so I want to do my part while I'm here. There's general cleaning, laundry to cycle through, home repair projects to assist with, and holiday cooking that hasn't been started yet! Besides chores, I want to continue developing my relationships with my siblings. I realized this summer (I think) that the people skills I employ at school and in public aren't always the skill set I use at home. I need to bring my behavior into alignment with my ideals; if I really love my siblings, then I need to treat them accordingly. This isn't to say that I have bad sibling relations... but it is to say that they can be improved. I'm working on it by being positive, valuing their contributions, and avoiding deprecating humor. My family teases a lot, and with such close contact, it can be easy to slip into devaluing someone. Again - not a chronic, painful occurrence - but one that can be bettered. 

Maybe those will be my goals for Christmas break: service and improving family relations. I'm sure to have fun along the way too; I'll spend some time with my high school friends and friends from church, and my boyfriend is coming to visit my family for a couple days :) Today was a good day, and I want to maintain and improve upon those feelings for the next 2-ish weeks. Huzzah!

We're in Love, Love, Love

The magic moment doesn't come when you meet Prince Charming, and happily-ever-after bliss automagically ensues. At least not for me.

The magic moments come over and over when you work together, grow together, support each other, and decide to love each other. And the blissful feeling gets better every time. That feels like magic.

God is a God of miracles. And I'm sure as anything ascribing these magical moments to His credit.

"It's funny how love takes you by surprise / And I just didn't know what I was missing 'til you opened my eyes."
-"Favorite Girl", The Icarus Account

We're gonna go somewhere good, and I'm so looking forward to it.

"The future is as bright as your faith." -Thomas S. Monson (prophet for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints)

TheoLOGIC Sense

This simple formula is all over the scriptures, especially in the Book of Mormon. And it works; I've tested it in my life and seen it in the lives of others.

Faith + Hope + Charity --(leads to Good Works)--> Happiness

Distrust + Fear + Selfishness --(leads to Iniquity)--> Despair/Misery

See Moroni 10:20-22, Alma 7:24, Isaiah 57:21, Alma 41:10, 2 Nephi 2:27, Alma 40:12-14, and Alma 41:5.

Think about it: when you're scared, it's harder to reach out and trust and love. When you're selfish, it's also hard to do these. I tried to line these up with their opposites. It makes sense, so look at what you're feeling right now, and where you want to be. If they line up, awesome! If they don't, then you can see how to fix your course to achieve your goals. I love how the gospel of Jesus Christ is simple, logical, true, and applicable to my life.

Quick Update... 'cause it's been a while

Wooo, it feels like it's been forever since I posted here. Thanksgiving came and went: I spent it with some of my extended family, and had a good time getting to know them better. I like building those relationships. I've been trying to keep up in school, and that's gone better than it has in previous semesters, but I'm still not up to where I want to be yet. I started dating someone and our relationship together is going really well. It's been hard to think about much in my life that doesn't involve him; we do service together, eat together, study together (some study sessions are more productive than others), and learn about each other's lives. My sleep schedule is like my homework status - it's been worse, but I'd like it to be better.

Mm... Sleepy.

Finals are coming up next week, and Christmas is after that! I'm going home for Christmas this year!! I'm excited, because it'll be fun to see my family again and to enjoy the beautiful spirit of the season. I've been learning a lot, and someday when I have time I'll write some of it on here. I like getting to know my Heavenly Father better - as I get better at relying on Him, my own independence is somehow increased. Funny how that works :)