Difficulty

Recently my life has been quite challenging. I've faced challenges in my professional and personal life. The challenges I've faced have helped me to become aware of my own growth and abilities. I have come to believe that it is through challenges that we are able to become and accomplish more. When faced with challenges we are "forced" to look deeper within our own capabilities and to rely more on the strength of loved ones. It is difficult to accomplish much in this life while just relying on one's own ability! The most important person to rely on is Heavenly Father. We can also gain strength from family and friends. I'm grateful for wonderful family and friends who are supportive.

Serendipitous!

Do you ever feel that decisions you make aren't what you would have preferred? A few months ago I was presented with a job opportunity. It was a great offer but I didn't want to accept. I talked it over with a few friends. One friend in particular thought I was stupid to pass up the opportunity. So, in faith I took the job. I was scared out of mind as I was preparing for the move. Now, I've been at the job for two weeks and I love it!!! Yes, I'm still a little scared but it's the good scared feeling (if that makes sense).
Throughout this experience I can't help but think how Heavenly Father has His hand in my life! I feel protected. I feel loved! I know that He knows what is best for me, even when I do not. He has my best interest in mind. He knows what needs to happen in my life to prepare me for my future. It's amazing how small occurrences from the past have prepared me for the present.
I'm so grateful for Heavenly Father's plan! It is better than my plan!

French Toast

This morning I went to the grocery store to pick up a few miscellaneous items. And lo and behold, the grocery store employees were cooking french toast for all of the customers. I couldn't believe it! I love french toast! It is arguably my favorite breakfast item. So, I got in line, dished up some french toast, and sat down at one of the tables. I found myself surrounded by young families. There were adorable kids abounding. Being there reminded me of the many blogs I've seen written by mothers that include pictures of their kids at various events. I thought how fun it would be to take pictures at the french toast breakfast but quickly realized that unlike the blogging mothers my pictures wouldn't be as fun. I don't have small kids, which greatly improve any picture.

Love

Why do we take people for granted?! This is not a confession. I feel like I appreciate and express that appreciation to those I love and admire. But I guess the best way to find out if that is true would be to ask those I love.
The reason why the above question is on my mind is a few people I love have recently had some scary encounters with death, or at least reminders of the inevitable. One, a friend and her husband got in a motorcycle accident. (Authors note: I hate motorcycles! I believe that motorcycles increase your chance of dying more than almost any other form of entertainment or transportation.) My friend survived the accident but definitely isn't in the best of shape. Second, my dad ended up in the ER because he had a spell of amnesia which caused him to forget the major things he is doing in his life. I'm not a doctor but this incident led me to believe that there could be two problems: a tumor or a stroke. Neither option left much to hope for. Third, a friends' husband was just notified that he will be deployed to Iraq in a few months. Wow! Three reminders of the shortness of life within a two week period was enough to initiate the thought process.
Life is amazing! I'm grateful to have been born into such a wonderful family. I also have supportive and loving friends! However, I believe that it's sad that it takes scary incidents or poignant movies/books to remind us of the frailty of life. It is important to appreciate and more importantly, to express that appreciation to those you love! I love you!

Why?!

I'm struggling to sleep right now because a tornado of thoughts is wreaking havoc on my mind. I have a lot of decisions to make in the short months ahead. How does anyone make large decisions?! And what do you do when the things you want to happen don't work out?! (Or at least it seems that way right now.) My dreams seem unreachable. I'm looking for change but can't seem to find it. Change should be easy to find, right? Why do I find it difficult to obtain? They always say change is the only constant. Why isn't it a constant in my life?! Despite all effort on my part I can't seem to change anything! . . . Maybe some day!

the beginning, a very good place to start. . .

I decided to create a blog in order to share my ideas, even if to enter the vast nowhere of cyber space. I'm a very opinionated person! I want an avenue to share my vast multitude of opinions. This is my attempt!