Puzzle pieces

"She’s everything I’m not. She’s my other half. Without her I’m not whole. The thing about meeting your other half is, is you’re walking around, you think that you’re happy, right? You think that you’re whole, then realize you ain’t dirt without her, then you can’t go back to being just a half ‘cause now you know what it’s like to be a whole, ya know what I mean?"
-Ashton Kutcher in Guess Who

Lately I've been thinking about what makes two people compatible. . . is it two similar people who are connected through their commonalities or is it complete opposites who connect like puzzle pieces? I recently talked with a friend and asked him for his thoughts on the subject. He cited a book he read which suggested that we are best with those who are similar to ourselves. If we are similar we have less to learn about our significant other. We supposedly understand them and where they come from.
The more I think about it, marriage has many facets. One of the purposes is to become better together. Men and women are inherently different. We learn from each other because of our differences.
I used to be interested in men who had many qualities in common with me. However, lately I've realized that a man who is very different from myself brings so much more to the table. :) I have so much more to learn from a man who is so different than me.

Love and Temples

Today I was in the presence of the Spirit and felt the overwhelming love Heavenly Father has for me. It couldn't have come at a better time! Lately I have felt burdened with thoughts of self doubt. I question my ability, intelligence, and beauty. But feelings of self doubt tend to dissipate when you feel love. Love conquers all!

The other day I was in a religion class where we were discussing 1 Corinthians. We read:
"Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are." (3:16-17)
These verses really hit me! Heavenly Father loves His temples! He expects us to respect His temples. If our bodies are temples, Heavenly Father expects us to respect our bodies as well! He expects me to respect my body!

His Plan

When Heavenly Father closes a window he opens the garage door. (I'm sure there's a better analogy.) Sometimes we feel like opportunities close without our consent. But what we don't see is Heavenly Father's eternal perspective. I'm the first to admit, I'm not always the best at trusting and believing in Heavenly Father's plan. However, I have seen time and time again that Heavenly Father always has a better plan prepared for me then I could have imagined. I don't know what he has in store for me. But I trust that it will be wonderful!

Time, my friend and enemy

So, in my last post I wrote about patience. . . in the moment I was thinking how I had gained this profound appreciation for patience and was impressed by my own growth. However, a very short time later I find myself frustrated with time. Time can be a friend, when it's on my side. When it isn't on my side it is the most frustrating thing ever! I hate it when I'm the one waiting for things to happen! But what can you do?!

Patience. . .

Wow, it's been too long since I've written. . . many things have changed in the past months. With each experience comes new perspective. I've gained a greater appreciation for patience, not that I've mastered the virtue. Only a year ago I was eager to change my surroundings. I was frustrated a few months later when it didn't seem to be working as fast as I would like. However, things turned out extremely well! I look back at many of the trying times of my life and realize that if I were just patient things would have passed and I would have been happier during the "trial."
Once again, I find myself going through a particular problem. I realized that every trial passes and if I'm patient during the trial, the time seems to fly.
It's impossible for me to know how my life will turn out. But it doesn't make my life any better by wondering. Life is best when I'm happy in the present!

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!