faith, trust, patience, and following the spirit.

those are some of the things i've been learning lately. i've said it before but i'll say it again- i like to plan my life. i really like to. i've had to learn that i can't plan it all out, that it doesn't always work that way. right when i think i have it all figured out and i adjust my plans accordingly, that new plan changes, and then it changes again. haha. heavenly father keeps throwing curve balls at me.

some scriptures for me to live by these days:

trust in the lord with all thine heart, and lean not

unto thine own understanding,

in all thy ways acknowledge him,

and he shall direct thy paths.

-proverbs 3:5-6

look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not.

- doctrine and covenants 6:36

i know that [the lord] loveth his children, nevertheless i do not know the meaning of all things.

- 1 nephi 11:17

i have no idea why these situations are happening in my life. the fact that my future is so up in the air makes me really nervous. but i have followed the spirit in making decisions contrary to my own plans in the past, and i have seen time and time again that it was the best thing for me. it's really hard for me to live my life one day at a time and put all my trust in god. but i'm learning. and i'm grateful for the learning experience-- whatever my future holds.

it started out as a feeling, which then grew into a hope...

...which then turned into quiet thought,

which then turned into a quiet word"

-regina spektor

well. christmas break was just lovely.

my 3.9 gpa made me pretty happy right off the bat.

i didn't do anything too terribly exciting...

spent a lot of time with my family and friends.

which is all i really wanted anyway :)

we got all the girls together for dinner, took family photos (boomichellephotography.blogspot.com), had a lovely christmas with my parents. i found my new favorite game-- geocaching!... it's like a worldwide scavenger hunt thing. so much fun. i went first with holly and then i made john go with me another time or two. yep, it was a really great two weeks.

i learned some really important lessons from those i spent time with. also i just had a lot of things come together for me... things i was in the process of learning all last semester that were finally made clear. things back home changed... some good, some bad, some indifferent. it was hard to leave with good opportunities in front of me, but i know i'm supposed to be right where i am.

i've learned i need to stop trying to plan my life. i've always been that way, trying to have everything figured out so far in advance. it makes me feel good. but 2010 has taught me that things don't always work out as i've planned them. but nonetheless heavenly father has a plan for me. i could go on, but i think this quote by president ezra taft benson sums it up better than i ever could:

"men and women who turn their lives over to god

will find out that he can make a lot more

of their lives than they can."

so, i'm happy to let god take the lead in my life.

i'm just taking it one day at a time.

and let's leave it at that :)