Well, this past week was finals, some crazy days, and coming home. Finals- they are done that is what I can say. I am grateful that I worked hard throughout the semester so that no matter how much I studied for these finals when the grades weren't as high as I wanted I still passed all of my classes with anywhere from an A to a B+. A few things have stuck out to me and I am not sure if they relate to each other but I will write them down and maybe find a meaning at the end- but I might not either.
One was a post that I saw on fb from 2 weeks ago- someone posted about their last class and how amazing it is to go to byu where they can ask if there are any final questions before the finals next week and then in the next sentence say, "I want you to remember that even if you fail these finals, or remember nothing from this class; really in the grand scheme none of this matters. I do hope you remember that we have the gospel of Jesus Christ and it is through Him that we can return to live with our Heavenly Father and that is what truly matters." I found it amazing that a professor, who generally thinks their subject is the only one that matters can turn around and say that the gospel is what is truly important. Yes, sometimes Provo can be a bit of a bubble full of the typical "Mormons" but sometimes that is actually really nice.
Two, I got to see 2 families from Lanai this past week. The first was the Kawasakis and as Sister Duke and I were there for dinner they offered to have us live there while they went back to Lanai. It sounded so great but as I realized this was for real; I sort of panicked. That would mean selling my contact in a week, possibly leaving a ward that I didn't particularly love until 2 weeks prior packing up all of my stuff and then passing my finals too. Yep, it is safe to say that I did not handle that well. No matter what I chose I felt like I was letting someone down, either moving and having to tell amy and leaving the RS Presidency after a week of being called to it or tell Sister Duke that she was going to have to move back home. I felt sick and overwhelmed at my options and realized how much I do not like feeling obligated to people. I went to the temple and cried and felt guilty for not studying. I decided I would try my best to move and so I sent in a waiver to see if it was possible to get the house approved but the likelihood is not high. I mentioned it to Amy and she said she would be okay. That was my break down moment that hadn't happened in a long time.
The other family, the Bradfords. It was so amazing to see them again. I love them and their rambunctious kids- we laughed and talked and played uno with them. Nothing changed and I love that. It was my fear that once I wan't a missionary anymore that they would forget me or it just wouldn't be the same. I am grateful that they still love me and I think part of it is because I was still me as a missionary.
There is a girl in my ward that found out that her mom has cancer that has spread to other parts of her body. It has been rough on her - so some of my favorite moments was writing her a note and leaving it on her door. Then making her soup and homemade croutons for dinner another night. She is such a sweet girl and I pray that good news will be coming to her family.
I am getting tired so I will wrap this up. I guess the connection is that the gospel and people are what matters the most. It isn't all about the material we learn or things we know its about who and how we serve. I fell in love with international nutrition because I will constantly be helping others. It was the girls I could serve and the people that became a part of my ohana that gave me peace and helped me to feel the Spirit stronger in my life. Its the Christmas season, full of presents, stockings and candy- but I hope to be able to recognize all of the little gifts that go unwrapped or cannot be wrapped.
One was a post that I saw on fb from 2 weeks ago- someone posted about their last class and how amazing it is to go to byu where they can ask if there are any final questions before the finals next week and then in the next sentence say, "I want you to remember that even if you fail these finals, or remember nothing from this class; really in the grand scheme none of this matters. I do hope you remember that we have the gospel of Jesus Christ and it is through Him that we can return to live with our Heavenly Father and that is what truly matters." I found it amazing that a professor, who generally thinks their subject is the only one that matters can turn around and say that the gospel is what is truly important. Yes, sometimes Provo can be a bit of a bubble full of the typical "Mormons" but sometimes that is actually really nice.
Two, I got to see 2 families from Lanai this past week. The first was the Kawasakis and as Sister Duke and I were there for dinner they offered to have us live there while they went back to Lanai. It sounded so great but as I realized this was for real; I sort of panicked. That would mean selling my contact in a week, possibly leaving a ward that I didn't particularly love until 2 weeks prior packing up all of my stuff and then passing my finals too. Yep, it is safe to say that I did not handle that well. No matter what I chose I felt like I was letting someone down, either moving and having to tell amy and leaving the RS Presidency after a week of being called to it or tell Sister Duke that she was going to have to move back home. I felt sick and overwhelmed at my options and realized how much I do not like feeling obligated to people. I went to the temple and cried and felt guilty for not studying. I decided I would try my best to move and so I sent in a waiver to see if it was possible to get the house approved but the likelihood is not high. I mentioned it to Amy and she said she would be okay. That was my break down moment that hadn't happened in a long time.
The other family, the Bradfords. It was so amazing to see them again. I love them and their rambunctious kids- we laughed and talked and played uno with them. Nothing changed and I love that. It was my fear that once I wan't a missionary anymore that they would forget me or it just wouldn't be the same. I am grateful that they still love me and I think part of it is because I was still me as a missionary.
There is a girl in my ward that found out that her mom has cancer that has spread to other parts of her body. It has been rough on her - so some of my favorite moments was writing her a note and leaving it on her door. Then making her soup and homemade croutons for dinner another night. She is such a sweet girl and I pray that good news will be coming to her family.
I am getting tired so I will wrap this up. I guess the connection is that the gospel and people are what matters the most. It isn't all about the material we learn or things we know its about who and how we serve. I fell in love with international nutrition because I will constantly be helping others. It was the girls I could serve and the people that became a part of my ohana that gave me peace and helped me to feel the Spirit stronger in my life. Its the Christmas season, full of presents, stockings and candy- but I hope to be able to recognize all of the little gifts that go unwrapped or cannot be wrapped.
