Family Traditions and Other Craziness

Today, the Saturday before Christmas is a big one for my family. We usually go to the Festival of Lights at the Cincinnati Zoo. There we enjoy the lights and see animals and get funnel cake to split. One of my favorite family traditions ever! Anyone who knows me find this kind of ironic because I don't particularly like animals. I am so excited that even though I am at school I still get an oppertunity to particiapte in the important traditions. Today I also went to a place called Mediterranian King, which is a Middle Eastern Mediterranian restuarant. It was delicious. Its on Clifton in Cincinnati, next Breuggers. I strongly recommend it to anyone looking for quality food ethnic food. I have been home from school for over a week now. I am completely loving it! I have been able to help my family and start helping a friend get ready for her wedding. There have been a suprising number of firsts over the past week.

Keep on Trucking

A day of of the unexpected

So I was planning on moving into my new apartment today. So I go into my manager's office only to have her tell me that the carpets haven't been redone and we don't have beds yet. So what do I do? I call my mother and yell into my cellular device for about 45 minutes expressing my frustration while packing. I hadn't planned for time to pack. In the original plan I wasn't going to have to. So I was having a melodramatic prima donna freak out (Sorry Mom I was really stressed (needless to say throwing me a curve ball during finals week ends badly) while packing furiously, half of my belongings ended up in garbage bags. I then went to class. Archery is one of my favorite classes ever. There are few things as relaxing as shooting at something until it falls apart. :) I then came home and worked on my final essay. 2700 words in three hours. My brain hurt, a lot. I had a crazy adventure of packing my room up.

Whys of my Sunday

Today in church I was wondering a lot of Whys:

• Why was I at church?
• Why am I doing what I am doing?
• Why do I pay tithing when I have barely enough to make it by?
• Why do I dress modestly when it would be so much easier to not?
• Why do I believe Jesus is my redeemer and in his divinity?
• Why am I getting an education?
• Do I really believe in the religion I practice or do I practice it because that is how I was brought up?
• Why do I need religion in my life? Do I really need it?

I had many others also.

I came to the conclusion that I really do believe in Christ. I do believe in a higher power. So many things have happened in my life that could not have happened if there wasn't a plan and a higher being guiding me.

I was at church to learn and feel that beautiful peace that I find in worshipping God. I felt the peace of the Holy Spirit today knowing I was oding what was best for me.

I pay tithing to help others. Tithing is 10% of my income before taxes. It would make sense that if I needed money not to pay it. I continue to any way. There are people out there who have a greater degree of need who need my minimal contribution. When ever I pay my tithes its is almost like the cosmos(God) know I did a service for another unknown person and I have been blessed for it.

Dressing modestly has always been a challenge. Clothes straight of the rack rarely fit. My jeans are always too long my shirts are either too tight or way to big. It is fashionable to show a lot of skin. I don't for many reasons. I have enough respect for myself that I don't need to flaunt every curve. People are easily distracted and I don't need to make it harder on people. Those who are scantily clad are rarely respected. So as difficult as is may be its worth it. People can learn to love me for my my opinions instead of my body.

I believe in Jesus because I know I make mistakes and I hurt people and myself. Jesus died for everyone to be forgiven. I know that I would be in deep trouble if I didn't have help. I also have been given an example of how to live my life; with love and compassion as free from condemning judgement. His example also gives me guidance of where I need to go.

I am getting an education to better my life. To help others. I want to be a speech pathologist. I will be in school for at least anothe 6 years. I am really looking forward to it. I love learning. I have always been a curious person.

At first thinking about why I have practiced my religion as long as I have. I have been living at college on my own for a while now, I could to change if I wanted to; or leave religion completely. Many people of the world now shun religion for varying reasons but I have never been able to leave it. There have been way to many instances where I have seen God's hand in my life. I am realt thankful for the way my parents have brought me up. I have been taught to question how I feel and figure things out for myself and not just go along blindly.

I need religion in my life for more guidance. I need something other than the "have to"s. I would be so lost. There would be so many unanswered questions and less peace in my life.

Day One

Today was an adventure. I went to a fashion show. Honestly I wonder what people are thinking... The MCees tried to tell us polka dots and leopard print match. I mean hello. no never. They also claimed leopard print is a nuetral( so would plaid be also? what about houndstooth or checked?!) I found it rediculous but it was fun. I took a lazy day after finishing my final for archery. All I have left to do is my priniples for parenting paper and three chapters of reading. Then. I. am. done...well for the semester at least. I will be home in five days. I get to stay at my fabulous cousins house for a few days. I am so excited to start the next chapter in my life. My life is a series. The book now is titled college, I am so lucky to be at this university. (Shout out to BYU-I!). It may be 23 degrees fahrenheit outside but that doesn't mean it will stop us. I have been reflecting on my life, which I find appropriate as it is the end of the year. I am so thankful for the changes and experiences I have had. I traveled the world. I saw art and culter first hand. I was able to experince so many knew things. I have learned so much from my studies and I am looking forward to learning more. I am grateful for the direction in my life.

There is no such thing as getting lost only adventuring.