Love Trunky

I have recently discovered Ed Sheeran. At first I judged him because his only song on the radio was that stupid A-Team song. But then there was Pandora, and now I know he has other stuff. Other stuff that is quite good. Like the following two songs- which- I love because they are good, but hate because they make me realize that I actually don't prefer being single. #gettingmykicksthroughlovesongs

This song is sad, but I think it's so pretty.

This song is adorable. That's all. 

Surprisingly Accurate

I took one of those random, self-absorbed, lacking in substance personality tests on the internet, and was surprised at the accuracy of the results, especially the "How to Get Along with Me" section.

How to Get Along with Me

• Give me companionship, affection, and freedom.
• Engage with me in stimulating conversation and laughter.
• Appreciate my grand visions and listen to my stories.
• Don't try to change my style. Accept me the way I am.
• Be responsible for youself. I dislike clingy or needy people.
• Don't tell me what to do.

What I Like About Being a Seven

• being optimistic and not letting life's troubles get me down
• being spontaneous and free-spirited
• being outspoken and outrageous. It's part of the fun.
• being generous and trying to make the world a better place
• having the guts to take risks and to try exciting adventures
• having such varied interests and abilities

What's Hard About Being a Seven

• not having enough time to do all the things I want
• not completing things I start
• not being able to profit from the benefits that come from specializing; not making a commitment to a career
• having a tendency to be ungrounded; getting lost in plans or fantasies
• feeling confined when I'm in a one-to-one relationship

Sevens as Children Often

• are action oriented and adventuresome
• drum up excitement
• prefer being with other children to being alone
• finesse their way around adults
• dream of the freedom they'll have when they grow up

Sevens as Parents

• are often enthusiastic and generous
• want their children to be exposed to many adventures in life
• may be too busy with their own activities to be attentive

Too Fast

Last night my friend Farris and I wanted to go play tennis. We weren't 100% positive on where the courts were, but I knew the general direction and so we decided to go with that. 

Mistake. I get lost enough to know that me knowing the "general direction" is a recipe for a lot of wasted time looking for our destination.

Anyway, when we finally found it, we realized we had only brought one racket. So, we opted for the swings next to a playground where some kids were playing ball tag. (Like tag, but someone throws a tennis ball at you to tag you. Painful- yes. Fun- also yes)

They invited us to play, and quickly began inquiring about our relationship and lives while we all dodged ther person with the tennis ball.

Kid: How old are you guys?

Me: Guess

Kid: Hmmm... well, I think he's 17 (he's 27) and.... you're 16 I bet. (I'm 24)

Me: Haha nope. We're older.

Kid: Do you have kids?

Other kid: No way! She's way too fast to have kids!

Me: Haha uh yeah, I don't have any kids.

Kid: Are you guys married?

Me: No

Other kid: Yeah but they like each other! Look, she's chasing him! (why can't we just go back to that?)

And we continued to play, while Farris told them I was just shy about it, but we were actually in love. Good times.

PS Remember when I gave that old man a fantastic high five? I've been running several times since, and three times I have reached out for a high five with different people, and three times I have been rejected. I wonder if that was just a magical once in a lifetime thing. Because I'm starting to look like an idiot when I go jogging with my unappreciated high fives. 

Nice Notes

I've been making an effort lately, as in the past week, to be more involved with my ward. So- tonight I went to ward prayer, and we did nice notes. It's fun to see what people have to say, and there were some normal "You are nice!" ones, but I thought I'd just post my favorites. :)

-Nice Barbie pink nail polish.
-Make your bed every morning after you leave it, otherwise it feels naked and exposed. I like your comments.
-You gorgeous. Fo real. (everyone in our ward is white...?)
-So um, I don't want to make things awkward but... oh wait, yeah I do.. um..
-I have the biggest crush on your relief society lesson.
-I have the biggest crush on YOU.
-You are a butterfly in a swarm of mosquitoes.

Glad I went. :)

Opinion Time

Ever since the idea that I might be ridiculous entered my head, I have often wondered if my life really is crazy, or if I am the crazy. That perhaps no matter what life gave me, I would forever be overwhelmed. Or maybe there is really nothing unique about me or my life. It is all crazy all the time for everyone, and I just keep being surprised and almost offended that life can't just be comfortable.

Either way, I always have something to talk about. Lately it's been the church. I have friends all across the board as far as ties to the church go. Some have left the church, some are leaving, some are staying but wishing they were leaving, some are indifferent and just stay out of habit, some are fighting to stay, and some like staying so much they teach at the MTC (a sentiment that not only cements membership, but encourages others joining as well). I guess we've all just hit that point in our lives where we are no longer accountable to our parents, we don't yet have a spouse or children to influence us, and so it's down to us. Do we actually believe all of it? Does it actually sit right? 

What I have been surprised most by is my empathy with those that are between wishing to leave and actually have left. That although the idea of leaving the church threatens a mental implosion for me, I don't find my friends apostate or crazy. I was raised to be aghast at the thought of not adhering to all the particulars of our faith, and so expected myself to have complete disdain for those who left. Gratefully, I feel differently. 

The way I see it, God just wants us to be happy. If He gives a commandment, it's simply for our lives to run more smoothly and for us to experience less unnecessary pain. He gives us church, prayer, scriptures, church callings, and a host of other resources to help us be closer to Him and thus also happier. Personally, I like these resources. They provide structure and meaning for me. I believe in God and worship the way I do because I want to, and it makes me happier to do so. 

In fact, one of the articles of faith of the LDS church states that "We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may."

Now, where is the surprise in this? The surprise is that I used to think I knew best what other people should do to be closer to God. I'm finding that I can't make that call. (I know- shocker) You cannot determine  what living "according to the dictates of their own conscience" means for another person. Let them worship how they may. This may seem contradictory seeing as my job is to teach missionaries, but I don't think it is. The purpose of missionaries is to invite people to Christ, not force them. 

Do I believe in the LDS faith? Yes, I really do. But more than being LDS, I believe in a loving God and a compassionate Christ. Being LDS is how I make those beliefs part of my life, but I am learning that I cannot hold it against someone for manifesting their beliefs another way, or really even judge it. I don't think religious superiority or even division of any kind is what God intended. I just think He wants us to find truth, and I think part of that is pushing the limits of our own understanding and learning from each other, wherever we stand in whatever faith.

There is much to learn. Here's to life.