A Load of Laundry

Once upon a time I forgot my laundry in the dryer and, being away from home, asked my roommate--Emily--if she wouldn't mind grabbing it and taking it up to my room for me. When I came home, I found this on my bed:

It was all folded!!!

Just 10 minutes of her day made me feel 10 times more special and awesome and grateful to live with such an amazing person than I would have otherwise. It really is the small and simple things we do to serve those around us every single day that make us happier, make others happier, and make the world a happier place. Just think of how much happier and more grateful the world would be if we all took an extra 10 minutes tomorrow to make someone's day like Emily made mine on Saturday.

Just a thought.

“It is vital that we serve each other in the kingdom. … So often, our acts of service consist of simple encouragement or of giving … help with mundane tasks, but what glorious consequences can flow … from small but deliberate deeds!” –President Spencer W. Kimball, “Small Acts of Service”

The Fred and George Approach

I've been listening to "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" this past week at work. The scene wherein they visit Fred and George's joke shop for the first time made me laugh. In huge, bright letters hanging in their front window is a sign that says:

"WHY ARE YOU WORRYING ABOUT 

YOU-KNOW-WHO? 

YOU SHOULD BE WORRYING ABOUT 

U-NO-POO--

THE CONSTIPATION SENSATION THAT'S GRIPPING THE NATION!"

I love Fred and George. They know how to not take life too seriously, and that a laugh fixes many sticky situations.

This past year has been a trying, stretching, growing one. I was faced with the decision of whether or not to marry Jon--the biggest choice I've had to make in my life! Consequently, there were many periods of serious consideration and reflection. When things got stressful, though, and answers weren't easy to come by, anxiety and worry seemed to overtake my life. I seemed unable to find any sense of peace of sanity because I was constantly plagued with the idea of having to make this life-altering choice. Looking back, I realize that I worried and thought too much. Yes--it was stressful when the answer didn't come immediately, (a whole nother story for another day) but I believe that stressing and worrying just delayed them even more. The Spirit wasn't able to speak to me and I wasn't able to find any clear path because my brain was just so muddled with anxious thoughts. If I were to do it again, I would take more time to slow down, set decision aside at times, and just have fun. I believe that doing so would have given my poor brain the rest and rejuvenation it needed, and I would have been able to come to a conclusion sooner.

Lately, I've been trying to live life with a more Fred and George approach. I work hard and make to-do lists and think of serving others and preparing to be a teacher and finalize wedding plans, but I also try to stay more aware of my stress level and sometimes just put everything aside to merely go have some fun. To play. To laugh. To enjoy life. Life is a serious matter, but that does not mean that we have to always be serious minded. Sometimes it's better to laugh.

Give the Benefit of the Doubt

Today while I was picking weeds along Center Street in Provo at work, I listened to President Utchdorf's talk, "Your Wonderful Journey Home." This part in particular stood out to me:

"Now, take a moment right now and look at the people around you. Some may be your leaders, friends, or family members. Others you may have never met before. Nevertheless, everyone you see around you—in this meeting or at any other place, today or at any other time—was valiant in the premortal world. That unassuming and ordinary-looking person sitting next to you may have been one of the great figures you loved and admired in the sphere of spirits. You may have been such a role model yourself!

Of one thing you can be certain: every person you see—no matter the race, religion, political beliefs, body type, or appearance—is family. The young woman you look at has the same Heavenly Father as you, and she left His loving presence just as you did, eager to come to this earth and live so that she could one day return to Him…

…Life can be difficult, and it can harden hearts to the point where certain people seem unreachable. Some may be filled with anger. Others may mock and ridicule those who believe in a loving God. But consider this: though they do not remember, they too at one time yearned to return to their Father in Heaven."

As I listened to President Utchdorf's words, I did as he instructed and looked up at the people around me. Many of these people were seemingly ordinary, people who were on their lunch break or on their way to a meeting for work. But as I thought more about it, I considered the people who are often found on other blocks along Center Street, those who seemingly camp out in front of the tobacco store and bars. These people are often dirty, unkempt, their hair is long and unwashed, their bodies are shriveling away from lack of nutrition and their hands shake because the addictions in their life are so consuming that they can't hold still. Sometimes they sing random made-up songs that don't make sense to random citizens on the street; other times they talk to people who aren't even there. As I thought of these people in the context of President Utchdorf's words, my heart ached with compassion and love for these people. These too are my family. Even though they have now taken paths that have lead them down dark and lonely roads, they too were faithful in the life before this one. 

This experience, coupled with some of the thoughts I have had over the past several days, convince me that we would all do a little better to give one another more of the benefit of the doubt. It is so tempting to judge the addicted beggar on the street, but we would be much happier if we extended a hand of love and encouragement instead. It is easy to judge someone who is in a bad temper, but if we  merely assume that they are just having a bad day, we will walk away feeling charity for that individual rather than contempt. 

I know that the happiest people in the world are not those who walk around assuming the worst, blaming others, and sticking up their noses. The happiest people in the world are those who live with a spirit of kindness and love continually in their hearts. Not only do these people help those who's lives they touch, they help themselves. Why? Because those who act as Christ did and would come to know Him. That is happiness.

Sending Emily Off On Her Mission

Right before I dropped Ems off at the MTC!

Today I had the super huge blessing of dropping off my sister, Emily, at the MTC. It was good. So good. Her plane landed around 9 and I picked her up at 9:15, giving us about four hours before she had to be dropped off at 1:30. After driving back to Provo, we picked up Jon and went over to Kneaders to get some of their endless French toast! Then we dropped off Jon, went to my place for a bit, did some running around so that Ems could pick up some last minute things, then went to the temple parking lot to just talk and wait before I had to drop her off.

Things between Emily and I have been a little crazy over the past two years. Two years ago she was trying to figure out college while I was trying to figure out how to be a Relief Society president. Then the next year I was trying to figure out how to be in a relationship while Ems tried to figure out classes, jobs, and mission plans.

This past Sunday the two of us finally talked about it all. We both admitted that we were sad at how far apart the two of us have grown over the past two years. As Ems put it: “We were living together, but not being sisters.” But as we continued talking over things, the mood improved drastically. We were able to say: “I’m sorry,” and “How stupid of me,” and “Will you forgive me?” and “I love you.” It was one of the best conversations I’ve ever had in my life. It’s hard to ask for forgiveness and to admit that you might have done someone harm, but it’s so good to let the Atonement work between you and that person, healing you both.

When I dropped her off, there was nothing bitter or to regret. I was jealous of her for a moment as the sweet spirit of the MTC touched my heart and I thought how cool it would be if I were being dropped off here—a place full of people who love the Lord and are preparing together to dedicate over a year of their life to serving Him full-time. But as I gave her a hug and watched her walk away with a sweet Polynesian sister (“What’s your name?” and “Where are you serving?” she asked Emily) the Holy Ghost confirmed to me that everything was just as it should be. Though Emily is preparing in the MTC by learning Norwegian and studying “Preach My Gospel” and creating talks, and I’m preparing in my little house by reading my scriptures and searching for an apartment and spending time with Jon, we are together in both preparing for the biggest adventure life has had to offer either of us up to this point. She just happens to be doing hers wearing a nametag on her chest while I happen to be starting mine wearing a white dress. I hope that the two of us will learn to really lean on each other during what will be a new, exciting, terrifying, adventurous, wonderful, purifying, and happy next year and a half. Yes—God really is in the details of our lives.