Walking in Faith

Sometimes you have to make hard decisions and hope for the best. Often times you question whether or not you made the right decision. It's not often you get the confirmation that you did actually make the right choice. Sure things might have turned out differently if you had made a different choice, but in general people are who they are. You hope good things for them, that they'll make good choices, but you only have control over yourself and you have to do what's best for  you. What will take you closer to God and make you the happiest.
People will disappoint time after time, but God won't. Sometimes it seems like he does, but in the end he won't disappoint you. You have to trust in his plan for you and keep moving forward. Recognize that disappointments won't last forever because he always has something better in store for you.

2017 in review

I only marked a few off this year. I added one to the list. I feel like I added more than that, but I didn't write them down. 2017 was a good year for my personal growth and development.  A new career being at the top of the list.

- Go on a cruise '11 '13
- Go skydiving '11 '12
- Learn Italian
- Visit Italy '13
- Learn to play the guitar
- Go to the festival of colors '11
- Run a 1/2 marathon '11 and a lot more
- Ride in a hot air balloon/ go to the hot air balloon festival in New Mexico
- Shoot a gun '12 and few more times
- Write a children's book
- See Josh Groban in concert '11
- See Wicked '12
- Go to all the temples in Utah '16
- See a firefly
-Visit Iceland
- Get married
- Watch a meteor shower '13
- Hike the Y '12
- Be in a flash mob
- Visit Prince Edward Island
- Swim with dolphins '15
- Visit all 50 of the United States
- Be the voice of an animated character
- Be complaint free for 30 days
- Ride a tandem bike
- Run a Marathon '12
- Run a Ragnar'13
- Go to a Brad Paisley concert '13
-Visit Cambodia
- Visit Europe. A lot of it.
- Go on a spur of the moment trip. on a plane. to somewhere random.
- Be a volunteer at a telethon'13
- Do a triathlon
- Get a Master's degree '17
- Visit all the National Parks- Crater Lake and Redwoods '17
- Visit Croatia

Tis the season

With the year coming to a close it's a time a reflection and reevaluation. I'm 4 months into my first year of teaching. I'm still working diligently on having more patience. I am finding what works with certain students and what doesn't. I'm constantly trying to figure out how to be more effective. I am officially on winter break and I have a cold to prove that I haven't been getting enough sleep the last week or two.
As I look back at this year I see so much growth and so many things to be grateful for. I finished my degree, got a teaching job and started teaching. I moved to a new place, went to a new ward, got a new calling. My car died and I've been incredibly humbled to be driving the purple people eater. I became an aunt and it's my very favorite. I didn't date anyone this year. And I've learned even more how important it is to love yourself and be okay with where you are and work on what you are in control of.
I have had so much love and support as I have struggled through difficult things and succeeded in other places. So many people have been willing to reach out and help me, whether that was with their words or their very tangible acts of service. 10 years ago as I prepared to leave on a mission, I never would have looked forward and seen myself where I am now. That's how God works. I am grateful for the lessons I've learned in the last 10 years. Especially about myself and what I am capable of.
I am looking forward to 2018 and all the opportunities it will bring. I'm still working on tweaking a few "New Years Resolutions" but I know it will be a successful year. When God is on your side, it's always a success.