Things I have learned in the past year:

I realize I have not posted in almost a year, pathetic. I tired out all sorts of other blogs and could never fall in love with one. So here I am coming back! So to catch up on the year, I can't possible tell you everything that happened. Well, I could. But I wont. Here are some things I learned that will give you a good idea of what I have been up to.

1// My most recent lesson that I learned today. God has a sense of humor. As I am running out of Anatomy across campus to make it to my nursing application impromptu essay, it starts pouring. Now I don't know if pouring really captures how hard it was raining and hailing. Five minutes outside and I was standing at the entrance to the testing room with a puddle beneath my feet. The best part is that no one else was wet. No one! I was coming in late, and wet, so naturally everyone just stops and stares at me. I just awkwardly smile and say..."Yeah um just in case you didn't know its pouring outside. But its fine." The lady handed me a piece of paper with a grin like yeah it stinks to be you right now. So I wrote my essay dripping, in between shivers because it was soooo cold! I just laughed.

2// Laugh at yourself. Obviously you can get that from above. Don't take life or things to seriously that you have no control over. Like the weather, or boys :)

3// Friend-zoning is awkward and I don't know why they call it 'friend'-zoning because usually you don't end up friends. From a first timer I advise to not have the conversation. Avoid it and hope it goes away.

4// Don't be afraid to love someone. Its something I am working.

5// Its alright to NOT go on a mission. Girls! Listen to this. The age change for missionaries rocked the world a little and if you read my earlier post you would realize it did the same things for me. But guess what? Despite that everyone else is going, you don't have to. And your not less righteous for doing it. You have a mission specifically for you! That only you can accomplish and God needs it. You need to find out your mission and stick with it. I realized this while singing "I'll go where you want me to go."

It may not be on the mountain height

Or over the story sea, 

It may not be at the battle's front

My Lord will have need of me. 

But if, by a still, small voice he calls

To paths that I do not know, 

I'll answer, dear Lord, with my hand in thine: 

I'll go where you want me to go. 

Although I still want to go on a mission just as much as I have always wanted, I realized there were better ways for me to serve God. Although a mission is good, for me it wasn't BEST.

6// Don't judge other people. While on vacation, my neighbor called and gave us a little bit of bad news-he had backed his trailer into our car. We just all laughed a little. Now how did I get not judging people out of this? Well I was the typical driver of that car that now had giant dents in one side. And to make it more classy, we duck taped the mirror that had fallen off. Now I was fine because at least the car worked and I could get to campus and back. But, the lesson comes from this: no one would park next to me, or drive next to me. And I got more "hey look at the dumb blonde who wrecked her car, nice sweetheart" looks than I could count. And the sad thing is I do the same thing. Things aren't always what they appear to be, just saying.

And on a more serious note combining the two above, don't judge someone not going on a mission. Its their decision. So many people assumed that I was jumping on that bandwagon and just skipped right to asking me where I got my call. When I told most people I wasn't going the default response was "oh that's alright, you do whats best for you." On the off occasion someone would reply "well maybe you should start working on your papers." And some took it even far enough to say "you should probably keep praying until you get the right answer." Guess what? I have, and don't think for a second that you can receive revelation for me. I mostly hate it because they have no idea how bad I want to go on a mission. But, in a way its not fully my decision. It is, but its not what God needs me for. So, back off. I have my own mission. And stop judging those how don't go.

7// On a lighter note. Let me share some thoughts about men. Talk to the ones you like, and talk less to those you '. I get these mixed up and  it often tends to create problems. I take the distant admirer approach which it totally a problem. I don't recommend it.

8// Be yourself. Don't let others opinions influence your own. It is your life so live it the way you want. Find who you are and stick to it. Also, help others be themselves.

9// Love people. Enjoy talking to and getting to know them. Cherish relationships and moments.

10// Keeps your good friends close and your fake friends at a distance. Fake friends make better long-distance friends than they do close ones.

I realize this was really long and not really complete. But, I had a full year to catch up on. Bless you if you endured this!