Thursday, June 11, 2009

Sigh... What a Beautiful Day

Dear Family and Friends,

This week I am simply... happy. Yes, there are definitely things that could go better in my life, but so many things are going right... and I am amazed. My job working at the MTC, while unpaid, is remarkably fulfilling. We had a major deadline this week and I feel like I am making a difference. They have me working as a detail and style editor - everything must go through me before it can go to anyone else. ...I hope I'm worth at least what they pay me... I got a calling in my second ward today (I'm active in two wards - and, yes, I am happy to go to church and other functions for 10 hours each Sunday) - I'm the ward website specialist. We'll see how that goes. I have absolutely no clue how the members of the bishopric would know that I have done any website work. I don't tell anyone about that. I try to forget it myself. Oh well... I'm sure that the Lord knows what He is doing. Tomorrow I actually get to attend my ward Family Home Evening! I normally have practice for Pirates of Penzance on Monday nights, but they are working on three numbers where I don't sing! More blessings... But even when I have practice, I'm happy. I love the cast members of Pirates; we have a great time, especially when we are all together in the same room. This next week I'm also attending an Author's Conference at BYU; they are bringing in some editors from major publishers and a book agent... so I thought that I would go to learn a bit more about the publishing world. It's a conference specifically for youth writing - from picture book to YA novel - so I'm taking three of my newest children's picture books. I'm not sure exactly how the conference will go, but my hope is to have the opportunity to share the manuscripts and find someone interested in them. I'll have my fingers crossed.

I am just grateful for the hand of the Lord in my life. No matter what happens, He is there for me. He is with me, beside me; He leads and guides me in everything I do... and brings me peace. Saturday evening I went out walking; since I've finished Watching Cookies in the Oven, I've wondered what my next major goal in life would be. I work best when I have something that will spur me forward and help focus my efforts - and in the wake of one I needed to find another. I walked down the street to a small roadside park and sat there, read the scriptures, wrote in my journal, watched the sunset, and prayed. A lot of options went through my mind... many which I'd be happy doing... but, as I thought, I realized that I don't want to simply be happy. I don't want to just live a fulfilling life. I want to fulfill my own unique purpose in life, and live the best life I can. I want to make a difference in the world. In that light, most of my options didn't feel right. After a few hours, I received an answer. I learned that I need to prepare to take some graduate school exams. It's not much, but at least it is a goal... and from what I've seen from friends who studied for the GMAT, LSAT, GRE, and everything else, I could definitely dedicate my life to it!

It amazes me that God is willing to talk with me - to help me determine the direction I should follow in life. He is always willing to help me, and I find that as I speak with Him, my thoughts change. I go from wanting something simple - like something to do to fill my time - to wanting something sublime - like goals that will help me fulfill my purpose in life. Of course, it may take a while for my thoughts to rise to the occasion, but once they do He gives me the answer that I need.

Each of us has a unique purpose in life - not just a purpose to become a doctor or a teacher or a fireman. It is something that only we can do... and something that will cause us to stretch far beyond our normal capabilities. As we turn to God and ask Him for guidance, He will help us to raise our thoughts... and then inspire us to become the men and women He sees in us. It may take some time - perhaps even a lifetime - to understand, but He is here with us, beside us, to lead us and to guide us. He will never leave our sides, and if we look around us, we will always find so much for which to be grateful. If you do not already know, take some time to talk with God and understand your own purpose in life. It may not be time to reveal it all yet (since we may not be able to understand the ways of the Lord)... but He will always reveal enough to let us know that we are on the right path... and that He is there.

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