There are no words to describe the week I've had

Okay, so I think anyone that is reading this blog has already heard my big news. I'm planning on submitting my mission papers in about 8 months. While I was a counselor at EFY, I just KNEW that that was the next step in my life. So I made the VERY VERY difficult decision to move back in with my mom in order to save up money and I've slowly been coming across different solutions to possible problems with going on a mission. I've been weeding through in my apartment. I'll be first to admit that there are times where I am doing things on sheer hope that the sacrifices will all be worth it. Then, I have weeks like this week. Weeks where it's impossible to believe that I doubted that decision. Once I knew that I was supposed to go on a mission. I started ACTING on that inspiration, revelation, or whatever you want to call it. OH MY GOSH!!!! It is so amazing how many blessings you get when you show your faith in God and act on even the littlest glimmer of what you think might be whisperings of the Holy Ghost. I've learned that some of the greatest blessings come from not necessarily KNOWING you need to do something, but doing it because you believe it's right. (does this make sense to anyone but me...I'm trying to put it in words, but it is just so difficult) Over this past week, it has become VERY clear to me that God knows exactly what we need and He sees that it is done. God acts through ANYONE. Whether it is through a stranger at a bookstore, or through someone that you have had several brief encounters with. My session director the first week of EFY (like the "dad" of everyone there) said that if you write down all your questions or concerns, then forget about them and just lose yourself in living righteously and serving others, all those questions and concerns will eventually be taken care of. This has been made crystal clear to me. I am SOOOO thankful for the great blessings brought into my life by people that may think that they are doing nothing or that they are just doing a little favor. What may be "nothing" to us may be, and often is "everything" to others. More often than we know, those little acts that may seem little or small, are answers to long hours of prayer and pleading for help or answers.

More manna...or laundry from heaven

Just to add to my last post...I finished the post and then went to change laundry loads...AGAIN!!!(it's never ending...especially with uniforms). In all the loads of laundry I've done today (and my washer and dryer have been going non-stop with 2 more loads still to go) I found $14.76. Maybe there is more to this whole laundry thing afterall! Let's just say that "that whole tithing principle" is becoming very clear today...

Gas from heaven (it's kinda like manna)

Okay, so maybe being a broke college student was getting to me, but this morning, I was stressing out over money (as most of us do). First, a little background. I was denied financial aid because I have too many credits. So I filed an appeal. Because I was too slow in dropping two classes, my grades were down last semester and my appeal was denied. SO, this means I pay for everything...fun! So, as I was on my way to the college bookstore to sell a kidney in order to get a textbook for this semester, the dreaded event happened...my gas light came on. Almost on the verge of tears trying to figure out how I was going to make it to the next payday and seriously considering dropping out of classes, I pulled into my parking spot. I kept telling myself "everything will work out, just have faith" and then one of the other voices in my head would beat up that voice. So, I walked into the bookstore and stood in line at the cash register. The worker rung up the person in front of me and told her "we have a drawing everyday for a 150 dollar gas card." So the lady drew her 'ticket' (or whatever you want to call it) and the worker says "You got it! Congratulations!" Another worker looks at me and says "how does it feel to be right behind her and watching her win?" How are you supposed to respond to that? So, I congratulated the lady and she went on her way. I had jokingly made some comment to one of the workers that "that was too good to be true, my gas light just came on" or something to those effects. The same worker that asked me how it felt to lose said "She doesn't know you from Adam, she doesn't care" (speaking of the woman who just won...I'm not sure what that worker thought I was saying...don't you love it when people come in half way through a conversation, but whatever) I removed my kidney myself (because of course I couldn't afford a surgeon), traded it in for my books and I was on my way. When I got just outside of the store, the lady that had been standing in front of me was waiting. She handed me the gift card! I told her that she had won it, and I was fine. But she looked at me and said "I'm fine, you can probably use this more than me." I tried to politely refuse (knowing full well she was right) and she insisted. So, I started crying...in front of a perfect stranger...told her she didn't have any idea how much that meant, and gave her a big hug. All I know is her name is Linda. She drove off in her Lexus, she probably has no idea of what she had done. I sat in my car for a while just thinking about what had just happened, and gave thanks to the mastermind of that whole plan...my Heavenly Father. Sometimes I kick myself for doubting Him because as this story shows...He knows what we need and makes it happen.

Finally...another post

Okay, so this summer has been amazing...but extremely busy. Three weeks of EFY, 3 days alone with 1-year-old twins, adjusting back to work, and making some pretty big plans. I PROMISE that I will post more later...just wanted to let everyone know that I didn't fall off the face of the earth...