Kisses for Daddy

Becoming a father is one step closer to becoming more like Heavenly Father. I think my dad is pretty darn close. After all, "what does the Father ask of us?"

Have faith... Dad always helps me have faith in things to come. He always tells me that you have to kiss a few frogs before finding a prince, and a special boy is out there for me. Dad shows me his faith through his example, and I have always wanted to be like my daddy. 

Have hope... Dad has taught me to have hope. His life isn't easy, but he always has hope for better things to come as Elder Holland puts it. I see the hope he has for me each time we talk about what I am going to do with my life or my dreams. He has taught me not only to hope for dreams to come true but to go out and chase them. 

Live like his Son... It is a joke here that dads give "Come to Jesus talks." I was never sat down and given one of those talks as I can recall, but after some of my conversations with my dad I have wanted to become more like Christ because I can see the light of Christ in him. Once again, I want to be like dad! 

Help others on their way... He also helps me have faith through my trials. Being at college away from my family has been a journey I would not trade for anything, but it has had its rough patches. Good thing my dad was always there to help me make it back to the sunshine. I love him for that. So, so much. 

By being close to my dad, I can feel myself grow closer to my Heavenly Father. My dad is a wonderful example to me through being a worthy priesthood holder, loving his family, and always doing the best he can for those around him. Dad makes the best desserts, he can't help but smile when I am happy about something, he gives the best, most comforting hugs of anyone I know, and he has a daughter that loves him beyond compare. So, Happy Father's Day to the most wonderful dad around. I am so thankful I have you! 

The One About Fire Girl

When I was in Girl Scouts, my nickname became "Fire Girl." It fit me. I was always the first one at the fire and the last one to leave. I would build it and help put it out. Last night I went to a bonfire with my roommates and a few guys from our ward. The name still stands. I love the way the colors bounce in the ever-changing flames. I love the crackle it makes as the wood burns. I enjoy the heat it puts off, even when it is hot outside. When I come home smelling like campfire I don't want to instantly peel off my clothes and shower. It makes me remember all of the wonderful times I have spent around a campfire: Girl Scouts with my best friend and her mom and the other girls in the troop, girls' camp meals and testimony meetings, trek after long days of walking and walking and walking, and even making s'mores with my family in our little fire-pit. Campfires make me smile and miss all of those laughs with my friends or being surrounded by my family with my shivering dog in my lap. This post is dedicated to those wonderful times and memories that I will forever cherish and of course to Fire Girl who has changed so much yet is somehow the same.  

20 Things to Know When You're 20

I found this online the other day. I feel like it is appropriate right now. You know, since I'm 20.

1. Find your passion, and stick to it. Even when you feel like it’s time to give it up. 

2. Don’t push yourself in creative arts, unless you want to become a socially anxious insomniac. 

3. You will not be any happier 5 kilos lighter, if anything you will be really really sad that you can’t eat that piece of cake.

4. Realize there is a difference between being in love, and being in love with the idea of love.

5. Don’t let one person become who you live for- especially if it’s a romantic partner. You will find out your great friendships will be worth 26 romantic relationships.

6. Studying hard is not the be all and end all. Don’t let society and school trick you into believing you must study for your career *unless you want to be a teacher, but remember all teachers are insane.

7. Don’t over analyze what others say. Actions really are worth 1000 words.

8. You are not defined by your job title, relationship status or stereotype. You are your experiences.

9. Travel.

10. Never assume, always ask questions even if you feel uncomfortable.

11. Write your feelings down, especially if you feel overwhelmed- it all makes sense on paper.

12. You can go to mom with any of your problems and she will never judge- do the same for others.

13. Be grateful for at least one thing every morning- you’ll be surprised how much this can set you up to have a beautiful day.

14. Hold on to people that bring you love & joy, and once these people no longer do, know it is okay to let go.

15. Remember that life is temporary- one day you will be gone so use this time wisely.

16. Money should be used for freedom- try to enjoy a healthy relationship with it.

17. Only at the lowest of lows, then are you worthy of the highest of highs.

18. Don’t feel like you are waiting for life to happen, your life is the journey, not the destination.

19. Your instinct is always correct- learn how to abide by it, even when you don’t particularly want to.

20. And most importantly, even when you can’t understand how or why- Life always goes on…

The Standard of Truth

Since Easter I have really been thinking about what it means to be a disciple of Christ. When reading my scriptures this week I came across Helaman 5:49-50. It says, "And there were about three hundred souls who saw and heard these things; and they were bidden to go forth and marvel not, neither should they doubt. And it came to pass that they did go forth, and minister unto the people, declaring throughout all the regions round about all the things which they had seen, insomuch that the more part of the Lamanites were convinced of them, because of the greatness of the evidences which they had received." When I first read that I wondered why these people were told not to marvel. It wasn't until I was writing in my scriptures yesterday that I realized why. When you marvel you don't progress. You remain stuck in the past. These people were told not to marvel, and because they listened what did they do? They went out and told others of what had happened. I also think that sometimes when we marvel too much we do begin to doubt things that we saw/heard/felt for ourselves. Being a disciple of Christ is going and telling others the joy that comes with the knowledge of the gospel. Last week in church someone pointed out that we are part of the Restoration. It did not end when the church was restored. It did not end with the pioneers and persecution.We are living in the Restoration. I am so thankful that I am a part of it, and I hope that when I return to my Father in Heaven when He asks me what I did to help the work along I can tell Him I did something. "The Standard of Truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done." -Joseph Smith Jr.

The Cold, Hard Truth

Well, maybe not the cold, hard truth. Maybe it is the burned, blistered truth. Let me tell you why. So, over the weekend I was feeling a little sorry for myself. I had a wonderful day shopping with Kaitlyn, but I just wanted more out of life. So much more. I wanted to rush through stages and catch up to all of my friends. Even after the rough and somewhat stressful weekend Kaitlyn, Julie Anne, and I made the courageous decision to leave the lush valley and go to Arches National Park in the desert. It was on my summer bucket list last year, but I didn't make it there. Trekking to southern Utah was an adventure in and of itself. When we got there we were first enthralled by the frogs. I don't think I have ever seen an actual wild frog before. It was exciting. We even decided which ones we wanted to be. We are four years old. Then, we decided to hike to the delicate arch. I wore a tank top and my running pants. Not even thinking we started the ascent. Let me tell you... Not far into the hike I thought I was going to die. It is steep, and there is simply no air. And, even though it was just under eighty degrees it was HOT. After we made it up that initial hill I was fine. We climbed all the fun things and made it to the delicate arch. It was beautiful, and the view was well worth it. I finally got to see the arch on the Utah license plate. I got to see a part of Utah I had never seen before, and I loved it. We hiked to and saw other arches as well such as Sandy arch, the broken arch, and a few other unnamed arches. Utah truly is beautiful. It was even more beautiful to be with my friends and not worry about anything. On the way home I realized my shoulders were a little burnt. I wasn't worried. It wasn't the first time I got burned, and it certainly won't be the last. Later that night I realized the severity of my burn. Ouch. Eating my lunch on a rock under the broken arch I felt like I left all of my worries and misery behind. A different kind of misery set in at this point. Blisters galore. It took a few days for me to be able to wear an actual shirt. Progress. Slow progress. I loved my long weekend, although going back to work and school was a little difficult. I can't wait for my next two long weekends. I will be going to the Narrows at Zion's National Park over the Fourth of July weekend, and I will be in California for the Pioneer Day weekend. I have a fun summer ahead of me! My visiting teachers came over on Tuesday. After their initial shock of my red glow they gave me a wonderful lesson. I love them. With Blythe in her red and white striped pajama pants and Brellis with her top knot, I always feel the spirit and can just laugh. We planned a day to go and get pie at a little restaurant that is supposed to be really good. I trust their taste. Last time we went out they took me to the Provo bakery which is divine. Anyways (I get easily distracted by food. Can you tell?), Brellis shared a talk about being grateful in your circumstances. I am not always the best at that obviously, but I am so glad she shared that. And yesterday... Yesterday Julie Anne and I had a crazy whim to go see Maleficent at 10:45. We didn't get home until one in the morning, and I regret nothing. I really liked that movie. It is hard to go wrong with Angelina Jolie, a tub of popcorn, and one of your friends. I love summer so much! Also, my blisters are all gone now!!

Our before picture. 

 This is us under the first arch we came to which was on our way to delicate arch.

And then we finally got to delicate arch!!!

 After we all climbed a cliff. 

I went up even further and felt like a beast.

So, along with all of my pictures from arches I will also share a few of my favorite quotes right now. And... maybe a song.

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This is my "some days are just hard" song.

If You Don't Live in Texas Then You're Out of Luck

I may not have the crazy amount of pride that some Texan's carry with them always, but I do love it. I love the land that is so flat. I love being able to see as far as my eyes will allow and being able to watch the sun seemingly hit the ground as it is setting. I love how the tall grass sways in the wind. I love the cows and how they roam the huge fields with all of that tall grass. I love how hot the cars are after they've been sitting in the sun. I love the tingling/burning sensation on my face when I have been out in the sun for a little while. I love how my soft freckles peek out from underneath my makeup. I love how we are the only state who really cares about their state flower and proudly have our flag the same height as the U.S. flag just because we can. I love the lightening bugs that come out in the summer and light up the dark nights. I love cheering for the Rangers. I love saying "yes ma'am and no sir" and rubbing off on my roommates even though they used to make fun of me. I love how people don't believe me when I tell them the longest part of roadtrips is making it out of the dang state. I love the memorable skylines of the big cities around me. I love that we still write thank you notes. I love the southern hospitality. I love my pearls. I love how there is only one month of winter and the rest of the time it is summer. I love macaroni and cheese, grits, Blue Bell ice cream, fried chicken, and biscuits and gravy. I love blessing people's hearts and telling them they are sweet spirits. I love having a momma and a daddy. I love the wildflowers all along the highways. I love going kayaking in the summer. I love boys opening doors for me, being treated like a princess, homecoming mums, being tough but elegant, and having those blessed kolaches. I love how everything is bigger. I love the armadillos and coyotes. I love the songs such as "Deep in the Heart of Texas" and "The Yellow Rose of Texas" whose choruses always get stuck in your head. I love how friends point out my minor accent and just smile as they try to convince me that I have it. Most of all, I love how my friends always address me as Miss Megan. So, give me a cowboy hat and let me be the Texan girl I am because all I want right now is to ride a horse and let the warm, gentle wind blow through my hair.

Welcome to the Crazy

I shakily walked up the stairs to my apartment this evening. I had to sit down three times on my way to my car after class. The pounding headache was more than my emotionally, mentally, and physically tired body could handle after a long morning at my internship and a two and a half hour class. I love my internship, but wow... Let me tell you a little bit about it. I go on home visits, to court, transfer kids, and sometimes even go on a run with the CPS workers. I work with Liz and Kobie, and my supervisor is Karen. Kobie calls me the animal/baby whisperer. Earlier this week we went to a home that had twins. The little girl has never talked to Liz who is her case worker. As I was sitting in my chair listening to the foster mom, all of the sudden she crawled into my lap and started talking to me. She was so cute! At that same house with a two year old sitting as close as she could to me, the dog jumped up on my lap, curled up, and went to sleep. The foster mom thought that was really weird since usually they have to lock her in a room because she goes crazy when Kobie and Liz come over. They also had a puppy that stayed under my chair and licked me the entire time. Yesterday, we were at another home, and all of the sudden a cat was in my lap. I am not a huge fan of cats, but I started petting him. He then proceeded to roll over so I could scratch his belly. He sat in my lap for a good half hour, and purred the entire time. Today I had to transport another set of twins from one foster home to another. After being yelled at by the current foster mom and dad saying I didn't even care about the kids (if I didn't care I wouldn't be doing any of this) and being told that the little girl was "petrified" of strangers, I put the carseats in the minivan and walked away from the house with a child on each hip. They didn't even shed a tear. The little girl even fell asleep on the way. At the new foster home I sat and played with them for a little while before leaving. They were totally fine. Later I had to drop off some of their clothes, and the little boy came running with his arms up for me to pick him up. I got this. Even though I am so dang emotionally drained, that in itself was rewarding enough to me. I love little kids! I am happy to be the animal/baby whisperer any day!!! As I mentioned, I also get to go to court. Let me tell you, that has been my favorite thing this far! Sitting in the court room with my burgundy business shirt, nice trousers, and pearls I felt like I belonged there. I love my internship, but I don't know how social workers do it. I mean, I am SO tired. I guess they are too. I have seen more coffee and meltdowns than I have ever seen over the course of just a couple of weeks. Also, I found out that both of the girls I work with are members of the church, but one has a tattoo and talks about drinking, and the other's car smelled like a smoker's car. Also, both of them have the dirtiest mouths, and they have both lost the compassion that I feel is needed to be a really good social worker. Don't get me wrong, they are hard workers, but there is something lacking. If I am going to do this job, I hope I never lose my compassion, my ability to love others. There is still a lot left for me to learn, but I am working through it. Maybe by the end of this I will know what I want to do with my life.