The Best Is Yet to Be

This past week, I have thought a lot about last summer. It was a wonderful summer. It was filled with amazing people, amazing experiences, and I loved it. I have caught myself thinking things like: "If only it could still be last summer," "How I wish I could go back to those experiences again," and "If I can't have last summer...how about the one before?" It's interesting because as I really think about the last couple of summers, there were some really hard things I had to go through. I learned so much about myself, and grew in amazing ways, and as a result, I think about how amazing they were. The last couple weeks have been so up and down that all I have wanted this week was to go back.

Today, as I was having one of my "I want to go back to last summer...I want to be in that dinner group again...I want to spend time with those people or that person again...I want to have that experience again...I want to feel that way again..." moments, I realized how detrimental that was to me. Tonight, I looked up an article. It's one that I have heard about multiple times, and when I was feeling this way a few months ago, it came back into my life. It is from a talk given by Elder Holland in a BYU devotional called "Remember Lot's Wife" and the article is called "The Best Is Yet to Be." It's a great reminder to cherish the memories from the past, but not to dwell on them and try to live them again. The first paragraph reads:

"I plead with you not to dwell on days now gone nor to yearn vainly for yesterdays, however good those yesterdays may have been. The past is to be learned from but not lived in. We look back to claim the embers from glowing experiences but not the ashes. And when we have learned what we need to learn and have brought with us the best that we have experienced, then we look ahead and remember that faith is always pointed toward the future. Faith always has to do with blessings and truths and events that will yet be efficacious in our lives."

I did a little more looking at articles, and in reading one by President Monson, I read, "Of course, there is no going back, but only forward. Rather than dwelling on the past, we should make the most of today, of the here and now, doing all we can to provide pleasant memories for the future."

Those were the reminders I needed. I need to look forward with faith and remember the best is yet to be. I need to let go of the past and only allow the memories to assist me as I move toward the future.

Chapstick

I have a TERRIBLE habit of losing Chapstick. I probably have at least ten things of Chapstick that I have bought, and aside from the one in my temple dress, the one in my desk at work, and the one right here with me (which I just had to open), I don't know where any are. I seriously lose them all the time, and it's kind of ridiculous. But, at least it's not something important.

Solar Eclipse

There was a solar eclipse today. It was pretty awesome! I didn't have the good glasses for it, but today I didn't care. I really have a fascination with space, stars, planets, etc., and I just wanted to watch it. It was interesting to really watch the progression as the moon came between the sun and earth and to see the sun basically disappear. Even though we weren't were the "complete" eclipse was and we didn't get to see the whole "ring of fire", it was still amazing. Next time a solar eclipse comes around, I will be sure to be prepared for it and get the good glasses. I don't think my eyes appreciated looking at the sun today.

20 Seconds of Insane Courage

Remember that whole idea of "20 seconds of insane courage"? I had to use that today. Right now, I'm kind of freaking out about it, but it was a good thing. I bought a car. I've been casually looking at cars for the last 6 months or so, with no real intentions to buy one quite yet, but a week and a half ago, I discovered that the head gasket in my car had blown and either I could spend $1500 to fix it, or get a new car. Since my car isn't quite worth that, I decided to finally be done with it.

In all my looking, I had come up with the exact car that I wanted...a Blue 2010 Hyundai Elantra GLS with a Sunroof. Every time I found one online, I looked at it over and over. It's what I wanted. If that wasn't possible, my next choice was silver. However, if I had to settle for something different, I would. I looked at a car last night...a 2009 Elantra that was maroonish/purple...but I didn't love it. I definitely didn't want to settle on it.

This morning, I got up early and went to the Hyundai dealer with Aaron (I really wanted a guy with me...it makes car buying slightly less intimidating). We were walking around, waiting for a sales guy, and found the 2010 Elantras. There was a variety of colors, but then there was a blue one and a silver one. We went to the silver one first. I was still looking at it when Aaron went to the blue one. I soon followed, and as I was looking at the information, he pointed out the sunroof. My response: "Don't show me that!" I was sunk. I knew it would be my car if I could make it fit into my budget, and if I could muster up the courage to say yes. Then the sales guy came out. His name was Doug and he was awesome. We went for a little test drive, and then sat down to go over cost, payments, etc. I definitely wasn't ready to make the decision, so he let me take the car for a while and think about it. It did exactly what was intended...it made me want the car even more. So after driving and going over my budget, I decided I wanted the car...but I couldn't yet make the commitment. I took it back and left again. While I was gone the second time, I talked to some people, and remembered this "20 seconds of insane courage." I knew I wanted the car, and I would probably be really sad if I settled for something different, so I finally gathered that courage and called Doug. I told him I wanted the car and would be back soon to do all the financing. It was an emotionally exhausting day, but here's the result:

Isn't it pretty? And please take note of the sunroof...it really is one of my favorite parts! :)

We Bought a Zoo

I watched We Bought a Zoo tonight. Aside from the couple parts with snakes, I really enjoyed it. It's a good, clean, feel-good movie. As I watched it, I was reminded of a quote from it that I had heard from someone a few months ago: "Sometimes all you need is 20 seconds of insane courage." What a great motto to live by.

Big Baldy

Because of an all-day training I had last weekend, I took today off. It was so very much needed, and I did my best to make the most of it. This afternoon, a small group went on a hike. It was supposed to be an easy three, maybe four hour hike. Oh, how wrong we were! It was far from easy, and those who actually finished it took about five and a half hours. It was really pretty, but the biggest issue was that the trail was nearly straight up the mountain. That's really hard to climb. I did pretty well for a while, but then I lost all motivation and couldn't do it anymore. One of the things I enjoyed most was how quiet it was. We were perfectly removed from everything that we couldn't really hear anything from the cities. I love the peace that comes when I am away from normal life.

A few of the guys took a detour up to this ledge...
look closely, they really are there

The ledge where they guys detoured...it doesn't look so high anymore 

The Girls

The Guys

It's called "Big Baldy" for a really good reason

Wildflowers

And more wildflowers

Fishing Day

There are definitely some great benefits to my job. I love the days that we just get to play. Today was one of those days. It was the Annual Fishing Day at Salem Pond. It's an event for individuals, kids to adults, with special needs. Even though it has stressful moments, it's still a lot of fun. Everyone gets a free hat, a free lunch (either hot dog or sloppy joe) and they get the opportunity to fish. Today was the perfect day to have fishing day. It wasn't too hot or too cold, the sun was shining, and we got to spend the whole day outside. Even though we only had one client actually bring home a fish, they all loved it and enjoyed having a change from our typical schedule.