Decisions, Decisions, Decisions

So just now, I was randomly reading old posts of mine.....man, I used to be quite the writer.  I don't know what happened; I think my blog inspiration has just expired or something.  I wonder if I can renew it like a magazine subscription...

But I think it's because i am dealing with real-life big decisions right now.  At the moment, I'm on a one day break between weeks of geology field camp.  Last week, I learned a really awesome lesson in trust.  Trust in the Lord, that is.  It seems I am ALWAYS relearning this lesson, though always in a different way.  have you ever made a map before?  Specifically, a geologic map?  Yeah, I hadn't either.  And yet, week one of field camp was going to Little Cottonwood Canyon and mapping an area there.  I had the mountains, a topographical map, a pencil, an eraser, and my compass as resources.  I had never had a class in this and had no idea where to start.  Each day, I began my day with a fervent prayer begging the Lord for help and understanding to be able to complete this project, and I ended my day with a prayer of gratitude, because I saw miracles.  Not only in myself, but in my entire class...we learned quickly what we needed to do, and I saw how the Lord helped me both mentally and physically in this strenuous and intense week.  I went into the week knowing I'd do it somehow, knowing I'd have to trust in the Lord all the way, because there was no way I'd be able to do this all on my own!  And once again, the Lord showed me how He is on my side to help me at any moment!

As I think about this week's lesson in the grand scheme of things that are going on in my life right now...it just gets me thinking.  I finally feel like the end is in sight, as I have mapped out every single semester until I graduate in April 2014.  Sure, it's taken a while, and though I still have 2 years left til I get my undergrad, the time I took off was not in vain.  I served the Lord as a missionary in São Paulo, and learned to truly love the people there and make their culture a part of who I am.  I often say that you can take me out of Brazil, but you can't take Brazil out of me.  And I was blessed to meet someone special there...  As Renato and I are making our plans for the future, there are a LOT of things that are out of our hands, leaving a lot of decisions just hanging in the air.  This has taught me to trust in the Lord on a whole new level.  I love that I am always being taught the importance of trusting in Him, though in different ways.  And as I said when I returned from the mission, I DO trust in the Lord on a whole new level now.  I have turned into a generally stress-free person, because when something is out of my hands, I just put my trust in the Lord's plan!  Some may call me crazy or carefree or whatever, but it's the best way to live.

Anyway, maybe my ramblings are still interesting to someone.... but in short, life is WONDERFUL, and the Lord has blessed me so much!!!!  I look forward to the future, because it is bright and I know that the decisions I make today will impact it....this motivates me to think a million times before I do something, because one choice, good or bad, can affect many many people and can change the path of your life!  Just something to think about. ;)

Have a great weekend, everyone!!!!