Wednesday, April 14, 2010

What I've Learned This Year

Hello all! My junior year in college is coming to a close, and what a year it's been! I just had our end-of-the-year banquet with Divine Comedy at Tucano's -- yummmmm.



It was so fun spending time with my friends, who I don't really see anymore. And as Whit was being adorable as usual and handing out awards for everyone it hit me how incredibly blessed I am, and how much I have changed in the past year. I've learned a few things...

1. I don't know much. And the more I learn, the more I just realize there's more to learn. I don't know anything in comparison to our Father in Heaven, and I've got eternity to make up the difference!


2. I am surrounded by wonderful people. The past few months I've had times where I feel very alone -- especially when Alex is off studying all night. At the time I've felt sad -- I'm a people person, and I always wanted to invite people over -- but what a blessing to have some time to myself! This is probably the only time in my life when I CAN have some alone time. I've been able to study the scriptures more, figure out what I want to do with my future, and the BIGGEST blessing of all is that I have Alex to spend my future with.

3. I've learned so much about the Atonement -- how to use it. I don't think we can ever fully understand the Atonement, but I am so grateful for it. I don't see how any marriage without a firm belief in the Atonement, forgiveness, and repentance could ever work.

4. I've learned that you don't need to serve a full time mission to be a good member of the Church. I always believed that about other people, but not about myself. I always thought that I am so indebted to Heavenly Father that the least I can do it dedicate 1.5 years to him. I've learned that dedicating your average, everyday activities to him is hard, but equally as important as serving a full time mission. I can be a missionary for the rest of my life without having served as a single, full time sister missionary like I was always planning on, and embracing that has helped me so much this year. That being said, if you feel like a mission is for you GO. If you're not sure, PREPARE to be a missionary -- because you will be a missionary for the rest of your life!

5. Being in charge can be hard, but it's so rewarding.  I've had the chance to be one of the co-leaders in Divine Comedy this year. There were some really hard weeks *cough, Harry Potter cough*, and some really, really great ones. I saw new cast members become comfortable in the group, I saw learning, growth, creativity, and I got to help others reach that. What a rewarding thing! And sometimes, what a stressful thing! It was a fun taste of motherhood to come. :)
 


6. LOST will never answer my questions... but I will always keep coming back for more!

7. The temple is the most peaceful, happy place on earth. All of my self-esteem issues, negative thoughts, just leave my mind for a couple hours. I wish I could live there ( and plan on it for the later years of my life ).


8. We should be happy wherever we are in life, but we almost NEVER are. I was looking forward to this season of Divine Comedy to end, and now it has. It's just done. And now I'm feeling sad about it! I only have 1 more year left of college. How scary is that! College is such a WONDERFUL blessing, and I'll probably have to go back and read this post next year when I'm eye ball deep in papers, because it's so hard to appreciate where you are, at this moment. But college is an experience I will never experience again, and I should appreciate every late night cram session!

9. Laughing makes everything better.


10. I love Alex!



Happy Spring time, everyone!

Saturday, April 3, 2010

He lives!

Happy Easter time everyone! I just want everyone to know how grateful I am for Jesus Christ. I know without a doubt in my heart that I could not do everything I do, and I could not be everything I am and can be without His help, His love, and His Atonement. There seems to be a lot of unrest in the world; countries hate each other, people are fighting, they are confused -- and they don't know why they are on this Earth.

I want everyone who reads this to know that Jesus Christ loves you, He thinks everyone is beautiful and perfect and worth the agonizing sacrifice he suffered, even though we all know we do not deserve it. He suffered, bled, and died for us, for each of us, for me and all of my many, many mistakes. He makes everything in my life possible. He makes everything in the life to come possible.




I love Him! There have been so many times in my life when I feel alone, and helpless, and have literally felt Him give me a hug. He is my Comforter, and my Redeemer. He suffered for us, He died voluntarily for us, and He was resurrected so that we could become resurrected also. I am so grateful for the temple, and how present Christ's spirit is every time I go. I await anxiously the day when He returns to rule the earth, with my family around me. His Atonement makes even the possibility that I can be with my family and serving in the Millenium possible -- and for that I am more grateful than words can say. Christ is my best friend, He knows all of my weaknesses and my strengths, and He is willing to help me, and ALL of us, along the path to eternal life.

I know He is the son of God. I know that He was Resurrected! What good news! He died, He suffered, but He won! I hope this Easter season we can think about Christ, and refocus our lives to mirror Christ's life. I am so grateful for His example to me. I am grateful for the perfect Plan of Salvation, and the role of the Atonement in it. My Grandma Monk, who I don't really remember but can't wait to get to know :) , died on a Easter Sunday. What a great reminder of the amazing Plan of Salvation. I will get to be with her some day, and serve along side her because of Christ! I love Easter, and I love this gospel and I love all of you!! :)

Love you guys,

Natalie

Thursday, April 1, 2010

March Madness

Hello friends! Well, it's already April so I thought I would blog about March and the nice weather it gave us....snow? On April 1st? Really?! Am I back in Minnesota?!

March was a GREAT month! It was filled with
taxes (thanks, Dad!)
Divine Comedy AvYtar show!
Papers
Tests
More tests
I already finished one final!
Went to a play (Blood Wedding)
Lots of fun Sunday Dinners with the Madsen
Grilling at the Madsens!
:)
Babysitting the Smart kids for a week! (We loved it! :) )
We bought a camera (finally) and will post pictures as soon as we get it!
Saw the new Dragon movie with the boys -- (good movie!)
Anxiously waiting for the next LOST episode
Apartment hunting!
Dinner at Winger's
Costco trip with Keri
 Riley Lyman's homecoming!
Planning a Divine Comedy trip to LA!

...and that's all I can think of right now. Now it's on to Spring Term classes and work, and that's IT! We're both excited for a not-as-stressful break, and we're VERY excited about our trip to NC this July! We're spending a week on the beach with my family, and we couldn't be more excited! Hooray!


Love you guys!
Natalex