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I'm not actually leaving anywhere-yet. But I want to. I've been day dreaming lately of everywhere I want to go. I'm itching to go explore somewhere new and different. Like my friend Amy said- I need new sights, and sounds and smells. That's the best part of traveling- discovering a culture different than your own.
Thailand, India, New Zealand, Australia, Austria, Ghana, South Africa, Colombia, Switzerland, Italy, Morocco, Portugal, Israel, Greece, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Costa Rica, Norway and Finland- the list could go on.
I had really wanted to go to Thailand this summer but realized that would completely drain my bank account, leaving me broke for Fall semester. Instead, I'm (hopefully/probably) going to the exotic lands of Seattle, the Grand Canyon and Chicago. These lovely United States will have to suffice for a little while longer.
Today in my Shakespeare class we watched part of a clip from a devotional entitled "How Do I Love Thee?" from Elder Holland given back in 2000. We only watched a brief part, where he discusses Othello, because that is the play we're currently discussing. But overall, his devotional is about love, and charity. I was inspired by his words and decided to look up the rest of the devotional. If you have a chance, you should definitely read it. It's very inspiring and eye-opening.
Some of my favorite lines:
The solutions to life's problems are always gospel solutions.
Real love is best shown in the "how"
I suppose no one is as handsome or as beautiful as he or she wishes, or as brilliant in school or as witty in speech or as wealthy as we would like, but in a world of varied talents and fortunes that we can't always command, I think that makes even more attractive the qualities we can command--such qualities as thoughtfulness, patience, a kind word, and true delight in the accomplishment of another. These cost us nothing, and they can mean everything to the one who receives them.
True love blooms when we care more about another person than we care about ourselves.
If you are just going for pizza or to play a set of tennis, go with anyone who will provide good, clean fun. But if you are serious, or planning to be serious, please find someone who brings out the best in you and is not envious of your success. Find someone who suffers when you suffer and who finds his or her happiness in your own.
Think the best of each other, especially of those you say you love. Assume the good and doubt the bad.
Believe that your faith has everything to do with your romance, because it does. You separate dating from discipleship at your peril.
Honestly, motherhood is not something I've ever really looked forward to. When asked what I want to be, never has my answer been "a mom". I'm not quite sure I can explain it, but only on very rare occasions have I actually been excited about the possibility of being a mother. It's one of those battles I'm constantly waging within myself. However, on my cousin Emily's blog she has been featuring posts about The Proclamation on the Family (see my guest post here). I was reading through them today and part of this post struck me really hard:
"The prophets have called the nurturing of my daughter a sacred responsibility. Indeed, it is not only important, it is the most important thing I will ever do. And while the way I fulfill my responsibility to the world has changed, the importance and impact of what I do has not. In my own quiet way, day by day, I am changing the world by giving myself to my family. I am thankful for my own very capable mother who taught me this by example, and for modern prophets who articulate the principle so beautifully. If I do my job well, I can build people who will also change the world for good. Who will learn that they have a responsibility to those around them. Although I don’t get to travel to distant lands to do my work, what I have to do is more than enough. And that fulfills me."
What great insights! She has alleviated some of my concerns and expressed the purpose and joys of motherhood in such an insightful way. I'm so grateful for the opportunity to constantly be learning and improving myself- especially through the examples of others.
I am a procrastinator. I am currently sitting on the fourth floor of the library writing a paper that is due in 3 hours. It is supposed to be 8 pages. I have 4 1/2. And I started writing this paper last night. Smart move, I know.
This is Natalie. She's getting married. And we threw her a bridal shower this weekend. 
We really like to eat- 3 quiches, amish oatmeal, sweet rolls, and lots of fruit. 
This pretty much sums up the afternoon- lots of food and lots of laughter. 
Later that afternoon Jamie and I went to our ward activity and then hit up the park and went swinging! 
