Thoughts While Walking to Work...

As I was reading Stones Into Schools (WONDERFUL book!) today on my way to work I got off the metro at Chinatown and while reading about the horrible things going on in Afghanistan and all that needed to be done to help build the education system there I was stopped in my thoughts by people asking for money and help on the street right in front of me.

This situation all of a sudden reminded me of President James E. Faust's talk Some Great Thing from October 2001 where he reminds us that we need to be ready to do the small things that are no less meaningful right around us to bless others and improve the world. We must be willing to do whatever the Lord asks. There are ways to help and lift and serve all around us.

But, it also made me realize how Greg Mortenson is the one who should be helping with the specific problems in Afghanistan. He has a talent and a special calling in life (that he stumbled upon after a failed attempt to summit K2) to be there doing that where he can really make a meaningful and important difference for many people because of his talent and understanding in working with the unique problems and diverse groups of people and situations.

This made me think again about what my mission and calling in life is. What are my talents that I need to be using to help others? What can I be doing to make the world a better place? How are my talents best used to make the most difference? How can you make a difference in the world? :)

10 Years Ago Today....

....I began one of the greatest journeys of my life!!! :) ...in Provo and then on to the Land of the Morning Calm! Changed my life forever! ♥ I'd go back in a second! :)

VA

It's official! :) I'm a Virginia resident. I have the license plates and now driver's license to prove it! :)

Some things I love about Virginia:

- It's right across the Potomac from the amazing DC memorials. :)

- Wonderful running trails.

- Nice fall weather.

- Beautiful trees.

- Lots of interesting people.

- Many good places to eat.

- Many interesting topics to discuss.

- Good roommates.

- Good friends that are out here too that make the transition easier. :)

- The metro and many things in walking distance.

- A temple "nearby."

- New adventures and places to explore.

- The history of the area.

Things I don't understand or love yet about Virginia:

- Cicadas.

- Driving, but I do love my GPS and having a car to get around when I need to.

- Parking.

- People work too much. :)

I love my parents! :)

It was wonderful to explore the city together. Thanks for visiting, Mom and Dad! :)

What is your most memorable educational experience?

I am working on a really exciting and potentially really important project at work that will hopefully help to improve the work of the U.S. Department of Education. We began our kick-off meeting with several stakeholders, where we were to outline the results we want to achieve, with introductions and what I think is a really neat question: "What is your most memorable educational experience?" It was wonderful to hear from many different people who had grown up in many different places about their favorite teachers who had challenged them to think in a new way, subjects that were difficult but meaningful, and situations and experiences that really made them excited to learn. There was a passion and excitement in the room as everyone shared these memories. Education is so important! Everyone shared experiences that really shaped who they had become.

As I was listening to these experiences I found myself asking myself how I learn. I reflected on my education, formal and informal....good parents, passionate English teachers, crazy math teachers, an interest in history, and persistent music teachers. I couldn't think of any one teacher that really changed my way of thinking or helped me see myself differently or helped me succeed, but I was overcome with a profound appreciation for the opportunities for education I have had in my life....through formal schooling, travel opportunities, universities, books, living experiences, etc.

I also found myself thinking how important it is to let go and be open and humble enough to REALLY learn. I was actually very "good at school"....figuring out how the system worked, responsibly completing my work, and going through the motions to get good grades, but I think I am still learning how important it is to make mistakes and be open enough to receive feedback that will help me really change and learn and become better....and not just go through the motions. :) I have a new desire to understand where my real strengths and abilities are and use those to excel and then be better at giving and receiving feedback in order to improve.

There is such a hope and optimism in education! Education is so inspiring and helps us reach new heights. What is your most memorable educational experience? :)

CHANGE

So, I have been reading about (Heart of Change), and thinking about, and experiencing (traveling across the world and country, moving away from family, graduating, starting a new job, meeting a lot of new people and trying to remember names, moving into a new ward and area and time of life, becoming a resident of a new state, meeting new roommates, and figuring out a whole new routine) a lot of CHANGE lately. :)

It was good to read some of my previous insights about change as I feel like I have experienced more and more of it....and I'm beginning to wonder how much is really good before there needs to be some kind of routine and stability in life. :) In the midst of all of the change I'm very glad that there are some absolutes and unchanging things in my life! :)

UNCHANGING:

- GOD and His plan of salvation and love for us individually. He is "the same yesterday, today, and forever" (2 Nephi 27:23) and He is "infinite and eternal, from everlasting to everlasting the same unchangeable God (D&C 20:17).

- Jesus Christ's love and Atonement.

- Guidance and comfort of the Holy Ghost available as we are obedient and faithful.

- Principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ: faith, repentance, hope, prayer, revelation, prophets, etc....

- Temples. :)

- My family and their constant love and support wherever they are. :)

- Prophets and General Conference.

- My testimony of the gospel....grows, but is immovable. :)

I have realized in the midst of all of this change it's very important to know who you are, what you stand for, and what you want to accomplish in life everyday. I'm in the process of revising my life goals right now, but here are some of my current ideas:

- See every person as someone I need to get to know! :)

- Change the world everyday by doing something that makes a difference to someone.

- Seek to know the Lord better every day.

- Have confidence in myself, or at least confidence the Lord can use me to do something for Him each day.

- Learn Chinese!!!

- Figure out what my dream job would be. :)

Sunday Thoughts

Who do we give credit to for the blessings in our lives? We must acknowledge the Lord (compare Hosea 2:5 to 2:8-9). He blesses us with everything in our lives! He loves us even as we forget Him. He promises that as we repent we will know Him (see Hosea 2:16-23).

"Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief." (Mark 9:24)

"It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions; Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used. For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance. Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul." (Hebrews 10:31-39)

Elder Maxwell said in 1991, "One's life, therefore, cannot be both faith-filled and stress-free (Lest Ye Be Wearied and Faint in Your Minds [wonderful talk])." This reminds me of the great advice a friend gave me a few months ago to pray to know and then only stress about the things the Lord wants me to stress about. :)

The Lord requires us to move....to act! That is real faith!

[Emphasis added to things that jumped out at me today! :)]

Freedom!

I LOVE being back in DC! What a neat place! I am grateful for reminders of freedom and liberty! I am so grateful for this country and my citizenship!

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness....

"And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor."

- Thomas Jefferson, Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776, Jefferson Memorial

"I, Pahoran, do not seek for power, save only to retain my judgment-seat that I may preserve the rights and the liberty of my people. My soul standeth fast in the liberty in the which God hath made us free." (Alma 61:9)

Jonah

I love the scriptures! I know they are the word of God and they teach us how to be closer to Him. I learned a really important lesson in Sunday School today from Jonah....the short little book in the Old Testament with a story that no child can quickly forget. :) I found greater meaning in it today and saw five very important applications in my life:

1. Follow the Lord.
2. REPENT as soon as you can.
3. Be humble and trust in the Lord.
4. Love everyone!
5. It never does well to be angry.

The main lesson I think I always took from this story was the importance of following the Lord and going and doing what He asks. The Lord knows best where we need to be. We need to turn to Him and follow when He tells us. :) Even if it seems like, as in Jonah's case, He is asking us to go to the most blood-thirsty group on earth who won't be happy to see us.....we should go (Samuel the Lamanite was a good example of this principle--see Helaman 13 - 15). The Lord can protect and direct and make miracles happen as we are obedient. We should not be afraid and turn the exact opposite way, but trust in the Lord and move forward according to His command.

The principle that really stood out to me today was the importance of repenting quickly. When we do something wrong we can and must repent, but it is up to us to decide when and how sincerely we will do that. :) It was pointed out in our class today that Jonah didn't have to say, "Take me up, and cast me forth into the sea; so shall the sea be calm unto you: for I know that for my sake this great tempest is upon you (Jonah 1:12)." He could have repented right then and there on the boat and asked the Lord to calm the sea and save them. He acknowledged that he believed in the "God of heaven, which hath made the sea, and the dry land (Jonah 1:9)." He knew that the Lord could have done that, but maybe he just wasn't ready to repent. :) It wasn't until he was in the fish's belly that he cried unto the Lord. Much like Alma (as described in Alma 36), as his "soul fainted" he "remembered the Lord" (Jonah 2:7) and the Lord heard his prayers and he was saved.

Jonah does finally repent. As recorded in Jonah 2:9, "But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the Lord." He makes a very important observation that I love in Jonah 2:8, "They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy." We are the ones that keep ourselves from receiving mercy when we are proud and choose our own path.

We must remember that it is the Lord's path and not ours. It's amazing to see how the people are converted in Nineveh and how Jonah is upset because this is not according to what he thought should happen. We must be humble and follow the Lord's path.....and love everyone!!!

Finally the Lord asks, "Doest thou well to be angry (Jonah 4:4)?" What a perfect question for all of us to ask ourselves when we ever get angry! :) There's really no need to get angry. It's not helping anyone and hurting many. :)

I am grateful for Jonah and what he teachs us about following and drawing closer to the Lord. These were the perfect lessons I needed to learn today. I am very grateful and know that the Lord wants to guide us and direct us and be near us! :) We will be happy as we repent and turn to Him! :)

Choose to live life splendidly! :)

What an inspirational story and attitude and such beautiful music!! :) ...and so fun to hear Chinese again!!! :)

31 flavors on the 31st for 31 years! :)

So, it might have been just one of my favorite flavors (+ DELICIOUS funfetti cake) enjoyed at home with some good friends, but it seemed like the best thing to do to celebrate! :) I probably enjoyed the real stuff at least 31 times in Korea to make up for it. :)

Some great thoughts.....

This made my day! :) We can all make someone's day! :)

In addition to that great clip that inspires me to SMILE and help make others smile! :) I was reminded of two WONDERFUL talks: Elder Holland's talk entitled Cast Not Away Therefore Your Confidence from a 1999 BYU devotional and Professor Thompson's devotional from June 2010 entitled What Is Your Calling in Life?

Across the Country

So, it was quite the week! :)
Day 1: Salt Lake City, UT to Lincoln, NE (890 miles)
We drove 72 miles in Utah, 408 in Wyoming, 410 in Nebraska (and the last 243 miles were all through crazy thunderstorms and wind....after all that tense driving I was never so grateful for a hotel hot tub!). We saw license plates from CA, OR, WA, AZ, UT, ID, CO, GA, FL, NJ, WY, NE, OK, MT, MI, MO, TX, SC, IA, IL, OH, WI, MN, NY, and TN.

Day 2: Lincoln, NE to Keokuk, IA (438 miles)
We drove 59 miles in Nebraska, 332 miles in Iowa, and 47 miles in Illinois (for sightseeing in Carthage and Nauvoo). We added the following license plates to the list: IN, MD, AK, and MA. We also stopped at the Winter Quarters Temple and the Mormon Pioneer Cemetery in Omaha. We drove around Council Bluffs and through the Iowa cornfields in the rain most of the day. The hightlight was stopping for the tour and the Carthage Jail and exploring Nauvoo at dusk (driving along the Mississippi River, seeing the beautiful Nauvoo Temple, seeing Joseph's grave near the river, and stopping at Parley's Street).

Day 3: Keokuk, IA to Indianapolis, IN (335 miles)

We officially crossed the Mississippi River (to not go back this time). :) Then we stopped and went to the Nauvoo Temple. WONDERFUL experience!!! I learned so much being there. I could feel the spirit of the saints and their faith and sacrifice. The building felt like it was built by the pioneers as it was decorated in their styles and we were each greeted by members of the Temple Presidency as we came (I think as Joseph would have done when the church was smaller). :) We drove 2 miles in Iowa, 251 miles in Illinois, and 82 miles in Indiana (all on one tank of gas). :) We added a few more license plates to our list: NM, NV, and KY. We also got to see and stay with the Dockter Family. So fun! :)

Day 4: Indianapolis, IN to Arlington, VA (649 miles)

The last day was a long stretch, but beautiful country. We drove 90 miles in Indiana (35 of which were in the morning fog), 231 miles in Ohio, 58 miles in West Virginia, 55 miles in Pennsylvania, 174 miles in Maryland, and 41 miles in Virginia. We added the following license plates to the list: CT, VA, PA, VT, WV, DC, NC, DE, and AL. Besides the fog in Ohio and more cornfields we enjoyed the rolling hills of West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. We crossed under the Appalachian Trail footbridge at one point in Maryland.

TOTALS
So, in our drive across the country, we drove a grand total of 2316 miles! :) We had lots of time to think, ponder, and enjoy the beauty of the country while driving to the nation's capital. We missed 10 license plates: ND, SD, HI, LA, AR, MS, KS, ME (unless you count trucks....there were several trucks from Maine), NH, and RI.

Some of my ponderings:

- I like to know where I'm going! Rain, fog, trees, winding roads, big trucks, etc....can be difficult. I like to see at least one step in front of me. :) ....in life too. :) I feel like often I don't see much more than that, but I know we learn to trust in the Lord as we have faith in His plan. I am grateful for His watchful care on the roads of life, literally (in the wind and rain and fog) and figuratively (in the decisions I make). I know He will lead us to the places we need to be.
- We are so blessed in this country with....nice interstates, food, laws, order, etc.

- I LOVE my GPS! I have never been so grateful for a birthday present!! :)

- Life is about loving others, forgetting yourself, and trusting in Jesus.
- We must be obedient and be willing and ready to sacrifice. Blessings probably won't be immediate or in the way we think, but we will have what is best.

- We must thrust in our sickles! :) The field is white. The time is now. :)

- Things don't matter. You really don't need much, but some reminders of home and who you are are definitely nice. :)

- You can learn a lot when you're forced to do things and figure things out on your own. You have the chance to learn things you never knew you could do. :) It's good to have a chance to grow and teach yourself (like driving all the way across the country and figuring out how to register your car, etc.).

- There are so many good people. We are never alone. :)

Step by step....

I feel very guided, directed, and blessed in my life. It's so fun to look back and realize how the Lord loves us and has always led us along our way. :) I think it's often hard to see what His plan is or where we are going or what we are doing in the moment, but looking back I can see that the Lord has definitely been leading me. I am very grateful for each of these experiences. They have been exactly what I needed at the time and exactly what I needed to prepare me for the next step in life that I didn't even know of yet:

- having wonderful parents and siblings and relatives
- growing up with a knowledge of the restored gospel in my life
- growing up in Hawaii (wonderful people, culture, opportunities)
- going to BYU to study geography (after thinking about accounting)
- making new friends in Provo (from Jordan to Washington)
- going on a mission to Korea
- having two years to come back to school and learn and meet great friends
- having the opportunity to teach at the MTC and strength myself and others
- having my family move back to Utah (made me decide to go to grad school)
- finding a job I enjoyed instead of finishing grad school the first time
- having new experiences working with good people at the COB for a few years
- having wonderful opportunities to travel (East Coast, Europe, Japan, Korea)
- enjoying new experiences and friends in Salt Lake (wards, institute, work, etc.)
- riding TRAX and having the chance to read and learn a lot
- being inspired to go back to school and finding the perfect program
- enjoying two wonderful years at the BYU MPA program (neat friends, professors, classes, opportunities)
- having unique chances as a graduate student to travel (Africa, China), serve, learn, and grow (in personal goals, with friends, at church, in relationships, in classes, working with several nonprofit organizations, etc.).
- feeling strongly the need to live in DC for an internship last summer
- getting to explore DC last summer while working at the GAO
- getting to explore China (I think this is and will be a part of my life for a while)
- getting the exact job I would have told you I wanted back in Oct. 2008 even though I was looking for something else somewhere else
- moving back to DC to start all over again :) with new opportunities, friends, etc.

I have no idea what's next, but I'm excited and I feel guided, directed, and loved. :) I know that Heavenly Father has a plan for me and each of us. <3

I love Kailua! :)

It has been wonderful to spend time at home and with my parents:

• enjoying (talking to my parents, visiting with friends, remembering the wonderful place and people where I grew up, reading and discussing the Book of Mormon, using a DRYER, no real schedule, TRADEWINDS);
• exploring (driving to the North Shore to see the Temple and BYU-H, seeing the Black Pearl, looking for apartments in DC);
• running (10 miles--Kailua Beach, around the lake);
• hiking (20 miles--Maunawili Trail, bunker loop, Kokohead stairs);
• swimming (2 miles--Kailua pool, around the buoy);
• body surfing (many waves--Kalama, Sherwoods, Makapuu);
• walking (8 miles--Kailua Beach, around the lake);
• snorkeling (saw a honu!--Pupukea Beach);
• kayaking (around Flat Island); and
• trying to figure out the next adventures in life..... :)

Life is good!