Monday, February 6, 2012

Finding Meaning

It has been 3 months since my last blogging session! If that isn't called Slacking, I don't know what is! I suppose I better try to redeem myself for this lack of thoughtfulness on my part. How could I keep all my dedicated fans waiting for so long to hear more insightful words from yours truly!? It is a terrible transgression, and I am already working on a public apology for this atrocity! ;]
Ok... now that I have blown a sufficient amount of smoke, I really would like to talk about my life the past 3 months. What a ride! I have discovered some things about myself that I probably would never have uncovered if I had continued on my little path in St. Anthony, ID. Let's talk about some of these things...

1) I like -no, love- to cook. HOLY SMOKES, BATMAN!! Yes, I am just as astounded as you are! The more surprising part to this revelation? I am GOOD at cooking! I don't know when Hell started serving Cola with ice, but it has happened. How else would this phenomenon be explained? I think the only explanation has to be Devine Intervention. I cook something and people like to eat it. It is as simple and mysterious as that.
2) I like to clean. SAY WHAT?! My mom would die if she thought this was possible. But it is not only possible, it is the truth! (Please don't die, Mom.) Living in a town house with 3 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms doesn't leave you with room to slack off! Now, anyone who had seen my room (or basically the whole top floor) of my parents house would NEVER believe a word of it! However, there is just something about a messy house that keeps my skin crawling! The Lord told us to establish a "house of order... a house of God." How can we feel the Spirit if there is so much clutter in our lives that He gets lost in the jumble? I feel so much more at peace with things when the house is clean. I also have more time to focus on things that are important (i.e. service, cooking for others, praying, and working on my relationship with Seth) when I am not always stressing about a messy house. I am not always perfect (shocking, I know) at this, but I am trying to live by it and do better!
3) Drama gives me anxiety. Is this really Stacey Miller from South Fremont talking? I have to ask myself that sometimes, too! But, yes, it is Me, and I couldn't be more surprised myself! Living in a new town, being married, and just plain ol' growing up has made me realize that drama is of the devil!! Seems a little dramatic, (pun intended) but being around all that negativity is definitely not good for your soul! My life is filled with such peace that any kind of contention makes me ill. If there are people in your life bringing you down, causing contention, or asking you to do things you are against, I would ask you why you still allow them to be in your life? Life is about being a better person and becoming closer to God so we can progress and someday be like Him. If there is something (or someone) taking you farther away from that, then I would reevaluate some things in your life, and I would do it quickly! I have started editing out "friends" from Facebook who are too negative, or use foul language for this very reason. Don't let social networking hold you back from being who you know you want to be!
4) Continued rant from number 3: I can absolutely not STAND people who degrade their spouses to friends, family, and especially in a public setting. I take that personal. YOU chose your spouse, YOU married them, YOU made commitments, covenants, and promises to love and cherish them in good times and bad, but now all you do is degrade them?? Talk about them like they are nothing more than an animal? I say, how DARE you??? If you are not mature enough to treat your spouse with respect in all situations, then I dare say you are not mature enough to continue on in having a family! Bold statement, I know. But this is my blog. If you are bringing a child into a world where there is no tenderness between parents, no affection, no love, no boundaries, no respect... I say shame on you! President Monson said, "Choose your love, and then love your choice." You're a little late to change your mind. You made your choice... now give them the love they deserve.
5) Calming down from angry feelings above.^ I love being a wife! I am still learning every day how blessed I am to be where I am in life right now. I love Seth. I love being married! I had no idea how rewarding it is to be tied to someone forever. It saddens me when people talk about how they don't want to get married for a long time and how, "We are throwing our life away" if we get married at a young age. I say this: you haven't lived life until you have shared it wholeheartedly with another person. I LOVE having my best friend with me every day. I love the dinners, the stories, the jokes, and all the days that we share. It humbles me to think that God gave me this gift to have for the rest of eternity. The gift of always having the one you love most besides you, no matter what. I learn everyday that I am a better person because of the choice to get married and the person I chose. I also have a reconfirmation daily that I did the right thing for myself, and that I am doing what is right for me.
6) God Lives. God answers prayers. He listens to us, when we have no one else. He inspires our thoughts and minds when we are in tune with the Spirit. He knows our struggles, our thoughts, our hearts, and our desires. He knows our names, and He loves us. He is our Heavenly Father, and he is always there.

These are just a few of the overwhelming things in my heart lately. I can't wait to see what the next 3 months have to teach me! Life isn't about the destination, it's about the journey. Just sit back and enjoy the ride. I know I will. :]