Assured

A few years ago I had an experience on a blind date that came back as a memory this morning as I was reading the introduction to the Book of Mormon.

Weird, I know.

I was set up on a blind date by a work-friend a few years ago, and it surprisingly was a great set-up...one that I thought was going to last, but it didn't. This may sound cheesy, but when I opened the door and saw him for the first time, I thought for sure--he was the one. I even felt the Spirit tell me it was right...that he was a good man, someone I could and would be with. Throughout the month we dated and my thoughts were even confirmed and I was assured and at ease as I got to know him more. I really felt peace that this date would be one that would last. Once again, I thought for sure--he was the one.

He wasn't.

I've thought and thought about this experience. Why would I feel so strongly about this, for it NOT to happen? I think I've come to the conclusion that maybe I felt that way as a sort of 'premonition' of the future man I will marry...that THAT is how I will feel when he does come.

...wherever he is.

In relation to what I read this morning that sparked this memory of mine, I was reading the part where an angel has appeared to Joseph Smith in his bedroom. He tells Joseph of the place where the plates, etc. are buried, and Joseph says,

"the vision was opened to my mind that I could see the place where the plates were deposited, and that so clearly and distinctly that I knew the place again when I visited it".

I think this is how I will feel...it will be like how I felt that night on the blind date...assured, and at ease...I will feel clearly and distinctly that it is the right thing, and he is the one.

And the date will last.

It matters

What kind of an aunt am I? I've often wondered this, and tried to be better and better...and I've often wondered, "Why does it matter?"

Oh...but it does.

My little nephew Dakota called and asked if he could have a sleepover with me...just him and me. He's seriously adorable and oh-so-cute....I just couldn't resist. So, he's coming over tonight...and, as my sister Joni (Dak's mom) said, "To snuggle and watch a movie".

Adorable.

So I've been thinking how this relates to my joy in the journey...and I've realized that even though I haven't found my prince yet, even though I haven't experienced children of my own, I can love and cherish and help raise my little ones around me...like little Dak, and all my other nieces and nephews.

So it does matter.

To get me to you

I've been to two weddings in two weeks.

Crazy.

Just two years ago tomorrow I attended my nephew Derek's wedding and I remember I was really really depressed afterwards. Ecstatic for he and Dawn, yet down because I felt the time was never going to come for me. How could a nephew of mine get married before his Aunt Karen?

I don't want to come off as sounding hopeless...I just have had some thoughts tonight, and thought it would be good to record them.

After leaving my friend Kristen's reception tonight, I was totally downhearted. Just feeling tired of attending everyone else's wedding day--wishing it was my own--wondering WHEN is this going to happen for me. And it was like within an instant all I could think of was WHAT a day it is going to be when it DOES happen for me!

My mind started spinning and spinning...and before I knew it, I was happy again.

On my wedding day, I will not be the only one that is celebrating...there are so many people in my life that have been an extreme blessing to me--that have carried me through the years, helped me, encouraged me, led me, loved me...and I want every single one of them there--with me!!!! How good it will feel to look at all the faces in the temple that day and know that they got me there.

If you listen to the words on the song on my playlist "To get me to you", I think this is exactly how I will feel....

"I don't regret the rain, or the nights I felt the pain, or the tears I had to cry--some of those times along the way. Every road I had to take...every time my heart would break. It was just something that I had to get through...To get me to you"

I'm glad I had this experience tonight...hard things, I believe, will one day turn into good things for me.

Holidays

Last year at this time, I didn't think I would be going one more year not married...but here it is, Christmas Eve.

I'm ok with it.

I was thinking today of how many things I have been able to do in my life...how much I want to finish my thesis and lose the weight I gained from it...how I want to save money and pay off debts...how I want to better myself.

I think this year I have a better outlook--rather than thinking about how lonely I feel at this holiday time, I am ever so grateful to have a positive outlook for the upcoming year. Not sure if this next year is THE year, but I am glad to have some things to look forward to...grad school...DONE....weight...OFF.

I'm getting a priesthood blessing tonight from one of my favorite person's in the world, Brother LeBaron. We'll see what it has to say about the future for me...

Here's to another single year!

Abrasions

It's been a discouraging weekend. I seem to have really high highs, and really low lows. I'm hopeful, and then I'm doubtful. I think most of the time I am on the up-side...but weekends like these really get me down and discouraged. Just feeling lonely...and I hate that I do that.

I just need to trust.

I read this quote in my Book of Mormon today that I had written long ago in the footnotes...and it seemed to relate so much to me.

"It is in the daily abrasions that we find the imperfections in our own souls".

When I say it's been a discouraging weekend, it's just been one of those times where I feel like I'm not meeting anyone because I'm 'flawed'...or I have too many flaws for someone to want to be with.

I know in my brain that's not true...but telling it to my heart sometimes is way way too hard.

So my thought tonight is...I'm thankful that I do have these 'abrasion' weekends...because they help me to truly evaluate my life-and things I want to change and make better so that I am more ready for whenever he does come into my life....more ready for the future.

Hope-and more of it

I went to my friend Jacques's reception last night.

I can't even describe how I am feeling lately about being single. I'm 32, and you know there are so many things that I have been able to do in my life...I'm so thankful. For some reason, and I think it may be coming off of medication, gettting back to the temple,...I don't know, but I just feel extreme hope about my future. Instead of feeling like it will never happen, I know it will.

He's out there. And you know for once in my life I feel like I know that.

For sure.

Today in church I just sat back and observed the many couples/families in my family ward--and felt hope--and more of it.

It's just around the corner, I know that.

Need of patience

Weird.

Once again, a scripture I read a few weeks ago popped up in my study and made me think positively--once more, about my future family...

"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" (Hebrews 10: 36-37).

I read this scripture not too long ago, and back then it was also a comfort of the same thing. I feel positive. I feel like Heavenly Father has really allowed me to change quite dramatically in the last few months---mostly, mentally. Coming off of my depression medication has been a dream come true--I can't even describe it. I feel like I'm coming out of a dark cave after hundreds of years--and can once again think for myself, dream for myself, be myself.

And I can have patience...because I believe in it.