Memoirs of a Montanan: March 2012

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

I Hope They Call Me On A Mission...

Once upon a time, I turned 21.
And became eligible to serve a mission for my church. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
(AKA The Mormons)
Growing up I never thought I'd go. It didn't appeal to me and the thought of taking a year and half off of school and life didn't sound great.
But then something changed...

The thought popped into my mind. And I was like "Oh hey! I could go on a mission!"
But then I was confused. Should I go? Should I finish school? Should I go on a study abroad? Should I, should I, should I. blah blah blah.

So I prayed about it.
Hoping that I would feel something. Hoping I would receive an answer. Because I know that God listens and answers my prayers. But sometimes we don't get those answers right away. Or in the way we want. I was hoping I'd get a whopping "YES!" or a NO! but I just felt confused.

Sometimes, God wants us to make our own decisions. Sometimes either option is a good option. Sometimes he wants us to take a leap of faith and make that decision.
After we make that decision we figure out if it was right.

And this decision was right.
I started filling out my papers. I talked to my parents and I talked to my church leaders.
And it felt really good.

I don't know how to explain it. But I felt happy. I felt good about that decision.

There are still times when I freak out. And think.
OH MY GOSH I"M GOING ON A MISSION.
OH MY GOSH. I'M GOING TO BE GONE FOR 1.5 YEARS!
OH MY GOSH. I COULD GET SENT SOMEWHERE CRAZY!

But then I remember how I felt after I made the decision.
I felt happiness.
I felt love.

Then I remembered how going to church makes me feel. and how reading my scriptures makes me feel.
And I feel happy.
I feel joy.
I feel love.
I feel peace.

I'm going to be spending the next year and half teaching others about this church that makes me feel happy. That makes me feel loved. I'll be teaching others how to have those same feelings and draw closer to God. And that's when I get excited.

So it's official. I've turned in my papers. And in 2-3 weeks I should get my call. I have no idea where I am going. It could be anywhere. So place your bets and make your guesses. And I promise the second I receive my call I'll let you know.

I'M GOING ON A MISSION

*Also, If you have ever had questions about my faith or what mormons are all about, please feel free to ask me. Or check this out *

Monday, March 5, 2012

John Clayton Mayer

Once upon a time, I fell in love.
With a little certain someone named John.
It may have been back in 2002 with such great songs as this.

When I couldn't drive and my mother and I would "scream at the top of my lungs" on my way to school.
But ever since then I knew I couldn't leave him behind.
Songs and bands seem to come and go but dear brother john never leaves.
His albums come with more complexity and new sounds every time but yet never cease to amaze me.
I am pretty much never disappointed. (Except for two songs. "Say" and "Who Says" which I'm going to ignore for the rest of my life.)

I've been with John through thick and thin.
Through Jennifer Love Hewitt, Jennifer Anniston and Jessica Simpson.
Through his terrible press and his "racist" remarks. Through his parent's divorce and many new tattoos I've given him the benefit of the doubt.

Lyrics from his new song Shadow Days
"I'm a good man with a good heart, had a tough time, had a rough start,
but I finally learned to let it go. Now I'm right here and I'm right now and I'm open, knowing somehow that my shadow days are over, my shadow days are over now"

I am soooo freaking excited for his new album to come out. John is a changed man and I can't wait to hear what it sounds like. (although i nearly had a heart attack when I realized it was coming out May 22nd and I put my availability for my mission papers on May 6th)

And I'm soooo flippin' EXCITED to go to my third John Mayer concert on May 5th 2012 in LAS VEGAS! Thanks to my wonderful mom who bought me a ticket as my "last dying wish" (aka before I hit the mission field)

So here's a little photo recap of previous John Mayer Excursions