Loss & Hope

"Perhaps they are not stars, but rather openings in heaven where the love of our lost ones pours through and shines down upon us to let us know they are happy."

Losing a loved one is the most trying experience that we are asked to go through in this life. Especially when they are taken without notice; without a chance to say goodbye. Our hearts are broken and forget everything except their basic function of beating. 

When loved ones are taken in such an unexpected way, our minds cannot comprehend the reasoning. We don't understand why it had to be that way or why they didn't get more time. But we won't ever be able to understand why. The Lord's way is the Lord's way, and He can see beyond what our minds can comprehend. And while the passing of this person is one of the hardest things we will have to endure, the Lord promises us this:

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

-1 Corinthians 10:13

Heavenly Father has promised us that He will provide a way for us to bear our trials. One of the most beautiful forms of comfort that He has provided for us is in the Atonement of His son, Jesus Christ. Our Savior not only atoned for our sins, but He bore the pain of our sorrows, heartaches, afflictions, trials, burdens, and disappointments. He knows exactly what pains we will face in this life, and He knows what they feel like. He is the only person who knows your heart, your pain, and your sorrow at this moment. When there are no words to explain how you feel, He understands. 

And the most beautiful part of it all? Jesus Christ died and was resurrected. He lives. And that means that even though our loved ones are not with us in these moments, we will be with them again. We will get to see the love in their smile, the warmth in their eyes, and feel the security of their embrace. We will get to feel the joy of being reunited with loved ones that we have lost. 

The passing of a loved one is one of the hardest things we will be asked to endure in this life. But there is hope for better days; a hope that eventually, our hearts will heal. And there is a knowledge that we will get to be with them once more. We will always remember them, and the love that they showed through their life.

"And now ..., I would exhort you to have patience, and that ye bear with all manner of afflictions;

...Have patience, and ... with a firm hope ... ye shall one day rest from all your afflictions."

-Alma 34:40-41

I'm Tired of It

My frustrations this morning center around one idea: honesty. 

How difficult is it to be honest? How taxing is it to admit the truth and to, if the truth demands it, take responsibility for a mistake that you made? I understand that doing so may be humiliating. Sure. You made a mistake and you're a little bit embarrassed about it. But will it not be that much better in the long run to immediately admit the truth than to have everyone eventually find out the truth, and upon doing so, discover that you were being dishonest? In my mind, and after twenty two years of living, it is obvious: tell the truth to begin with, get the humiliation over with,  and deal with the consequences.

There are too many dishonest people in this world who will do or say just about anything to have things swayed in their favor. It is wrong and unjust to those who are trying their best to do what they know is right. I guess life truly is never going to be fair due to the imperfections of the human condition. 

One would think that this honesty frustration wouldn't be as hard to deal with in places where the population of Latter-Day Saints is high. Well, that has not proven to be true for me in my experience. After living in Provo for about two years and after having now been in Rexburg for two years, I can tell you that people are imperfect, and they will be dishonest. Being imperfect is not an excuse for dishonesty. There is no excuse. 

I guess my views of telling the truth from the get-go are even a tad bit too idealistic for the "Rexburg bubble." People lie to get their way all the time. From emails to professors claiming "internet troubles" while trying to take the latest quiz to coordinating an against-the-rules group effort while taking an exam, dishonesty is everywhere. 

I'm tired of it.

Headbands Galore

As I have been sitting here procrastinating doing things that I should be, I have been browsing the wonderful resources that are pinterest, etsy, and amazon and have found the CUTEST headbands. Ever.

I think I need all of these. 

There are tons more online. Click here to look at how amazingly cute they all are. 

99 days to go until this little girl gets here and I get to put these absolutely wonderful, adorable, frilly things to use!