Dear Elder...

So I went to a mission call opening tonight. I couldn't imagine what my friend felt like, holding that large white envelope in his hand, knowing that it contained his entire future for the next two years of his life. Doesn't it seem like life can be that way sometimes? When you're waiting to see if you got a job you applied for, or a team you tried out for, or what college you'll get accepted to; and as you open that letter, you hope you don't get just a box of confetti because hey, it only determines the direction your future will take right? Not a big deal. All this made me think of the song, This, by Darius Rucker. If you haven't heard it then open a tab right now, go to YouTube and listen to it. This song has been extremely influential to me this year. Especially during tough times, it helped me remember the saying, "Everything happens for a reason." Anyways, speaking of missions--I was talking with my dad about his mission (My dad and I really don't have these deep conversations all the time ha, I guess he is just one inspirational man!) and he said, "You get two years to do it and eternity to think about it." It made me realize just how important it is to serve a mission right! Whether that be a religious excursion of some sort or just life's mission; you get one chance, so do it right. Sure, we will all make mistakes--we're human. It is what we take from our mistakes and growing from them that is important right? So with that in mind...live life to it's fullest and have no regrets!

Food for thought,

(I have a “slight” quote obsession…and I think sometimes others say it better than I can. So here are just a few quotes that I thought went well with what I'm trying to say, hope you enjoy.)

"You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough."
~Joe Lewis

"You will never be happy if you continue to search for what happiness consists of.  You will never live if you are looking for the meaning of life."

~Albert Camus

“I would much rather have regrets about not doing what people said, than regretting not doing what my heart led me to and wondering what life had been like if I’d just been myself.”

~Brittany Renée

"I never regret anything. Because every little detail of your life is what made you into who you are in the end."

~Drew Barrymore