for the world's impossibles...

I have a few goals (several, in fact) that are not anything grand in the eyes of the world, and yet ironically are completely unattainable by the world's standards. And also quite possibly will make all the difference in the world to me and for me.
In no particular order...

1- Learn to drive a manuel transmission
2- Go hang-gliding
3- Change someone's life for the better anonymously
4- Backpack through Europe
5- Sleep in a snow cave that I made myself
6- Visit all 50 States (13 down, 37 more to go!)
7- Get something published
8- Fly an airplane
9- Win Jess at Egyptian Rats
10- Wear out my temple shoes
11- Build a treehouse
12- Take a porch swing to a drive-in movie theater
13- Learn something new, interesting and exciting every day of my life
14- Speak at least 2 other languages (preferably Italiano be one of them)
15- Have a family and teach them all I know, and even some things that I don't. Especially how to love and how to live the gospel of Jesus Christ.
16- Witness the Northern Lights

These are just to name a few, of course, for it is subject to change. Right now, every one of them seems attainable and I have my Heavenly Father to thank for that. Through my loving family, dear friends and the Prophets, Apostles and the Holy Ghost's guidance and council this weekend, things have been made clear to me.

God will not do something for us that we can do for ourselves. Well, that has been made quite clear recently and I'm not sure what to do with this newly discovered trust completely. But I think I got a step closer to understanding it today! What I thought to be impossible has in fact proved possible, and though I'm still trying to adjust and trust and believe, I'm certain that I would've not been able to realize this impossiblity had it not been for the oppirtunity to make my own decision and act.

Luke 1:37 - "For with God nothing shall be impossible"

I've learned that to be true. I hope that each of you can too.

for the seeds to be nourished...

"Now we will compare the word unto a seed. Now if ye give place, that a seed may be planted in your heart, behold, if it be a true seed, or a good seed, if ye do not cast it out by your unbelief, that ye will resist the Spirit of the Lord, behold, it will begin to swell witin your breasts; and when you feel these swelling motions, ye will begin to say within yourselves--this must needs be that this is a good seed, or that the word is good, for it beginneth to enlarge my soul; yea, it beginneth to enlighten my understanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me." Alma 32:28

Faith is the ACT of nourishing the seed, not the seed. The act in which we have hope that everything will be okay in the end because of Christ and the atonement he performed for us. If it is not okay, it is not the end; of that I am thoroughly convinced.
My soil must be tilled and my daily habits nourishing if I'm to have true faith, and most of all, I must not cast it out by my unbelief, which has been all too apparent in the past few days. Chucking it out, then running frantically after it, plainting it again, having a lack of faith fit and casting it away again because of my fears. Thank goodness for clear distinct reminders that it's not for me to decide what seeds grow and what seeds do not. The Holy Ghost does a fine job about that without any of us trying to mess it up. We have been given so many tools to be wise and logical in our decisions. Why not test it out?

I have another interesting sidenote about the softness of our hearts. Jacob 6:5-6 is a reminder to not harden our hearts. The relationship between hard soil and soft soil really struck me. In order for a plant to grow in soil it must be tilled and fertalized before the seed will grow. Our hearts will sometimes be tilled and sometimes it will hurt. But that is the way the quenching living waters of the atonment will truly be able to help that seed thrive. We will be filled with the Love of God. As a result we will change. Charity will fill our hearts for others and we will continue to change to be come like him. When he comes again, we will see Him as He is because we will be like Him. (moroni 7:48)

How glorious it is to be learning again! Learning things that I love, being around people that care, playing music that is beautiful and loving the gospel more than ever. At the same time, I don't believe I've ever been so frustrated and been so uncomfortable in my entire life. Refining is probably uncomfortable for all precious creations though. "No comfort in a growing zone and no growing in a comfort zone!"

None of God's work ever gets done without prayer. Literally. If there is no other lesson I could've learned today, it was that one. Not one thing in the scriptures came about just because. It was always either the prayer of a family member or friend or oneself that ever got anything righteous accomplished. If anyone can think of an instance otherwise, I would like to ponder on it so let me know. It was a reminder today that we sometimes worry too much about the past or the future and forget to focus that it's what is happening in the present that really matters. That if we are doing the right things now, the future will take care of itself, so really? There is no need to worry or fear failure or pain. In fact, we should even expect to succeed because Heavenly Father expects it for us also. He wouldn't have sacrificed His only son if he hadn't.

I've been extremely grateful lately for the friends that have come into my life recently. There are a few in particular that have truly helped me to find my way in the world but not of the world. I'm convinced daily that the relationships we have are certianly no coincidence. I'm convinced, even, that there are no such things are coincidences at all.

There are certainly good things to come!