Thursday, August 11, 2011

for the romantically hopeless...

Here we are again, bracing for impact. Socially, financially, mentally, emotionally, physically and yes, maybe even romantically. How exciting to be moving toward a goal now.
I am now officially enrolled as a senior at the University of Utah. Marching Band camp began today and I am stoked to be part of a group again, working towards a common goal. To dominate the Pac 12! Many adventures to come I'm sure. I'm excited about the friendships that are being rebuilt and framework for the new ones being built. It'll be an adventure to see where this next year will take me. There has been all sorts of change happening in my life. Two of my dear friends got married today and I was able to witness the sealing in the temple. The reception was great. But what I loved most was seeing how marriage is suppose to be like. Best friends, pure joy, eternally, surrounded by family and dear friends and maybe friends not as dear but still just as welcome.

Sometimes I Ache for that. Too much, quite possibly. Mostly because apparently, I'm not entirely certain the rules of "the game" yet. I've been the same story many times, so many in fact that I could probably predict how the next one will end too. So why read it again?
Then I remember, on days like today, that it'll be worth it in the end. That it's okay to be hurt a little because it just means you'll eventually tenfold more joy. I'm excited for that part.

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

For those precious 30 seconds and 10,000 miles...

I am trying to understand why I always feel pressed for time. Even when I have no where important to be or no one really to see. It gives new depth to the phrase "getting no where fast" and in the process I miss a lot of oppirtunities.
And yet how fast time flies! Seven months and ten days ago I came home from the most influential year and a half of my temporal and eternal life. where have I been since then?
Over 10.000 little miles on my little green car named George (morianhi-moriancumer for short): back to Phoenix, a hundred times to midway, a thousand times north and south on the freeway, probably the roughest 10,000 miles I've ever traveled. And how grateful I am for every one of them.
I've learned that taking risks is worth it.
That we truly come to understand our relationship with God in our extremeties.
That I really CAN learn to play the guitar, though I have miles yet to go with that one.
That my family means everything to me, both present and future.
That it is okay to be me, even when me is awkward, as long as me is happy and can help others be happy.
That Heavenly Father pulls through EVERY time. (funny how often we get to learn that one)
That 30 seconds can be the difference between apathy and an acute awareness of the fragility of life.
That I am quite possibly blessed with the greatest and most loyal friends this side of the universe.
That we may not fully comprehend our influence for a long while yet, but we all certainly have an influence.
That 30 seconds well used is 30 seconds not misused and abused.
That I can find strength in pain, and I can change my ways (mumford and sons reference? absolutely!)
That crazy things can happen in my imagination.
That bumpy roads certianly emphasis both strengths and weaknesses and make it very clear where our blessings come from.

In the past seven months I have had three jobs.
Wedding Reception Center
Home Depot
A Nanny
Seeing the connection? I've learned so much! There are things to learn yet...

School starts soon and I can hardly wait. Though how I will pay, I have yet to know. But what a great way to move on to the next phase of life.

Confession? I have no secrets, just a lot of an unspoken thoughts. I am an open book, however. Sometimes I just want to walk up, take him by the shoulders, and sternly say, "Could you please stop being so attractive?" and then walk away. Maybe I should just not be around when he is being so. That would probably be helpful.

Whatever discouragment tried to sneek in today was smashed today by this scripture.
Proverbs 3: 1-5. BAM! Smithereens! One that I've heard a thousand times and yet still, it answered my specific concerns today. LITERALLY blown open by the wind...well the wind helped at least.

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

for spring break fever...

So I've learned some more things about myself being a nanny...

* How to make butterflies out of colored paper and colored popsicle sticks
* I know how to say no
* I actually ENJOY cooking, but do NOT enjoy following recipes
* "Up" never gets old ("squirrel!")
* Sometimes, sitting down isn't an option. Once you try, you will inevitably be up again in about 30 seconds
* I'm really bad at checkers
* I have an obsession with clean counters and sinks
* It's amazing how fast maternal instincts kick in when someone is sick
* There is nothing more rewarding than helping children grow and learn...I can understand why Heavenly Father's joy is seeing us progress.
* Take advantage of EVERY teaching oppirtunity


Just a few again...I really love my job. Days like today I wonder how I'll ever possibly be able to do this "mom" thing 24/7, but I adore my two girls. Samantha has been so sick and all she's wanted to do is sleep, cuddle and watch movies. Sarah and I have been playing battleship and I found out I'm just about as good at battleship as I am at checkers. Good times.

'Tis the season for marriage I suppose. I was able to see one of my best friends be married for time and eternity in the temple this past thursday. That was probably a life changing moment, and not just for her. I know that's where joy comes. Eternal families. And to be honest with you, I don't know if I knew that before. I believed it. I knew others knew it. I have felt it. But this was different. Three more of my friends are being married on saturday and several others are engaged or soon to be engaged.

And then there is me... I'm doing something wrong. There is this guy, but wow do I dread getting my hopes up ever again, which might put a damper on things. I don't know about this whole dating thing... Arranged marriage is looking more and more like a great idea.

I'm heading to Phoenix with Samantha Williams (I still have troubles calling her just Samantha) and JessiKa! I'm fairly certain only Samantha williams understands the excitment of seeing New River again and setting up dinner appointments and meetings just like old times! Only four more days!!! Look out AZ!

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

For the Caretakers...

These things I have learned...

1- Counters first, floor last
2- I could never leave my children at home while I go work unless absolutely necessary
3- Child's imagination = Innocent
4- Rain tastes like lemonade
5- A Song can be made out of any adventure
6- Always plan at least 20 minutes ahead and then maybe you'll be on time
7- Belle, Cinderalla, Ariel and Prince Eric all live in the ice castles of midway!
8- A kiss and a scooby-doo bandaid fix all hurts!
9- Swifer wetjet mops are a caretakers best friend
10- Consistency, consistency, consistency
11- Classical music is very calming, not just for me
12- There is nothing like dancing and twirling to Dean Martain after dinner with two of the cutest girls in the world

These are just a few...more will probably come!
I love my job. Even with the tantrums, messes and early mornings. Day after day I'm more sure that Heavenly Father guided me to where I needed to be. "Wherefore didst (I) doubt?" He always pulls through and continues to do so every hour of every day.

There seems to be a recurring theme the past week or so of my life. "No fear!" "Doubt not, Fear not" He has not given me the "Spirit of Fear, but of a sound mind"....
Developing the Faith every day!

Sunday, January 23, 2011

for the hopeful...

Cast not away therefore your confidence....

How perfectly wonderful it is to know how aware Heavenly Father is of us!

That's strange, I go to write like I've wanted to do for a few days and I don't have anything very significant to write about.
No job yet, but a few hopefuls! Keep Moving Forward...

What I do know is that I don't have to doubt. I've had several reminders that God has not ceased to be a God of miracles. Things may have not turned out the way they were suppose to, but that makes me all the more grateful for the Holy Ghost letting me know that there is a plan. I feel so hopeful after a sunday like today. The Sacrament meant so much to me and for the first time in a long time, I knew and understood the importance of the atonment in my life as a refiner, not just a coverer.

Thank goodness for great friends that do so much for me and family who does even more. I feel so blessed and grateful that I know that I can get through this transition time.

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

for the RM....

The returned missionary. To all the awkward, the spiritual, the confused, the unsure Returned Missionaries out there who found it harder to leave the mission than to leave your family. To those first few moments bawling in the airport, to the first few times sneaking a few peeks at the TV, still listening to EFY 1987-2010, still feeling guilty when you quote movie lines or notice someone looked particularly attractive today.....
To this. past midnight. facebooked much to much and still searching diligently for that full time job that you need to get in order to pay for school, so you can get an education so you can support the spouse you are suppose to find, so you can be married for time and all eternity so you can have those eight children you are suppose to have, so you can watch them all grow and go through the same process you went through....

Suitcases are unpacked...mostly...
Tears were shed...most of them anyway.
Memories have been revisited...over and over and over again.

It has been an interesting month (to the day). I don't think one thing worked out the way it was "suppose" to according to my list. But wow, if this is any indication, God must have something REALLY good in store for me in the future. I'm kind of really excited to find out where this upside down life is going to take me!

My mission meant the world to me. I learned how to love people. I thought I knew before, but really? I had no idea. More importantly, I learned how God loves people. I thought I knew that too.

I loved my mission.

Sunday, June 7, 2009

For the laundry...

Currently there are four piles of clothes on my floor ready to go into suitcases. The 2 suitcases I will be living out of for the next year and a half. Oy! It is actually quite refreshing to go through all my "stuff" and figure out what I will or won't need. My sisters came and raided my closet for things that I wasn't taking on my mission that i'm sure they'd appreciate and i feel so muchless cluttered now! It makes me think I shoulda done this a long time ago...and how much I need to stop putting so much emphasis on material things. It's also given me some fun laughs going through things in my shelves that I had forgotten about. Yearbooks for one. Old journals are another. Photos, tickets i've kept, other random things that have no use except for remembering thrown in five or six shoeboxes used for shoes I don't even wear anymore! Books shoved into every corner I can find, my collection has grown into a nice library. Letters, school assignments, dance pictures, binders...It has been so fun. It got me thinking all over again how wonderful my life has been. How many wonderful friends I have, who have made such a difference in my life. My family is remarkable. I love them all so much for their love, support and guidance I've been given. I have a nice roof over my head, kept nice by my father who works so hard, delicious meals to eat prepared by my talented mother, and a great community that I grew up in. (Plain City RULES!) I have been raised in the Truth and love of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and am about to embark on an 18 month service to share it with people who are ready to hear it, who need it in their lives to bring light and peace. I would not be prepared for this had it not been for my life up to this point. Though I still don't feel fully prepared, I know God will be with me.
2 Timothy 1:7 "God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." And he will Stand by me. I KNOW that. :)What a great thing to know. Out of all the things in the world, I think I would prefer to know that the most.
I couldn't have asked for a better month of fun before I left. Full of camping, hanging out with friends, traveling, going to the temple so much and going to the airshow, it has been great. I am going to miss everyone, but I'm sure It won't be too long before i get a letter/wedding invitation or two...or ten ;-) *hint nudge*
I went to green river this past week and almost stepped on a midget faded rattlesnake and floated down the colorado river. I went to the airshow yesterday and determined once again that before I die, I will fly a plane.
It's about time to switch the laundry, so I'm going to sign of with a final goodbye from myself on my blog. While I am away, Ember, my cousin whom I love, is going to take over my blog for me. I'm going to miss you very much, but know I'm doing something great! I urge you to write me every so often to tell me how your lives are playin out. I promise to write back. Pinkie promise in fact.
thank you again for everything!

BYE

*~Mel~*

MTC address (june 10-june 30)
Sister Melanie Pehrson
Arizona Phoenix Mission
Provo Missionary Training Center
2005 N 900 E
Provo, UT
84604

mission Office (June 30-Dec 2010)

Sister Melanie Pehrson
Arizona Phoenix Mission
18001 N. 79th Avenue Ste. C 50
Glendale, AZ
85308