Higher Education

Recently I have been thinking a lot about education and how important it is for the future. You all know I'm not the smartest crayon in the box, sharpest knife in the bunch, coolest hen in the den (ok I made the last one up) but I have been trying harder everyday to learn something new and expand my mind. As an interpreter my memory is the most important thing besides my hands. I have so many words/phrases/dates etc in my mind and because language is always evolving, so must I.

*mounting soap box* - (Thanks for letting me borrow your phrase, Shanna)

I don't want to give a false impression that I am about to be exalted or that I think I'm all that and a bag of chips, I simply want to share some positive experiences I have had lately. My new focus is positivity and I feel so great about the efforts I have put forth towards that goal. I have seen success and it has been well worth the soul searching I have done in order to begin the journey.

I've decided that the way to increase my memory and expand my mind is through memorizing scriptures. I memorize one a week and I carry it with me throughout the day to accomplish this goal. I figured if missionaries can do it, so can I, right? I has truly helped! Memorizing anything is good for the mind, but I think that because it's Holy Writ that I have seen more improvement. Not only this, but it helps me try to lead a more Christ-centered life.

Yesterday I chose to receive a higher education by attending the temple. I love going with Travis but sometimes I forget that I can go alone and if I have time, I should take up the opportunity. I had the most wonderful experience. Without exploiting the temple or making my experience seem "grandiose," I would just like to say that I went with several questions and ALL of them were addressed. I have said and done several things I am not proud of, but I am in the process of making amends and patching up the areas that I have torn. I have a ton to work on and I am ever aware of what I need to do to improve.

Any time we do a deep analysis of ourselves and present our weaknesses to the Lord, it's going to hurt. No one likes having their faults be made known. It requires a lot of effort on our part to humble ourselves, although being compelled to be humble isn't much fun either. :) In the temple I learned that while I have a lot to work on, I don't have to beat myself up in the process. This life is about learning and although we'll make mistakes, we can always learn to not do it again. All I ask is that you all please be patient with me while I go through this process and in return, I'll do the same with you.

*Dismounting soap box now*