My name means "luckiest person ever" in Egyptian.

"In all of living have much fun and laughter. Life is to be enjoyed, not just endured."

-Gordon B. Hinckley

I am so blessed.


There have been many awesome things in my life this week. 
Some highlights:

I have had multiple opportunities to spend time with wonderful people this week. I was able to have some goofy girl time and some crazy adventure time. I am grateful to be in Alaska. I love the people and am grateful for the opportunities here.

I should probably talk to ya'll about the dead moose parts I touched this week. Yup. I definitely did....and kind of liked it. Aside from the evil odor they were exuding it was awesome. I was reminded of the dissection portions of science classes. That was my favorite part, so I am excited to experience this more. I am grateful for the kind people of Alaska that have been letting me join in on their adventures and learn more about the dreamy Alaskan way of life. I love it. 

I had a big-fatty-massively-important prayer be answered this week. I know I am loved and that He believes in me because He prepared a way for me despite my imperfections.


Tuesday evening my mom told me that she had seen a 'help wanted' sign at the store in town. I hurriedly printed out a copy of my resume (which is probably unnecessary in Delta Junction, Alaska, but a formality I followed nonetheless,) and went to the store. I submitted an application and went home hoping to get an interview within the week. Ten minutes later I received a phone call. Ten minutes! No joke. I am the most blessed person I know. This phone call was Heaven-sent. The owner of the store told me that she had a full-time position available and would love to have me fill it. She told me that she would pay me 80% more than I had been previously making and that I would also receive tips. I was told I could wear whatever I wanted, could have Sundays off, and could start the next day if I wanted. YES! I definitely could oblige to that.

This is a great opportunity for me. While there are a few things I wouldn't mind changing about the job, I am so grateful to have it! Beggars can't be choosers, especially in a small town. I am making bank and am grateful to be able to save up enough money to get me through the school year without working. I have never done that and am excited to be able to spend even more time in my beloved econ lab. No, you are actually not sensing sarcasm in that statement. I love economics! I am hoping to return to those good grades I used to receive a scholarship for. I may even have the time to double major now. I have been wanting that for quite some time and may make that dream a reality. I have been working and going to school full-time ever since I was 15 years old and am grateful to get a little break soon. My life is wonderful. I am the luckiest person on the planet!

I have been thinking a lot about angels and miracles lately, and was so blessed to have those topics discussed in church today. While there are many doctrinal complexities I have yet to unravel, I am still grateful. I believe that gratitude is a key component to recognizing the miracles and angels in our lives. I believe that whatever we seek we shall find. If you believe the world is a horrible place then you will recognize all of its flaws before you see all the beauty it holds. I believe that there are angels among us that answer our prayers. I believe that if we follow God's plan we can be angels for other people. I am so grateful for the times that I have been able to help another soul and am so grateful for the incredible angels that work mighty miracles in my life. I believe that if we choose to, we can recognize miracles constantly in our lives. Nearly everything can be viewed as a miracle if we have gratitude in our hearts. 

I hope that we can all follow President Hinckley's counsel and try a little harder to be a little better.

I believe that this life is all about choices. I believe that we can choose what we want to be. I believe that happiness is a choice, and that gratitude is the quickest way to reach it.

These are just some random happy thoughts of today. 

Forgive me for my rambles. 

<3 Living the Dream,
-MK


REMEMBER: Faith precedes the miracle.

Should I Stay or Should I Go?

The biggest question on my mind right now is whether or not to return to Idaho this weekend. I am off-track and don't start my next semester until January. I have a refundable plane ticket and have been praying hard about this. We will see whether I get a definitive answer or get the opportunity to exercise my faith and agency.

I am the type of person that goes more by intuition than reason, so I have decided to do a little pro/con action to help me rationalize....

ALASKA: 

I feel like I may have not fulfilled my purpose here... 

Cons:   1. I don't know many people...yet.

            2.  Dark winter months.

            3. No jobs that can help boost my resume.

Pros:    1. I feel like there is still a lot I have yet to
                   explore and discover here.

            2. I love our branch and would love to get to 

                   know everyone even better.

            3. It's gorgeous with plenty of places for

                   outdoor adventures.

            4. Get to drive the F150 and see gorgeous
                   tucks constantly... <3

            5. I love my family and get to be with my 

                   dog.

            6. This place forces me to slow down, and we all know I need to get better at that.

            7. Job prospects at Fort Greeley or I can always substitute teach= a job guaranteed.

            8. I'd make much more money here, jobs pay far better. Also, no rent!

            9. My momma has a sewing machine... meaning fab crafting possibilities.

IDAHO: 

I feel like it might be time to take the jump...

Cons:   1. Job uncertainty.

            2. Living expenses.

            3. Certain drama I wouldn't mind avoiding...

Pros:    1. Living with Ry and Kim.

            2. My car and independence.

            3. Have interviews lined up for jobs that can 

                  help my resume.

            4. Get to be in warm weather again.

            5. Grandpa Jim <3

            6. Much closer to my extended family.

            7. Friends.

            8. Friends.

            9. Did I say friends yet? I love so many 

                  people in Idaho.

            10. My possessions are in ID waiting for me...meaning less storage unit rent$.

            11. Idaho is beautiful and there are many adventures to be had.

            12. Football season, need I say more?

Hmmmm.....

The Clash: Should I Stay or Should I Go

<3 Living the Dream,

-MK

Remember: "Let us relish life as we live it, find joy in the journey, and share our love with friends and family. One day each of us will run out of tomorrows." - Thomas S. Monson

Blooming Loves.

"Often we assume that the people around us must know how much we love them, but we should never assume, we should let them know. Never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved. Let us relish life as we live it, find joy in the journey, and share our love with friends and family. One day each of us will run out of tomorrows." -President Thomas S. Monson

"To the world you are someone,
but to someone you are the world."

My random ramble on FRIENDSHIP / FORGIVENESS:

I would simply like to express gratitude for all of the true friends that I have. I love you.

The world is a wonderful place, full of life, love, and beauty....but also ready at a moment's notice to tell us that we are inadequate. Because of this, I choose to have the greatest friends this world has to offer. You are always uplifting, supportive, and make me want to be better. I am so grateful to have you in my life.

I believe true friendship means wanting genuine happiness for someone despite anything.

We all know the saying.... "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me." I have been thinking a lot about this recently. I always hope people will change and want better for themselves, so forgiveness is something that I have never struggled with. What I struggle with is recognizing the difference between forgiving someone and opening yourself up to be hurt/used again. While I am trying to find the happy medium, I know that we are all better than that. No one deserves to be put down, used, or disrespected. The role of a friend should be to lift and encourage someone to do and be better. I hope I can be as good of a friend to you as you all are to me.

Thank you for all you do for me.

<3 Living the Dream,

-MK

Remember: Attempting to hook up with your best friend's now ex-boyfriend is frowned upon in most cultures. ;)