Testimony Tuesday-Miss you Aunt Donna!

Today I am very grateful for my knowledge of the Plan of Salvation.  It is such a great comfort to know that when our loved ones pass on, they are not truly gone.  I got word last night that my dad's dad's sister, Donna, passed away.  She has been sick for a while now, and we knew it was coming.  It doesn't make the passing any easier.  I take comfort in knowing that she is in the Spirit World now, and with those of our loved ones who have already finished their work here on the earth.

My favorite memory of Aunt Donna happened a few years back.  We were doing our annual Montpelier Memorial day trip, and I remember sitting at the cemetery and visiting with Aunt Donna.  She told me wonderful stories about my grandpa, and how much she loved and respected him.  With Aunt Donna, you always knew that you were loved.  She had this presence about her that made you feel like you were special, and that she cared about you.  She always remembered my name and took the time to talk to me, even when I was a little kid.  Her love will always be a treasure to me of my heritage, and she represented the Eschler/Kunz line well.

Miss you Aunt Donna!  Give Grandpa and Grandma a great big hug from me!

Aunt Donna and Traupa at his 90th (?) birthday

"As a special witness of Jesus Christ, I testify that He lives! I also testify that the veil of death is very thin. I know by experiences too sacred to relate that those who have gone before are not strangers to leaders of this Church. To us and to you, our loved ones may be just as close as the next room—separated only by the doors of death.

With that assurance, brothers and sisters, love life! Cherish each moment as a blessing from God. (See Mosiah 2:21.) Live it well—even to your loftiest potential. Then the anticipation of death shall not hold you hostage. With the help of the Lord, your deeds and desires will qualify you to receive everlasting joy, glory, immortality, and eternal lives."

                   -Elder Russell M. Nelson, Quorum of the 12 Apostles (https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1992/04/doors-of-death?lang=eng)

Fear Not, I am with thee

So, I'm trying to be better about writing a blog, and so I've decided to maybe try out some different themes on different days, just to see how it goes.  I know everyone does #throwbackthursdays, but I was never really a fan.  So, I'm going to try to do a #ThankfulThursday post.

To start out, on my mission one of my favorite hymns quickly became How Firm a Foundation.  I don't know what page number it is in English, but I'm sure every Malagasy/Madagascar missionary knows that it is number 12 in the Malagasy hymnbook.  Among member, this hymn was known as the hirampirenena, or the national hymn, because it is the one song that everyone seemed to know without needing a hymnbook.  My favorite line quickly became the beginning of the third verse, "Fear not, I am with thee; oh, be not dismayed, for I am thy God and will still give thee aid."  Boom.  There it is.  A fact as honest and true as could only come from the Creator and the Father.  I had several incredible experiences this week that strengthened my testimony of that fact.

This whole week I have been having the hardest time making decisions, and coming to terms with the way my life is going, and it being different than I expected.  I received some great counsel from an incredible friend.  She advised to me "Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings."  I often pray for help, but rarely do I "counsel," and especially not in "all [my] doings."  Another friend posted on facebook, "coincidentally" around the same time the difference between praying like we are placing a grocery list, and meditating.  So, Wednesday morning I got down on my knees, feeling like I had come to the end of my rope.  I prayed and really tried to counsel with the Lord, pouring my heart out, and asking specific questions.  My answer, like it normally does, didn't come during that time.  But that time of meditation and prayer helped me to realize that He is with me.  And I shouldn't fear.

When I walked into the kitchen, I noticed that I had a letter from a great friend.  She and I recently decided that we should be penpals, and this was her first letter to me.  In it, she expressed extreme gratitude to me for a priesthood blessing I gave her almost two years ago.  I am extremely grateful for this letter, because it changed my week, and maybe even my life.  She reminded me of the power of the priesthood, and of the amazing opportunity I have to be an instrument in the hands of the Lord.  I had no idea that the blessing meant so much to her, nor did she know her letter meant so much to me.  But I am grateful that the Lord uses us to mutually bless one another's lives and answer prayers.

I am also grateful for answers to prayer, and the diversity of ways that answers can come.  Part of this #ThankfulThursday post has to go out to my mom and dad.  They have been such staples of diligence and hard work in my life, and they always give me invaluable advice.  One of the greatest blessings they have given me is an ability to work hard.  Another is the ability to reason through life's choices and make a decision that is reasonable and in line with the Lord's will.

So, to summarize my gratitude, I am thankful for the Lord.  For his mindfulness.  For friends who follow promptings and help me.  For prayer.  For inspired leaders.  For answers.  For parents.  For family.

Whataburger, Whatameal, Whatanadventure

Hello!
I have been SO terribly bad at posting and keeping updates.  Hopefully I'll get better!

Just a few fun things....

School has started!  Yikes!  I can't believe that this day has come!  (A week and a half ago).  I didn't really know what to expect from graduate school, but I am so glad that I went to Weber.  As of right now, I feel extremely prepared for what has been coming my way.  My classes are great, and the professors expect us to think analytically.  I feel like that is what I have been doing for the past few years, and it is nice that many of my classes are more in-depth reviews than what I did in my undergrad.  Saying things like that makes me realize that I am in a whole new world.  My undergrad.  It's over.

I won't lie, I miss Weber like crazy.  I grew so much there and put so much of my heart and soul into that place.  I made some of the best friends I have ever had or knew were possible.  And making new friends is HARD!  But, it is worth it.  At institute last night we talked about the importance of patience.  Well, I guess I'll have to work on that a little more.

I went to Whataburger today for the first time.  Apparently it is a big deal down here!  Hahaha.  It was kind of like a mix between McDonald's and In-n-out.  Not as fancy as In-n-out, but not as grunge as Mickey D's.  Hahaha.  It was good though, and I'll probably be back.

Other things are starting to get better.  My roommates are great, my ward is good and I'm starting to make friends.  All in all, I can see myself being very happy here!