Appreciation for things I used to not appreciate

When I was 8 I got 6 journals for birthday presents (plus I already had one)- because apparently the age of 8 is just perfect for journal writing. I'm not one to get a gift and not use it. So you know what my 8-year-old self did? Made each one into a journal for each separate day. Sunday's journal had a butterfly on it, Monday's had smiley faces, Wednesday was a fuzzy Winnie the Pooh one. I remember this because one day I went back to try and see what my 8 year old self deemed worthy to write in a journal and found that I could not- for the life of me- follow the story line through the 7 different journals. Since then I'd like to think I've gotten a bit better- I still have my life story separated in between letters to missionaries, my blog, my old paperback journal, and my journal on my computer. Four's better than seven? I think it's improvement. The point of the matter is that forever ago when mom used to have to remind me to write in my journal daily I definitely did not see the point in it all. The other day I got a bit bored and started reading over my computer journal from last winter semester and a bit of the summer and it was definitely inspiring. Just looking back and seeing that the questions that I had that I most wanted answers to- I got answers to them, the things I was struggling with changed me so much for the better, and the things I worried about didn't end up mattering in the long run. It really is incredible. In one of my entries I went off for like a whole page about how stressed I was with my major- should I really keep Horticulture or would I ever find something that I really loved.  I had always felt like I was a bit inspired when I chose it but on that particular day I seemed to be doubting everything. Let me tell you- this past week when I was in Hawaii and was constantly educating everyone who would listen about nerdy things like that tomatoes are infact classified as a berry, and making them memorize different plants (which also made me think oh! I'm turning into my mom!) I realized that I couldn't see myself doing anything else. Which just goes to show- God knows us pretty well- when he tells us to do something, he knows what he's talking about, even if we don't catch on for a while. Sometimes I feel like he reminds us of these moments when he has made everything turn out alright as if to say "I know what I'm doing- you should trust me by now."
One of my favorite quotes about this is Richard G. Scott in his talk "Finding Happiness"

"Although it may not be a welcome insight, you will grow more rapidly through challenge and trial than from a life of ease and serenity with no disturbing elements. The intent of your Father in Heaven is to lift you from where you are to where he knows you will have eternal purpose and unspeakable happiness. By using the talents, abilities, and latent capacities developed in the premortal existence, he will lead you through growth experiences here on earth. When faced squarely and lived fully without complaint, they will raise you to glorious heights of accomplishment and service. To do all of that during the brief period you are on earth is a tremendous challenge. To accelerate your growth and attainment in his plan for you, sometimes he employs a pattern described on the label of some medicines: "shake well before using."

And Neal A. Mawell in "But for a Small Moment"

"The future "you" is before him now. He knows what it is he wishes to bring to pass in your life. He knows the kind of remodeling in your life and in mine that he wishes to achieve. "

The other thing I never thought I would find myself saying that I appreciated was Geneology/Family History. You know...that thing that 'only old people do'. Well today after being encouraged to get involved with it in church, and after I had talked to my roommate about it- I was introduced to the Family Search. She had been saying that since our ancestors are the ones that help us out in this life, and she's preparing to go on a mission and she could use all the help she can get, she thought it would be a good idea to find them and do their temple work for them. And then she taught me how. And no joke- I was on there for 4 hours straight and only stopped because my eyes were hurting. It is SO COOL! Plus I was able to trace myself all the way back to Adam and Eve!

I also thought it was funny that there's a space to fill in Seth's wive's parent's...because you know...:)

 Anyways. That was my Sunday- reading old journal entries and doing family history. Oh the craziness of my college life...right?