So... It's December 1st.

I would like to publicly thank my forever friend, Ashley "Helga" Palmer, for the shout out to blog every day in December. What a fun challenge!

With it being the first day of December, and my favorite time of the year (just ask Michael, he could have sworn Christmas started on October 1st with how many Christmas activities we've been doing lately!) this is the only thing I have to say today:

In Noteworthy we've been polishing up all our Christmas music. It just brings a whole new spirit to the group! I'm so thankful for all this music that can help brighten my mood.

So, pop in your favorite Christmas Album (on me), sit back in the Christmas tree's splendor and sip some hot cocoa! It's that time of year!

I hope the beginning of your Christmas season is as magical as ever!

I'm really not TRYING to be foggy.

This is my attempt at saying things how they are...which is something I'm really quite terrible at. I'm also pretty terrible at writing well, so bullet points will have to do.

• I'm on a real "Spiritual high" right now. I'm reading my scriptures, praying, and most important of all: PONDERING! I'm discussing things with Heavenly Father that I've never really thought of discussing with Him and I can tell you here and now that he knows you and listens to you.
• I'm dating one of the most uplifting people I've ever met. Never have I ever dated someone that makes me feel good all around (spiritually, mentally, physically and emotionally) like he does. In past relationships I've been really blind to what should be most important, and now that I'm seeing the light, I'm glad to have him so close to me in the right ways!
• School is relatively monotonous. I love my ASL class, HATE my American Heritage class, skip my Honors 212 class a lot and have a crush on my D&C teacher.
• I still love my job. When I haven't seen people for a while the first thing they usually ask is "Are you STILL working at the museum?" I always reply with a hearty "Yes! It's the best job in the world," because it is. I love working with adults that I can learn so much from. I look up to them a lot.
• I love my roommates. I can't number the times I've teared up when I think of them. These girls are my closest friends and I can't imagine going through this crazy college life without their funny mumbled remarks, dance parties, and late night couch crashing. I think these "glory years" that everyone says we're experiencing really will be times I will NEVER forget.
• I'm looking forward to the choices I get to make in the next year. At the beginning of this new school year I made an internal decision to serve a mission. I've always wanted to serve and the more I think about it, the more my heart and mind agree that it would be the best thing to do. While I understand that marriage, if it is the right thing, will take precedence, this is still my plan. Relying on the Lord with his name on a badge on my chest, trudging through the snow (or intense heat, or sleet or hail or tornado) sounds like the most exciting adventure to me right now. I want to be a missionary. I've felt the promptings I need to feel, and this is my decision for now.
• Now, how Michael (my "wrapped in a bow, delivered straight to my door, spiritual giant, sweetest thing" boyfriend) and my mission go together I don't know, but I'm trying to take this advice:

“Let us earnestly seek the light of personal inspiration. Let us plead with the Lord to endow our mind and soul with the spark of faith that will enable us to receive and recognize the divine ministering of the Holy Spirit.”

Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Your Potential, Your Privilege,” Liahona andEnsign, May 2011, 60.

I'm praying, and counselling and pondering and praying some more. I'll let you know what I find.

Sometimes...

Sometimes he plays the song he wrote for me on the guitar.