July Reminiscence

Me- Taken by Mallory

 Its interesting how quickly life can change, how quickly feelings, perspectives, attitudes can change; how one week you can be so full of happiness even in the toughest of circumstances, yet the next feeling unhappy and unfulfilled during vacation, a time you should feel at peace and rested. The one week I was home in July, between vacations and camps, I was actually the happiest.

 
 Those 7 days consisted of:

At the Lake with Spencer, Mckaylee, Sadie, and Diana

Exercising consistently with my volleyball team
Working
Hanging out with genuinely true friends
Bike Rides
Photography Session
Consistent scripture study
Attendance of Church, Mutual
Deep conversations with different family members
Wholesome fun, surrounded by good influences

Mallory- Taken by Me

 

 The other 3 weeks, spent in Oceanside, Carlsbad, and SDSU in California, went more like this:
Inconsistent scripture study, Church attendance
Being Lazy, lounging around, little exercise
Irritability
Tired, feeling sick
Being immodest, overly confident
Hanging around not so good influences, which led to me dropping standards a bit

I mean, those 3 weeks in Cali were fun, and yearbook camp was truly productive. There were some moments that were genuinely good; appreciating the beauty of the Earth, attending different Churches yet receiving the same confirmation of my testimony each time, conversation with a friend who is younger, yet so much stronger in her testimony and standards of the Gospel than I am, etc.

Yrbk Tech, with Kiana, Cj, Maddi, Mackenzie, and Tatum

Cali with Diana!

Yet throughout this time, there was a sense of uneasiness. The one week I spent in Gilbert I felt so peaceful, so content with life. Looking back, I realize why, and its easy to tell, just by looking at how I spent my time.

Summer is coming to a close, which reminds me this post should be as well. As I sit here on the hotel bed, 11:30 at night, waking up in 8 hours, still need to pack, I find inspiration and comfort in my writing. Its nice to express my feelings, letting them out, not necessarily for anyone to see, but to confirm everything to myself. I'll be back home tomorrow. I made some really dumb decisions, but I also made some really good ones. I know I made some mistakes this summer, but I've learned from them. On reflection, I've grown a lot, and gained a lot of experiences that I know add to the person I am becoming. Life is unpredictable, and all I can do is prepare for the worst but hope for the best. Nothing will happen exactly like I plan it to, so I need to keep my mind open to accepting the cards God has dealt to me. Events I used to see as disappointments in life are now the openings of new doors to different paths I can explore. Ups and downs are just part of the plan of happiness. It's hard to remember sometimes, but at the end of the week, I can sit down and write this, and I think that will do just fine.

Quote of the Week: 

"I have always found that mercy bears richer fruits than strict justice."- Abraham Lincoln

JustLetLoveIn <3

Small and Simple Things

So this summer has been really interesting. At the beginning, I was scared, because I opened a new chapter of life, alone. I had so many different things going on and changes that I was not prepared for. However, as summer is coming to a close, I realize that I wouldn't take back any of my decisions for anything. How things turned out for me, were exactly how they were supposed to. I can honestly say that even through the emotional roller coaster I face on a weekly basis, I have found an inner peace, a sense of serenity and happiness that I have never had before. It wasn't from a specific moment or day, but the past few weeks, as I reflect back, have been filled with small experiences that I have come to cherish.

• Catching up with old friends, relighting that connection from long ago
• Bike rides, even in the disgusting AZ weather. Oddly therapeutic!
• Getting ready for college applications, figuring out a plan, and realizing just how quickly I'll be on my own, all grown up
• Seeing a mother and daughter reunite for the first time in years at the airport
• Feeling homesick for the first time in a long time
• Meaningful conversation with my parents
• Seeing my little brother growing up and becoming someone a little too similiar to myself
• Re-reading my favorite old books

Well I will keep adding as the experiences keep coming... loving life! <3

JustLetLoveIn <3