Faith: In the Words of Odysseus, and Monica.

Dear World: Let's talk.

So this week is going to be somewhat scary. It's the last couple weeks left of school for Spring term, meaning everything is due and tests are flooding in. Is it normal to have 3 tests in one week? ... For one class?!

Anyway, I've decided to take an approach to the next couple weeks as Odysseus did in the Odyssey:
"For in my day I have had many bitter and painful experiences in war and on the stormy seas. So let this new disaster come. It only makes one more." - Odysseus (Homer)


I'm not saying "bring it on"..... but I sort of am. In a sheepish "don't really, please" sort of way.

On a completely unrelated note, today I found out that my older sister Melissa is going to be having a baby boy! I cannot say how excited I am, because I was secretly hoping it would be a boy so we could wrestle.

On another unrelated note, my mom and little sister are now on a cruise to Alaska. .... the week before I was done with school? Yeah okay. I see how it is!

Anyway, I've also been studying a matter that has previously been a challenge: Having Faith. I guess this could relate back to the quote from the Odyssey (not that I'm saying Mythology is true and factual, but it is in fact very entertaining and tells quite a bit about early culture and proposed religion.) With Faith in Jesus Christ, I believe we can be more and greater than we ever could be on our own. It sort of finally clicked this week the purpose of living: to live in a way that would allow you to live with God again one day. Can I just say that that sounds really good? Amongst the turmoil of piling small things, it just sounds wonderful to live with Him again one day. I think if we could see exactly what was waiting, we would never do anything contrary to His will-- it's kind of nice to know somebody knows everything. It makes trusting God very worthwhile.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. If you don't believe in God, I highly suggest you look into it. It's the best.

Some say relying on Faith over logic is weak. I would like to combat (lovingly) such claims. I've found in my life that nothing is more powerful than "feelings." How do actions come about? Because of the feelings that preceded such actions. It's a common phrase that love makes you do crazy things that at times don't make sense. I would propose that sometimes that just means you have your priorities straight. I'm no hippie, but I do believe that there is a lot more going on in this world than we can see, and much of it is empowered by love and by hope. It's funny how Faith is based on those exact things. Love and hope leads to trust-- a trust that things will work out. In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints: love, hope and trust in God and Jesus Christ leads to happiness.

In the world, miracles can happen because of hope. It's just amazing what can come to pass with only a particle of faith.


"But behold, if ye will awake and arouse your faculties, even to an experiment upon my words, and exercise a particle of faith, yea, even if ye can no more than desire to believe, let this desire work in you, even until ye believe in a manner that ye can give place for a portion of my words."


There is a God, and I believe He lives.

Last week I got to visit two of my favorite people: the Merricks! I had a blast staying with them. We provoked the Aggies at the ice cream shop with BYU sweatshirts, ate "where the locals eat", and watched Sound of Music as well as Pride and Prejudice (I have been deprived of these "classics" before now-- which ALL of the Hammer family has made very clear. Thank you, Carl, for the teasing. One day I will see Star Wars, and read Narnia. I promise.)

Anyway, these people are amazing. She's a seamtress and he's a craftsman. I left their home with tips and souvenirs!

On the way home, I stopped in Brigham City and saw the new temple being constructed. What a beaut'! I noticed after taking this picture something funny. Notice the "One Way" sign pointing to the temple?

This temple I feel is like a simplified Salt Lake City temple. I think it's gorgeous. I can't describe how WHITE it was-- this photo doesn't give it credit!

Well world, it's be real. Let's hope (with faith!) that I will survive the next two weeks. Home is calling!
-Monica

PS:
My roommate Caroline set a potato on fire in the microwave just now. We are now airing out our apartment, and have put an official decree of "Fire Escape" plans written in marker on a sheet of paper on the door. It's official, there's gotta be some regulation codes being broken here. Melinda: "There's no fire extinguisher!! WE'D DIE!"