Employed.

I have to admit I'm feeling pretty great about the direction of my life.
This has been a very difficult year.
Had to conquer some trials I never even thought would be an issue.
In a way, this has been the most difficult year of my life.
I'm only 18, so I guess that might not actually be saying too much.
.
Well, three weeks ago, I moved to New Zealand.
For some reason, I was under the impression that finding a job would be easy.
It wasn't.
For some reason, I didn't turn to Christ in my time of need.
Until, I was desperate!
.
There are some people out there, who are always righteous.
They make good choices.
They are lead by the Lord.
.
I make my own choices.
But when my decisions end up being really stupid,
I THEN turn to the Lord.
^ That is really ridiculous.
Not a smart way to live.
.
After a lot of humbling experiences, I turned to the Gospel.
I was able to feel peace.
I feel peace when I'm closest to my Savior.
To feel close to the Savior,
I've had to drop old habits, & gain news ones.
I've had to repent, & I've had to have a change of heart.
.
A change I've had, is scripture study.
Since I could remember, I have always been told to do scripture study.
Well Chaps, I am now doing scripture study, with the intent to gain something out of it.
I love the Book of Mormon.
It's my favourite book.
.
Another addition to the changing I've done, is praying with a sincere heart.
Over the years, I've memorised three prayers.
Meal prayers, church prayers, personal prayers.
But now, I think before I pray.
I think about the blessings in my life.
I think about the things I need to work on.
I think about others.
With these three things, I've noticed my prayers are always different.
Hallelujah! They are no longer recycled prayers.
.
With these changes, I've been able to see the blessings.
Blessings in all aspects of life.

I've also gained the blessing, of recognising blessings.
.
I am now closer to my Father In Heaven than I have ever been.
I can feel the difference that these simple two things have brought into my life.
.

Let me testify to you, that when you are closest to your Heavenly Father, he will bless you.

beachin.

it's actually winter here.

but you see that green stuff? well those are plants & grass.
they are not dead.
they are really green.
see the sky?
it's not cloudy. 

i like this winter...

so any who, my koro & I had some time to kill.
we decided to go on a drive.
we pulled out of the drive way, & my koro turned off the car.
"moko, it's time for you to drive"
i got in the drivers seat, & we were on our way. 

have in mind that in new zealand, they drive on the opposite side of the united states.

it was all good... 

except for turning.
i kept on turning on my windshield wipers instead of my blinker!
Nat Fails.
so we're driving through the country roads, & koro looks at me & says,
"so if you could change one thing about your driving, what would it be?"
i bust out laughing & say,
"well i didn't think i needed to change anything... but i guess you think i do!"
koro giggles & replies with,
"well... i've just noticed that you tend to cross your arms a lot... & that you... (he actually continued for a little bit, but i kinda zoned out.)"
when he finished his little shpill about how i suck at driving, i politely said,
"alright Koro, i'll work on those. thanks for letting me know."


i really love my Koro. he's probably the funniest person i've ever met.
& that's saying a lot.
(koro=grandfather)

Make your teenage years a triumph, not a tragedy. 

Junior High, & High School is a really peculiar time in life. Your body goes through this weird thing called puberty. You start thinking in a different cycle, your body starts changing in awkward ways, & basically your life is turned upside down. Physically, you are becoming mature. But my darlings, that does not mean that your mind is in a mature spot. 

One of the most annoying topics I was taught (constantly) was on dating. Everyone knew you weren't suppose to date until you turned sixteen. When you turn sixteen, you need to start dating in groups. Not one on one, or else that will cause you to get too close to the opposite sex. If you become too close to them, that means you are boyfriend and girlfriend. You shouldn't have a girlfriend or a boyfriend until you are in college. 

Yeah, I'm pretty sure that was the lesson we received. All the time.

Blah-blah-blah. 

Now there's this word. I'm sure you've heard it before. It still makes me feel uncomfortable.  Intimacy. There are different levels of this. I promise though, the moment you are intimate, you begin to realize you like it. Then the levels escalate. 

Starts off as texting, then hanging out, then hugging, then cuddling, then walking around holding hands, then BANG you're kissing. He's a really great kisser. So you kiss more then once.
Darling, you've progressed.
These days, a typical relationship will progress to kissing within a two week period. Now I'm not saying everyone will. But, I want to raise awareness that statistics are against you. 

Within two weeks, a couple would have gone through six stages of intimacy. A typical relationship in high school, lasts three months. In three months, you're getting about 90 days. (Give or take.) It took fourteen days to become kiss, & now you have on average another 76 days to not progress physically. 

At 13, 14, 15,16 your body is just maturing. You start getting something called hormones. They make you think of people differently. In your teenage years, your hormones are at their peak. 

To find someone who is strong enough to withstand temptation, brave enough to wear the armor of god, and humble enough to be worthy of the blessings of the gospel.
That is who you want.
One day, you'll find that person. You'll fall so in love, that you will want to get married.
But, will you be worthy to be married to in the temple of the lord, for time and all eternity? 

Now is the time to prepare to meet your Prince. It is not the time to kiss every frog, in hopes of finding a Prince. 

i'm from pleasant grove.

I am the worst person to watch a movie with. It is a rare occasion, for me to stay awake through the whole movie.

The worst part about falling asleep in a movie though, is how extreme your imagaination gets. Have you ever had those dreams where you're yelling, but you don't even make a sound?... You haven't? Yeah, me either... Any way... I fall asleep during movies a lot...

Last Sunday was no exception. Ez & I turned on Real Steel for the second time in 12 hours. I was asleep within the first five minutes.

Ez: What’s that city you’re from?
…. Nat ?

Nat: Ahh ahhh  (I was half asleep & for some reason, thought I couldn’t speak…)

Ez: Hahahaha

Nat: Ahhh uhmm it’s called Salt Lake City. Right? No that’s not it… Ahh uhmm.. I’m from… I’M FROM PLEASANT GROVE! (Yes, I did yell that last part.)

Ez: Hahaha go back to sleep.

He's full of good ideas.

Mosiah 5:15
“Therefore, I would that ye should be steadfast and immovable. Always abounding in good works, that Christ, the Lord God Omnipotent, may seal you his, that you may be brought to heaven, that ye may have everlasting salvation and eternal life, through the wisdom, and power, and justice, and mercy of him who created all things, in heaven and in earth, who is God above all, Amen. "

I’ve read this scripture so many times tonight.
As I’ve thought about this passage, I’ve considered a few things.

·         What in my life, makes me move away from the gospel

·         Do I serve others, the way Christ wants me to

·         When I meet Heavenly Father, will he know I’ve done my best

·         Am I an example of Christ

I don’t know exactly what I want to do with this life I have… But I do know, I really want to be an everyday missionary. I want others to see the light of Christ in me. I want to be an example for those around me. I want to be that girl who was strong enough.
Today, I train to be strong enough.

Up To Speed.

2012 has been a huge year for me.
1) Decided I was moving to New Zealand.

2) Found out my ex boyfriend was called to New Zealand (he was called, literally, the next day.)

3) Became a citizen of New Zealand

4) Bought a one-way ticket to New Zealand

5) Said Good Bye to High School

6) Fell in love with an old best friend

7) Fled the country of my birth.

Which leads us to now.
Now, I live in New Zealand.