A place for some reflection

In the last two weeks I have learned more about myself than I have in the last two years, give or take. I am very grateful for the friends that I have who have helped me in my endeavor to understand myself better. However, they probably have no idea that they have done so.

When I took this job, I was so heartbroken that I was leaving Utah. I was heartbroken because that is where my life had been for the past 3 years, and that's where the majority of my friends were/are. I had become a different person while living there, and I liked who I was becoming. I was surrounded by great people who were incredible influences, had Church headquarters 45 minutes away, LDS resources at my fingertips and the landscape (in my mind,) was beautiful.

Yet, when I was offered this job, I felt compelled to take it. I wasn't sure why, seeing as though I absolutely did NOT want to leave Utah for the above mentioned reasons (and then some.) However, I think I have finally figured out at least a fraction of why I had to come. I am grateful for this opportunity!

Yesterday I was able to spend some time with a friend in Virginia. We went for a drive further south (in Virginia) than I had yet been. I can't fully explain the way I felt when I saw the mountains. It was the first time I had not felt homesick since I moved here. After the drive, we had a long talk about various topics and one of them was the Gospel and different aspects of it. In reality, it was me asking questions and him answering them. It was so nice to be around someone who held the Priesthood and I could talk to about Church (etc) things.

The day before, I got to spend the day with my friend Brock. Brock and I had been in the same ward in Provo and he had come out for the weekend to be in a friend's wedding. We drove all around Maryland, seeing different places he had grown up and talking with people he used to live near, etc. Later, we drove to Alexandria, VA and had dinner at Al's Steak House (we even got to meet Al!) and then went down to the waterfront in old town Alexandria. It was so nice to have yet another friend from home around, even if just for the day.

I guess through all of this I have realized that no matter where you go, your real friends will still be your real friends. It may not be as convenient to see each other, but distance doesn't mean the friendship ends. It just makes it that much sweeter, when you do reconnect with old friends. How does that old saying go?... Far in distance, but close in heart?

I realized that, even though I still miss Utah and the friends I have there, living away from it has helped me to grow and learn so much about myself. What a blessing!

I am starting to understand more fully that the Lord's plan for me isn't SECOND BEST.