Beauty and the Beast

When I was young, Beauty and the Beast was my favourite story.

Belle was how I imagined a grown-up me to look. 

She was kind but she didn't fit in with those around her.

She wore blue which was my favourite colour.

And she loved to read and found solace in books, as I too did.

Belle seemed perfect to me.

And her prince?

The Beast was just the right person for her, I mean he gave her a whole library!

But Belle had to learn to love him.

And that.
That was a defining idea in my childhood, one that shaped me.

I, like Belle, could love anyone if put in the right circumstances.

 I was certain that Belle could even love Gaston if she tried. 

As I grew older I was aware of the people around me, and aware of the adult relationships in my life.

I watched how aunts and uncles, cousins and family friends acted in their relationships with their spouses and mentally took notes. 

I questioned everyone on their stories of how they ended up together.

I watched how they treated each other.

Then I would mentally gather all this data I had collected to find the "perfect story".

By comparing their story of how they fell in love with how they now treated each other I found that the best marriages started with friendship.

The couples that seemed the happiest were those where they had began as friends and eventually realized there was something more there. 

From there I took it upon myself to try and foster friendships with the boys I knew. 

Even if they were mostly dumb I was willing to look past that to try and develop these friendships.
Not that I was looking for love at such a young age, 

but I was investing time in learning how to be friends with boys, so that someday I would be friends with the right boy and we would fall in love.

That all sounds very calculated, but this is coming from the girl who found her heroes in Belle, Hermione and Matilda, so such actions are to be expected.

As I grew older, I realized that the boys were just getting dumber.

Not every boy, but at the time the majority seemed to be. 

So I gave up my pursuits for a while. 

And focused on me and my plans for a mission.

But as I become college-aged I took stock of my life one day and realized that my best friends were of the opposite gender.
Not that I didn't have plenty of girl friends, but just as prominent in my life were my male friends.

And I realized that my philosophies have changed in the past ten years.

I still believe that the best relationships spring forth out of friendship and the person I will marry someday should be the person I consider my best friend. 

I still believe that you can love anyone if given the opportunity.

And I still believe that Belle is one of the very best princesses.

But I have realized there is so much more to be gained from friendships with guys than simply an investment of time in deciding if I could love so and so, or becoming better at being friends with guys in preparation for the future.

My friendships with these young men have taught me so much.

I have been able to see first-hand what a worthy Melchizedek Priesthood holder looks like in a young adult.
I have seen,

Sensitivity

Compassion

Christlike Love

Service

Clean and Mature Humour

Charity 

Forgiveness

Scholarship

Integrity

Ambition

Priesthood

And love from these young men I have associated with.
Far from the immaturity I saw in the boys of my youth, I now see these young men as 

Sons of a Loving Heavenly Father,

 a title they have always had and deserve to be known as. 

And though I am not in love with any of them, there is a purpose in these friendships. 

These young men bring me closer to my Saviour through their examples. 

(That previous sentence sounded quite pretentious. I would just like to clarify that there are many reasons to be friends with guys besides simply trying to fall in love with them. I was just referring back to my thoughts concerning this matter as a 10 year old, when I felt that by 20 I would be so very old and would be leaving a doting boyfriend behind as I left on a mission.)

So to the young men reading this, I just want to say thank you.

And to the young women reading this, I would encourage you to step out of the sisterhood bubble and become friends with some of the amazing young men in your YSA, your class or your neighbourhood. 

You will be amazed at how great life is with guy friends by your side. 

As one with Allergies

Hi.

It is 3 am here and I am wide awake.

Have I been up partying all night?

Have I awaken early to get a head start on the day?

Nope.

I woke up because I needed another dose of allergy medication so I could continue to sleep.

And now here I am writing on my computer.

While I am home awaiting a mission call,

(for more info into what that is and what that means follow these links:)

http://sisteratwood.blogspot.ca/

https://www.mormon.org/missionaries

I am working at the local Dairy Queen.

It is nothing fancy but it is a job and I don't mind it.

But while I was working at the Drive-thru today someone riding a horse placed an order and came through the drive thru.

Now I live in a small town and such things are not uncommon.

And I get sometimes you just really need an ice cream cone when you are out for a ride.

But when I realized a horse was coming through the drive thru it sent me running to the other end of the store.

Why? 

Because I am allergic to horses. 

(Side note: I am allergic to all animal dander, not just horses, much to my chagrin as an animal lover)

Luckily I had allergy medication in my bag with me, but I still have spent the day with:

Red, swollen, watery, itchy eyes

Runny Nose

Itchy red skin

Sneezing 

Nasal Congestion

Which would have been 10X worse without medication, but the symptoms are still there. 

And I did not touch the horse at all.

I did not interact with it or its rider.

I was in a different area of the store when it came through.

Yet the dander in the air and the fact my coworker had interacted with the rider caused me to suffer from an allergic reaction all day.

Now this post is in no way trying to shame whoever rode their horse through drive thru.

It was simply an experience that prompted a blog post.

Because it isn't just horses.

If someone comes through drive thru with an animal in their vehicle

I will end up sick the rest of the day.

If they are holding their dog in one hand and their money in the other, 

after that money gets passed to me I have to go scrub down like I am going into surgery, 

in an attempt to prevent the inevitable allergic reaction. 

If a coworker has animal dander on their clothes I react.

Basically to live a life without allergic reactions I need to be medicated with antihistamines everyday.

(Me after work today, with makeup to cover up my face, still enjoying life)

Which got me to thinking and to realizing,

It doesn't matter where I work, I will always have this problem.

I could dedicate the time to finding a job where none of the employees have pets,

but who's to say that would be a job I would even like, 

or that customers wouldn't have pets I would react to?

Or maybe all pets could be banned.

After all they do that with peanut butter in schools these days.

(Just to clarify I get peanut allergies; I am one of the whatever percentage of people who went from epi-pen allergic to peanuts, to having grown out of that allergy, so please don't feel I am disrespecting or making light of a serious life-threatening allergy)

But pets bring joy into people's lives.

Seeing eye dogs.

Therapy dogs.

Companionship.

Animals are great and I love them too. 

Which makes dealing with my allergies more acceptable.

I sit here with swollen eyes,

A tissue box next to me,

To tell you that as the minority I accept my life.

I don't expect everyone else to change so I am more comfortable.

I don't expect everyone else to change so I can live without medication.

I don't expect everyone else to change so my quality of living can increase.

I understand I am the minority.

Does it suck sometimes?

Yes.

Have I missed field trips at school because of fear of allergy attacks?
Yes.

Have I missed youth activities because of allergies?
Yes.

Have I missed parties and outings with friends because of potential allergic reactions?
Yes.

But have I also continued having a good life in spite of allergies?
You better believe it.

There are a lot of issues going on right now in the world.

Where the minority is crying out for the same rights and quality of life as the majority.

And I get that.

But sometimes you've got to look at the big picture and realize;

Sometimes you just have to accept your life as it is.

And go to the zoo highly drugged on antihistamines. 

Continue babysitting for a family that has a dog because you love the kid so much.

(My employer's adorable dog chilling with me)

Pet the baby lamb that comes to your fifth grade class because it is too adorable not to.

Go over to friends houses who have pets even if you will regret it five minutes in.

Always hang out with friends at your house or at a third location because of the point made above.

Pet all the puppies in the pet store with your friends.

Get a dog that you adore only to have your immune system eventually break down to the point where you break out in hives as soon as you go into your backyard where your dog lives causing you to have to give her up. 

(This was my dog the day we gave her up)

Am I not sleeping right now because of allergies?

Yes.

But is that okay?

Ya it is.

All you animal lovers out there-

Keep doing you.

And know this swollen-eyed, rash covered weirdo petting your pet, with your permission of course,

Is jealous of your ability to own a pet.

Don't take it for granted.

And enjoy being in the majority on this one.

School Sick?

Have you ever been homesick for a place that isn't your home?

I need to preface this post by clarifying something.

I AM SO HAPPY.

I love being at home.

I absolutely adore being with my family right now. 

I miss them when I'm gone.

And it is so good coming home from work and seeing them every day.

I am so happy to be working right now.

Both of my jobs are a blessing.

Working at DQ is familar and comfortable.

I know what I'm doing and I'm good at it. 

And my other job. 

Honestly, God answers prayers.

I told Heavenly Father I needed another job to earn enough for my mission.

I needed to not be making minimum wage.

I needed something slower than Dairy Queen.

I wanted it to be somewhere where I could help people more.

And the perfect job ended up falling into my lap.

I work with a 4 year old boy as a respite worker.

And I love it.

I also feel this sense of complete peace at being home. 

I don't want to be at SVU right now.

I don't want to be taking classes.

And as much as I love being an RA and DSO.

And as much as I love all of my friends.

And the campus.

And the warm weather.

I know I need to be home right now and that is so good.

But I still miss SVU.

The past few days have been hard as I've watched people return to school.

So here is a list of what I miss:

I miss Squad.

Squad is my lifelong best friends.

Believe me when I say they've seen me at my worst.

But they've also seen me at my best. 

And though our numbers keep receding as semesters go on.

(Sad picture without me)

I know we will always be there for each other.

I miss the RA's.

I loved being a Resident Advisor.

These crazy people mean so much to me. 

And shoutout to Reva and Cody-the best HRA's ever.

I miss soccer.

I MISS MY TEAM.

I miss Coaching Staff.

I miss Coaching Staff adventures.

I miss Coach.

I miss Facetiming home.

Not that really being with them isn't better but I still miss it.

I miss all of the SVU Student Activities.

And Institute Activities.

And even the dances.

I miss Sheetz Runs with friends. 

Because Sheetz is more than a gas station.

It's a lifestyle.

I miss my friends.

And our RA chats that turned into life chats.

I miss my room.

I just miss SVU ok?

And I promise I'll come back ;)

But until then follow me on my new blog

sisteratwood.blogspot.com

Calling the Qualified

Trials rock.

Trials also suck.

Let's just accept and embrace this two-edged sword we have to deal with. 

That trials make us stronger, better, kinder and bring us closer to God. 

But trials also bring us closer to Hell, or straight through it in some instances, more than we ever wanted to be.

I have experienced my fair share of trials.

I know the majority of my readers have felt those trials as well.

But I was brought to an interesting thought the other day.

God doesn't choose the qualified.

God qualifies the chosen.

Now at first glance that seems like something that would be nicely stitched on a piece of embroidery

Or a positive Sunday School message to lift up the spirits of those who are struggling. 

But beyond that cursory look and first thought there is a depth that warrants being studied. 

God doesn't choose the qualified. 

If He doesn't choose them than what are they doing?

They are already busy at work.

What these people are being chosen for is His work,

It is certain tasks that He needs done, 

Certain hearts He needs comforted,

Certain burdens He needs lifted.

And those who are qualified are already doing what they can.

They have been prepared and they are acting.

God qualifies the chosen. 

We are His children. 

We are His servants.

We are part of the last days and we are here to prepare the world. 

He has chosen us.

If you didn't know that yet, congratulations!

Now you know. 

And the whole, more knowledge=more responsibility thing means that now that you know you have a place to fill. 

Sorry to do that to you...

Not.

Anyways, we are chosen. 

And there are a lot of us out there,

And a lot of help that needs to be given. 

So while I am no prophet, and my thoughts are just my thoughts this is how I envision the qualified/chosen thing. 

The chosen are given trials to qualify them. 

But they aren't left alone in these trials.

There is the person going through the trial, or people.

There is the Holy Ghost there to comfort and guide.

There is the Savior, who lifts burdens, comforts and forgives when such things are asked for.

And then there are your daily angels.

These angels aren't of the winged variety.

Or even of the spiritual world kind.

These angels are the qualified.

They are those who've already endured their refiner's fire, or part of it at least.

They have been tested and tried and are qualified to deal with certain situations.

And so they are there for those chosen who are currently being qualified.

And they strengthen them.
They support them.

They uplift and inspire them. 

And the chosen goes through their trial and becomes qualified.

And the cycle begins again as they help another become qualified.

It is this whole circle, 

The circle of life if you decide to call it that. 

One of the greatest examples of this to me is mothers. 

Check out this talk by Jeffrey R. Holland. 

But there are so many people I consider to be angels in my life.

People who's personal experiences allowed them to help me through my trials. 

And through making my way through those trials I have been able to help others.

So just remember. 

Love.

Grow from the trials you have to face.

Accept God's hand in your life.

And thank the angels who have gotten you to where you are now.

How to Survive the Hardest Semester Ever

An Instructional Guide by Emma Atwood

So...

You are facing your hardest semester ever.

You begin doing everything you know you should be doing.
You were accepted to be an RA, and feel like this is exactly where you should be right now.

You are still the DSO for the Women's Soccer Team and love it.

You were offered to be the DSO of the Men's Soccer Team and have accepted that position as well.

You know that there is a lot ahead of you this semester so you take only 12 credits. 

Everything feels perfect.

July 30th you realize you have to be at the airport TONIGHT, not tomorrow night.

You hurriedly finish packing and hug your family goodbye as you leave for the airport.

Maybe this is the moment that threw off your entire semester?
Eh... 

Not sure about that yet.

However, with minimal delays you arrive back at school and all is well.

You fall asleep at 6 am that first day back, and wake up at 11 am.

Not the best start but it will have to do since you couldn't fall asleep all night.

The first weeks are filled with RA training and new adventures.

Soccer begins and looks promising.

Students start arriving and, slightly overwhelmed you work to get them all moved in. 

Good start.

Then classes begin.

And you feel totally and completely unprepared...

From day 1 you feel behind. 

Maybe this is when it all went wrong?

Your netflix account hasn't seen any action since the beginning of August.

You are busy all day every day and it feels fantastic. 

You asked to be released from your job as DSO of the men's soccer team because you aren't giving enough time to the other things in your life.

You think that will help. 

However, schoolwork is now put last. 

You scramble just to keep current on your assignments.

Soccer starts becoming emotionally exhausting.

Time goes on.

Soccer ends and you think now you will have all this extra time.

Nope.

That time is filled with other, equally as important things.

You are floundering. 

You become further and further behind and it becomes a struggle to even attend classes.

You get sick. 

Is this the moment when you should have given up on your semester?

Not yet.

Earlier on in the semester you realized that God likes you out of your comfort zone.

You learn your lesson in that regard.

You accept that being out of your comfort zone is good.

But did you realize that not succeeding is also WAY outside your comfort zone?

Because it is...

You learn lots of life lessons.

(For example, how big 8 24 inch pizzas are...)

Your testimony grows substantially. 

You have a desire to receive your endowments and attend the temple.

Then you realize you are supposed to leave on a mission. 

Wait what?

Planning begins.
You find replacements for your jobs. 

You tell your friends and family. 

You talk to your bishop and start your papers.

Finally...

You have waited so long to go on a mission and the time is NOW!

But now doesn't exactly work into your plans.

Oh well.

You trust God's timing.

The semester draws to a close.

You aren't ready to leave your friends, your life, all the good things that are finally all perfect and working and are all you've ever wanted.

You aren't ready at all.

You cry more than you are willing to ever admit. 

You get a blessing of comfort and then, then you realize lesson 2 of this semester.

You can't do it alone.

Yes I can!

No. You. Can't.

You recognize that while you are amazing and have been given many gifts and talents,

You can't do everything all by yourself.

The load on your back isn't supposed to be carried alone.

Too late in the semester you give it up.

You ask for help.

You admit you are weak.

And maybe you cry some more.

Because as much as you love what you do.

As much as you are doing what you know you are supposed to be doing.

All those things weren't meant to be done alone. 

You recognize all the times you have hit the bottom, 

Asked for help and been lifted up,

Only to turn around and fall again.

You need help.

The semester is almost over.

It is Finals Week.

And you, you are exhausted.

Your heart is broken.

And your spirit is contrite.

And ye shall offer for a sacrifice unto me a broken heart and a contrite spirit. And whoso cometh unto me with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, him will I baptize with fire and with the Holy Ghost...

3 Nephi 9:20

You finally understand that scripture and what that feels like and what it means. 

And you realize you are not alone. 

That you've never been alone.

It could be so much worse.

You are grateful and promise to do better.

And you trust.

(Tender Mercy= Sam coming to visit)

Some lessons come easier than others.

Some involve failing a class and barely surviving a semester.

Some involve losing loved ones, being injured, mental or physical disabilities and a host of other pains.

But there is a lesson. 

And there is peace to be found. 

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. 

Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

John 14:27

Life isn't supposed to be perfect.

Even when you are doing your best that isn't always enough.

That is what the atonement is for.

Christ meets us at the point that we can't continue on.

Wherever our best is, He will go and take it the rest of the way.

I've learned that this semester.

And God loves us.
He loves His children.

Even when we feel like we are failing and falling short.

He loves.
And we need to appreciate the good moments.

The friends.

The laughter.

Enjoy the journey.

And that is the third and hopefully final lesson of this semester.