The Sunny State.....Me?.....Hmmmmm we may be a good fit

So lately I keep looking west more and more and my heart keeps thinking, oh just beyond those mountains, then some more mountains, I think I could find some happy. Oh to hear the roaring ocean splashing up on those big sandy beaches that are warm and inviting, beckoning to me, "Becky, come lie in my warmth and soak up some sun, let your worries wash away in the tide". Oh it sounds splendid. I may just have to consider venturing over those layers, however many, of mountains to find my pleasant sunny glory. California here I come...Someday maybe soon.

cOmE to LeArN tHinGs WhEn YoUr OldEr!

So now that im vastly approaching the on-coming number of 24 I have come to realize a few things in my little short so far (sometimes feels like forever) life. I feel that rounding that turn of the early transition into twenties held alot that would throw me off my feet only to make me get up stronger. Going from 19 to 20 is not really a big deal, but can seem like it. But going from 23 to 24 only puts me that much closer to 30 and then my eyes open wide like a deer in the headlights, or a person in a canoe that just sighted a waterfall ahead and rapidly begin flailing their arms and yelling, No! Go Back, Go Back! hahaha but once you free fall over that waterfall, you find yourself slightly scaithed at times, but overall not in too bad of shape. Maybe even a little wiser. All and all when I think of everything, I come to realize im ready to ditch the number 23 and put on my year 24 gear. Full steam ahead im ready for whatever may come my way.

In my 23 years so far I have come to realize (not without pain and broken hearts along the way) that you really can't trust a whole lot of people. Everyone is bound to hurt you in one way or another at some point along the way in life, but the difference between those we continue to keep around us and those we decide to put out of our lives and try to nurse the wound they left, is that no matter what, in your heart you know you can go to them with a heart full of pain and eyes full of tears, and they will embrace you fully, even if it was they who caused the hurt. You come to learn who you want standing by your side when life gets you down. And you sadley come to learn who will quickly abandon you as soon as situations get "rough". It's those who stay by your side no matter how deep you fall into despair or how angry you yell at them that you will always need.

I have had a lot of let downs in my life by family and friends. But one thing I do know is that I have also grown closer to the people who matter. Its always going to be a constant struggle, some may fall away along the way, not really ready to forge in the same direction, and others will join up on the path. I just hope that in my 23 years I have become wise enough to know the poison some hide in their hearts from those who's hearts are full of pure intent. I know I will continue to be hurt, but I am comforted knowing that those who have come to be "polished in the bumpy grinds of life" along by my side will be there. And I for them.

Casey's parable of the Tree of Life!

So I got to talk to Casey on Mothers Day and it was so great! I really enjoyed our talk with eachother and it only proved more and more how excited I am to get to sit and talk with him in person again. Less than 5 months left! Yay! In our conversation we discussed how we were doing in reading the book of mormom (Casey and I are both reading it from cover to cover before he returns home) we began to discuss Nephi and I was telling him how much I really enjoy the Tree of Life parable, and Casey shared this story from his mission with me:

Casey's real life episode of the Tree of Life Parable

Casey was walking home one night with his companion in Vacaville, Ca, it was dark and a little later in the evening. They came to a section of the sidewalk that runs parallel to the river on one side and a hill on the other. Being narrow or dangerous it had a metal handrail along the side for walkers to hold onto. Casey grabbed a hold then turned to his companion and said, "hey look! its the iron rod", then they continued on the path when Casey realized it was becoming super foggy along the way and then he heard laughter, he turned and looked up to where the laughter was coming from and found that up on the hill across the river was a bar with a balcony outside. Scattered upon that balcony were many drunken people laughing really loud when one said while pointing down "look! its the mormons" pointing at Casey and his companion. Casey and his companion continued on and walked home.

When Casey told this to me I couldn't believe it, he actually experienced his own parable related to the scriptures, but not only was it people laughing or the iron rod, or the fog it was all of it. The entire story. I thought it was amazing and was so glad he told it to me.