Sailing Away

If I could assign a quote to my life, it would probably be the opening line of "Dreams" by the Cranberries: "Oh my life is changing everyday, in every possible way." Week after week I am surprised by the amount of surprises that happen, but that's just life I suppose! I've been in some sort of delusion that the craziness and random nature of life is just a phase, but I'm starting to realize that phase is called "life" and it's going to last much longer than I anticipated. I'm also realizing that that's okay.  Experiencing a wide range of emotions in a short period of time is okay. Life is okay! More than that, life is wonderful. It really is great, it's an adventure. And the more I look for beautiful things, the more I see.

This week I graduated BYU, something I don't think I ever really thought about doing. That sounds silly, but when I imagined things I'd do in life I pictured going to college, being a teacher, getting married, mission?, children, etc., but not actually graduating BYU, finishing it, walking away with a degree in hand and no longer being a college student. I should have, considering there was never a chance that I would choose not to graduate, and all of the choices I made to accelerate my college experience as well. Anyhow, it's done, so we'll just keep moving forward!

Truthfully this has been much less of a graduation week than a week of realizing how many dear and loving people care about me. I've been blessed to have sweet interactions with both immediate and extended family, neighbors, home-ward friends, college ward friends, co-workers, students, long lost friends, old roommates, new roommates, friends in my cohort, all in all a decent representation of the people I know- and I feel so incredibly loved.

 It's easy to get down, and beat yourself up. It's easy to list all of your flaws and mistakes, but it can be so hard to see what you're doing right. I think most of us forget altogether to look for our own good traits. It's something I struggle with, but I have hope that I will get better. Anyway, I'm really grateful for these people who remind me that I'm alright, that I've got a few things going for me, and above all- divine and infinite worth. I have countless examples of pure charity in my life. Not only that, but people who care about me specifically. I really want to become  more like them, and I hope that I can make people in my sphere of influence feel that deep love that I have for all of them as well. 

So this post title is slightly deceiving, I'm not going away anywhere, and certainly not on a boat, or a spaceship (to the best of my knowledge). It's a metaphor guys. I've been learning this tune on the piano lately, and it feels kind of appropriate for graduation. 

I am sailing away- I'm a graduated professional, with a job lined up for the coming year, my dearest and best friend comes home in only 51 days and I am ready to begin the beautiful next chapter of my life. . May it be just as whirlwindy and saturated with growing opportunities as the last while has been! 

P.S. This probably isn't proper blog etiquette, but being the curious creature that I am, I would love to know who reads these! If you do, thanks for being a kind enough soul to spend time reading about my life! Feel free to leave me a comment or message saying you read, or if you'd prefer, feel free to keep reading anonymously. Also- if you're a fellow blogger and I don't follow you, let me know that as well, because I want to hear about your lives too. 

Loves, 

Diana

Easter!

Happy Easter! What a wonderful holiday. I'll admit it doesn't feel quite the same now, what with living in college with no children about, but it was still wonderful. I got to watch my cousins have their Easter egg hunt, and my stellar roommates hid eggs in the living room for me as well. Not to mention both Easter bunny visits, I feel very lucky indeed. Also, I'm so grateful for this girl here- best sister friends forever.

The last couple weeks have been wild, but with the help of some truly wonderful individuals, I'm keeping my head above water, and with a smile on it to boot. Most of my worries right now are of the "endure to the end" kind of thing, and with the sweet scaffolding of the Lord, along with some angels, I know that things will turn out really well.

I don't publicly/formally bear my testimony all that often. As with many people, I tend to lack the confidence that I have anything to say that they don't already know. In BYU wards there is never a shortage of volunteers, so I usually miss those opportunities. I do try to bear my testimony in my daily conversations with others, and as it's Easter I'd really like to share it here as well.

I know that this- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints- really is the true, and only complete church on the earth. This is because we have the authority from God- which means that we have the power of the priesthood, along with an appointed Prophet and other leaders who facilitate Christ's direction and purposes. I have complete confidence in those leaders, and I know that they truly receive revelation to guide us at this time.

I know that the Book of Mormon is the truest book on earth, and have experienced it's unique power to convert and bring men unto Christ. I know that it was translated by Joseph Smith, who also restored the Church to the earth, and was a true prophet.

I know that there is a God, and we are his children. He loves us and is more aware of us than we can realize. Through the power of prayer we can communicate directly with him and receive answers to our questions and comfort throughout our trials. As his children, we all have infinite worth and potential, including the potential to become Gods like he is.

More than anything, I have a testimony of the Atonement. I know that Jesus Christ died, for us, and that he was resurrected- and we will be as well. He descended below all things and has a perfect understanding of us and the experiences we have. The Atonement is infinite in every sense of the word, and transcends time and space. I have felt it's cleansing power from sin, the power to be healed from infirmities, and the magnificent peace in times of sorrow. I've felt the Savior's love, and stood amazed at the perfect charity and mercy that he has shown me. In my darkest hours, he has never forsaken me, but instead has carried me through.

This is my favorite painting of Christ, and one that I have framed in my room to remind me of his ever-present love.

The painting is titled "Why Weepest Thou." When Mary finds Christ's tomb empty, she is overcome with sorrow and grief. Her Lord, who has taught her, served her, and shown her perfect charity, is gone. I can't imagine the loneliness she felt.

Jesus approaches her and asks "Woman, why weepest thou?" She doesn't recognize him at first, but realizes who he is when he calls her by name. Mary's immediate instinct is to go and embrace her Savior, knowing of the perfect love he has for her.

I love this painting because it helps me to realize that Christ has never left me alone. He knows my name, and he has succored me through every trial I've faced. Whenever I feel sad about my circumstances, or lonely, I see this painting and hear him say "Why weepest thou?" knowing that he will sustain and provide for me. Through the power of the Atonement, I know that I can become closer to him. And one day, I will have the opportunity to embrace my Savior.

John 4: 13-14

Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:

14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

I invite you to trust in him, no matter what wars are currently waging in your life. He knows the way because he is the way.