I feel very blessed to have been afforded these opportunities to travel (for free, even), but even more so to have met the 1000's of people that I got to. And interestingly enough, most of those incredible people that I met because of these two gigs were youth ages 14-18. Let me tell you what - the future is in good hands. These kids, although they are definitely still developing and learning and growing (as we all are), they are strong! They have so much thrown at them, from pressure to be "cool" and fit in, to pressure to do well in school so they can do something with their life, to pressure to do everything they are asked in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (which, let's just say, is not a church for lazy people). These kids are doing it all. Most of them, because they are doing well in school and are fulfilling all their responsibilities in church, do well socially, and even those who aren't doing so well socially still are strong because they have the perspective that the Gospel of Jesus Christ gives them that they can get through anything.Why do I post these things on my "Unmarried Wife" blog? Because one day I hope to be a wife, and a mother. I used to be scared to have children because of all the evil in the world today, but this year has given me strength and made me excited. Yes, Satan is real and is doing everything he can to bring people down and to get them to do things that will keep them from certain blessings, but guess what, God is so aware of that that He's sending His children down here inherently stronger and more capable than ever before. Motherhood, although it will inevitably be full of extremely hard times, doesn't scare me anymore. Bring it on! I know that when that time comes, my kids are going to be awesome and I'm excited to meet them and be taught by them.
Even just these last couple weeks of 2014 I've been able to spend quite a bit of time with some of my nieces and nephews. They may be young, but they know what's up. They have a clear view of what is wrong and what is right and are not afraid to take a stance. I've seen this even in my nephew who's only 5.
Life has really been great to me in 2014. I've learned so many things, both in and out of formal classrooms. I've learned about forgiveness through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I've been taught in the temple about how much my Heavenly Father loves me. I've been re-taught about my self-worth. I've been taught, like I've mentioned, how fantastic and prepared the rising generation is. I've learned about economics, computer programming (yeah, be impressed), comparative politics, and lots of other political things (as that is what I'm studying). I've read lots of books, required and not, and learned from each one. I've learned that I can write good papers ( a skill I wasn't sure I possessed). I learned that I love football. I learned (even more) that I have an amazing family who will do just about anything for me.
2014 has been good to me. I'm so excited to see what 2015 has in store for me. I expect to be done with my undergraduate degree in Politics, to have taken (and passed with flying colors) the LSAT in preparation for Law School, to have applied (and maybe even been accepted) to multiple law schools, as well and so many other things that can't be put in words.
Now remember, this blog may have been started as a way to show all my creativity, but has morphed into something a little different. Homemaking is more than just cooking, cleaning, and sewing. It's about being educated, whether formally or informally, it's about being your own person, it's about developing your talents, it's about finding new hobbies, it's about getting to know yourself constantly.
Happy Homemaking! (See you next year)
-Jaron
