Saturday, June 13, 2015

I know It's cliché but....

Here I am, at 6:05 in the morning, blogging about the cliché of all clichés. Something I never thought I'd be doing, ever. However, this was probably the most imperfectly perfect sight I've ever had the chance to witness. The sunrise. 

Maybe it was because this was the first sunrise that I actually remember watching, or just because it was a sunrise over the ocean, or maybe it was simply because I was still half a sleep. I'm not sure, but for whatever reason this cliché really struck a nerve with me. As I said before, I had never really watched the sun rise. However, I have watched my fair share of Disney movies and was expecting nothing less than than a Lion King grade sunrise. Leave it to Disney to set up more unrealistic expectations. 


I did not see the sunrise with the severe beauty of the bright reds, yellows, and oranges that you might see on the internet, in romantic movie scenes, or in The Lion King. Nor was it the sunrise that shook my entire being or that left me a changed and better person. It was the sunrise that was partially hidden behind clouds. The sunrise that blanketed the sky in the softest pastels. It was a sunrise that forced me to feel all the world around me, the refreshing ocean breeze on my face, the morning songs of the birds, the cool sand between my toes, the smell of the salty ocean air, and the rhythmic crashing of the waves. The sunrise that had me waxing poetic... how very cliché. 


As the sun began cresting over the horizon and soft pastels faded away to the reds seeping into the clouds, a thought struck me. 


We are the sunrises. 

Like each sunrise from the beginning of time, each of us is unique and special. We are works of art constructed with love and care found in every minute detail. We were made perfectly imperfect by the greatest artist and creator. We are vast, beautiful, and brilliant, whether we are made from the vivid fiery reds or the understated beauty of the softest pastels. 

Because the Son rose, we rise every day. With our light we can light the paths of those who are lost in the dark. 

Therefore let your light so shine before this people, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven. 
3 Nephi 12:16

Like the sun we must rise everyday.
We are important and necessary for life; we are strong because even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise again.

So even though it's cliché, I still love the early mornings when it feels like the rest of the world is fast asleep and I'm the only one awake and everything feels like it isn't really real. I love that I forget about all my my problems and for a time it's just me, the world, and the sunrise.

With love (17 days till Lima!)
(Soon to be) Hermana Scarlett ❤









Monday, June 8, 2015

I'm Goin' On A Mission!

Dear Sister Scarlett,
You are hereby called to serve as a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. You are assigned to labor in the Peru Lima Central Mission beginning June 30th, 2015.

A mission was never part of my game plan. I vividly remember the General Conference when the missionary age was lowered from 19 to 18 for guys and 21 to 19 for girls. I also remember the mass hysteria as thousands of young women (and men) world wide began filling out their mission papers. My sister called not 2 minutes later to let us know she was going on a mission, not long after I got the same good news from several other friends. Soon, the elephant in the room crept up on me and the question dropped. 


Was I going to serve a mission? 


I come from a very large family where the majority have served missions, so it wasn't really a new idea to me, but it suddenly became a real option. It was a big decision and I came to the conclusion that I was not going to serve a mission simply because I could, I was going to serve a mission only if I felt the desire and passion to devote my time and energy to serving my Heavenly Father and nothing less. So in the meantime I put that decision on the back burner and went on with my life. But that's the funny thing about life, it happens. 


Over time I took quite a few hits from life and lost my footing on the path. I fell and got hurt in the process. I had lost sight of what was truly important, my Heavenly Father. But maybe that's the beautiful thing about this Gospel, we may lose sight of our Father in Heaven but He never loses sight of us. Because of His infinite love for us we can overcome any trials or adversities. It was after I realized this that I once again recognized His hand in my life. His hand reaching out to pick me up from where I had fallen; His hand to heal my wounds. 


So a mission was never part of my game plan. But Heavenly Father told me otherwise. So here I am with my heart full of desire to share this good news of eternal families, forgiveness and mercy, and love and hope with the people of Lima Peru!

It's been a little over three months since I got my call, and let me tell you, the countdown is on. 108 days down (since I got my call) and 21 to go! 

With love (not quite from Lima yet),
~ (Soon to be) Hermana Scarlett 




My cousin and I received our calls the same day! I read his to him and he read mine to me, love that goob!