Change

Change. Sometimes it is desirable, and other times not. It tests us along this journey; this life that we volunteered for in the pre-existence. Today I taught in Young Women's, on the lesson of ""Preparing for Change."  I really loved studying this lesson and being reminded about how change truly is the only constant in life. As I studied and pondered the lesson, I was reminded that we not only need to accept change while we are here on earth but also be prepared for it. We know it will happen. Change is all in the Lord's plan.

I shared with the girls how there are many different types of change that happens in our lives. There is the obvious, good, fun, joyous, exciting and happy changes. Then there are the unexpected, sad, hard and heartbreaking changes as well. Since life changes every single day, and is not static, it gives us that much more reason to rely on the Lord and His constant hand in our lives.

Change type number one:
Personal changes, using agency.
Have you seen the movie "Groundhog Day"? He essentially is trapped into living the exact same day over and over again. There was absolutely no change what so ever, with his days UNLESS he chose to make the change himself. Which he did. After going day after day with the repeated, predictable day, he decided to add some change in those days, to see what would happen and try new things. Not all of the changes he did to the day were positive. Not all were successful. Not all lead him to happiness. But some changes did. He tried new and uplifting things. Met new people. Had deeper conversations and developed new talents. Point being, this man chose to have change in his life.

Some changes that I have chosen to make in my own life are:

• moving to Logan and being out on my own. I wanted to move and grow from life all on my own.
• Getting jobs, whether I loved them or not, I chose when are how to make money.
• Going on a mission. I left home, family and friends to serve.
• Traveling. I love to travel. I have chosen to do so often.
• Getting married. A decision that I made, with the Lord's hand, that has changed my life the most.

These changes are some examples of what I wanted and that I deliberately chose to make happen for me. Though they were exciting and fun, they still were hard changes in certain areas. Like learning a new language, living in a different country, living on my own and being financially independent. Spending hard earned money to travel and feel the affect of that. Learning to live with a boy and develop a solid relationship and being a wife.
I chose all of these.

Change type number two:
The change that is out of our control. Like death, divorce (of parents), financial loss, an inactive family member, moving, unemployment, aging or illness. There is also change that is out of our control that is positive. Like marriage of loved ones, births, jobs, etc.

• I spoke about how my grandmas passing away, was change that was out of my control. It was unexpected and I was unprepared for it. My life changed with their deaths. 
• When I moved at the age of 15, that was change that was as well, not in my line of control. My parents made that choice and we started new in Holladay. 
• My sister got married. Now that is a happy and joyous change, but that was a decision that I did not make. She chose to get married and "leave the family" to create her own. They moved to Florida with my niece and now are far away. This is change that affected my life. It can be hard at times, because I miss them, but it is change that was not my decision and affected my life.

When it comes to the changes that happen in our lives, or the lives of those around us, attitude and faith is what will keep us going. If we choose to look at change in a positive light, the transition can be smoother and the adjustment more successful.

Marvin J. Ashton said: "There is a tendency to think of change as the enemy. Many of us are suspect to change and will often fight and resist it before we have even discovered what the actual effects will be. When change is thought through more carefully, it can produce the most rewarding and profound experiences in life."

I love that quote. I know many people who view change as a bad thing. Or something that is at times, just too hard. People like comfort. They like familiarity. They enjoy consistency. Some struggle with change in families, relationships, schooling, living arrangements, deaths, illness or aging. But, as we learn the Lord's divine plan and understand more fully the purposes of the Atonement, we see that change is good for us. What growth it offers! What progression! We are blessed. 

I am grateful for change. Whether is be expected or unexpected, hard or easy, joyous or heartbreaking...I am so grateful that the constant hand of the Lord is there by my side. I am grateful that it is His peace, that will provide unwavering peace in my own heart. I choose the Lord. I will continue to try to choose to have a good attitude no matter what. I will make efforts to chose to have continuous faith, that no matter what happens in my life, I will truly look back and see that it all was rewarding.