To My Dear Friend at the Loss of her Mother

My Dear Friend,

I do not know your pain. I have not had a loss that great and my mind refuses to imagine it. Even if I could, the myriad differences in the details of our lives decry the injustice of such a comparison. Your pain and grief are uniquely your own just as your strengths and memories are. I do not endeavor to empathize fully, but in my limited way... I want to try. I want to lend my support and share what strengthened me.

You have been so strong. I saw you a couple days before and you were still the same loving and positive girl that I admire so much. You did not wear your worry on your sleeves. You have planned and taken care of so many things, you have overcome great fears.

I lost Eduardo, I lost my Grandmother. These were the things that comforted me:

Alma 40:11 Now, concerning the state of the soul between death and the resurrection—Behold, it has been made known unto me by an angel, that the spirits of all men, as soon as they are departed from this mortal body, yea, the spirits of all men, whether they be good or evil, are taken home to that God who gave them life.
12 And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of those who are righteous are received into a state of happiness, which is called paradise, a state of rest, a state of peace, where they shall rest from all their troubles and from all care, and sorrow.

1. To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:  A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again. (Ecclesiastes 3:1,2,20.)

Revelations 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

"So if you've died and crossed the stream before us, we pray that angels met you on the shore, and you'll look down and gently you'll implore us to live, so we may see your smiling face once more."

[From “Danny Boy” 3rd verse.]

It took me a while to cry over my losses. I grieve in a very distinct way, and maybe you do, too. We know about the plan of salvation. You know you have a loving Heavenly Father with a perfect plan. You can count on it.
You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Love,
Alayna

17 Goals for 2017

Yes, it's a lame excuse, but I was too busy in the first week of January to actually think about what kind of goals I want to make for 2017. Unfortunately, the excuse of business often robs the well-intended mind of success and progress. So I'm making this last ditch effort to write some goals, and by posting, hold myself to them. 

17 goals for 2017, set on January 17th.

1) Compassion: Judge Not.
It was mentioned a lot when I was visiting home over the break, the idea of having a word as the theme of the year- something you need to work on, something to focus on.

2) Read from the Book of Mormon and other scriptures at least 15 minutes every day (minimum), target 45. 

3) Expand spiritual literature- Read a book written by prophets and apostles with the goal to finish one a month (flex time to two months for larger texts)

• Daughters in Our Kingdom
• Jesus the Christ
• etc.

4) Shoot for 8 hours of sleep every night (at least average 7).

5) Become a better steward of my time- scheduling better, cut back on social media, etc.

6) Date more, flirt more, get to be friends with guys.

(help with this goal will be much appreciated)

7) Write a weekly note to a friend/ make a surprise phone call/ share a memory or positive thought. (Make new friends but keep the old.) Write missionaries more often (at LEAST monthly) and include members and converts from my mission.

8) Return to journaling- The most successful continuous effort I've had is when I would write once a week, about my week. I'd like to re-instate that. Maybe instead of focusing on individual days, relating big events or something that I learned/re-learned.

9) Nurture one-on-one relationships with family members.

10) Try a couple things that go outside my comfort zone- say "yes" once in a while. 

11) Continue weekly temple attendance. 

12) Write more- other than school assigned stuff: preparing things for submission, NaNoWriMo, and publication (probably for BYU journals, don't get too excited).

13) Exercise- Swim once a week (at least) and exercise at least 15 minutes a day otherwise.

14) Develop useful skills: re-learn how to crochet, pay attention when Dad talks about car stuff, painting and things around the house.

15) Study Christ (like Elder Nelson challenged us in the Worldwide Youth Devotional).

16) Read novels not assigned to school- classics and cultural favorites. Goal for at least one a month (see #3).

17) Return to the arts: I used to sing, I used to paint, I used to draw, doodle, craft, and take pictures. I'd like to do some of that again. 

Well? Wish me luck!