Day 25.

GOOD MORNING, IT'S 6:30AM AND YOU HAVE AN 8AM CLASS! -RiiiiiiiiiNNNNG!- That's the alarm. I've been kicking myself crazy this morning wondering why I ever signed up for 8am classes EVERY DAY OF THE WEEK! In my dorm room, my bed is bunked on top of my desk and dresser which means that in the 6:30am light I need to crawl to the end of my bed, making sure I keep in mind where the side of my bed ends (falling 7 feet would just be a thrill on a Monday morning) and climb down the side of my bed, onto the couch and land gracefully onto the floor without waking up my roommate who is sleeping like a kitten, snuggled under her blankets. Easier said then done. I said a quick prayer as I lept noisely onto the floor. ... Okay awesome, I made it to the floor without breaking anything, tripping, or knocking anything over. Accomplishment one of the day. I had thought enough ahead the night before to pick out my clothes for the next day, score! I lazily grabbed my towels and headed for the bathroom that I share with the 2 girls next door. Going from the darkness of my room to the white light of the bathroom was a challenge! Who knew that at 6:30am the bathroom light would be piercing to my eyes, and am I mistaken or did someone come over night to make our bathroom as clean and white as ever adding to the light daggers currently lodged in my eye sockets? I guess at that time in the morning it is also darker out than I'm used to. Can you tell I didn't wake up early during break at all? After rub-a-dub-dubbing in the shower, singing my favorite shower tunes and just barely missing getting soap in my eyes, I dress in the clothes that I did not pick out the night before.. I guess last night I didn't realize that the Maren this morning that wasn't the same Maren as last night didn't like those clothes and wondered what she was EVER thinking picking them out. -shrug- pack my bag, grab my iPod, it's out the door to breakfast! I decided that "Walking on Sunshine" would be my song selection on the walk over to breakfast and that I would sing it loud and proud for all to hear... the best way to spread morning cheer is singing loud for all to hear! Right? Well, something like that. My friends, still just waking up and adjusting to their sleep schedules found my outburst a little disturbing.

            Scanning Garlock (or as I like to call GarBARF) in the morning for any traces of food that hasn't been altered, sitting in the freezer since 1978 or fried is quite the challenge at any part of the day, especially in the morning. So I settle for a nice english Gar-muffin, a banana, and a cold glass of orange juice. Satisfied with my decision, I made my way to my seat. We ate quick and then it was off to our first class! Drugs, HIV, and the family. What a wonderful way to start my day. FAST FORWARD------laundry, groceries, class, cleaning, hanging clothes... blahblahblahblahhhh..

It's about 4:30pm when I sit still for the first time. What do I do now? I'm done with classes and I've done everything I possibly can! But wait! There is one thing I have forgotten.... I didn't read my scriptures today! I sat and read for a bit while time ticked, and I waited to go to dinner. Time always seems to pause when I read my scriptures, allowing me to read further and indulge more. This has been my favorite part of the day! Dinner time soon rolled around. I had previously decided that day that I was going to continue being healthy by eating a small dinner and working out in the gym that we have on campus. Before I worked out I was going to meet with the missionaries. As I started to pack my gym back with the necessities; water, iPod, chapstick, etc. I hear, "I'm putting on my shades to cover up my eyeeeeeees.." Yes, my ringtone is Riding solo. Anyways, I picked up the phone, "Hello?",.... "Mareeeeeen, Hey what's up?." It's the missionaries!.. "We'll be there in 20 minutes!"... Great. I grab a clementine and walk over to our meeting place in the athletic center to eat my now smaller dinner than planned but it's okay! I love the missionaries! I finally meet with the missionaries and reach for my bag to get my scriptures out. "Oh, no, you won't need scriptures for this lesson." Elder Presiendorf says. I looked at him questioningly. Apparently the lesson I was about to learn wasn't about the scriptures at all. "It's the earrings," As he says this I grab for my second hole piercing in my ears. He explained the importance of looking your best and the revelations recieved by God to the prophet about this particular lesson. After listening the the missionaries, I humbly slid one earring out and then the other, stuffed them in the bag and quickly asked what was next. As we finished our lesson I remembered how important Heavenly Father is to me and how taking baby steps towards being who He wants me to be is nothing to be sad about. After working out, I returned to my room, slipped into the shower, repeating my shower tunes, rub-a-dub-dubbing, and not quite getting shampoo in my eyes, thought about God's will for me. I laid down the night thanking the Lord for my bed. I have never had such a busy or blessed Monday, I am truly happy it's over.
           I told you this story in detail to show you that even though we have busy and hectic lives we must stop and listen to the Lord. I heard Elder Jensen mention in his CES fireside on Sunday that we can;t always busy ourselves with God's work. Yes, it's important to fulfill what He wants us to do but how can we fulfill His commandments and His will if we do not stop to listen to Him and listen to what He wants us to do? I've heard it said that we speak to God in our hearts and minds and prayers and He answers us in the scriptures but we need to listen and seek and indulge. Do God's will.

I say all these things in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.