see what you can see when you look through Heaven's eyes

I've had a lot of opportunities lately to learn more about Heavenly Father's plan.  About His will and timing.  So many things have happened lately that have just confirmed to me the reality of a perfect plan that our loving Heavenly Father has for us.  I've been thinking about the people that I have met over the course of my life.  Especially those that I have met just recently in the past few months.  And I've been thinking about the influence that they have had on me.  I believe that it is perfectly planned out who will come into our lives and when.  There a song from the musical Wicked where the words say, "I've heard it said, that people come into our lives for a reason, bringing something we must learn.  And we are led to those who help us most to grow, if we let them, and we help them in return.."  And I believe that is true.  There is something to learn from each person we meet.  Something only they can help us with.  And in return, something that only we can do for them.  From my missionaries at the MTC, to my roommates and new friends in my ward, I have seen this happen in my life so frequently these past few months.  And as I reflect back, I can see that it has happened, without fail, every step a long the way.  Most of the time, we cannot see it in the moment.  We don't know WHY this person is in our lives or WHAT we are to learn or HOW they are important to our story.  And there are other times that we know we need something but don't know WHEN we'll find it or WHERE it will happen or WHO will help us with it.  But sometimes, in moments of pondering and reflection and revelation, we see perfectly.  It all makes sense.  It's crystal clear.  We can see our lives through Heaven's eyes and catch a glimpse of His perfect plan for us.  I've had a week where I've been so blessed to see through Heaven's eyes.  I've felt this week that I've had God Glasses placed on me and have been privileged enough to see His hand perfectly in my life and watch how everything pieced together.

For example, I needed to serve a mission to meet Danielle.  She needed to get sick and come home early to move in to Centennial so that when I came home I would move in with her.  That needed to happen so that I could meet Aaron.  I needed to meet Aaron for SO many reasons.  To learn to not be scared.  To learn to open up.  To learn to trust.  To learn how to continue to love and serve and keep being a missionary even as a RM.  To learn how to always be myself.  To learn how to continue proselyting in daily life.  To learn how to embrace differences and broaden horizons.  And so much more.  I love him and I will be forever grateful for the things that he has taught me and continues to teach me.  Danielle had to move out so soon so that I could become better friends with Jen.  She came into my life for so many reasons.  Reasons that I could talk about for years.  She's the best and I've learned so much from her.  Especially about being more Christlike and caring.  How to be genuine and sincere.  How to step out of your comfort zone to befriend someone.  From her example, I reached out to befriend Aaron's roommate, Ian.  Aaron had to be Ian's roommate so that we could all get to know each other and feel comfortable with one another.  Aaron had to go on vacation to Florida so that I could realize just how much he means to me.  And so that I had my time and attention all freed up in order to talk tonight with Ian.  So that I could have a chance to help someone in return.  So that we could both learn and grow.

On another note, I had to come home a transfer early so that I could apply at the MTC before the huge rush hit.  I was given the blessing of becoming a teacher at the MTC because I needed to learn from these missionaries.  One of the teachers had to go on vacation so that I would substitute for his incoming new district.  It had to be the new district because I needed to be the one to have an interview with them after their first few days at the MTC.  I needed that so I could learn about the Atonement and it's power in my life.  So that I could see the way the Lord has everything perfectly planned out and lined up and in place for us.  We simply must obey.  Follow the Savior, even when it's dark and we're unsure of the way.  Be obedient, even when it seems completely hopeless.  Hold on, even when the ground is crumbling beneath our feet.  Have faith, even when trials and troubles rage all around us.  Look to God and trust that in His loving kindness, He has a perfect plan.  A plan that we may not altogether understand at once, or maybe even understand at all.  But a perfect plan.  It's just that we, as imperfect beings, cannot yet comprehend His perfect ways.  But if we will strive to live according to His will, we will live to see the day when we can see as perfectly as He does.  When we can see our whole lives laid out as perfectly as I have this week.

I feel like my week can be summed up into one thing that Elder Watson said to me today.  I asked him why he wanted to serve a mission.  His response was incredible and had a profound impact on me.  With a huge smile on his face he said, "Are you kidding me!?! Why would I not want to do and share what Heavenly Father has planned?"  And I echo his words.  Are you kidding me?!?  Why would we not want to live according to Heavenly Father's plan?  Why would we not want to share His plan with others?  Why would we not want to get on our knees every night and plead with Him to see His plan and do His will?  I know that as we do that, the WHOs and the WHYs and the WHAT, WHERE, WHEN and HOW will all become suddenly more clear.  We will have no place for fear or disbelief.  No reason to doubt.  We will be more blessed to see our life through Heaven's eyes.

To: Aiden

So I started this blog out a few years ago when my nephew, Aiden, was born.  I started it with the intent to write to him about some things and give him little snippets of advice.  Well over time, that kind of stopped happening... now Aiden is 2 and 1/2 and has a little brother and I haven't written "to him" in a really long time.  So since I've been spending the weekend with him, and he's doing all sorts of adorable things, I thought it about time I blog again for Aiden.

- I love how you say "sorsie" instead of "horsie".  We went and saw a real life sorsie earlier today and you LOVED it.  My favorite was how polite you were telling the sorsies thank you as we left.  Never lose that politeness kid.  Chivalry is not dead.

- Every time we drive past the temple, you get so excited and yell, "A temple!  A temple!"  You were telling me and your mom today that the Temple is Heavenly Father's house and you want to go there and see him.  SO CUTE!  Also, right across the street from the temple is the tabernacle.  Only you call it a baby temple and it's the funniest thing in the world.  You yell in a deep voice, "A Temple!"  Then in a quieter, higher-pitched voice, "The baby temple!"  It's basically the most adorable thing ever.  I love that even though you're only 2, you still know who Heavenly Father is and how important His house is.  Never stop being excited to see the temple and want to go inside.

- You say, "Mermens" instead of "Young Mens"  and it always cracks your mom up.  Whenever your dad is gone for his calling with the Young Men you'll always ask, "Daddy? Mermens?"  It's hilarious! Don't ever stop making your mom laugh.  Help her smile every day.

- You love to swing!  And I love to swing.  When you swing at Nana's you'll always say hello to the sky and then tell everyone how high you've been swinging - "Clear up to sky!"  The sky's the limit kid.  Don't forget it.  Dream big.  Go big.

- You can sing the entire BYU fight song.  Complete with cougar growl at the end.  And it is the best!  You also know the words to "Call Me, Maybe".  And more importantly, to "I Am a Child of God."  Keep singing kid.  Music is the best.  But only if you listen to good music.  Cause it is a powerful force for good, but is also a powerful tool that Satan uses.  So don't let him get to you through the music you listen to.  Keep it uplifting.  Keep it good.  Keep it fun.  Also, don't let your dad rope you into listening to country....

- I love the way you pray.  Even though you are only 2, your prayers are some of the most powerful I have ever heard.  You know that you're talking to Heavenly Father.  You always pray for your family and you always say I love you.  Keep praying from the heart.  Never forget that Heavenly Father is always there for you and will always help you and that you can talk to Him anytime, anywhere, about anything.

Basically, you're the coolest kid I know and I'm pretty much obsessed with you.  I'm excited that I get to watch you continue to learn and grow.  I can't wait for the day that you're ready to go on a mission and serve Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ full time.  And you bet I'll be there every step of the way :)  Sure do you love you little boy!

With love,
Aunt Tash