Jon Schmidt rocks

My story aka The Monster--alive once more

Judging by the last save date on my documents, it has been nearly three years since I have opened up, looked at, worked on, saved, or in short, done anything with regards to the story that I began exactly ten years ago.  However, despite all the setbacks that seemed to inevitably come with school, work, dating, etc. I have decided that since I have so much leisure time now, I might as well make myself useful.  Next to the search for a job (which takes up it's own space of time each day) and scripture study (which I'm finally giving it more time, as it deserves), I've been dividing my time into four parts: reading, watching movies, drawing/painting, and now, writing.

Since it has been so long, and since it is in all respects "finished", it now needs to be weeded, reworked, and made to fit the moldings of my mind and goal for it.

This story, without a name still--I have just referred to it as My story for ten years, or to my own self, by the name of the folder where all the documents are: The Monster--has occupied my thoughts to varying degrees the past decade.  There have been times, usually the summers in high school, when my characters occupied a real and active part of my imagination and thoughts.  Of late, there have been no thoughts, except as it relates to the sigh, "I really should finish my story..."

I began reading through Part One yesterday and made it through 29 of the 37 pages. I was surprised by some of the things that I had added through the years--having nearly forgotten many of the small details that had been added since the original drafting of Part One ten years ago.  (Interesting to note: when I wrote Part One as a twelve-year-old, I thought it was all I would write about the Setay's and Egerth's.  Only, come to find out, it now has four other parts and it has morphed into something quite different, yet retaining the main premise of that first draft.)  I found myself laughing out loud at some of the things I had written.  That may seem vain of me, but it's true.  I honestly had forgotten in the past three years what I had written probably five or six years ago.

So the journey begins again: I am going to wade through The Monster that has taken over my imagination and storage space on my computer for the past ten years and for once I am going to get it into the shape and story that I like. From there, we shall see.  Perhaps then step two may finally emerge: maybe I will get it published, or try to at least.

back and forth

I keep going back and forth between having this blog be open to everyone or not...So if you get an invite and then realize you don't need to sign in, it's because I'm changing my mind all the time. :)

Friday the 13th

Friday the 13ths always have a soft spot in my heart because one of my best friend's favorite numbers is 13.  I've recognized every single Friday the 13th for the past five years in his honor--not because they are unlucky but because they can be uncommonly lucky.

I'm hoping for that luck to come sometime soon in my search for job.  Yet, I know that it won't be luck that "lands me the job"--it will first and foremost be the guidance of the Lord in my life, second of all it will be the help of my supervisors and those who wrote letters of recommendation for me, third of all it will be my ability to convey to my "judges" that I will be a qualified teacher and willing co-worker, and fourth of all, the goodness of my "judges" hearts to hire me.

I've been finding lilacs a lot lately--this week especially--which has made me so very happy! Lilacs always bring me such joy! Not only do they smell divine, but they are dainty and have a simple beauty.  They also only come at one time of year, their own special season, which happens to pretty much be the month of May, maybe into the beginning of June, but more likely not.

Lilacs are a particularly bright spot in my life this week because I've been facing some inner doubts concerning how others perceive me. And I really shouldn't worry about it...and I usually don't...but I do sometimes.

I think I'm just overly-sensitive or something.

But back to today being Friday the 13th.  I had a job interview today--let's hope the "luck" superstition holds!

Lindsey, Lori & Sam

I received three letters today: Lindsey Herde, Lori Lund and Sam Bhagwat. I just sent Lindsey and Lori letters this morning too so that was pretty fun to get their letters this evening. And Sam sent his letter probably a month and a half ago.  It was SO great getting his letter. He sent pictures and he'll be coming home December 27 and I go home December 28 so we'll be able to see each other before he leaves for Stanford and I go back to BYU. YAY!!

Tomorrow is the 6 months left for Jamon anniversary and the 1 year left for Lindsey anniversary. Of course I won't tell either of them that I am counting down (sorta) the months they have left because that isn't what they should be focusing on.  Goodness I love my missionary friends. I am so blessed to have them.

I am so blessed to have such wonderful friends in general. I love Lindsey so so much! She is just always constantly being an answer to prayers. And Lori is just fabulous! And Sam, Sam is Sam. :) I can't believe I'll get to see them all soon!

Sometimes...

Quelquefois mon cœur fait mal et je voudrais pleurer mais cette nuit je savais que je suis triste parce que je suis fatiguée. Et les autres choses, bien sûr, mais la plupart des raisons c’est que je suis fatiguée.

J’ai reçu Intermediate High sur mon ACTFL post-OPI avec Mme Thompson cet après-midi. L

TRC volunteering

The past three weeks I've gone and volunteered in the TRC (Teaching Resource Center) at the MTC (Missionary Training Center) in French. It has been such an amazing experience! Not only do I get to practice speaking in French myself, not only do I get a little confidence booster that I really do know more French than I think I do, but I also get to feel the Spirit and I get to have my testimony strengthened of the reality of Jesus Christ, His mission, and the mission of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

This past week I was able to be there for two hours (usually I'm only there for one but this week my career strategies class got out early). The first hour I was with more experienced missionaries (they'd been there for eight weeks) and so they taught the lesson in French. They taught me about the Plan of Salvation and the Word of Wisdom. Did you know what the Word of Wisdom translates as in French? La perle de sagesse. The pearl of wisdom. Basically the same thing but the change from "word" to "pearl" really stuck out to me.

The second hour I was with missionaries who had only been there for one week. They did their initial contact and setting up an appointment in the first fifteen minutes (like the more advanced missionaries had done) but they were so nervous! I felt so bad for them. The last pair that was in the room with me, I heard them talk in English once they left the room and they were talking about how badly it had gone. I said a little prayer for them while they were out in the hall preparing for the lesson they would teach me in English. They taught me about the church and Book of Mormon. I know that I've read the scriptures they had me read countless times--Joseph Smith History 1:16-17 and Moroni 10:3-5. But this time both of those scripture accounts really impressed themselves on me. The fact that just at the moment when Joseph was going to surrender to the adversary, the pillar of light descended and he saw the Father and the Son. The fact that the Lord has been merciful unto the children of men from the time of Adam even down until the time that we read the words contained in the Book of Mormon. Those facts really struck a chord within me. They're true.

The Lord truly does love us. God will be there for us, even if it isn't until the last hour, He will come. Sometimes we need to see what we can do and what we will do in a certain situation. Sometimes our faith is tried. And probably many times we just don't see the hand of the Lord guiding our lives.

I'm so grateful I get to go to the TRC and have my testimony strengthened.