Week 2, Day 3: Lazy??

As I sit here at 12:30 p.m. blogging in my pajamas, I realize that I kind of feel lazy. Due to the impending storm yesterday, my bosses talked about not having me come in, but still working from home due to the urgency of a number of projects I am working on. Imagine my disappointment when I woke up this morning to see pleasant weather and minimal snow. Bummer. I was so looking forward to working from home.

This morning as I absolutely fought myself about going to work, I finally jumped on my work email, and found an email from my boss about one of the projects. In my response to his email, I added a request to stay home and work today in order to leave sooner for Idaho. My very kind boss said "sure... and a very happy Thanksgiving to you."

YESSSSSSS!

So, I set to work in my jammies on the couch and aside from a few distractions (like homemade bread and hot cocoa - thanks lovely Say!) have worked since 8 a.m. this morning. Only now am I stopping to blog a bit and get ready to head north.

While this morning was great, I still felt the need to debate whether it was laziness or tiredness or the fact that my mind is already thinking about a vacation that kept me from going to work. Then I began to ponder upon whether this lack of desire was a limited instance, or more common than I would like it to be, especially when it comes to the gospel (because that is where my mind will inevitably drift to.) While finishing up the last of my tasks today, I turned on Elder Andersen's talk, Never Leave Him, from this last conference and loved in particular this passage:

"Not one of us wants this journey to be a brief flirtation with spirituality or even a notable but finite chapter. The road of discipleship is not for the spiritually faint of heart. Jesus said: 'Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind' 'Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.'"

I do not want my devotion to the gospel to be "brief flirtations with spirituality" or "finite chapters". Last night at dinner, I was telling my date about my desires to serve missions with my husband, and spread the light of the gospel to the world. I want the Lord to know that He has my heart and will when He needs it, even if it's at a very young age. Without saying it directly, he asked if I set my expectations a little too high in seeking for a future companion. It's an interesting thought, and one that I have considered often, but I want us to be evenly yoked and ready to pull the load that the Lord has in mind. Have I set my expectations too high? I know I myself am so very far from perfect, but I do try. I love the following quote, also from Elder Andersen's talk:

"Perfection does not come in this life, but we exercise faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and keep our covenants. President Monson has promised, 'Your testimony, when constantly nourished, will keep you safe.' We push our spiritual roots deep, feasting daily on the words of Christ in the scriptures. We trust in the words of living prophets, placed before us to show us the way. We pray and pray and listen to the quiet voice of the Holy Ghost that leads us along and speaks peace to our soul. Whatever challenges arise, we never, never leave Him."

 I know that no matter what happens, I will follow Him. He knows me and knows my heart and will give me the lessons that I need to prepare myself for my future. Oh, how I love my Lord.