Life doesnt always turn out how you planned...

This year turned out very unexpectedly, but super great! I started out at BYU Idaho for fall semester, had a really fun experience, and I loved it! I met one of my best friends, Emily Wilson, had some great roommates, and had a  great first semester of college! It was about halfway through the semester, one time in the middle of the night I randomly had the idea to look up a certain degree up at Utah State. I thought that was a little unexpected, I wasn't sure where this idea was coming from, I didn't think it was just coming from me because I was having a great time, and was happy to be at a church school. But the thought didn't go away. So I decided to look up the Utah state website, and I cant really explain it, but when I was browsing through the different degrees, and everything about the school, it just felt so good, and so right. So not really sure exactly why, but knowing for  sure where it was coming from I made that apart of my future plan. I decided that I would finish up my first year at BYU Idaho, go on a mission, and then finish up my degree at Utah State. Well, it didn't exactly turn out that way either. It was getting really close to the end of the semester, when I had the idea that I needed to save money for my mission, and I wasn't going to be able to do that by staying there for another semester, but I did want to finish a complete year of school. I really didn't know what to do, I couldn't quit school and move back home because what if I couldn't find a job? And I couldn't stay at school either because it is expensive, and wouldn't allow me to save enough. after struggling with this for a few weeks, I thought about taking online classes back home! It was perfect! I could save money, while finishing up another semester, and maybe I could even get a job. The problem was, it was getting to the last weeks, and if I wanted to get rid of my housing contract, I would have to sell it. I was a little worried about that since it seemed like everyone was settled, and it isn't the easiest to sell. It is so amazing how the Lord comes into our lives and can help us out in just little ways. His hand was definitely apart of this because it was the very next day that I got an offer to buy my contract. I was so incredibly happy and grateful. I knew then that this is what Heavenly Father wanted me to do. Everything seemed to have fallen into place. I was able to sign up for the online classes I needed, rent my books, and move out back home by the end of the semester. It was crazy, but the Lord helped me through it. I also was thinking that this would be a great time for me to prepare for my mission while Im home, and possibly be able to leave sooner! I moved back just before Christmas, and one night I remember shopping with Nathan in Logan. I believe it was the first night I moved back, and the feeling I had almost confirmed that what I just did was supposed to happen, and it happened for a reason. I cant think of a greater feeling than getting a confirmation from the Lord that you listened to the right prompting. Christmas came around and I was getting so excited for my mission, I even got a brand new set of scriptures, and a missionary book. I was sure that this was part of the plan for me. How could it not be? I was actually so sure, that I started writing my friend's on missions asking for advice, and telling them. I told everyone who asked me my future plans. I was positive I was going. Little did I know that a week later that plan would change. On New Years Eve I met the guy who is now my boyfriend. It didn't happen fast, we met New Years Eve, went of frequent dates until April, then started officially dating. Now here we are, and it was so crazy how plans change so fast. My plans changed so much during this year, but I know for a fact I was led by the spirit for every decision I made. I cant imagine how different my life would be if I didn't follow the promptings I had. Sure, my plan to serve a mission changed drastically, but it's okay. I learned that maybe I was in the wrong by jumping in and telling everyone, getting all ready before I even got an answer. I thought I got one, but I think it meant something completely different. It meant something I never even thought about before. I never thought, or even wanted to start dating someone this soon. it was crazy! At BYU Idaho, I would tell boys I was thinking of a mission just to scare them off! That sounds terrible...but I definitely wasn't ready or wanted a boyfriend anytime soon. And now look at me. This whole experience gave me a better understanding that Heavenly Father truly does have a plan for everyone! And they are all different. They are just for us. And even if we think we have it all figured out, we still need to turn to him and make sure we are doing his will for us. That is such an exciting thing to me! It brings me peace to know that he isn't going to lead us astray, and if were in tune with the spirit, we will be led to where we need to be. Even if it is something completely different than what you originally planned.