Lesson #3: When life throws you a curve ball, run with it.

This past week, I was thrown a curve ball. Man does life get confusing sometimes! Just when I think I've got it all figured out and I'm running for the home base to pick up the ball, I find myself taking a hard right into the outfield! I'm about to tell you one dream I have had growing up. I seem to be one that has many, but this one has never changed. Ever since I decided I wanted to be a nurse, I have wanted to attend the DATC. Why, you might ask? Well I'm not exactly sure, it's just more of a personal preference i guess you could say. Also, I have heard numerous good things about the program and so I have just always wanted to attend there and become the best nurse ever. I was told at the beginning of the summer by a counselor there that I had a good chance of getting in for the spring semester, which really gave me some hope because I felt like I was on the no fast lane to achieving my career. Turns out a month later, I was accepted into the OWATC program which made me very happy. You think I would be just like any normal person and be satisfied with this great accomplishment, right? But I just had to know if there was any chance I would be accepted at my dream program. So after a bunch of phone tags, I got a hold of the counselor lady I had talked too. I wasn't having the best day so I wasn't expecting much. She did the usual, make sure I was the real Sidne Huff Beus and surprised me with saying, "You've been accepted for the Spring Program!!!" It was a literal jaw dropping moment. It took me a minute to get out, "oh my word, are you serious?" which I said two times like an idiot. (i'm glad becky was such a nice lady haha) She reassured me she hadn't gotten it wrong and I felt the tears coming to my eyes. I had to really choke them down because there were people around and I didn't want to be that weirdo, but I can't even explain how happy I was!! I wasn't an alternate, I was accepted. I had finally done it! Something I had always wanted, I achieved! I just really couldn't believe it. Then I thought, what the heck?!?! What am I going to do?! I don't want to go into all the details, seeing as this would go on forever, but so many things had worked out for the Owatc and I couldn't understand why in the world Heavenly Father was giving me two choices! You would think it would be an easy choice, and writing this I'm thinking duh, I always knew. But being a girl, we over think everything! And I have a really hard time committing to big decisions like this because I don't want to screw up. (you can ask Kyle about it if you don't believe me) Anyway, I talked with Kyle about it for a couple days and went over all the pros and cons of both. Going over them I realized as happy as I was about the Owatc accepting me, it had never really felt super right. I was just going with it because that was my option. I'm not ready to start school yet, especially with my new job and I didn't want to have to quit that already! And honestly, I just want to enjoy being married for a while longer before I become super busy. I could go into all these reasons why I'm changing my plan and choosing the DATC, but something dawned on me today. I remembered a time I read a quote from Elder Holland which goes something like this, "Your father in heaven knows your name and knows your circumstance. He hears your prayers. He knows your hopes and dreams, including your fears and frustrations. And he knows what you can become through faith in Him." (its a book called Created for Greater Things by Jeffrey R. Holland. I HIGHLY recommend it.) That line has always stuck out to me. I remember some counsel I've heard from my mom about when we pray we should tell Heavenly Father those kinds of things and I have done it before. So really, I realized that he provided me a way to accomplish my dream. I don't know exactly why he gave me two choices, but i know picking the Datc is the right one. And I know he knew I would pick that one too. I know Heavenly Father has a plan for all of us, including me. And that everything is on his time and not mine. I'm not sure exactly why these things have played out in my life how they have, but I'm sure that when I look back in 5 or 10 years it will make sense.
So Lesson #3 is sometimes when you think you have your life all figured out, and you are running for the ball. Don't be afraid when it curves and you find yourself faced with new choices and decisions. Because usually, it makes us an even stronger and better person. And always remember to go for your dreams, because they can come true!! "Shoot for the moon. But even if you miss, you'll still land among the stars" <3
p.s. I AM SO EXCITED!! I feel so very blessed.

Lesson #2: When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.

Over the past month or so, I have received SOOO many blessings. I feel as if they all came crashing in at once and I had no idea what to even think! Everyone loves good news, duh. So here is some of mine: First of all, I have been trying to find a new job since before I got married. Who knew trying to get a job at the hospital was so dang hard?! I swear I had like 10 interviews and it was always the same thing. "Sorry, but we chose someone else." It's hard to think you've got what they want when you're constantly being told you're just second best. Right about when I was ready to give up, I got called and asked to come to a group interview for the Medical Oncology floor. I HATE group interviews. Whoever came up with that idea and thought it was a good one, was an idiot. It is so awkward trying to sell yourself to the interviewers and make yourself sound the best when you have 10 other people watching you and doing the same thing. Talk about intimidating! I always felt like I was the dumbest person in the room after hearing everyone's extensive vocabulary. (It's a goal of mine to work on) Anyway, turns out I must've done a good job making myself sound super great because I was called back for a second interview, and then a week later given the job! I was THILLED! Oh my gosh, it was one of the best days of my life. All the hard work and perseverance had finally paid off. I was grateful Heavenly Father taught me patience. I think when I had realized it's up to him when I get a new job, I got a new job. Sounds easy, but boy it wasn't. Even though it was just a little thing I FINALLY got a new job, and it was a blessing sent straight from heaven. As great as a thing it was, I found myself a little confused at the time. Reasons being, drumroll please..... The week previous I got a call from the O.W.A.T.C saying... I HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED INTO THE NURSING PROGRAM!!!!!!!!! It is such a great thing i am posting it twice:)I HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED INTO THE NURSING PROGRAM!!!!!!!!! Can you believe it?! Oh. my. gosh. I am beyond happy. Seriously, there are no words. It was always my goal to get into the nursing program this fall and earlier this summer that didn't even seem possible. I was so discouraged! But miraculousy I have been accepted and I couldn't be more excited to start and further my career and become a nurse! You may be wondering why I was confused about the job then. Well I got hired full time, and I knew I wouldn't be able to work those hours once I start school! And when I got hired they made it seem like there would be no way to work with my schedule. But, they must do that just to scare you because I talked to my boss this week during orientation and she was almost as happy as I have been, hearing that I got in and said they would be more than willing to work with my schedule!! Do you see all these "Lemons" I have been given the past little while?! Definitely making me some lemonade soon. :)
Amidst all of these great blessings I have just been living life day to day. Kyle and I were given callings in our ward! Kyle is now a cub master (haha), and I am now a Primary teacher for the valiant girls (8-11) I taught for my first time this last sunday and luckily all the girls were very nice to me. I was pretty nervous, but i am happy it went so well. My sister Erika gave us all the great news that she is PREGNANT! I am SO excited. Her due date is January 7th. A couple of weeks ago Ky and I went to saint george with all the the Beus's and we partied and had a good ol' time. (you can refer to my pictures on fb if you wish to see all we did) As of this weekend we get to go to bear lake! I was asked to speak at girls camp by my old ward. I am so excited Kyle and I get the chance to talk about getting married in the temple to the girls! I LOVE the temple, I would bear my testimony of it any day. And last but not least, I have decided to give an opinion of a new trend I find awkward and not attractive. Hopefully I don't offend anyone by saying what's on my mind (because hey, it is MY blog. you got a problem with it make your own;) cause it's not like I have anything against people who do this, I just don't understand it. We've all seen the picture, whether it's on instagram or Facebook so i don't think this will be something no one has laid eyes on. But every time I see the picture of a girl laying out by the pool with the camera aimed right on her bare stomach, emphasis on the crotch area, trying to show herself getting tan I think one of two things. 1) What are you really trying to show here?  and 2) Have ya noticed only guys have liked your photo? Anyway, I just don't understand the thought behind this picture. Don't take offense, I love you all (whoever may be readying this) But those are my thoughts on the matter:)
So, back to my lessons I am learning as I get older. Lessons Learned #2: You're always getting lemons (or blessings) throughout your life. Sometimes it may seem like you're getting a lot, and sometimes it may seem like you aren't getting any. But always make sure to do something with them! Whether it's making a whole lot of fresh lemonade or sharing the few you have with others:)