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.