We are constantly changing through life with different trials, experiences we have, and the people who surround us. Just like everything else in life, we have a choice to learn through our trials and experiences, and choose to surround ourselves with loving positive people who inspire us to become an even better version of ourselves.
When I was 21 my dad passed away and just eleven short months later my sweet niece passed away, at only three months old. Prior to these events I was not religious at all. I didn't even think about it or even care to explore that topic. After these awful trials I knew I wanted to know that I would be reunited with them one day but I did not have the faith that I would. It took me a couple years after this to start exploring my parents church and the LDS church. I knew I liked my parents church because that is where my dad found comfort to pass. My sister who lost her baby is a member of the LDS church and I was blown away with her testimony. I also saw how much comfort it brought to her and her husband when their perfect baby Mia passed. Not only did these events help me but the people in my life helped me during this discovery. I owe a lot to my roommates and friends at that time, we talked daily about religion. I know without these terrible trials in my life and the wonderful people who inspired me, I would not be where I am today. I could not be more grateful for those trials and my friends that led me to my two greatest blessings, the LDS church and Nathan.
This little adventure in that little house made me realize that I don't need or even want a huge house, a big nice flat screen TV, a fancy car, or any of those materialistic things in my life. And the things that I do have, don't need to be perfect. Linda and her husband raised their two kids here in this little space and loved it. I want to be able to live as simple as Linda and her little family. I'm going to try and buy less things and buy more experiences so I can learn even more from people like her.
Through my journey, I have changed a lot over the years, especially the last seven. I am the person I am today because of it. I know that I will continue to change and the people around me will change with their journey. I hope they can all accept me for who I am becoming. I am going to strive to live more simply, learn more through my experiences here in Spain, accept and love my people who are changing, and not only try to surround myself with positive people but try to be more positive so I can inspire those around me.
Even though I have learned a lot through the trials in my life, I think I'd rather learn and grow from experiences that I have. I think we all do :) An awesome experience that I had in the last month was when Nathan and I decided to go to Tenerife over Valentines's weekend. Tenerife is one of the seven Carnary Islands. They are the Hawaii of Europe. It was simply amazing. All of it. The food, scenery, cities, beaches, the mountains, and my company of course was all perfect. But the house we stayed in for two of the nights was even better. This little house and the little old lady, Linda who owned it had me thinking and reanalyzing my life and priorities. We had to drive up a long windy road where we would eventually be in the misty clouds, once we were submerged in the mountains we drove through a little town to get to our parking spot. As we were walking down a dirt hiking path to find it, I couldn't help but giggle, I was so excited. We were in the middle of the beautiful jungle with tropical plants surrounding us. I thought for sure we went too far, it was too amazing for someone to actually live here. We turned the corner and there it was a little doorway covered in trees and plants.
I couldn't wait to see the inside. Inside was the most perfect, imperfect space I have ever seen. Rocks were exposed through the clay mud, the walls were anything but smooth or even straight, the wood floors were not all facing the same way, the kitchen didn't have cupboards. But there were so many other qualities that were all so stinking cute, I couldn't handle it. There was a fireplace in the bedroom with a perfect ledge that they made so you could sit next to the fire, flower pots were made part of the house, the decor and furniture was perfect, the light fixtures, the whole front room was all windows with breathtaking views, and there were vines and plants everywhere in the house. All these perfect features made the house so cozy. I could stay in there all day.
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| From the outside |
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| This coffee table is to die for and it's even topped off with a fresh tropical flower. |
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| I wish I would have taken a picture of that window above the sink. It had the most random rocks placed to make a frame but it was perfect! |
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| In the kitchen looking into the bedroom |
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| I love her style. And yes we definitely chose to sleep in the orange bed. |
Through my journey, I have changed a lot over the years, especially the last seven. I am the person I am today because of it. I know that I will continue to change and the people around me will change with their journey. I hope they can all accept me for who I am becoming. I am going to strive to live more simply, learn more through my experiences here in Spain, accept and love my people who are changing, and not only try to surround myself with positive people but try to be more positive so I can inspire those around me.
