Hmmm...

Well it's been a while since I did this. It seems I'm horrible at taking time to blog or write or do anything that resembles recording thoughts and feelings for my posterity or anyone who might give a damn about what I think or feel. In fact I talked with a good friend last night about my lack of journal keeping. Once upon a time I use to be an avid journal keeper and that's when all I wrote about was boys and how much my mom didn't understand me...hahaha! However, now my entries would be far more mature and deep in nature. I would write about political matters, work, friends, and men (not boys). Ha! Ok, so it would pretty much be the same thing; how sad!

So, what's the topic at hand you ask?! Hmm...how about death. Yes, death. Recently, my Aunt Mary passed away due to cancer. It was a sudden incident that took her in six months but I'm glad that she's out of pain and in a better place. Luckily, I was able to attend the funeral and it reiterated how brief our time on earth can be. My Aunt Mary was only 61 years old. That is young! She was healthy and always helping everyone around, never thinking of herself. I recall her easy laugh, quick smile, and that sparkle of kindness in her eyes. She truly was an angel that walked among us and then just like that...poof, she's gone. But the difference between myself and someone who isn't a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is that I know the plan of salvation. I recognize that families are eternal and though she's gone from this world; she's working hard on the other side to be an aid to our Savior and His work. I'm so grateful for the Gospel and the peace that it provides me, as well as my family and all those who know of its truth and goodness. Hmm...I wasn't planning on testifying but I guess it kind of just happens when you speak of such things.

Anyways, it was great to see my family. It had been years since I had since many of my aunts and uncles and cousins, so it was like a reunion. And boy what a reunion it was. There was nearly 90 of us that came out to remember my Aunt Mary and who gathered at my Uncle's house the Sunday prior to the funeral. Talk about a good time! And talk about an ego boost. Everyone was gushing over how beautiful I was and what a "supermodel" I was. LOL! Seriously...me?! LOL! I mean I know I'm not ugly but really...but it was great for the ego and made me feel super good inside. ~BIG SMILE~

So, of course the whole night I'm in a great mood because honestly, who wouldn't be?! So, I walk up to my dad, give him a hug and tell him I love him. He turns to me and looks me in the eye and says..."Nila you are beautiful but you need to do more service. You need to do more temple work and you need to do more service for others". And I'm thinking to myself, ok I can do that. I turn to him and say..."Thanks Dad, you're right and I will". And we wander off in different directions. Now my dad is amazing and I believe that he is very in tune with things, so I take his advice seriously.

Lucky for me I already have an opportunity in the works. I have a date lined up with a guy I've been seeing to go and feed the homeless in downtown Salt Lake City. And since that date I have applied for several opportunities at the hospital to volunteer there and have been researching other opportunities as well. It's amazing how many opportunities there are out there. I'm pumped and excited to start this adventure, a little nervous, who knows why? But I'm determined to do it. It seems I'm a bit self consumed, especially when it comes to how I look, so I think this will be good for me. And it says in my patriarchal blessing to do things that take me out of preoccupation with myself and allow me to serve others, so DUH, Nila...SERVE!!! Gosh, that just popped in my mind, that line from my blessing...DUDE...I really need to SERVE! Ok, I'm ON IT!!! Well, here is hoping that I keep this up and don't slack off for another 8 months or so. Ha!