Whirlwind

This post is SUPER OUTDATED. Sorry, I forgot to post this after I finished writing it.

Whirlwind.
That's the best word I can come up with to describe my Provo experience. I went through all sorts of emotions, met all kinds of people, and discovered so many new things about myself. Things like: I really hate television, and if I don't leave the house at least twice a day, I go insane. Another shocking new discovery is that I enjoy taking out the trash. It's true, folks.
I can't believe this period of my life is over, and change is knocking on my door again. I have to keep reminding myself that I asked for this. Back in December, I was still in my adventurous mood, but now I'm in my "let's settle down and get comfortable" mood. Perfect time to switch things up, right?
My bedroom is making that awful echo sound that rooms only make when they're too empty because the people living there are either moving out, or haven't quite moved in yet. Both scenarios give me feelings of uneasiness. Bah.
Okay, so I know this is public, but if y'all don't mind, I'm going to write this post for my future self. There's some things I don't ever want to forget about these past few months.

This scripture a whole new significance in my life
"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven." Ecclesiastes 3:1

December needs it's own category because that was one of the most difficult months of my life.

Christmas sucked for these reasons:

• No family
• No Arizona
• No Opa
• No employment
• No family
• No Texas
• No Tradition
• No plan for the future
• No family

Christmas rocked for these reasons:

• The light of Christ
• Amy McDonald and her family, and their hospitality
• Growth
• Skype dates
• MTV's "Guy Code" offered some humor
• Time to write in my journal
• The friendship and laughter of children
• A goal piggy bank
• Spending time with 4 separate and equally amazing women whom I've missed intensely 
• Introspection
• "Win a Date with Tad Hamilton" allowed me to admire Josh Duhamel's beauty
• Reunion with my favorite show, Friends
• Dancing in the kitchen
• Sunshine gleaming through the windows and illuminating the house
• Snow, although there's been very little of it
• Running with one of my best friends
• Change
• A yummy pasta concoction
• Lots of home-baked goods
• Faith
• "Bittersweet" by Shauna Niequist 

Valuable lessons learned:
First of all, Andrea, you need men in your life. I thank the Lord that I'm going to be surrounded by a plethora of them this summer. Holy cow, living with 5 girls, while it is super fun, is also exhausting and dramatic. Like when you're having a mopey day, the last thing you need is a tenderhearted girl to pout her lips and say "aww, I'm sorry, are you having a bad day?" No, what you need is a lighthearted male to say "hey, come watch the game with me and listen to this funny thing that happened!" Home teachers, boyfriends, and even the pizza delivery guy can offer some much needed testosterone. However, women are incredible and they play a crucial, special role in my life. I love my sisters, roommates, and girlfriends dearly. My roommates have been the perfect dosage of love, laughter, and learning. I absolutely know that I needed to meet each of these amazing women. Miriam taught me not to settle, Analee taught me to be thankful, Ke'ala taught me to voice my beliefs, Brooke taught me to be loyal, and Jessica taught me to be patient. I thank the Lord every day for placing them in my life. Also, the women I've met through church have been angels and shining examples to me. I'm grateful to be a part of the Relief Society, because it has given me the specific opportunity to serve and care for three phenomenal sisters on a personal level.
It's okay to laugh and take life a little less seriously sometimes, especially when so many things in life are very much out of your control.
Taking a picture a day was one of my best ideas. Holy cow, if you ever need to be more grateful, or be more aware of Heavenly Father's presence in your life, take one picture a day.
Luke. Need I say more? Oh, yeah I do. Douche-bag...Yep, that's good.
I don't think it was a coincidence that Kayla and I seemed to be going through the same challenges, and struggling with the same issues at the exact same time, without fail, for the past 4ish months. She has been such a huge source of strength and comfort. Don't you ever take her for granted.
Oh and James, holy crap he is heaven sent. Andrea, you can't lose contact with him.
Hey, you are capable of opening your heart up and letting people in quickly. Stop fooling yourself: your heart is not under lock-down. In fact, it's painful to leave Provo because of that fact. Get rid of the nonsense in your head that says you're slow to trust and even slower to love. Actually, I think I've opened my heart up too fast a couple times while I've been here, and it has caused me a lot of heartache. But I don't regret it one bit. "Our hearts are like flowers. Both the dirt and the sunshine help it grow." I love to love.
Remember that special experience you had in Farmington? Well, these past few months have been evidence that Heavenly Father follows through with His promises when you fulfill your side of the deal. Opportunities to serve, bless, and inspire have been all around me. I'm grateful for the times I chose to "do the right thing, at the right time, without delay."
I'll forever cherish working alongside Analee to beautify Marilyn's front yard. Then admiring her house full of antiques and heirlooms.
Smoothies are the bomb. I'm going to miss Ke'ala's professional blender. I need to get one for myself! Oh, and bananas are required if you want the smoothie to be sweet.
To Do: Go back to Sundance. You love it there. But next time, maybe you should try snowboarding.
Being vulnerable is the most uncomfortable and difficult thing in the world, but it reaps the most rewarding benefits. Along with that, always hearken to every prompting. Everyone is struggling with their own battle each day. You never know how huge of an impact you can have on someone.
Being single sucks. Get over it.
My favorite lesson that I never want to forget from my time here in Provo is this: I complain too much, I constantly forget what's most important, I'm too quick to judge, I'm inconsistent, I procrastinate, I have a tendency towards depression, I'm an anal clean freak, and basically imperfect in every way. But that's exactly how Heavenly Father wants me. The atonement only works if I need it, and that's what it's there for. I know in whom I've trusted. Jesus Christ is my foundation and my Savior, and giving my heart to him is all that really matters.
Bring on the next adventure.