Life update.

Hi. I don’t know where to start so this is probably gonna be messy but I believe that a quick life update could maybe be in order.

School:

In February I decided that I really truly hated my Spanish class and while I could probably BS my way through the class with a decent grade, if I kept at it, I was going to come away hating Spanish. So I hopped onto cattracks to see if I could find a half semester class to replace it with and discovered that if I took two more classes I could finish my associates degree.  That was, if I could go half a credit over the credit limit. In the most Boston way possible and with a plan in mind I showed up to an academic advisor. Many times, when I show up to these sorts of things I ask a few questions I already know the answers to and give the poor sap who got stuck advising my extra little butt a warm up. This time I showed up and said “I have a long story hear me out.” We figured it out. There were quite literally two classes being offered that fulfilled the requirements I needed and I took them both. Taking so many classes was really hard and really stressful, but really fulfilling. I am so proud of myself for rising to the challenge and tying up my classes.

Work:

Multiple times throughout the last year I have thought I had found a Pharmacy to finish my extern hours at. Multiple times I was promised a job and then denied one. But, had some of them worked out the way I wanted, I couldn’t have finished my degree. Still looking. Still trying. I took a 2-week temp job being an AP test reader assistant (Wow. How on brand for me.) It was looooong hours but I made some amazing friends and I am so so glad that I did it. Now back to finding a pharmacy.

Health:

My body is never going to work like a normal person’s body. That can be really hard to accept. Back in December I had a checkup with my POTS doctor(s) and I mentioned that I wanted to go on a mission. I always imagined that I would have to convince them that I could do it. I always imagined I would have to fight and advocate for it. I didn’t. Both doctors in the office thought that I was doing really well and with the timeline I gave them, told me they could do my physical and shots at my next appointment in May. I was thrilled! They told me I might have some restrictions and there would definitely be countries I wouldn’t be allowed to go to. That was fine with me. I want to be set up for success.

In May I went back and they were so impressed with my progress that they signed all my paperwork without restrictions. I could be called anywhere in the world and work a normal missionary schedule. (Holy crap, I could be called anywhere in the world. That’s a little terrifying.) #HeLives to calm my troubled heart. I am so so blessed.

oh, also I had to have toe surgery in doing all the mission stuff. woo hooo.

Teeth:

After my mother pulled out her momma bear claws, the Orthodontist finally gave me a date for my braces to come off so that I could start mission paperwork! And then yesterday they discovered a mistake they made and they need more time to fix. Hahahahaha if you hear about me going to jail you will know why. Hoping and praying that by July 11 they will be ready. Deciding and warning that the braces will be coming off that day regardless. Watch out. The dentist was great though. Still never had a cavity even with braces. woot woot.

Temple

This shouldn’t have been such a big deal? I started having promptings to prepare to go to the temple for myself clear back when I was in China. I got a new home ward Bishop who was all for it, then my records got transferred to a college bishop who thought I was silly to even be thinking about going to the Temple and going on a mission until after my teeth were taken care of. I transferred my records home only to discover that my stake president wanted me to take a formal Temple Prep class. Someone was called in my ward and scheduled to start after a month. That person stopped showing up to church? Someone new was called and scheduled to start another month and a half later. Then the class was 3 months long. My bishop probably got really annoyed with my asking, but the Holy Ghost would not leave me alone about it. It was so frustrating to feel like the spirit was telling me one thing and my priesthood leaders were telling me another. Finally, finally, on May 13^th I went to the temple for myself and the peace that has come is amazing. I have many new questions and lots and lots to still learn. But the peace that has fallen over my soul is beyond worth the wait. I needed this. I don’t know why I had to wait so long. I do know that my pestering for a Temple Prep class has made it possible for several other kids in my ward to begin preparation early rather than feel rushed. There’s a silver lining. I am extremely grateful for the people who taught my class. I still wish it had all worked out sooner, but I am so so glad I had the chance to learn with them.

Mission:

The papers are in! FINALLY! My letter will probably come while I am on vacation with my family. That’s okay. I am so so excited to finally have my turn to serve. Has the wait been easy? No. Has it been worth it? Technically yes but also, I am still frustrated that it was so long. I have more peace now knowing that it is coming. I finally feel like the things I want are happening. I can’t wait!

We'll sing and we'll shout

The Hymns have always had a special place in my heart.

Think back to your favorite primary programs. You know the little girl on the back row singing louder than every other child on the stand? Not the one that makes you giggle because she's out of tune or because she does't know the words. The one that is actually doing a decent job and loooooving every minute of it? That was me. Now it's my sister. We don't plan to change any time soon.

I have always loved to sing and I especially love to harmonize. My mom and sister and I sing and play in the car. One of my favorite parts of both High school and University choir has been learning the songs of praise. More recently a few of my favorite hymns have become even more meaningful to me and today I plan to write about why. 

First up, a forever Anderson+Sonoda family favorite. 

• I Know That My Redeemer Lives. 

Forever a Family favorite. Especially since my BFF Erika came to stay with us from Japan a few years ago and learned it. She sang it again to me when we went to visit her in Japan. We sang it again together just this year when she came to visit again. That song fills her with a feeling of happiness she cannot even describe. Hearing it in Japanese sets my soul on fire. 

When we learned this song in primary, we were split into groups. "My verse" was verse 3. An excellent choice and dear to my heart. More recently however, verse 2 has pushed my primary verse out of the spotlight. 

2. He lives to grant me rich supply.

He lives to guide me with his eye.

He lives to comfort me when faint.

He lives to hear my soul's complaint.

He lives to silence all my fears.

He lives to wipe away my tears.

He lives to calm my troubled heart.

He lives all blessings to impart.

Ya know who feels faint a whole awful lot? This girl. Ya know who has a lot of fears? Whoop, me

again. I have shed quite a few tears. I have a real-deal, medically diagnosed, troubled heart. But He lives. He grants me rich supply, he 

guides me because His eyes will always be better than mine. He has so many blessings to impart. I

know that my body doesn't have a chance to ever be one to run and not be weary. But because of Him

I can trust that I can walk, and He will comfort me when faint. 

• How Firm a Foundation.

Why do they teach us songs in primary but not teach us all the verses? This is another one that I had

to learn the other verses on my own. This song was my China song. When I was feeling nervous or

sick or scared or lonely when I was in China, I listened to this song on repeat. I would be praying for

strength and peace and have this song pop into my mind. Once again, I love all the verses, but verse 2

in particular speaks to my soul. 

2. In ev’ry condition—in sickness, in health,

In poverty’s vale or abounding in wealth

At home or abroad, on the land or the sea—

As thy days may demand, as thy days may demand,

As thy days may demand, so thy succor shall be.

I was sick, I was abroad, and my days sometimes just felt a little too demanding. But it didn't stop at verse 2

3. Fear not, I am with thee; oh, be not dismayed,

For I am thy God and will still give thee aid.

I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,

Upheld by my righteous, upheld by my righteous,

Upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.

I was scared. I was lonely. But I was not alone. I was upheld by his righteous omnipotent hand. I can do hard things. I can do scary things. I can look back and remember that some things are hard and some things are scary and be grateful for the lessons I learned and the experiences I had.

4. When through the deep waters I call thee to go,

The rivers of sorrow shall not thee o’erflow,

For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless,

And sanctify to thee, and sanctify to thee,

And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.

5. When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,

My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply.

The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design

Thy dross to consume, thy dross to consume,

Thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine.

Sometimes it feels like we are being punished. Sometimes it feels like life is crumpling around us.These verses were not specific to China, but just for life. Sometimes becoming hurts. It’s scary tobe refined. Sometimes I can’t see how everything could possibly turn out well when it feels like allmy plans are falling to pieces around me. I can only wait and have hope that He can sanctify mydistress. I’m still waiting. I’m still hoping.

·         The Spirit of God

Another forever favorite. In light of recent events, verse 3 has been on my mind as of late.

3. We'll call in our solemn assemblies in spirit,

To spread forth the kingdom of heaven abroad,

That we through our faith may begin to inherit

The visions and blessings and glories of God.

“Solemn assemblies are used for three purposes: the dedication of temples, special instruction to priesthood leaders, and sustaining a new President of the Church.” 

-Elder David B. Haight. October 1994.

We recently had the sustaining of a new prophet. To say it the way my mission prep teacher

does, “There’s a new sheriff in town and he is not sitting still.” President Nelson has already made many big, historic announcements. He is spreading forth the kingdom of Heaven abroad. I for one am so grateful that I have an opportunity to watch this new era unfold. I cannot wait to see what happens next.