Challenge Reflection

Wow! I can't believe that I finally finished the 30 Day Challenge, there were times I wondered if I would just give up and not finish :) I'm really glad that I finished though, there were several questions that were rather silly and as such got silly answers but there were some also that caused me to reflect on myself and what I really thought about certain things. While writing the different posts I laughed, I had many blank moments, and I cried--kind of silly but I'm grateful that I did it, while doing so I think that I learned a little more about myself.

Day 30

Day 30 - A picture of someone you miss.

It's sometimes hard to accept that death is part of this life, that we eventually have to be prepared to let loved ones go. I don't think that the missing them ever goes away but with the knowledge of the gospel also comes a peace, a comfort that though they are gone for now it is not forever.

Day 29

Day 29 - A picture that can always make you smile.

There is nothing like the cuteness of my nieces and nephews with Grandma to make me smile...I especially love that even in this snapshot you can see their different personalities. I love those kids! (and their Grandma too :D)

Day 28

Day 28 - A picture of something you're afraid of.

Snakes...try as I might I just can't find a good reason as to why Heavenly Father created them.

Day 27

Day 27 - A picture of yourself and a family member.

We got family pictures taken right after Christmas and we just got copies of them...I'm so excited and love them so much! (and to think it's still growing...by the time we take another all family picture we will have at least one more--Yeah Joel and Becky!)

Day 26

Day 26 - A picture of something that means a lot to you.

Friends (and Family)...they are amazing! They are always there to be silly, serious, adventurous, fun, and many other things with. I love them (the good ones that is) and they are always there ready to offer the support that I need.

Day 25

Day 25 - A picture of your favorite day.

One of my favorite days is when it's in the middle of fall, the leaves have changed colors and some of the leaves have begun to fall on the ground and it's perfect light sweater weather. I love to go take walks and read a book outside and look at the colors/beauty that earth has to offer.

Day 24

Day 24 - A picture of something you wish you could change.

I wish that everything in our world wasn't based off money--either how much you have, can get, or don't have. I think that if everyone wasn't so focused on that many people would be more pleasant and life would be less stressful (though I'm sure that there would be another form of stress with the absence of money...but I can dream right :D).

Day 23

Day 23 - A picture of your favorite book.

I'm really a sucker for any LDS Romance (:D) but I love the series Gables of Legacy by Anita Stansfield. I have read them many times and cry my eyes out every time, there are many parts that I feel like they are living my life and the same experiences. This series was actually given to me by a Sister that used to be in my home ward and I am so grateful!

Day 22

Day 22 - A picture of something you wish you were better at.

I wish that I was better at school in general but tests are definitely where I struggle.

Day 21

Day 21 - A picture of something you wish you could forget.

In the ward that I grew up one of the families owned a Christmas tree farm with lots of space, every summer my ward would have a camp-out there for one night. One of the traditions was that we always played capture the flag in the trees (at night when it was dark). I don't remember how old I was but we were playing, we weren't supposed to have any lights on but I was carrying a flashlight on my wrist in case I got scared (not a huge fan of the dark). I was running by someone when the flashlight on wrist swung up and hit them in the head...I have always felt really bad about it (and I'm still not sure to this day if I every told him that it was me---I may or may not have kept running into the dark so they wouldn't know it was me).

Day 20

Day 20 - A picture of somewhere you'd love to travel.

New Zealand...just tell me that you don't want to go there

Day 19

Day 19 - A picture of you when you were little.

What can I say...I was just that cute ;)

Day 18

Day 18 - A picture of your biggest insecurity.

I really try not to have insecurities, once in awhile I worry about my weight---but I figure if I try as hard as I can and love myself if others have issue with it that is their problem not mine. But if I had to say that I had an insecurity it would be that I'm never going to find someone to love and love me...I know that I'm not that old and that most of my siblings got married a little later than most (and they are extremely happy now!), but I am getting older and it does scare/worry me sometimes.

Day 17

Day 17 - A picture of something that has made a huge impact on your life recently.

Many of my friends that are doing this have a new child that had an impact on their lives, I too have children (close to 90 in fact) that have an impact on my life. When I first signed up to go to Taiwan I did not expect what a huge influence it would have on me, I gained a stronger love for children and an even stronger desire to teach them. I love these kids and their families so much, they were all so kind and loving...I miss Taiwan, the food, the culture, and it's people everyday and I'm so grateful that I had that learning experience and opportunity to go there.

Day 16

Day 16 - A picture of someone who inspires you.

There are many things about my sister that impress me...her willingness when I was little to let me crawl into her bed every night after I had a nightmare, her constant smile, the way she reaches out to all around her, the small thoughtful things that she does, her love for her children, her balancing of work and family, the way she is constantly looking for jobs or solutions for me (as I'm sure she does for others). There is so much more that I could say of what impresses me about my sister...she has always been someone that I have looked up to!

Day 15

Day 15 - A picture of something you want to do before you die.

Before I die I want to have traveled to the major continents (South America-check, North America-check (except I would like to still go to Canada and maybe Greenland/Iceland), Asia- check, Africa, Europe, Australia)

Day 14

Day 14 - A picture of someone you could never imagine your life without.

???????????

This one is a little hard for me...I don't currently have the "love of my life/eternal companion to conveniently put in this place (conveniently seems maybe a little harsh but I think that if I did have a "love of my life" he would go into this spot without thought). Next on the list would obviously come my family and friends...I think that having these people makes my life more full than it is, happier even, but I also don't think that my life would end if these people were to die (case in point my Dad). My life becomes a little sadder and I miss them like crazy but I think that if they left I could still continue living (how depressing is this?)

Day 13

Day 13 - A picture of your favorite band or artist.

Despite country being my favorite style of music and liking many other musicians and their songs this is probably my favorite artist. Since I own 6 of her CD's that should be signal enough to me. I love Selena and sad that she was killed way too young (of course being killed at any age is way too young), she cared for others and was beautiful on the inside and out.

If you don't know who Selena is or her story, check out Dreaming of You (probably her most well known song) or watch Selena (as portrayed by Jennifer Lopez).

Day 12

Day 12 - A picture of something you love.

I love seeing other people smile...it's amazing how much difference a smile can make in someone's face. I love seeing people happy and enjoying life--I strive to do whatever I can to help increase their happiness and smiles.

I love, love, love Gerber Daisies...they are absolutely my favorite and make me happy every time I see their bright colors.