Better Late Than Never :)

I've found in my short 9, 497 days of life, give or take a few, that at the begin of each new year, most people set new goals for themselves. I can honestly admit that I have never once managed to keep a New Year's resolution. Yep, I am that pathetic. So, in honor of 2011, "The Year of Annie," I opted to try something a little different. Instead of making promises to myself I know I won't keep (a good example of this would be my ever so often attempts at giving up Mt. Dew, ya who am I kidding???) I'm trying a new experiment and hoping for the best outcome!

To better explain exactly what I'm doing, I have to give you some quick background information. While I was home in St. George with my family over Christmas, my dad and I had a very honest, brutal and wonderful conversation. I say brutal only because he said several things I needed to hear. Although hearing truth can be painful, I am ever so grateful for his words and the love with which they were said. It was this very conversation that has had my brain reeling for several weeks now.

I know what you must be thinking, "Annie's brain reeling? Never!" Yes, it's true, my brain has been on overdrive. Hard to believe that a person like me who over-thinks and analyzes every little thing could possibly have more to ponder about. I guess I have much to consider based on several events that have recently taken place. As much as it pains me to sound cliche when I so love originality, the past few months have been the most trying months in my life. I have been broken both physically, emotionally and spiritually. I've been humbled, begged and pleaded others for help, cried myself to sleep and then been humbled again. It was in this humility and with the words from my father that I was able to see just how much changing my life is in need of.

Although it saddens me to always be the slow learner in the family, I can't help but be grateful for the phrase, "better late than never." My life has been long overdue for a positive change and I'm hopeful that through the Atonement, the power of prayer and the love of my Savior, I can begin to make the changes I so desperately want and need. The picture included with this post is my favorite photograph taken by Mark Mabry. It was appropriately given the title, "Healing." One's eyes may be taken directly to the Savior as he heals this blind man but my eyes immediately go to the blind man's hands as he clutches the Savior. If you look closely you can see goosebumps on his arm. What an incredible feeling that must have been to be healed by the son of God!!

Once again, I thank my dad for his words, my mother for her strength and encouragement and for the experiences that have brought me to this pivotal point in my life to begin the healing process. I love my Savior with all my heart and am ever so grateful for His gift!!!

Purple People Eater???

"It was a red-haired, green-eyed, freckled, purple people eater,
A red-haired, green-eyed, freckled, purple people eater.
A red-haired, green-eyed, freckled, purple people eater,
Sure looked strange to me!"

Okay, so maybe I'm overstating this a bit too much, but my stalker does have purple lips...AHHhhhh!!!!! After sharing my "stalker" experience on the phone with Renae today, I felt selfish not sharing it with others, so I've finally decided to start a blog and dedicate my posts to be all about my weird day to day happenings. I know what you're all thinking, "Will Annie have enough time to blog all these moments?" Probably not, but I will give it my best shot. So here goes!

I just started a new ward a few weeks back. So far I really love it and look forward to every Sunday. Last Sunday started out fairly normal, got to Sacrament meeting, found a place to sit and then did what any normal 25 year old single female would do...I busted out my crayons, coloring book and fishy crackers to entertain me while the speakers gave their talks. A pretty good meeting in my opinion. Once the closing prayer was given, I collected my things and stood up to take my leave. I didn't get very far before I was stopped dead in my tracks as the red-haired, green-eyed, freckled, purple people eater man stopped me. I'll spare you the details of the 20 min. conversation and give you the condensed version. This guy was not a member of the ward, or even LDS for that matter. That was his first Sunday "checking out the Mormons" (his words) and boy did he check us out. He told me this story of how he was in love with a woman he's never met who looks just like me and he wanted to know if I was that woman? Hmm, what to say??? Anyways, back to the story, so he talks, talks and talks before I finally interject and explain that I'm late for Sunday school. I invite him to attend even though more than anything I wanted to bolt from the building. Gospel Doctrine went better than I thought it would. The lesson was captivating and before I knew it, I had to bid my new friend farewell. Before I could escape completely however, he heard me talking to the Elders about working at Deseret Book in the evenings. I'm sure you can guess where this story is leading........

Normally I don't like Tuesdays and yesterday wasn't any different. If anything, it took the cake! Around 6:30 last night while I was putting books away, the door to the bookstore opened and as I came around the corner to greet our new shopper, I immediately come to a screeching halt and was filled with complete dread. My "new friend" had found me! Once again, I'll give you the condensed version of our hour long conversation and spare you the pain that I was forced to endure. Here's how it went down, "Annie, I'll just come straight to the point, I believe in my heart you're the woman for me....are you seeing someone?" At that precise moment my shoulder angels appeared. Obviously the one on my right shoulder, dressed in white encouraged me to be honest and forth coming, while my naughty left shouldered angel ever so softly told me to RUN!!!!!! Instead, I did the only rational thing a girl could do and I created an imaginary boyfriend.

I'll admit that a teeny tiny part of me wanted to be evil and tell this guy that I'm into girls, but I couldn't bring myself to mess with him quite like that. So for now, I'm very much into my imaginary boyfriend and yes, we are thinking marriage for those of you who are wondering :-)