I've been thinking about it lately, and it's SOOO easy to complain. Like ridiculously easy. I sometimes feel like I'm always complaining, about the big things worth complaining about like 4 hour dress rehearsals, to the little things, like not having enough time for everything and being exhausted ALL THE TIME. Sure, it may seem like some of these things justify a little whining, but really, in the grand scheme of things, they do nottt. Not even a little bit.
Cause I was pondering a few mornings ago at work, which happens to be where I do my scripture study every morning. (BEST JOB EVER.) And I was just thinking about how so very blessed I am.
I mean check it out, just to list a few:
1.) I got to serve a mission among these AMAZING people, which, although is over has changed me and will continue to change me for the better throughout my entire life. I am eternally grateful.
2.) I get to play in this orchestra:
And it's such a blast. Like so fun. I love rehearsing and performing again. I missed it so much! And it's so good to be back.
And sometimes we even getta jam out with men's chorus. Which ya know, is fantastic :]
3.) I get to sing in this choir:
It's sooo great!! Like seriously, I know that this is my last year, but one day this week was just a soprano sectional and I didn't go to women's chorus and I didn't even like it. I missed it. It's incredible and it lifts my spirits being just being there. I love cello, don't get me wrong, but words are so powerful.
4.) I get to study at this wonderful university again! Which, even though is a bit colder than my natural habitat, is so incredible!
It's so great and I love it. Sometimes when I'm complaining I forget that in the beginning I had to try two or three times to get where I am today, and then I remember to be grateful.
5.) The Lord is SERIOUSLY divinely intervening in my school work. So even though most Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays I am sitting in Form and Analysis feeling pretty dumb cause I can't remember what a neapolitan chord is, the Lord helps me understand, slowly, but surely. This was made evident when we got back our first projects in f&a. 96%. I cannot even explain how much of a miracle that is. That was NOT me. That was divine help.
6.) Being able to speak this gorgeous language!
But seriously. So blessed! J'aime bieeeennnn. And my french 321 class is going surprisingly well. Another miracle story from about a week ago, I was in the french writing lab, working with this French lady in there, and after we had finished going over my paper, she said something like, "you're really just in 321?" MIRACLES EVERYWHERE. Seriously guys. This is not me and my skills. The Lord's hand is in our everyday lives. It's a miracle to see. And humbling to be apart of.
7.) My family close by!
J.J.- I seriously bug this guy ALL THE TIME for priesthood blessings. And he's the best and always agrees to them. I'm so grateful that he is a worthy priesthood holder that can bless and help me in times of need. He also always sends me funny stuff that he finds.
Megs and I got so close this summer especially when I stayed with them over my week of homelessness. We would talk into the night and it is so fun! She also lets me come ver all the time and do my laundry. She is so patient and kind!
Kalei and Elaine! I love hanging with this dynamic duo. Both my brothers and sister-in-laws are examples of what marriage should be. And I'm so grateful to them for that. I love playing frisbee with these two and just being with them! Kalei and Elaine are so charitable and I love being with them. They are examples to me.
And these cuties. Are they not totally and completely adorable?!
8.) The thousands of temples that are within an hour of where I live. Ok, that's an exaggeration. But really. In New Cal, all the members would save up all year long to go to the temple once a year in New Zealand. More than 1,000 miles away over the ocean. And here they are just everywhere. It's incredible. Specifically, I am grateful for the sealing ordinance that can be performed in this sacred house of the Lord. About a week ago, I had the opportunity to go do sealings with a few people in my ward, and it literally changed me. I learned so much!
9.) This is gonna have to be the last one, cause I'm almost off work, but being able to play cello ALL THE TIME. I didn't realize that I missed it on my mission, but I think I did. And I get to play so much cello! It's THE BEST. And I'm so grateful to be able to study something that I love and adore. It makes me happy!
(Also, I just remembered that I had this picture and had to use it cause it was too funny not to... This was the day after I got my wisdom teeth out 13 days before I went into the MTC.)
Anyways, I guess the point that I wanted to get across was just that I am so blessed, we are all so blessed! And I hope that we can remember these bountiful and infinite blessings even when life feels hard and practically impossible.
L'evangile est vraie!
Love, Pono Santos
