5) Do you love what you do?

In July of 2009 I received the promotion from Access Services Supervisor at the Family History Library to Instructional Designer for the department. I went from training/teaching full time missionaries or employees face to face to sitting at a desk designing 60 hours a week. I would go into work before the sun came up and wouldn't leave until it was going down. I was given the thrilling opportunity to design amazing computer based training for the department and millions of members of the LDS church to utilize and assist them in family history work, yet my heart wasn't fulfilled and my body loathed sitting in a chair 12 hours a day. Then a gentleman and coworker asked me one day what my talents were and was I using them on a daily basis, if I could do anything I wanted to do was it working as an instructional designer? This inspired question brought me back to when I came home from my mission and how I felt compelled to get a masters in Recreational Therapy. I didn't follow through thinking I would go through the nursing program and be satisfied with a bachelors.

The answer to his question was a simple one: No I was not using all of my talents-I am great with computers and training, yet my soul wasn't being fulfilled for I was not living up to my divine destiny. The calling in this life for me-I love people, listening and learning from them. If I had to be inside I would want it to be working with high schoolers teaching seminary/college students as an institute teacher of proclaim other truths that would help them to come unto Him. My missions and other service rendered in the kingdom have made me experience the most incredible joy I cannot yet do it justice by putting it into words.

I also fancy being outside in all seasons. I love planting, gardening all summer long, I like landscaping, working, and using my hands to make anything. I love recreation of all kinds, especially those needing skilled technique (climbing, boarding, sailing, swimming, biking, and fishing) or on playing on sport teams (soccer, ultimate, football, volleyball, tennis, the list seems infinite). My outdoor ideal job would be to work with abused adolescents in the wilderness: facilitating them to find peace in nature and rest within themselves (hiking, camping, fishing, etc). When we spend time away from the distractions of our busy lives we are given to much reflection and vast imaginations, a sense of who we may be is given the chance to flow into our minds-literally bridging the gap between heaven and earth.

I was going back, back to the woman I've always wanted to be: a teacher, a caregiver, and one who has been many places and seen what the world has to offer her inhabitants. Many wonderful things and likewise things that would cause us to live contrary to the manner of happiness if we embrace such. Here we are given the opportunity to act or become stagnant and acted upon. Many times we let the world decide what we should be doing and we lose the rest or peace we find only in Him. It was only after I found out I was suffering from a debilitating disorder I left my job and everything of stability to embark in pursuing my goals, ambitions, and aspire to be true to my own divine destiny.

I now work at a local psychiatric hospital with patients, clinicians, nurses, social workers, and doctors alike. I love the time I am able to spend with the patient and brightening their worlds. It's my goal to make them smile, let them know someone cares with all of their heart about them, and give them a little bit of my love and hope, which he has given me to share with those of whom I associate. Life is grand, it's a gift and may we live and love the work in which we each do-that we may Rest in Him.