What Do You Want To Be When You Grow Up?

It's been a week since Mother's Day, and with that in mind, I've reflected on this past year of my life where I've had to more seriously consider the question "What do you want to be when you grow up?" I've come to some conclusions that may surprise you.

I have many goals and ideas for the future: I want to graduate from college, to teach dance, to perform, to write novels, to travel, to explore new things and new places.

But what I really want my future to look like is this:

all pictures courtesy of Pinterest

I want to be a wife and a mother.

Now there's some out there who may think that my mindset is dated or that I am missing out on much greater things, or that I am setting women back by focusing on these traditional roles, but I would have to respectfully disagree.

Yes, women should feel empowered and have the freedom to choose to be anything they want to be.

But to me, the best thing a woman can be is a wife and a mother.

There is something especially sacred and God-blessed about a family. God Himself is our Father. Family is so important that, of all the names the one Almighty Being could ask us to call Him, He chose Father. I myself have never felt closer to God or more on track with my life than when I am with my family, being raised in the gospel of Jesus Christ.

I don't see anything degrading, repressive, or insulting about being a homemaker.

Yes, I plan to pursue my dreams. I plan to dance for as long as I possibly can, including in my kitchen once I'm far too old for performing. I plan to see as much of the world as I can, to become as educated as I can, to explore new things. 

But at the end of it all, if I have not reached my ultimate goal of being a righteous wife and mother, I will have achieved nothing.

To the women of the world: Do not accept anyone telling you that you are limited in what you can or can't do or be. Do not doubt your abilities to accomplish any dream you have. But do not discredit the value of being a wife and mother, of making a home in which God's Spirit can dwell and instruct, of creating an atmosphere of love and laughter and home-baked cookies that your children will remember and pass on to their children, of building a sanctuary for your family in a troubled world.

What do I want to do when I grow up?

Change the world.

What better way to do that than to raise the next generation in love and righteousness?

Every child who believes in themselves, who treats others with kindness, and who is firm in their beliefs is someone who can and will change the world around them.

So, what do you want to be when you grow up?

Because I'd be happy to just be "Mommy."

What I Learned My First Year of College

Hey y'all! Sorry it's been so ridiculously long. Here's my top 5 things I learned during my first year of college! I hope my advice can help some people out!

1) Know What You Can Handle

We all spent our fair share of time crashed on the couch after a long night of studying
 or hiding from responsibilities under blankets...sometimes you CAN'T pull an all nighter

Sometimes you're really sick...and you just CAN'T do any of your work

You CAN work your butt off on a project for a competition and WIN!

Sometimes you think you can take all of these grocery bags up in one trip....but you CAN'T

You CAN place 3rd in the BYU's Got Talent Finale!

You CAN earn a 4.0 for your first year! (with insane amounts of work...and next to no sleep)

This isn't just about credit hours (although I'm here to tell you that doing too many makes you sacrifice certain things, like sleep and blogging for instance), but about your whole life. Don't bite off more than you can chew. Are you taking a really hard class this semester? Then don't also get a demanding job or become super involved with a group on campus. Know that you'll be spending more time with friends than you probably should? Then don't overload yourself with lots of classes. That being said, Don't sell yourself short. Don't do the bare minimum just because your mom isn't here to tell you otherwise. Don't have a "C's get degrees" mindset when you know that with hard work, you could get a 4.0. Know your capabilities and limitations.

2) Branch Out

I rode a motorcycle!! (first and only time)

Dancing in heels? Okay, why not?

Put a flow chart on your door. It just may lead to something ;) 

I shot a gun for the first time!

We had Indian food! So yummy!

Try different kinds of ice cream, especially if you've never had it before. ;)

Get messy! Dive into Blue Foam!

This goes right along with my New Year's motto of "have courage and be kind" (By the way, Cinderella was amazing and you should all go see it and I want a dress like that to twirl in). Be brave. Put yourself out there. Try something new. Eat at that Indian restaurant. Check out Country Swing Dance Club. Go on that blind date. Even if it doesn't turn out the way you'd hoped, branching out is always worth it.

3) Make Friends

This seems to be obvious, but the more friends you make, the more friends you have. The more you approach people and get to know people and go do things with people, the more people you will have there with you and for you. I have made some of the best friends I will ever make this past year, friends that I know are for a lifetime, not just for a year. Cling to the true friends you make. They will be there for you through all of the ice cream, failed tests, throw up, breakups, hard decisions, and late move nights, and be there for them too. Be there to laugh, cry, advise, and listen. I can say without hesitation that the biggest and best takeaway I have from my first year are the friendships I made.

4) Grow

My Relief Society counselors and secretary made my daunting job of being president

 a joy and an amazing learning experience!

My technique has improved so much, and I was thrilled to get into the dance major program!

Hiking the Y like  champs

Love to dance! Any time, anywhere.

I have had the incredible experience this past year of doing family history and completing saving ordinances for my kindred dead in the holy temple. It's opened my heart to a whole new aspect of joy! 

College offers so many opportunities to grow, in every way possible. I have grown physically (thank you, dance major and huge campus, for putting me in the best shape of my life), emotionally (thank you dumb boys, nice boys, fantastic roommates, and amazing opportunities to serve), and spiritually (thank you fellow Relief Society Presidency members, incredible religion classes, and my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ). I am so much more than I was before I came to college. This is the time to truly find who you are, and better yet, to take big steps toward who you are meant to become. Take every opportunity to grow more kind, more brave, more loving, more strong, more wise, more confident.

5) Find What Makes You Strong

The Provo temple. It was so great to have a temple within walking distance!

Early morning temple trips with the roomies were the best!

Salt Lake Visitors Center!

The Salt Lake Temple. Gorgeous!

Seeing General Conference live was amazing! I am so grateful for the words of a living prophet!

So grateful for the time of year that puts so much focus on our Savior.

I love this book so much and am so grateful for how it brings me closer to Jesus Christ!

My first year of college was wonderful, but it definitely had its hard times. Above anything else, I've learned to rely on my faith for strength. Prayer, scripture study, church attendance, and listening to words of a living prophet and apostles have all helped me handle anything this past year has thrown at me. In addition, I have been blessed with the best people in my life. Family, friends, roommates, classmates, professors, and church leaders have all had a huge impact on me. I have been surrounded by angels this year, both seen and unseen, helping me on my way. I am so blessed to have had these wonderful people and things to make me strong through hard times. Find what makes you strong, and cling to it.