Changes: Past, Present, and Pending

“The key to change... is to let go of fear.”

“There is nothing wrong with change, if it is in the right direction”-Winston Churchill

“Any change, even a change for the better, is always accompanied by drawbacks and discomforts.”-Arnold Bennett

“Life is change. Growth is optional. Choose wisely.”


Yep, life happens. Just when you get comfortable, the gears turn a little differently and everything gets altered, but it all adds up to blessings in the end. Here's my 2010 equation:

Start with A happy life with Jonathan, Grant, Coco (the cat), and a great job doing Student Honor and Activities with BYUSA
+ "Integrity for Life: Developing Personal Character;" I was invited to teach this class last January, and it has been amazing!
+ chocolate lab, Hannah, joined us in February as Jonathan's Valentine's Day gift
+ trials overcome that strengthened us
+ Master's degree in June (Hallelujah! It only took 8 years!)
+ found out we're pregnant in July with Carson (He's not here yet, but the pregnancy itself has been daily change)
- Student Honor, as of November
+ New calling teaching Relief Society
- Campus Activities! Happening most likely in February, but the process for hiring my replacement begins now
+ "Student Leadership Seminar" which I'm taking over now for Winter Semester 2011
+ BYUSA Communications; Christy, the current coordinator, is leaving and I am replacing her
+ Campus Life Design; again, from Christy
- a little bit of sanity as I transition everything
= A happier life with a larger family (Jonathan, Grant, Carson, Coco, Hannah) and a great job doing Comms, Design, and teaching that will allow me to spend more time with that large family!

It is a lot to adjust to, all at once. I've been doing Activities for almost 4 years now, and I've loved it. I love the thrill and euphoria of seeing a successful event. I love the energy and passion students bring to the area. I love the creativity I've seen. But, it has been really hard, too. It is a physically demanding job, and with my fibromyalgia there were many many weekends that I'd be unable to walk after working an event. It is also demanding on my time, and almost every week my family sacrificed time with me and I with them. Still, I wouldn't trade this experience. I treasure it all, even what I've learned from dealing with SO MUCH RED TAPE and POLICIES. I am glad that piece will be diminished, now, too! I just don't want to tell my current students. I love them SO MUCH!!! Bekah, the VP, I've worked with for 3 years now and seen her grow so much. She is fabulous, and a good friend. I'm so sad I won't be her Coordinator through the end of her BYUSA time. My EDs are also great. This team has gelled so well together, and are so united, it is like being part of a super cool club! I've learned a lot from Jenny, about myself, because she reflects me in so many ways. Sam's constant smile and reliability. Nate's quirky style of everything and astute observations. Ryan's way of embracing everything and everyone, even criticism, with passion and gratitude. I'll also miss Justine, my Australian Assistant whose spunk and playfulness played off of Ryan's gregariousness have often resulted in bouts of laughter at area meetings. I love them so much, and it will be a sad transition, but one that I am very very grateful for.

And yet, while saying goodbye, I'll be getting to know 3 graphic designers, 3 teaching assistants, and a team of 5 students working in Comms. I look forward to serving them and I hope I can do so in a way that honors Christy's efforts and the great strides she has made with them during her time here. I will also miss her friendship, but am so pleased that she gets to be a stay-at-home mom. There is no greater reason I can think of to leave a work that one loves than to serve family. Good luck to her, and good luck to me as I move forward!

To change, I say, bring it on!