I went home to Burley, ID in August. I decided to walk around and take some pics of all the rooms in the house. I'd never done that, but all of a sudden I just got an urge to document my house. As I did, I had memories come to mind of times I'd spent in each room. It occurred to me that I've been guided many times by the Holy Ghost in that house. I have received significant personal revelation in this home in Burley ... revelation concerning most of my big life decisions. In this room,
as I knelt beside my bed one morning (now where the bookcase meets the wall), I was given a very direct "No" concerning my question of pursuing a certain relationship. A few months of turmoil followed this decision. I had to figure out what I was going to do next-go to college, but where? After much searching, and still not feeling quite right about any of the options, I found myself here one day.
This is now a linen closet, but it used to be where our shower was. I know it sounds funny, but I've actually received a lot of inspiration in the shower. Anyway, on this particular afternoon I was getting ready to go to a family BBQ. While in the shower contemplating my life and it's current lack of direction, I found myself thinking about the possibility of going on a mission. Immediately the thought came to my mind, "No, I'll miss everything. I'll miss Chant's graduation and him going on a mission, and what if someone gets married while I'm gone. I don't want to miss this stuff." As soon as this thought entered my mind, another one followed, "Don't you know if you do what I ask, everything will be taken care of." I did know this! I knew from where this answer had come. I was to go on a mission. I knew it a clearly as I knew my eyes were blue. I felt a calmness wash over me. Blessed peace filled my heart. I kept this little revelation to myself for a while, so it could have some time to sink in. As I told my family what I was going to do, and continued to prepare for it, the peace I had felt increased, and I was filled with great excitement for this venture. Never underestimate the power of a shower! That's good thinking time.
After my mission, I found myself back at our home in Burley-again contemplating my life's direction and the next step I was supposed to take. I'd felt pretty good about pursuing an education in music, and found that most of the schools that specialize in this were either on the east or west coast. I narrowed it down to a school in Boston-Northeastern University. They had the program I wanted, and didn't require an audition. I could specialize in the business side of the Music Industry. Plus, I felt so excited at the prospect of living in a city where so many of our nation's forefathers spent time and effort in gaining independence. I love history, so going to Boston would be like icing on the cake. Sidenote: While waiting for my mission call, I thought to myself, "I'd love to go to either England or Boston." I did get called to England, and now I felt good about going to Boston. I was excited! This possibility was, however, a little hard for my mom and family to understand. After all, I had just gotten home from being gone for a year and a half! I can totally understand their concerns, but I was so excited about this option. Anyway, this concern of my family members left me in a bit of a quandary. I asked my brother to give me a blessing on the eve of his entering the MTC. We stayed up late together, as we usually do when we are home at the same time, and in the still of the late night, in our living room,
we prayed together and he gave me a blessing of comfort and peace. In the blessing he said that what was right for me to do was already in my mind, and that I needed to move forward with this decision ... that my family would understand. So off to Boston I went. Another decision that would prove to be a blessing in my life. Many lessons learned in Boston, and many good times had. It has a very special place in my heart.
The next room is our kitchen.
This is a place where as a family we have made many memories, and where I have felt many times, intense gratitude for my mom, brother and sister. It has been confirmed over and over to me here, at home, that we were meant to be together. Sometimes this has come while baking Christmas cookies or making my mom's famous chicken noodle soup. It came on Christmas Day 2007 when we realized at 10am that we forgot to defrost the turkey, and ended up having macaroni and cheese for Christmas dinner. After all we'd never had a turkey on Christmas Day, so it was a beginner's mistake! We all found it hilarious. We did end up cooking it though ... at 11pm, and in a pan that was entirely too small. It dripped all over the oven, and the entire house smelled like turkey for days. When I got back to my apartment and unpacked, I discovered that all my clothes smelled like turkey.
It was in the kitchen that my brother and I decided to start a new tradition ... not showering on Christmas Eve. That one didn't stick, but it was sure fun that day. The kitchen is where our guests usually gather, and where great conversations are had. It is truly a place where I have felt inspired by those closest to me.
Last but not least is the yard.
Our house is about 10 miles out in the country. I love the hustle and bustle of the city, but oh how I yearn for the quiet, star filled nights in the country sometimes. It's the kind of quiet that allows you to just think without your thoughts having to compete with anything else. It is stillness. It is peace.
Even though this little house in Burley is not a place where I spent many years, it is indeed my home. It is where I have been guided many times to the places I have gone, and to the things I have pursued. Home sweet home.
