Calling for a Return to the Basics

Well, I'm finally blowing off the dust from my computer and decided to write again.

July is almost over. Where did the time go? I've had an AMAZING month, with two back to back vacations. First, a cruise with my best friend Alex to Mexico, Belize, Honduras, and Cayman Islands (just in case you didn't know, or you don't follow me religiously on Facebook/Instagram). Second, a super fun family reunion in Park City with 32 of us living in one three story house. Insanity? Oh yes. But like previous years, we made memories that will last a lifetime, including alpine slides, Seven Peaks, amazing food, and a Park City picture scavenger hunt. It was a great time!

So after this fun month, I realized that I haven't been myself lately. And why not? I have been having the time of my life and the fun never seems to stop. I am blessed with great health, family, friends, and really, my ever need is covered. I didn't notice it until recently that I'm happy but something was wrong.

For instance, the other day, I started overanalyzing everything in my life and I lost it. I was thinking waaaay too much and had to make some life decisions and quick. I've been putting them off for way too long but I was scared. So I started to reflect about what I learned at school during spring semester.

My spring semester was rough. My life was turned upside down twice and I wouldn't have made it through without the support of my family (especially my mama) and the support of my friends (especially my MTC friends). I found myself "alone" and afraid. Everything had suddenly changed and I was hurting. I felt like no one understood me and no one knew what I was going through. People reached out to me and I appreciated that but I still felt alone.

There was one night in particular that I was walking to return a redbox movie and I lost it. I completely fell apart and no one was there--literally. I was alone in my apartment and my family was over 600 miles away. But that night will always be one that I will remember. I called my mom and she reminded me what I needed to do. I needed to pray. I got off the phone, still pretty upset, and prayed. I prayed for comfort, I prayed for enlightenment and I prayed for strength. And within that moment, I felt peace. I felt comfort. And for the second time in my life, I felt the physical presence of someone there, when I was completely alone. I knew I wasn't alone. And as I sat there for a bit, I knew that someone was there in my hour of need. My Savior, Jesus Christ, has suffered for all the pains I have, will, and will continue to feel in this imperfect life we live. I was then again reminded to do the things I needed to do.

All was this was happening, I had received my first "real" calling--relief society teacher. And boy, did I love it! I'm hoping to return to it in fall *fingers crossed* because I never realized how much I love teaching. Not only do I love being able to affect my fellow church members' Sundays but I love how each lesson is somehow meant for me. Well, the first lesson I taught was all about something very fundamental to the gospel of Jesus Christ- the Book of Mormon. I sat there though, writing my first ever lesson and thinking about how in the past, everyone who teaches says that the lesson is perfect for them. It hit me. I hadn't been reading my scriptures. The past year, I had been pretty good about reading, as I would use it for nightly motivation to talk on the phone. But with everything that had happened, I had lost focus.

Well, it is my strong belief that the gospel of Jesus Christ can be very simple. Everyone always jokes about the "Sunday School" answers but, personally speaking, those Sunday School answers can take us to salvation. By merely reading scriptures, praying and attending church, you are staying on the path to salvation and ultimately, eternal life.

This lead me to my motto for spring semester. Get ready for this, it's super super deep and thought provoking..

Return to the Basics.

Wow, Megan, that is way too complicated for me to understand...said no one EVER.

As I looked back on my life, all the rough patches have one thing in common....I stopped doing the basics. I slacked on my scripture study, I wasn't regular with my prayers and I didn't have MEANINGFUL church attendance. (I fully believe that you get out of church what you put into it.)

So back to this month. I have had the best month of my life...according to Fakebook and Instagram. According to the facts, I should be overly happy and excited for life around me. But why haven't I been truly happy? I stopped doing the basics. I stopped my personal growth and I stopped trying to better myself. I stopped talking to my Heavenly Father and searching the Book of Mormon nightly. I stopped attending church with a purpose. I haven't been myself because I forgot the basics. I forgot how to be a true follower of Jesus Christ.

So, basically, I invite you out there who is reading this to continue to return to the basics. And if you have ANY questions about the LDS church or what I believe in, please leave your comments or fill up my Facebook inbox because being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the biggest blessing I have in my life. I love it. I can't imagine my life without the knowledge I have, or without having a loving Heavenly Father who listens and answers my prayers. But, I can't have those blessings with returning to the basics nor can I experience true happiness and knowledge of who I am. I know I will never be perfect in this life, but I can try each day to be a little bit better than the day before.