2009 in a nutshell :)

Apparently people still read my blog which is kind of funny because I almost forgot about it:) Maybe if I keep updating it I'll end up like Julie and Julia with my own movie? haha, but since I haven't updated this thing in a little over a year there is just sooo much to tell. I guess I'll start by saying that 2009 was amazing! My journey though the year was filled with so many highs and lows. In the end it was mostly highs. I was in a rut for awhile, sinking fast in the swamps of sadness, I guess you could say, and everyone around me, including myself were very afraid I wasn't going to get out.

It's not that I wasn't living my life right, I was in the aspect of I was staying true to Heavenly Father and making all the right choices, but I had lost a part of myself. My understanding my relationship with my Father in heaven wasn't clear to me. I knew he loved me, but I didn't stop to think of all his loving and very real Characteristics. I was standing still, not moving, and not making any decisions. Like I said, in a rut. It was when Elder Bednar came to The Red Mountain institute to speak that my perspective changed. The statement that stood out to me in the meeting was "The best way to receive personal revelation is to move your feet." basically, start walking and let Heavenly Father guide your path. That's what I was missing! Ever since I heard that I just started making choices. I started moving my feet and in the middle of January I ended up in Park City Utah working at a ski resort! It was amazing.

My life in Park City was one of the most revealing experiences I have ever had. I felt the Lords hand in my life more than ever before. I had to learn to rely on Him with all my heart, being so far away from friends and family. I witnessed miracles in my life daily and the Characteristics of God were beginning to show. I began to know Him and understand my role as one of His daughters. Park City was very healing for me. It was amazing to walk out and see the massive beauty created for me right outside my door. I learned that it's ok to be alone sometimes and I almost started to enjoy my alone time. I felt like in those moments I could just listen and enjoy life. My testimony was tried greatly. Park City prides itself on being one of the only cities in Utah not found by Mormons. It was found by Scandinavians who pride themselves on drinking:) The game used to be that if you could ski down Main Street, stop at every bar along the way, and could make it to the bottom without passing out, you won! I'm not sure what you won, maybe some pride I guess? Anyway, this was the mentality there. Very few members and a lot of partiers. It was so easy, being on my own, to be tempted to just go out on the town, to a bar or a club, when I had nothing else to do, because there was nothing else to do really. Another thing is I got a lot of attention from non LDS guys. Not that they were bad guys at all, but we just had different values. Their idea of fun was going out for a drink, while mine was going for a drive down to Granny's in Heber and getting an ice cream:) I went on a date with a couple of them, and we had fun, but in the end I felt empty with them. They didn't understand me or why I chose the things I did. Therefore many of my nights in Park City were spent alone in my room, watching a movie or reading. I know it sounds depressing, but it was just what I needed right then. It was so nice to get to know myself, to enjoy my own company! It gave me time to think about what I really wanted in life and what Heavenly Father wanted for me. My testimony was strengthened greatly.

I decided to move home after about 9 months. It was a great move at the perfect time! I came home ready to face the world. I found a great job that I love and I am truly enjoying my life. This past year I was healed. I came to know that I am an empowered individual with a portion of Heavenly Fathers spirit within me. My power is endless through my faith and it joys me to think of life this way. Embracing 2010 is exciting for me. I know there is so much that lies ahead of me and I'm so eager to continue to be a part of building God's kingdom here on this earth.

One door closes, another opens!

Wow, I have seriously been needing to update my blog! I am such a facebooker I always forget about this, but I think it is important because on blogger I am able to kinda get my thoughts out, which is nice. As the year is quickly coming to a close it's time for me to start reflecting on what's happened this year and on what I want to change for next year. There really is so much I need to change! I have really wasted alot of time this year on focusing on what I don't have in my life rather then what I do have. I read a quote I thought was so good. I can't remember the exact wording but it went someting like, "Whenever one door of happiness closes, another one will open, but sometimes we are so focused on the closed door that we don't see the one that has opened." I know that has happened to me this year. I was doing so good for awhile there and then I kind of started to slip on my goals and focusing on that dang shut door again! I hate when I do that because then I waste so much time being unhappy and I miss out on the blessings that Heavenly Father wants to give me, but is having a hard time doing so because I won't let him. Although I hit this little bump, though, I am excited for this new year. Begginnings are so refreshing! They are a chance to revamp yourself, to really give yourself a makeover. I am excited for a long overdo makeover:) I just know that this year has amazing opportunities that lie ahead! I have no idea what they are, but I know they're there...waiting. So look out 2009! There's a new Julee Woods on the loose! haha;)

This video is amazing!

I am not a Catholic, but I think this video is so inspirational!

Tomorrow the sun will rise!

I just wanted to add a little update on my life! I moved back from Hawaii on August 23rd. The reason why I didn't stay is because I prayed, and fasted about staying or coming home, and I felt a strong impression that home was where I needed to be. I guess that when I was there, I didn't realize how much I actually did leave behind, including friends who loved me, missed me, and needed me. I talked to my good friend Heather Curtis on the phone that expressed her need for my friendship. I believe it was that conversation that gave me my answer to come home. There was so much more that made sense about being home rather then being in Hawaii without my family, friends, a car, or a job. Before I had left for Hawaii, my bishop here in my home ward was working on some goals with me. We decided that these goals were what were going to change my life for the better and make me happy. I realized that I could better accomplish these goals back in Arizona. I had a school down the street, a free place to live, the love and encouragement of my friends, family, and church leaders, and many jobs to be had. Since I have been home, my decision has been confirmed to be the right one. I have persevered through my trials and I am beginning to see the results of my perseverance. My happiness has sky rocketed and for the first time in months I remember what it's like to constantly be smiling! I am in school, in choir; I'm being social and making new friends, and mostly just completely enjoying life again! It's like a relief from a small storm that seemed to almost consume me. I always think of the movie cast away during my hard times. I remember the line where Tom Hanks character is talking to his friend, and he says, "I have to keep going, and I have to keep breathing, because tomorrow the sun will rise, and you never know what the tide is going to bring." It's weird because thinking of this and with my goals in my mind I just kept moving forward, I had to! Because I knew that somehow, someway it would be better. Then one morning I woke up. I was a little skinnier, a little healthier, I had so much going for me and so much to be grateful for, and I looked in the mirror and I knew that everything was going to be ok, infact it was going to be magnificent! So here I am continuing on my little journey with faith in my heart and a little bounce to my step, and I am happy again. I know that this was only possible through the Atonement of Jesus Christ! ALL things can be healed through the Atonement if we will just reach out and take the Lords hand and let him guide us along "beyond this veil of sorrow into a far better land of promise." I am so thankful for this knowledge. It is such a treasure and a gift and I will never let it go! I will hold fast continually to the rod of iron until I fall and partake of the sweet fruit of eternal life!

Reflections of Christ

Hawaii Slideshow

Letting go of what I think it should look like.

I arrived in Hawaii on August 1st 2008. It was beautiful! The weather was perfect and the landscaping out of a dream. I was supposed to spend a week here with my good friend Kelsey just to relax and unwind. The week was perfect! We did everything from snorkeling at hanama bay to hiking wamea and bbq-ing with new friends made on the beach. It was everything we hoped for and more. Our plane was scheduled to leave on August 8th at 3:15pm in the afternoon. As I was packing I realised that I didn't want to leave. My life back in Arizona just didn't seem to be worth going back to. Of course my family is there and they are my life, but I began to think about how I really haven't experienced too much other then living in Arizona and always trying to come up with the next step to take in my life there. I was talking to my friend Robin who we were staying with here in Hawaii and she said I should just stay, even for a month, and check things out. Just see if maybe this is where the Lord needs me to be at this time of my life. I made the decision to stay minutes before leaving to the airport!! I feel like I am going a little crazy, but even the few days I have stayed I have experienced more and met more new people then I ever did living in Arizona. Since I've been here I have been taking the bus everywhere, since I don't have my car. Every time I ride the bus I meet someone new! I began to realize that sometimes having all the luxuries of life can limit you. You stay in your house until it's time to go to work, then you get in your car and drive, then when you're at work you see the same people, then you go home to familiar surroundings and that's it! I realized that there's no adventure in that! I have been broke since I've been here, but I have experienced some life! It's refreshing. I keep praying everyday that I will be guided by Heavenly Fathers hand as to where I need to be. I feel a little lost and scared, but at the same time I know that I am not alone. Heavenly Father is aware of me. He knows where I am and what my needs are. I am so grateful for the knowledge of the Gospel. It is such a treasure and I know that I am so blessed and privileged to be a part of such an amazing organization as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I am excited for whatever the Lord has in store for me while on the Island of Oahu. He is my constant guide and comforter and I am thankful for that. Right now I'm just letting go of what I think it should look like and I am letting the companionship of the holy spirit guide my path!