Australia: a brief summary

I grew up. Emotionally (whatever that really means) and mentally. I had a lot of time to think, reflect, ask questions and find answers with no distractions. None. And that's not to say that my very best friends back home are distractions, but being left completely to myself physically, meant that I had a lot of alone time to just contemplate me and my life and where I'm going.

I've become better spiritually grounded and have had adequate time to assess every difficult situation, big or small, with clarity and significant help from the scriptures. It's been amazing to see the changes I've made in myself that I didn't necessarily know needed to be made or could be changed.

I think that when someone finds themselves in a highly populated area of their own religion, they may inadvertently lock themselves in a mindset that tells them that they can't become as good as those around them. That they're always doomed to be two steps behind everyone else. Well I am here to tell you that you do not have to become an apostle to be a worthy member of the church. Surprise! Isn't that nice to hear? It was nice for me to finally realize. Not that I ever truly thought I had to achieve that calling (which I realistically couldn't) in order to be a faithful member of the church, but you'd be surprised at how little we think of ourselves when you look back at harder times.

I am more confident in my ability to control my future with the help of the Lord. I can choose how I want to live my life, what I want to do, and who I interact with! That is all within my ability. I have a stronger desire to get an education and explore many different experiences that are available to me now, and ones that I know will become available if I'm willing to push myself and look for ways to improve myself in all aspects of life.

The people I have met here have greatly influenced the way I grew and the new (better) way in which I view myself. I am and will always be grateful for the people I met here, they way they treated me as a friend, and the trials I fought through and difficult experiences I overcome. As well as all the great Australian adventures I got to take.

Australia has instilled in me the long awaited courage to take a leap of faith back into my own life.

Look out USA, I'm comin' for ya.

-m