Happy Five Years!

Hey guys. It's been a hot minute. We have some things to talk about.
Since the last time I talked to you guys, I finished my first year of college! The main reason I haven't been able to get my life together to write a post. Jumpstart was an absolute blast. I learned so much, experienced great things, and made a ton of awesome friends. Highlights of the last few months were our trip to LA in which a LOT of awesome things happened, and our big movie-making project. (You can watch our movie here.) More details to come once I finally release the Jumpstart content I have planned. I think you guys are gonna really love it, just like I loved Jumpstart.
In the second half of the semester, I started taking another class alongside Jumpstart, math, and my voice lessons. At SUU we have a program called the EDGE program that is required for graduation. The EDGE program centers around planning and completing a project in order to make us career-ready. I took the first class for the program, "Becoming an Engaged Learner", which is pretty much just about becoming familiar with the EDGE program and how to be the best college student you can be.
Lots of great things have been happening in between. Saw lots of concerts, operas, recitals, and plays whether they were at Basic Academy or SUU. Had a lot of character birthdays. Went to the first ever Jumpstart reunion where all the Jumpstart classes past and present met together for a nice evening. Had a nice Oscars-type ceremony for the Stage and Screen Jumpstart where we got to show off all the movies we made and be with each other for one more night. Got to talk to ALL THREE of my guys on Kyle and da Boys Day, since it was on Carter's p-day. Spent a bizarre amount of time with Emily and Josh.
SPEAKING OF EMILY AND JOSH. I am excited to officially state on the blog that I am going to be an auntie!!! Emily and Josh are having a baby and I am way happy about it. I can't wait to meet him/her.
Emily is also starring as MARIAN PAROO in Cedar City's community production of The Music Man! I could safely call it one of the best musicals of all time and Emily's wanted to be Marian forever. So happy she gets to live this dream. The show opens on June 1! You can find a link to buy tickets on her website, emilydimond.com.
So, now that I've finished my first year of college, I've moved back to Henderson. We're not entirely sure how long; I'll just be staying here until I leave to serve my mission. I got an excellent job as an assistant for my friend, who sells Lularoe. I feel totally blessed to be there. We're already enrolled in an institute class and taking trips to the temple every week.
And I told you guys I would keep you updated on it last time, and it's been a long time since then, and a lot has happened. How are the mission papers coming?
I finished counseling after three weeks. After meeting with my bishop I was able to start my papers. I was getting them done pretty well and was excited to turn my papers in on the twenty-eighth of April, the soonest I would be able to submit the application. To be so honest, I was really naïve and hopeful about the whole thing. No problems in being hopeful about life, not at all, but I didn't really know what I was doing as much as I thought I did. I met with my bishop a few days before that day, and he said I would almost definitely need a pre-mission mental health evaluation. I went to do that just over a week ago, and the news we got was definitely unexpected. Long story short, based on the past year, if I submit my papers now I will most likely be dismissed from service. However, if I take the appropriate steps and wait longer to get my evaluation and submit my application, I will be ready to go. I will be going to counseling again for more or less three months and will soon after that be ready to submit my application. It will be in sometime between August and November, just depending on how long the process takes.
That's a lot longer than I expected, but that's honestly so okay. I felt really at peace with it just a few minutes after I found out, and I am so grateful for the Holy Spirit because I was able to calm down and realize that this is truly a blessing because of that gift.
So what will I be doing now that I'll be staying in Henderson a little bit longer? I'm going to continue to work. To go to institute. To go to the temple. To enjoy my time with my family and even my friends. I'm going to continue preparing to serve. And now I'm going to be volunteering at my high school, with my choir and theatre (I promise Mr. Calkins, theatre is my love too! I'd be happy to be there and help if you ever want me to be) and hopefully my band (if I ever talk to Mr. Kase about it). I might even read some books. Close my open draft for Story 3. Write some music. I'll be here with you guys for a little longer for sure. I'm gonna thrive and I'm going to follow God's plan for me, because that's why this delay is happening. There's a plan here. Thank you to all of my family and friends that have been supporting me during this change and reminding me that the Lord is on my side in all of it.
So I make a return to the blog for a very special occasion.
Because DO YOU KNOW WHAT DAY IT IS. DO YOU KNOW WHAT IT IS.
We are celebrating five years of It's an Adventure!
As I reflect on the *casual cough* last five years at this time, I am filled with gratitude.
Within about the past year and a half of the blog's life, it's honestly kind of exploded. I met so many new people, and writing has been a big part of my identity for my entire life (like literally, my entire life), but suddenly I was talking about it way more, and people were really supporting me in the idea. Guys, the number of views I get on posts now is way more than I ever would've thought I could achieve with my small audience of great family, friends, followers, fans, and fandomeers, and I can't believe how supportive you guys have been of this small piece of art I'm giving you guys. I really feel the love from everyone. Thank you for reading and thank you for liking it. It means so much.
It's been a really humbling year. I've always had a really big ego and a really strong need to do things alone. Living on my own for the past year, it was a really grounding and strengthening experience. Every one of my family and friends have been so supportive and helpful. I've learned that love really runs deep, because a lot of my relationships became stronger than they've ever been this year, and nothing really stops that love from existing; love is truly not about seeing a person a lot and even talking a lot. I'll message you when I think of you because I promise I think of you, and I probably write about you all the time, and the love is always there no matter what. I've come to realize even more than I already knew that I would work endlessly to get the things that I want. I'm always happy but I'm never satisfied. Happiness is a simply great way to live; I'm really just trying to live my best life, and I've realized more than ever this year that as a person that thrives on honesty I need to be honest with myself most of all, because I am always more free and a happier person when I accept what is happening in my life and then give myself time to mourn so I can move on and be happy again as quickly as possible. But to me being content is like giving up. It's like settling. I can't imagine a world where I'm not trying to get somewhere better than where I am. Especially being as young as I am. Being satisfied is where progress stops, and I never want to do that to myself.
I learned a lot about writing this year. And even about singing, as I continued studying that a little as well. I realized how much there is for me to learn in this world and I can't wait to create more and more content for you guys day after day in various forms. I've learned about my Savior Jesus Christ, and how His purpose is to not only save us but to also strengthen us. I have felt that strength and I find it unbelievably awesome and am filled with a new sort of amazement and gratitude thinking about it. I feel so excited to spend a coming year and a half helping other people find that knowledge and feel that type of love.
I'm just all around grateful right now. There is so much love around here on so many levels and I am so happy that this is my life and that I get to do this for people and that people have done so much for me.
I think many people thought I would study music when I went to college, and music has blessed my life in so many ways. On an intellectual level and a soul level. I could talk about that all day, but that's a subject for another time. However, I can't imagine a world where I am both pursuing a future that isn't writing and totally happy. But when they find out what I'm really doing they know it's right, they love it, and they support it.
Thank you.
I appreciate the love you give the content, and that you give me. I appreciate the patience you guys show me, urging me to put my life before the blog's life. (Even though, as they say, blog IS life.) I appreciate the conversations we have about the content here. And I'm so glad that when I share what I have to say, you guys give yourselves permission to speak as well. It makes it all good and worth it.
In the words of the great lyricist Jamie Houston from High School Musical 3: Senior Year, "It feels like forever. What could be better?"
I've said it before and I'll say it again. I love you guys.
--Lizzo
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