One Year

The past week or two it has been hard for me not to think about what I was doing a year ago.  I was leaving my comfortable life for the scary real life that stretched before me.  It is amazing how much my life hasn't turned out the way I wanted it to, but how much it has turned into what I needed.
 As I have been applying for teaching jobs for next year I realized that I needed a year of experience outside of what I had before.  A lot of the districts are looking for recent letters of recommendation.  My letters were 2 years old when I returned home, and they are now 3 years old.  It has been nice to have people write me new letters and know that they are up to date and what I need to get a job.
 I am starting to see the blessings I have received because I am focused on the Lord's plan.  I haven't been completely happy about it but I know it is what He wants me to do and I am willing to do whatever it takes to get me where I would like to be and where I know the Lord wants me.  I will admit there are days when I just want to lay down and throw the biggest temper tantrum about not getting my way.  But, I know everything happens for a reason.  I just need to stay focused on that and on what I need to do and where I need to go.  I need to prepare myself for what is going to come, whatever it may be.
I have been thinking about this quote, "Patience is not simply enduring, it is enduring well."  I think the point is that when we are patient we are doing.  Whatever that doing is.  For me, as I look for a job, the doing is: applying, interviewing, temple attendance, networking, reading scriptures, attending church, and doing the best I can at the jobs I have been given.  If I just sat around, curled up in a ball, threw that temper tantrum, and waited for the job to come my way, I would be in BIG trouble.  Nothing would happen.  I would be enduring, but is it enduring well?  I don't think so.
The Lord does want to answer our prayers, but he will do it as we are actively working towards whatever the goal is.  And sometimes he turns us around in another direction.  That is what I feel happened when I decided to go on a mission.  I was moving forward, "enduring well," struggling but trying to do my best.  Then the Lord stopped that path and sent me on an 18 month detour.  That has made my path look just a little different.  But, it is my perfect path.
I am grateful that He has given it to me and has trusted me with it.  I am happy I had the opportunities I had in Upstate/Central New York.  The people I met, the places I saw, and the change I experienced.  I know now I can be better and I am better than I think I am.  "Oh, it is Wonderful!"