Expect the Unexpected

I like to plan.

Anyone who knows me well is well aware that I like be in charge of myself and in charge of my schedule. I have had my life mapped out to this point since... well, since I could read a calendar, I suppose. I always knew I would graduate high school in 2013 and begin my university studies at BYU. I would then spend Fall of 2014 on the study abroad program in London. When I came home I would then allow myself to start dating people, be an efy counselor summer of 2015, and get married summer of 2016 right after I turned 21--just as my mother and sister had done. When you are young it does not seem so silly to plan things such as when you are getting married, or the exact time and place you will do a study abroad. I did not consider factors such as "What if I don't get into BYU?" or "What if I can't actually go on study abroad? It's competitive and expensive" or, the real shocker, "What if I have not yet found a person I want to marry/a person who wants to marry me by the incredibly young age of 21??" No. Haha, those thoughts did not come to me until applying to colleges, interviewing for study abroad, or getting to school and realizing how many relationships fail. Call me naive, but I prefer to call myself a dreamer. Even more and a dreamer, a doer.

You see, all my life my parents have taught me that if I want something bad enough, plan for it, and work hard, I can have it. Here I am, days from turning 21, in complete awe of the path my life has taken.

Yes, I have been at BYU these last few years and am whole-heartedly in love with my university and the unique opportunities it provides. There is no where else I would rather spend my days studying and growing.

Yes, I did spend four months living in London last fall, but I have dedicated enough posts to that incredible experience.

Yes, I was an efy counselor for the summer. It was awesome. And hard. But mostly awesome.

Yes, I am getting married in two months. June of 2016, just as I always planned. What?!

And what have I learned through it all??

Expect the unexpected.

While these major events in my life have (miraculously) all gone according to plan, I have found that it is the minor details that have made all the difference. For instance, what am I actually going to study at school and do for the rest of my life? Or why spend copious amounts of money for four short months abroad? What's the point? Oh. Also, turns out it is really competitive to be an efy counselor and they prefer RM's.. Which I am not. What if I don't get the job? Or the real big one: who am I going to marry and spend the rest of my life with?!

I have found over and over again that Heavenly Father is willing to work with me. A few weeks ago at General Conference, something was shared that has stuck with me since.

"You can have what you want, or you can have something better"

That has been my overwhelming experience these last three years in college. I NEVER planned on being a nurse. Not in a thousand years. Never planned on the lessons I learned in England or the ways I changed. Never expected the heartbreaks and miracles of efy. Above all, I definitely never planned on marrying Austin. Those things were not part of my plan. Lucky for me, Heavenly Father is patient. He loves me, stubbornness and all. He has lead me by the hand and said, "Look Aimee. You can have what you want, or if you will just trust me and let go of some of your need for control, you have have something infinitely better."

Gaye Ray fan club

Love me my Ellen

Santa Barbara for life

(I said yes)

Today as I sat with friends from elementary, jr. high, and high school and listened to my closest childhood friend speak of her experiences these last 18 months in Africa as a missionary, I could not help but marvel at how much we had all grown up and changed. From returning from missions, studying in college, marriages, and even babies, big things have happened for each of us. Heavenly Father has a perfect plan for each of us. Now, that does not mean we have to give up all our dreams and goals. Not even a little bit. I have done everything I hoped to in my life! But Heavenly Father knows I am capable of so much more than I think. He has stretched me and pushed me farther than I could go alone. He has led me down paths I was much too terrified to follow. He has strengthened my faith and enlarged my mind and world. Everything He does, He does to benefit me. Simply because I am His daughter and He loves me with a perfect love. It is not because  I am somehow earned it; I am far from deserving the beautiful life I live. It is there purely because He loves me.

Nursing cohort - love these fools.

Looking for Mr. Darcy...

Oh wait. Austin is better than Mr. Darcy.

I know God lives. I have seen his hand in the small details of my life, day after day. All He asks is that I have the faith to follow Him. That I will allow Him to bless me, to lead me, to guide me to the wonderful life He so desperately wants me to have--and above all, the life that will bring me home to Him. I am so grateful. Grateful that He trusts me enough to become a nurse and care for His children in need of healing on this earth. Grateful He let me go to my family's 'homeland' and meet some of the most influential and lifelong friends there. Grateful He allowed me to spend my summer learning from the incredible youth and working with amazing people. Grateful He led me to my best friend; someone who loves me even knowing I am imperfect. More than anything, I am grateful that I can be with my best friend and family quite literally forever. 

God is real. God is good. It is a beautiful life, and I am so lucky to live it--even (and perhaps especially) when it does not go according to my plan. 

Love Always, Aimee 

I am in love with life.

An Unexpected Surprise

Day one of our second week long traveling extravaganza was a complete success in every sense of the word. We rushed out the door early this morning and were on the road before I even had time to register what was happening around me. After driving two hours we arrived at Burghley House--said to be the best Elizabethan home in the country. It did not disappoint! It was full of beauitufil murals, detailed furniture, and old tapestries. Oh, and you can't forget the artwork lining all the walls.

*fun fact for Jane Austen fans: it is Lady Catherine's estate, "Hastings" in the 2005 version of Pride and Prejudice; so yes. I once again walked where Elizabeth Bennet did. But just wait, the best is yet to come so keep reading*

This is the room in Pride and Prejudice where Elizabeth plays the piano for Darcy

It was pouring all morning and continued throughout our two hour drive to the next stop of the day: Chatsworth.

aka. the exterior of Pemberley in Pride and Prejudice.
Yes, you read that right.
I most certainly visited Mr. Darcy's home today.
Yes, it was magical in every sense of the word. Thank you for asking.

He stole my heart so I stole a kiss.

Aside from fulfilling a life dream, Chatsworth itself was dreamy. It was even more decorative and fine than Burghley--a feat I did not believe possible. Touring it was delightful and highly recommended by me. The best part was by the time we finished exploring the house the sun had decided to show its self and the rain had stopped! This left the grounds looking absolutely perfect. Everything glistened as if it were brand new, the air was crisp, and the trees were changing colors so it actually looked and felt like fall. I was in love with life at this point.

  

Why yes, those are the stairs where Elizabeth ran away from Mr. Darcy after spying on him in his house.

Now, for the unexpected surprise. Sunday night I sent my dad our itinerary, mostly to ask him questions regarding Scotland (his mission) and what I should see there. Then he informed me that his last mission companion lives in Sheffield, the city we are stopping in just to sleep tonight before continuing on to York. One thing led to another and before I knew it his companion was calling me and invited me to dinner tonight with a friend! He picked me up from the hotel with his wife and the four of us went to get delicious Chinese food.

Although the food was great, the company was even better. They were a lovely couple and so kind and funny. I couldn't believe my luck with getting to meet someone from my dad's mission, especially on such short notice! In case you didn't know, my dad is not the most talkative person on the planet. As a result I have not heard many tales from his mission. I cannot tell you how much I loved to see pictures, read journal entries, and hear stories from someone who spent the end of Dad's mission with him. He told me my dad taught him everything he knew about leadership, focus, and that the best moment of his mission happened with my dad as his companion. It was a blessing from the Lord to meet these people; one that I had not even thought to ask for but am infinitely grateful was given.

The "Erickanton Theorem" on how to double baptisms. 

Isn't he cute? I think he looks like Jacob. Am I right, or am I right?

Heavenly Father is always looking out for us, I promise.

Have a happy week! Reread/watch/listen to some new conference talks and set some goals for yourself, yeah? Life is good, but it is much better with God.

Love Always, Aimee

Hi, my name is Aimee Elizabeth and I am in love with life.