The saying, "Every cloud has a silver lining" has been bouncing around in my head for oh... the past several months or so, for several reasons. But now that I think about it, this entire semester has been full of silver linings, just a little less noticeable and prevalent, but still just as important.
Now, you might be asking, what in the world is a silver lining?
I know I have asked myself that question more than once, especially recently.
After much thought and life experience, I feel that I might have come up with an answer to this question. These life experiences have helped me discover that no one is exempt from a little rainstorm once in a while. Or if your life is like mine, every day seems like a rainstorm in one way or another.
Throughout my life, it has been mentioned how important it is to pay attention to the good, to the positive things that I have experienced and am experiencing in my life. "The good is what gets you through the trials of life" is often repeated in many different settings as college students try to make their way towards missions, marriage and even towards their future careers and a whole lot more schooling than they think they will need. It is also important to pay attention to those little tender mercies, and the things that our trials can teach us, with help from a loving Heavenly Father. That's where the silver lining phrase really comes in to play.
When things fell apart with my job at Bath and Body Works this past December, I was really concerned, and frankly disappointed. That is, until I was given the position of Staff Writer for the Utah Statesman two short months later, in February.
This was silver lining #1. I have loved every minute of it, even with its challenges, and my shortcomings. I have become a much better writer and person because of my coworkers, my articles, my interviews and my responsibilities. Frankly, it has been a saving grace in college work, and for my life.
I was given the opportunity to apply for a National 4-H Youth Advisory Committee, and although I wasn't accepted as a finalist to interview, the application process itself was a learning experience I will always cherish. Silver Lining #2
Having been a member of the USU Collegiate 4-H club has been a rewarding experience, and a good stress reliever for my busy college life. I have applied for officer positions every year since I became a student at Utah State, and while I have lost every office I have ever ran for, I have gained even more momentum and drive to continue in the club that I love, because of the amazing opportunities it has given me. Finally the day came, and I was given the title of Vice-President of Recruitment for this upcoming school year. I had to pinch myself to make sure I wasn't dreaming. I am super excited to serve with a group of really cool people, I can hardly wait. It is incredible what 13 years of 4-H experience and love for such a program can do for a person, and what it has done for me.
This was silver lining #3.
At the same time as these two 4-H opportunities arose, I started looking for summer employment, not exactly sure where life was leading me. I spent many nights a little more than frustrated, confused, and nervous. I also had days where I was ridiculously excited for the future, in more ways than I could express. Time went on and my adrenaline rush from school kicked in, I found the PERFECT summer job, as a summer 4-H intern for Cache County 4-H. Interviewing with the supervisor, and while discussing the ins and outs of the job description, something felt a little off, regardless I was happy to be interviewing for a position I was really passionate about, that I also had a background in.
Impatiently waiting for the storm to pass, I received some advice from a few trusted 4-H adults, who have been with me from the beginning of this journey. The silver lining definitely didn't come in the way I expected, and I can be honest that I wasn't quite ready when it came, but I had learned that I had to take what was coming, if I wanted to grow. In fact, there really wasn't an exact answer. All I knew was that I hadn't received any correspondence or phone calls, letting me know that I either had or hadn't gotten the position at the Extension Office in Cache County. While I was a little bit heartbroken and a whole lot of lost, I continued to press forward. There was something waiting for me, and it was time to figure out just what it was.
Silver lining #4.
After what felt like an eternity of "No's", I was determined that something just had to be a "Yes."
I was accepted to be a Collegiate Volunteer for the Idaho State 4-H Teen Association Convention this summer, and while I was super nervous, I knew that as long as my heart remained in the right place, it would all work out. While a million other curve balls have been thrown my direction that have deterred me from being able to attend, I am content. Not only am I content, but I am still going to be able to attend after completing my paperwork in just two days, in the very same weekend that I will be leaving for the Convention.
Silver lining #5.
Not only have I been blessed with so many incredible opportunities through the 4-H Program this year, but I have also been fortunate enough to attend the Girls State Program for the 5th year, (4th on staff). While this will be mentioned in more detail throughout other posts, I do have to say that I am incredibly grateful for such a great program. I am continuously blown away year after year by the delegates that attend, the caliber of the staff to help lead both us and them to greater heights, and for all that they are. I wouldn't be who I am without them. A huge hole would be left in my summer if it were not filled with Idaho Syringa Girls State.
Silver lining #6.
Upon completion of my spring semester, I was given a specific job opportunity that I wasn't quite prepared for. Yet, despite my nervous excitement, I jumped in with both feet, packed in one night, and moved home, starting the job the day after I moved home. I may not have been in a very good place to pick up and move home this summer, but I do feel that I was given this obstacle to overcome for a reason. I now know a little bit more about the subject of law and criminal justice than I think I want to, but am determined that somehow, someway, it will assist me in my future. Although this job has been short-lived, I am incredibly grateful for the experience, and all that I have been able to learn. I can fully attest that it was one of the hardest jobs I have ever had, but the knowledge and expertise I have gained will be things that are not easily forgotten.
Silver lining #7.
I have been blessed with so many trials and challenges that I can honestly say have tried, tested and stressed me out beyond compare, even though they have all occurred within the past couple months. And the best part is, there is still so much to learn, that I'm not even aware of yet. My favorite actress has said that, "When God closes a door, somewhere he opens a window." (Julie Andrews) I can't even tell all of those reading how absolutely true and simple this is. Sometimes those closed doors are just God's way of telling us that there are more windows of opportunity just waiting for us, if only we choose to walk towards the light, and stay positive, regardless of what is being thrown our way.
I know that there is so much beauty to be found through these clouds and the dark and dreary rainstorms of life. We simply just have to be willing to search for the rainbows through the rain.
Somewhere... over the rainbow. 💛
