Writing: It's a Magical Thing!

  

The way to a girl's heart is to hand her a pen. It isn't about that sappy chick flick that one can cuddle up to their significant other with, or the dark chocolate she loves so much. It isn't about the sports she has spent half her life trying to perfect without making the team, or the music she listens to that makes her smile. Sure, all those things fit in somewhere for some people, but for one girl in particular, all she needs is a pen, and a notebook, and off she goes, ready to take on the world, one story at a time.

To me, writing is magical. It unlocks doors I would have never imagined. It gives me a chance to express myself the way public speaking doesn't. Taking all the thoughts from the jumbled-up mess inside my head and eloquently putting them on paper in a way that can be understood is magical. I have listened to a lot of classmates and friends tell me that they hate writing, or refuse to write unless they absolutely have to, which kind of makes my heart sad for them. But through experience, I’ve learned that writing is an art form that has to be worked on constantly in order to perfect it, much like working in theater, or with culinary arts, or with paints or pastels. Writing isn't something that everyone excels at. To anyone else, it’s a wonder one would call writing magical. But to me, I know it’s magical, because I have experienced its power for myself.

As a young child, I loved reading. I fell in love with books the way two people fall in love. Magic Tree House, Princess Diaries, and so many others. I wanted to know how authors had these magic touches that made their writing come to life. As I grew up, I like any other child, had the typical elementary school and middle school experience. I was teased, picked on, and often friendless. I lost friends, friends moved away, and a lot of the time, I was on my own. Some of these experiences touched my heart and left an impact upon me so greatly, that I wanted a chance to explain how I felt, but with no one there to listen, there really wasn't a way to express the feelings I had to embrace alone on a daily basis. My journal became my best friend, and the way to escape what I had kept hidden from the rest of the world. Truthfully that’s how it all began. With not a clue as to who those thoughts would be read by, or why I had the strong desire to write them down, I just did it, no questions asked.

 What started out as a writing session with my journal every so often by myself, eventually changed into something much greater. With the amazing opportunities that the 4-H Program has to offer, my writing skills increased dramatically. At the ripe young age of 14, I had the opportunity through 4-H to apply for a leadership position as a Reporter. When I found out that I had been accepted, I was thrilled. It turned out to be such an amazing experience, and the rewards were even sweeter. The skills that I developed while being a Reporter have paid off in so many ways.  I have since served as a Newsletter Editor, and now serve as a Reporter for a State 4-H Newsletter throughout the state of Idaho.  Since the starting point of my so called "writing career", I have had over 20 articles published in various 4-H newsletters. Instead of writing for just myself, I am now writing for myself with the ability to tell stories for other people. I have also grown to have such adoration for the subject of English, and the writing that comes with it, while making essays and stories come to life with a few intriguing words, and intricate spellings. Without 4-H, I probably wouldn’t have fallen in love with writing, or found a new hobby of collecting notebooks, pens, and stationary. I probably wouldn’t be so edit happy about correcting spelling on various billboards, or on my younger siblings’ homework. But that’s okay, because someone has to do it, so why can’t it be me?

Writing has a way of invigorating the soul and exciting the mind, and has taken me on an incredible journey.  The best part is, it's only just beginning, and that's magical. As I look back on the past years, as my friends have either grown apart from me, moved away, or life simply just happened, the one thing that has stayed constant and consistent to keep me a float the waters of insanity is the ability that I have to write and express myself through words.  When I have a bad day I don’t always turn to the few best friends I have to cry on their shoulders. Sometimes I just can’t seem to find the words. But somehow, with my journal and a pen in hand, the words suddenly magically start to flow from my mind and onto paper, and I feel at peace again.  I can't wait to see where this magical world of writing can and will take me in the future as I start off in my second year of college with a major of Communications and Journalism. I also hope to be able to share my passion for writing in a way that others will be able to find the magic it possesses, in their own lives and unique situations. 

Thank you for your time in reading this essay, and best of wishes for the winner of this contest!

kortni.marie.wells@aggiemail.usu.edukortni.marie.wells@aggiemail.usu.edu

My RollerCoaster of a Summer

Words cannot express the roller coaster I have been on for the past three-four months of my life. I had so much going for me, when it all came to a halt. I was ready to take on the summer, enjoy everything that life threw at me, and just live life to the fullest. Little did I know, Heavenly Father had different plans for me, that didn't go the way I had anticipated at all. But, as I changed my outlook, my attitude changed as well, for the better.

First of all, when I said I had a lot going for me, I meant that I had applied for a 4-H internship, had an interview lined up, and was hoping to spend my summer with one of my most favorite 4-H adults in Morgan County, Morgan Utah. And for those of you who know how much 4-H means to me, you would understand why I desired this internship so greatly. But if you don't know how much 4-H means to me, just check my Facebook. It's everywhere. So, anyways, as the end of my freshman year at Utah State winded down to the last little wire, I knew I had a decision to make. I could either try to live within my means for a few weeks until the interview would come up, or I could go home to Idaho until I had a chance to be called back for the interview, and go from there. Either way it wasn't a very ideal situation, especially without a car...or a driver's license.  I tried to be calm and peaceful about the situations at hand, with some tough criticism following behind me the whole way. After several priesthood blessings, several prayers, and some deep breaths, Heavenly Father came to the rescue and answered the questions I desperately needed answers to. I was moving home to Burley, Idaho for the summer, and my residency for Utah State would start over in the fall, When and If I returned to school.

Moving home was probably one of the most difficult trials I have ever experienced. The criticisms followed me, in a little bit of a different light. Almost everyone I talked to thought I was done with Utah State, and was moving home to attend CSI. The questions flew up at me any occasion they could, and are still continuing. There were times I knew I was headed back to Logan, and there were times(in the past week), where I thought maybe I was headed on a mission and wouldn't be back at USU for a while. I couldn't get the negativity to leave me alone. It made me think of my early returned missionary friends, and made me wonder if that was the same criticisms and questions they were getting from peers, and trusted adults too. I was so excited to move home, find a job, and get right to work saving for my educational goals. Boy was I wrong. The job search has taken me through so many different loopholes up, down and upside down in knots. And yet it still continues.  I often found myself in tears, or super emotional in those weeks that followed me soon after I went home. Most all of my friends are on missions, or away at college, or still living close to Logan. I felt so alone most of the time that pity parties were pretty much the norm. I didn't want anyone else to see of the confusion I felt, because I knew I was where I belonged. Yet, I had the support system I needed from my parents, ward members, singles ward, and other acquaintances that made the transition just a little bit smoother. It also helped me feel at peace to know that I could save money to attend school, without paying summer rent, while also getting my finances in order.

But probably the best experience of my summer thus far, and the greatest reasons for coming home this summer, was to attend Girls State. Words can't express how amazing this program is, or the benefits that come from being a volunteer. (more to come on that later.)

If I had my choice, I probably would have still been in Logan for the summer. Harsh I know, but I knew that Logan is where I feel the most peace, and would make the most progress. Burley is still a place of refuge and hope to me, don't get me wrong, but things happen when you leave home, that make you want a change, something new, and an opportunity to branch out and see new places that you haven't been able to see before. That's what Logan, Utah is for me. But there have been some definite positives to this summer experience, that I can't forget to mention.

First, I have a chance to rekindle relationships that I lost while away at school. Best friend(s), parents, siblings, and my baby sister. Second, I discovered how the Spirit best speaks to me, which is really  in a number of different ways. Third, I learned how to rely upon the feelings of my heart whole-HEARTedly and follow through with promptings. Fourth, I have learned how to ask for help and be dependant on other people in times of trouble as an independent young woman such as myself often has trouble doing. Fifth, It made me realize that I will always have somewhere to go if times get tough and a support system always behind me. Sixth, I am finally learning how to drive, which is something I wouldn't have even Tried to learn in Logan on my own. Seventh, I am a pro at filling out job applications, (I mean, after like fifteen of those things, you start to catch on pretty quickly). Eighth, I'm learning to love the sunshine, and my tan lines, with a new appreciation for the outdoors while working for my grandparents. Ninth, I'm learning new definitions for the word patience, Literally. In every sense of the word... and Tenth, I'm learning how to be a better person for myself, a better friend to others, and a better Daughter of God each and every day! The Lord works in mysterious ways, and for that I am grateful!

The biggest part of this trial is that I have learned to trust in the Lord and his timing No Matter What.
I couldn't have asked for a better trial, or learning experience for this summer, and myself. All that's left to say is, Let the Rollercoaster continue. I'm ready for what's headed my way next!