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He Can't If You Don't Pray and He Can't if You Don't Dream

I have a wall of quotes that I love right above my desk. I looked at my wall today and came across a quote from Elder Jeffrey R. Holland that got me thinking. It says, "God is anxiously waiting to answer your prayers and to fulfill your dreams, but he can't if you don't pray and he can't if you don't dream." I've always been a notorious daydreamer. I've been known to completely zone out and become lost in my dreams without even realizing it! It's safe to say that I have a lot of dreams!

First and foremost I dream of getting married to my best friend in the world in the temple and having our children born into an eternal family. I want to love this man and I want him to love me more than anyone else in the world. I want us to be prepared to face eternity together with all the trials it may bring hand in hand as a team. I don't know who that man is. Maybe I already know him. Maybe I haven't met him yet. Maybe he will walk into my life when I least expect it. Maybe he already has. This is one dream that I can't wait to see how the Lord fulfills it. I know that someday I will be able to look back and watch the story unfold with utter amazement at the love and grace of my Heavenly Father.

I often dream about having children. There is nothing that I want more in this life than to be a mother. I've been blessed to grow up surrounded by so many incredible mothers. My own mother is the most loving and devoted mother I could have ever wanted. I cannot think of a time when I've needed her when she wasn't there for me. She raised me to love the Lord and the Gospel. She supports me in all that I do. Every time I have accomplished something big or small, she was always the first one to give me a heartfelt congratulations. Every time I have needed a shoulder to cry on, to hear words of comfort, or just a listening ear she has been right there. Even as I have left home and gone off to college, nothing has changed. When I had my heart broken for the first time and all I wanted in the world was to talk to my mom, she answered my phone call at one in the morning. That's something that I'll never forget. I grew up surrounded by family members and ward members who are such incredible mothers. I dream of raising children who love the Lord and love his Gospel. I dream of loving them more than I ever thought it was possible to love anyone. I dream of laughing with them, crying with them, and being so proud of them no matter what. I know that no matter what, I will love being a mother more than anything!

I dream of being a teacher. Ever since I was a little girl playing school with my little sisters, or my dolls if my sisters were uninterested, I have wanted to be a teacher. I love to learn. I always have enjoyed school. I tried to deny it as I got older since it was "uncool," but I never stopped loving school. I want to share a love of learning with my students. I want to give them an educational foundation that will last them throughout their life. I dream of helping each student in my classroom succeed, no matter how difficult it may be. Most important, I dream of loving my students no matter what!

I dream of travelling the world. California is the farthest away that I have been from my home in Virginia. I want to see the world. As I travel, I want to provide service. I love serving others and the satisfaction it brings! I want to explore. I dream of experiencing new cultures and learning to love new peoples. I love people! I'm a friendly person and I love getting to know new people!

I dream of music. I have been amazed by how my Father in Heaven has allowed me to use my musical talents. I dream of singing in the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. I dream of performing as often as I can. I dream of sharing a love of music with my family. I dream of using music to bring comfort to those in need and to help other feel the Spirit.

I am so grateful that I have so many dreams. They give me something to work towards. All of my dreams require a lot from me. They require me to live worthily and to constantly seek the guidance of the Lord. Thank goodness he is always just a prayer away!


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