The Secret to the Red Sox World Series Win

As I look back on the baseball season, I realize that all of my superstitions don't mean anything. They didn't help the Red Sox win.

I wouldn't wash any of my Redsox stuff from the first game of the season thinking it would wash away our luck. Call me gross...but baseball/Red Sox fans are hard core.

I also, had Fenway Park on my Facebook cover photo and believed if I changed it, that it would hurt their mojo.

All of those supersitions don't matter. Someone accidentally washed a shirt of mine, then I washed one myself, and then I just decided it didn't matter because we kept winning anyways.

When Andrew passed I didn't want to change my cover photo, but I thought better of it. I changed it. I knew it was just a picture and it didn't really matter. I wanted a picture of my siblings all together and that was more important.

What did help us win? What was the true key factor in this season? My family. We have been united in our love for the Red Sox for many years and even with the tragedies that have come, the Red Sox remain an uniting passion. (Of course besides our faith.) We watched as a family when they won in 2004, we watched together in 2007, and we watched together in 2013. The Red Sox are more than just a team we love, it's the uniting and love of a family. I will always love them for bringing us together whether we're all present or not.

Red Sox nation.... Boston Strong. Family Strong. Gospel Strong. 

I love you,

Arica

More Lessons to Come

I have learned one thing, okay two things:

1. You never ever know what is going to happen in your life. You can't make your own plans. Our life is truly in the hands of our Creator. We never know when we are going to leave this life.
Are you prepared?

My good mission friend and college roommate posted this on Facebook the other day:

I heard a knock on the door and instead of yelling, "come in" I decided to answer it. I opened it and saw my apartment manager standing there, she asked "is your apartment fit for a tour?" I hesitated as I saw a couple of pans on the stovetop and some dishes in the sink. I said, "Well we have some stuff here and there, but I can clean it up real quick" she said, "oh don't worry about it I will go check in another apartment"

As she left I was taught by the spirit this: "Is your life fit for a tour for the Savior? If He knocks, will you answer? And will your life be clean or will you always have some stuff laying here and a little there?" 

I am so thankful to know that my baby brother was ready. On October 10, 2013 Andrew, left this life. I have no doubt that he was living his life in the best way possible. Of course, I am so sad and I really really miss him. I do take comfort in those painful moments because of the type of person that he strove to be. This is one of those fastballs of life and it came out of no where. Now I'm thinking, and I'm thinking hard.

What do I need to change in my life? What is most important? Am I doing the daily necessary things that will bring me closer to Christ? How can I be more kind? How can I effect someone's life for the better? What would people say at my own funeral? How prepared am I?

So many things to ponder, and ways to be better, it's overwhelming. I take comfort in the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I know that I am forever being carried, sustained, and completed by Him. So the real question to ask yourself is: Am I effectively using the Atonement of Jesus Christ in my life?

2. The importance of keeping a record of your life.

Since the day Andrew passed I have cherished words by friends, family, and complete strangers in their condolences. Everyone has been so loving beyond what words can express, and I love you all. Just know that. All who have reached out, brought a meal, organized something, just sat with us, shared funny stories, and started a movement in his name...THANK YOU! There's really no other way to say it....oh wait...I like all of these to describe how I feel:

grateful, thankfulness, thanks, appreciation, indebtedness

The best things (and sometimes the hardest) to read are from Andrew himself. Rereading his emails, letters, and journal make me feel closer to him. He wasn't writing to any one person in his journal and didn't know his audience, but it caused a comfort that I can't explain. I remember reading my Dad's mission journal a couple years after his passing and it was amazing to get into his thoughts again. Their words leap off the pages and it's like they're in the room with me. Then the war inside starts after reading these things, I love feeling them so close, but it also makes it harder to accept that they're not here. I think over time it will get easier, but I still see the importance of writing. (Hence, the reason I'm writing on my blog again.) Take note of your thoughts, the people in your life, and what you learned from your experiences. 

Your posterity is NOW...not just with your great- grandchildren. 

I want to testify that I know that there is a God in heaven; He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to atone for our sins AND to succor us when we're hurt, alone, or sick. I know that it's through the power of that sacrifice that families can be bound together in the temple for time and all eternity. I will be with Andrew and Dad again. I know this because of the promises I've made with my Heavenly Father. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has so many answers to offer. If you have eternal questions,  PLEASE ask me or go to mormon.org. This experience has only strengthened my faith in Christ and it has changed the rest of my life. 

I love you,

Arica