Making Choices.

Okay, okay… maybe I talk about Austin too much. 

But can you blame me? He's been gone for 2 years and its as if he never left. I wanted to blog about this certain experience we had together last night because it touched me and I will n.e.v.e.r forget it. 

We are leaving for a 10 day cruise for Christmas this Thursday and we decided to go downtown last night to get our last look at the lights because when we get back, they will be taken down.

When we first got there we were searching for this restaurant called "Dexter Dogs" and when I say searching, I am talking about freezing our bums off, our noses were icicles, and we were just walking in circles around all of city creek. Like a dummy, I didn't bring gloves (All I have is my snowboarding mittens… uhh nerdy.) The price you pay for looking cute… ha. I'm pathetic. 

And let's just say when you are freezing, hungry, and lost… you tend to get a tad impatient with each other because one of us wanted to go North and the other wanted to go South. We finally get there and on the door of this restaurant it had a sign…

"We will be closing at 8:00 p.m. tonight!" 

I quickly grabbed my phone only to see the time… 7:54.

I looked at Aust like, "pleeeease let's just hurry really fast!" -I apologize to all you waiters/waitresses… I may have been that person who comes in 5 minutes before you close. ah. so so sorry. I just really really wanted to try their all-american hot dog with lettuce, and crushed lays chips sprinkled on top. *My mouth is watering*

So we walked inside, ordered really fast and sat down. In my head the whole time I was thinking, "I just need to down this hot dog and it would not be a problem because I was starving and they were closing in t-minus 2 minutes!" 

As we were sitting there, laughing at how difficult but easy this place was to find, I looked up to see the waitress walking towards our table. She probably was thinking, "These two jerks coming in here right before we close… I'm going to tell them they have to take their hot dog for the road!" -I had thought. 

Waitress: "Can I ask you guys a question?"

Me: expecting the worst… "Sure!!"

Waitress: "We have a ton of hot chocolate, would you two like a free cup?"

I know my jaw freakin' dropped. I was so touched and so excited for this hot cup of chocolatey goodness, I almost hugged her. Aust and I thanked her like a trillion times because not only were we freezing but we came in right before they were closing and she was kind enough to give us a free cup of what I like to call "Christmas." My heart melted and I will forever be a customer there because she was just the most genuine girl I had ever met. Whoever you may be… Merry Christmas, you really brightened mine and Austin's night. We love you.

As the night progressed, we entered into the visitors center and Aust taught me all about how the temple was built and how blessed he felt. He's so amazing. I picked a good one! We walked passed this little room with a t.v. and like 3 pictures of President Monson on the wall. Aust suggested that we go sit in there and just pick a random talk that he had previously recorded. We picked "Making Choices" 'cuz you know.. life is full of them! The first thing out of President Monson's mouth was, "When you go about making your choices, you shouldn't think… 'Would this make so and so happy?' No. You need to ask yourself, 'Does this choice make YOU happy?'" Holy smokes it hit me like a ton of bricks because that is what I am struggling with most at this very moment. Aust pulled me in closer to him with his armed wrapped around me and said, "See babe, you are amazing." My heart melted once again and I was just there with the spirit choking back tears.

We stood up and went to these computers and Austin showed me like 7 "I am a Mormon" videos. I cried during those too. SO inspiring and incredible to think the Lord has this never ending love for the entire world. Sometimes I get caught up in my day to day life and forget at what I have, or how great my health is, or the fact that I have a job and an education.

I'm just feeling extremely blessed and aware of the Lord's work that he has done for me and is also creating right before my eyes. I am going to return the favor to someone and pass on the true meaning of Christmas just like that waitress did for us. What an amazing girl. You have no idea what is going on in others' lives and what trials they are drowning in. I am so grateful for that whole experience, it was like we were supposed to be there last night.

So, with that being said, thanks Temple Square… for making my heart explode! :)

Merry Christmas to you all. Maybe when you are reading this I will be on a beach in like Mexico or somethin'? ;)

love you guys. 

xoxoxo. k.