Religion and Relationships

     Well I was raised in a household where family values were held at the highest standard, and so were personal standards. I was brought up in the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and for the majority of my life I never questioned a thing that I was told; not only in religion, but life in general, relationships, education, any kind of teaching you would learn as a small child.
     Most recently I have been questioning my beliefs, not my core beliefs as a Christian, but just things that I have been told and stories that are in the Bible that I've never taken a second glance at. I want to be as knowledgeable for my own self and spirit about things, instead of taking them at face value. This stemmed from working a lot with people and realizing that humans as a whole will believe anything that they're told without question. It's actually kind of scary how easily manipulated our brains have become. I don't want to be another gray crayon in a box of grays. Let me learn and fill myself with knowledge to know what is true, what is false, and what I should believe. I do think that I rely on God for strength and knowledge as well as a better understanding of what I learn. I think I need to do a lot of studying of the time period in which the Bible was written and how people learned and conversed to understand what the stories were meant for and who they pertained to. It's a work in progress and I am taking on the challenge slowly along with some help from a few people of who's opinions I hold highly.  In doing this, I have found a best friend. Someone who makes me laugh, keeps my spirits at a high when we talk. This person makes me question my self and learn from every action I make. This person holds my heart and my emotions on a string and is usually very careful with how that responsibility lays on their shoulders. I am so very grateful to have this person in my life and wouldn't want to live a day without knowing them.

     I am peaceful today. The rain has fallen, the wind is blowing, God knows I exist and answers my prayers. I am ready to jump in a bubble bath and relax the night away, if only it would come faster.
On another note, I do want to start reading for fun a whole lot more. Maybe I'll start with a good mystery... or a romance, I haven't quite decided just yet.

Until next time...

--Ashley