The stress of moving to a foreign country.

I'm moving to Paris in three weeks!! And boy am I unprepared. My oldest brother is getting married this Thursday, and we are all so excited. We have been running around for months trying our best to make sure it will be perfect. After the wedding I will only have two weeks to get everything together and ready for me to run off to the City of Lights! All my life I have loved Paris. What's not to love?? The beautiful architecture. The people. The fashion. All the artists and of course the art itself. And the food. Oh! The food!!

I grew up with this love for the Parisian culture when my sister left for a study abroad in Paris. My sister was always my very favorite person. I wanted to grow up to be just like her... and do you want to know something? I totally have. She went to school up at BYU-Idaho, just like I have. She went on a European Humanities tour where she studied art all around Europe, just like I have done. She went on a Paris study abroad, just like I am going to do! AND she was married to an amazing guy who she continues to love to death, just like I am planning on doing! The only thing that is different about my sister and I... is that she was so excited to go to Paris on her study abroad, and I am scared to death.

I'm 5'1, with bright brilliant blonde hair. I am obviously American, and I look like i'm 16!! Imagine me walking around Paris all by myself. Trust me I have thought of many scary things that could happen to me... but I don't think i'll go into details.

I know that this is a trial in my life. Which is weird, I never thought that going to Paris would be a trial. What I do know about trials, is that they are very important in this life. We all know that our trials make us stronger. I am so happy with my boyfriend Cassidy, if you haven't already noticed, i'm absolutely head over heels in love with him. Cass and I always imagine us when we are older with our big jobs in a big city. When we think about our future life together, we talk about us being A Power Couple! Cassidy & Tiffany against the world! Whose gonna end up on top?? duh, Cass and I!! Through much time I have spent with him, and much prayer.. I have come to know that Cassidy and I are going to be so happy together, and simply have loads of fun. I have also come to realize that our life together is not going to be easy. Cassidy wants to go into the film business and I want to work in the fashion industry. This is a big task, jumping into such a worldly world.. and staying strong in our church. We both have agreed that the gospel is the most important aspect in our lives. We have also agreed to succeed in our work decisions and succeed in staying true to the faith! I have no doubt that our plan wont work. You see, trials really bite. They are hard, and when we are in the middle of them we just want to mope around and cry about it! (Especially us women.)

Yesterday was a really hard day. I was stressing out about so many things. To mention a couple, I was worried about leaving my family, and the love of my life to move to Paris for a few months. I was also stupidly stressed about all of my friends and family getting married... not as much stressed about it, then I was Jealous! I want a ring too.(hint hint Cassidy!!) What I have learned about the trials in our life is that we have them for a reason. One reason is simply to become closer to our Heavenly Father and to Jesus Christ. So last night I decided to kneel down and ask my Father in Heaven a few questions. After my prayer I sat and listened. I started to get a few thoughts about some trials I will get in my future life with Cassidy. I wondered if this was a sign not to marry him? BUT WAIT!! I remembered that I had once been told that I will marry a man of my choosing. I knelt down one more time and expressed my feelings. I told Heavenly Father that I knew that this life is going to be hard. I knew that he had big, BIG plans for me and also for Cassidy. I let him know that I understood the responsibilities I would have to face... and then I told him about my love for Cassidy.
- Cassidy really is the most amazing guy. If anyone has met him, just for a minute they were probably laughing. He is so caring and friendly to everyone around him. The best way to explain what I love most about Cass is that he really, really does light up a room. Just listening to his laugh will make you smile. If you haven't met him yet, boy you are missing out!! I am so lucky to have such a great guy.

Ending my prayer, I let my Heavenly Father know that Cassidy is the man I want to marry. I am so happy with him, and I just wont settle for anyone else... he is the one I choose. After my prayer, I was filled with so much peace and joy. I couldn't help but laugh when I realized that Cassidy and I are going to have so much fun together!! I know that we will be so happy.

To sum up my thoughts on trials, I know that Cassidy and I are going to have many trials to help us grow into the power couple we are planning to be... Paris being one of those trials. But I also know that it will bring us so much closer to our Savior. Trials will help me become more like him... and I am so glad that I have the opportunity to become like him. Moving to Paris is going to be really tough. I know that I am going to miss Cassidy like crazy and get super homesick! BUT, I have decided to turn to prayer. I know that I have his Spirit with me, And I know that his hand is here to guide me. I'll be okay.. I just need to put all my trust in the Lord.

So.. It looks like I really am going to Paris. I cant wait to see how much I grow from this experience. I'm hoping that keeping this blog will help keep everyone updated on what is going on. Please comment, I know I would love to hear from everyone! Until my next post...

Bon Voyage!!!