Yep, I'm so brave

This past weekend, I broke from my normal routine for a little bit of fun. A few friends and I headed to Lagoon for what turned out to be an awesome day of fun.

I'm pretty sure this picture shows my seriousness as we got closer to starting! 

Now, if you know me at all, you might guess that roller coasters kinda terrify me. I usually have fun, but the process leading up to any ride fills me with nerves and anguish. I have moments of freak out followed by moments where I calm myself down....and then repeat that process over and over again.

The most terrifying part is often the anticipation. The moments where you on the the Rocket waiting for it to blast off or drop. OR the part where the roller coaster creaks up the initial hill. I hate that part! 

Anyways, you get the drift.

But here's the part of the story I'm most proud of. And yes, I mean proud.


First, there was the time I kept my eyes open for the entire ride. Then, on the white roller coaster (old and creaky with hills, nothing upside down or topsy turvy), my friends convinced me let go of my trusted handle and, whaaat, put my hands in the air—for the entire ride. 

Afterwards I maaay have started repeating, wow, I'm so brave. :P

Later, we headed to Colossus with its double loop and slow ascent leading to the first drop. Usually that slow ascent is when I have to hold on tight and shush the person sitting next to me because I can NOT handle any distractions at that moment.

But here we were in the last hour or so of our day, and as the ride began, I found that I was not actually freaking out. Hey, maybe I COULD actually respond to my friends around me and put my hands in the air...so I did. And kept them up for the entire ride.

The line was so short that we were able to run back around and repeat this experience 3 minutes later. And my darn brave self kept my hands up again.

So when we headed to Wicked for the fourth time and what would be our final ride of the night, I was feeling pretty good. But not put your hands in the air good...yet. Oh, did I mention that Wicked starts out by shooting you at 40 mph straight up 110 feet and straight down again. Yea....kinda terrifying. I was feeling pretty good, so I was thinking I MIIIIGHT try no hands for the second half of the ride, after the first braking section.

Anyways, it was a last minute decision. Like I'm strapped in and the ride is moving and two seconds before we blast into the air...and, I did it. Hands up. Eyes open. Screaming my little voice away. For the entire time.

And it rocked. Best ride of the day. I'm super brave. And that was super fun.

P.S. I reaallly must have been proud of myself because I even used my experience for my FHE lesson tonight. (One of my callings is an instructor for our ward FHE once a month.) How? Well, I compared how sometimes we have to let go of whatever things we hold on to (fears, doubt, inadequacies, comfort, etc) and embrace faith to really enjoy our lives and the challenges and experiences Heavenly Father offers us.  When I was at Lagoon, the ride I enjoyed the most was the one where I pushed my comfort zone, trusted my decisions and instincts, and really embraced the opportunity. In life, I find myself to be the most happy when I exercise faith not only in Heavenly Father but also in myself. I have to push myself and trust that I can do things and accomplish whatever I'm facing at the time. I have to let go of whatever is holding me back from truly experiencing my life and I need to jump in whole heartedly as accept the challenge and situations I'm blessed with. 

I also shared a portion of the "faith" section in the "True to the Faith" (one of my personal favorite gospel reference books).

"Faith is much more than passive belief. You express your faith through action—by the way you live. The Savior promised, “If ye will have faith in me ye shall have power to do whatsoever thing is expedient in me” (Moroni 7:33). Faith in Jesus Christ can motivate you to follow His perfect example (see John 14:12). Your faith can lead you to do good works, obey the commandments, and repent of your sins (see James 2:18; 1 Nephi 3:7; Alma 34:17). Your faith can help you overcome temptation. Alma counseled his son Helaman, “Teach them to withstand every temptation of the devil, with their faith on the Lord Jesus Christ” (Alma 37:33).The Lord will work mighty miracles in your life according to your faith (see 2 Nephi 26:13). Faith in Jesus Christ helps you receive spiritual and physical healing through His Atonement (see3 Nephi 9:13–14). When times of trial come, faith can give you strength to press forward and face your hardships with courage. Even when the future seems uncertain, your faith in the Savior can give you peace (see Romans 5:1; Helaman 5:47)."