"you're doing great, so that's all that matters."

last night derek and i walked out of the draper temple. i asked "what advice do you have for me?"

i was feeling as though i've prayed and prayed and prayed as to what to do.  i've applied for almost every teaching job in the state.  nothing seemed to be working out.  i didn't have any idea in the slightest as to which way i should go because i didn't feel like anything was right.  i felt as though i had bombed another interview that morning.  i wondered if i wasn't doing enough, what i might be doing wrong.  why was i unable to get any answers?

he told me he didn't know.  not sure what the future held.  but then what he said after was the pivotal moment.  he said, "is it a job that defines you?  is it what plans you have in the fall that makes you who you are?  the things that matter are the long road - reading your scriptures, saying your prayers, serving others.  ashley, you're doing great, so that's all that matters." 

i still felt discouraged, defeated, and close to giving up.  but deep down there was a little glimmer of hope.  as the words rang through my mind, "that's all that matters."