Touch Me Not

I really hope something is going to happen tomorrow. I really hope so...concerning my mission.  We'll see. Announcement will surely be made if what I hope is going to happen actually happens. 
Today was great.  First, Marcus gave me a mini mission prep lesson.  He is going to come help me once a week or so to learn about the gospel.  I am so so so grateful.  So many people are like "There is NOOOOO way you can even prepare for a mission at all."  I partly agree that there are some aspects of the mission that you can't prepare for.  But I think that the stronger you are and the more you build yourself spiritually before you leave, the better off you'll be.  Alas, I am preparing.
Marcus talked to me about studying.  He asked me why studying is so important.  I said some easy answer like, "Cause how are we supposed to teach it if we don't know it."  And he made a wise old man comment.  It was something like, "We can only convert other people as much as we are converted."  I can't teach someone something if I don't understand it.  And if I don't believe in it, they won't be able to believe anything I'm saying.  Does that make sense? Answer me, blog!  Marcus is a wise....old man.  Old man Marcus. I have good friends.
Then we talked a little more about the logistics of studying.  He committed me to getting a study journal.  I said I would do it tomorrow...but I did it tonight. I'm such a good girl.  It was very helpful in keeping me for one, focused on what I was reading.  But also to help me remember and to really be able to lay out my thoughts and make them make sense. 
I am reading around 1 Nephi chapters 16-20 right now.  It's funny this time around.  Like I said before, I've read the Book of Mormon every night for a long period of my life...but it has been a while since I've read it front to back.  You know in like...Harry Potter (I'm obsessed...sorry) when you're reading and you're like, "Oh...silly Hermoine. She's such a nerd." Or, "Snape, I am offended." Or, "Harry, you are an idiot." Or, "Fred Weasley, marry me." You know?? Like when you feel like you know the characters?? And then I'm like, "Duh Dani, you're the idiot.  Fred Weasley can never marry you because he's FICTIONAL." Even if you say you don't know that feeling, I know you do.  You've watched a movie a thousand times and you know what I'm talking about! ADMIT IT! It's the first step.
Well...I feel like I know the people of the Book of Mormon..like they are my buddies or something.  But the difference between Harry Potter and the Book of Mormon (maybe not the only difference...not sure on that one) is that the characters AREN'T FICTIONAL! Isn't that freaking sweet? So tonight when I was reading, I though to myself a few times, "Laman, shut up." Or "Oh Nephi, there he goes again..." And it's cool cause they're real. And they probably look down on me every once in a while and are like, "Dani...you idiot. Fread Weasley can never marry you." Or something like that. 
I just think that's awesome. Judge me if you want.
In chapter 17 of 1st Nephi, God commands my friend Nephi to build a boat.  I love how Nephi just is like, "Okay, give me the tools God! Let's go!" I hope I can become more like that.  I probably would have done something like, "Uh...you want me to what?"  Haha I love in verse seven when it says something like, "God told me to go into the mountain, so I went up into the mountain." There's just no hesitation with Nephi. Sure God, whatever you say! What a rock! Love that guy!
I'm sure he had to feel somewhat insane though with his brothers (a little more than) teasing him (like trying to kill him) and building a boat out of nothing to sail across this random sea to who knows where.  But just like in 1 N 3:7, in 1 N 17:3, Nephi knows that as long as he is doing what he's supposed to be doing, God will provide a way.  No matter how terrifying or difficult it may seem, God will make a way.  We just have to do our part.  Aka, I have to do my part. 
I also just love the part when Nephi gets all this power and, "TOUCH ME NOT!" I remember this part when I was in the Hill Cumorah Pageant.  It makes me think of my good friend Jacquelyn Dahneke Penrose. Such a great part haha.  Nephi is such a rock.  There's no other way to describe him.  In young womens, every girl talks about how they want to marry a "Nephi." No wonder! He's a freaking spiritual giant.  Not to mention in all of those paintings he has biceps the size of Texas. 
These are my thoughts for the night. 
Keep in mind it is 3:30 in the morning and I am a little more lenient with my words.
Love,
Dani