sing for the years.

Fearing unknown and the mysteries of life, God asks us to step into the fog, and go forward with faith. It's sad to say goodbye to many loved ones, so uncertain what the future will hold. But God has a plan for me and I'm headed into this dark and scary world to preach His gospel and defend his faith. 

After my mission, I don't plan to keep up this blog. It's time to start a new chapter in my life. This blog has so many memories of so many petty experiences in my life-- memories that will mean little as I begin my new adventures. This blog also shared some of my deepest feelings and emotions throughout my high school experiences and into my first year of college. The song lyrics, the pictures, the drama-- it all meant something to me then, and I'm glad I can remember it through my blog. 

So thanks to the 4 people who read it throughout the years and sharing your petty deep thoughts throughout the years with me and the world wide web. Maybe one day I'll create a blog as hilarious as Meg Morley Walter's or as inspiring as Nie Nie's. Until then, catch ya on the flip side. 

Thanks for the memories. 

Mayson Claire Astle

(If you want on my email list for my mission, comment/message me on Facebook. Feel free to email me at mayson.astle@mylds.net)

what happened to thinking that the world was flat?

Suddenly the world is a much bigger place than I imagined and the possibilities seem endless.
My bed is a little smaller and my dreams are growing every day.
I've never been more nervous and excited and at peace all at the same time.
Things are working out and I couldn't be happier.

the weary world rejoices

Without the garden, a cross on the hill, the betrayal of good friends and the hatred of men, what would the stable be? 

anyone with a broken heart

"How is it that billions of people roam the earth, yet so many of us are all alone?"

"I suppose God must know what he's doing."

your faith was strong

Aren't we 16 and heartbroken? Since when were we grown up and responsible? I can't believe this day is here. We've only talked about it a gazillion times.  He's been one of my best friends and he's been the best example to me. He honestly makes me laugh when I'm crying, He reminds me I am never alone. My heart holds a special place for this guy. Peru is lucky to have him.

"Go ye now in peace and know that the love of God will guide you, feel his presence here besides you, showing you the way. In your times of trouble, when hurt and despair are there to grieve you, know that the Lord will never leave you. He will bring your courage. Know that the God who sent his son to die that you might live, will never leave you lost and alone in his beloved world. Go ye now in peace."

I love you Elder Wheatley. Thanks for everything. And like you said, it's only two years right? 

i grow fonder everyday

We don't sleep anymore. My body and brain have decided staying up all night is much more fun than sleeping. We think about moving out and college and working and money and boys and tv shows and church and life. We enjoy our thoughts. After all, these are exciting thoughts. Our favorite thought is that all of these things don't worry us anymore like they used to. We're just ecstatic and counting down the days. Not gonna lie, summer needs to end now.

I'm fed up with goodbyes, I'm just ready for hello.

i feel it close around me

Stadium of Fire

World Of Color

After watching fireworks again tonight with family+ Andy, I remembered that heaven just isn't something we can comprehend. God gives us these moments where we can experience heaven at a glance.

I simply cannot imagine it.

all it does is slow me down

I'm secretly a hoarder. I'm the type of person who keeps every note every soul has taken their time to write me,  I have clothes from freshman year hanging in my closet, every program from every play I have gone to since I was 15, I keep everything.

Fortunately, moving causes me to desensitize myself from my past lives. As part of preparing for my new adventure,  I've been dejunking my closet,  DI-ing clothes, trashing pointless notes...letting go of my past. It's quite relieving.

"I plead with you not to dwell on days now gone, nor yearn vainly for yesterdays, no matter how good those yesterdays may have been. The past is to be learned from, not be lived in" 

-Jeffrey R. Holland

So instead of packing up old artifacts, I'll box up the lessons I've learned and tow those around. I find it funny that the closer growing up gets, the scarier it is. But it's a thrill I'm ready to face. I'm excited for what the future has in store.

i found god

I think even the coldest of hearts, the richest of men, the proud and noble--everyone-- has had a moment where they need to believe in something bigger than themselves. I believe, we all have our times where we need a God to lift our burdens and remove our struggles. I wouldn't doubt that all men, at some point, call out to a being above to aid them in one way or another. Everyone needs God. 

I have always been a religious person. For as long as I remember, I've been an active member of my church. I have been taught to pray and read my scriptures, to not judge others, to forgive, and love one another. I know to trust in the Lord, and have faith in him. I've been fortunate enough to know of God and develop a personal belief that He is. 

Like everyone, I have moments when the world gets in the way. I become too tired to actively seek God through prayers and scripture study. Often, I justify gossip and struggle to forgive one who has crossed me. I fight with my loved ones, I envy those better than me. Although I have been taught correct principles and morals, I'm only a human being trying to make it in this cold, dark world. 

But no matter how far I seem to get from home, I'm always drawn back to Him. I have moments where I need God. It seems to be in the darkest of night, and the coldest of the hours, where He has come to me and offered his loving arms and warmest embrace.

 I haven't had the hardest life. I've definitely had my struggles, but overall it's been good. I've always had a place to call home, food to eat, no one close to me has ever died. I never struggled in school. Making friends has been relatively easy and I rarely struggled with fitting in. Despite these things, instances have come where I have needed Him. 

Sometimes, I need God because I lose focus on a test in school. Countless times, he's been there for me. I need Him when I have to face fears of a scary roller coaster, or when a driver is rough around the edges. I'm pretty sure when I first started driving, I prayed for God each time I got into a vehicle. I have needed God the most in my restless hours of the night. Those nights when my stomach is aching or head is pounding, when I coughing never ceases or my throat is swollen. It seems to me that I need God the most when I am sick.

I'm grateful for those moments when God reminds us that we need something bigger than  ourselves and that we just can't make it on our own. The best part is, we don't have to.

grow a foot or two

Lately, I've been trying to convince myself that I'm not growing up.  

But today, my best friend since the 7th grade got his mission call.

Arcadia, California, Mandarin Speaking

 The people of California are the luckiest people around.

despite the absence of sun

"Each of us will have our own Fridays- those days when the universe itself seems shattered at the shards of our world lie littered about is in pieces. We all will experience those broken times when it seems we can never be put together again. We will all have our Fridays. But I testify to you in the name of the one who conquered death, Sunday will come. In the darnkess of our sorrow, Sunday will come. No matter our desperation, no matter our grief, in this life or the next, Sunday will come."

-Joseph B. Wirthlin

it comes and goes in waves

"I do not know who in this vast audience today may need to hear the message of forgiveness, but however late you think you are, however many chances you think you have missed, however many mistakes you feel you have made or talents you think you don’t have, or however far from home and family and God you feel you have traveled, I testify that you have not traveled beyond the reach of divine love. It is not possible for you to sink lower than the infinite light of Christ’s Atonement shines."

-Jeffrey R. Holland

some say that heaven is far away.

I'm just grateful I believe in life after death. I'm happy I trust in someone bigger than I am. I'm ecstatic that I know where I am going with my life-- I know my desires, hopes, needs and ambitions. I'm grateful God has blessed me with great friends who support me in times in need and a family who puts up with my crap, forgives me when necessary and makes me laugh until my stomach hurts. I'm glad I'm not alone and I'm glad I will never be.

"I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I know who I am. I know God's plan. I'll follow him in faith. I believe in the Savior, Jesus Christ. I'll honor his name. I'll do what is right. I'll follow his life. His truth I will proclaim."

I'm a Mormon and I'm proud of it.

warning sign of things to come

The future is a scary place. It's a valley of unknown territory and opportunity. You don't know if you will be climbing up mountains or molehills. You don't know if you will be swimming in a river or an ocean. Really, the future is a world of uncertainty. All can take with us is an ounce of faith and a bit of hope. It's coming and it's coming quick.

"Uncertain of what lies ahead, you need not fear"

Mary N. Cook

safety for the soul

Are my choices leading me toward lasting happiness? 

"Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life through the great Mediator of all men or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself."

 2 Nephi 2:27

give faith the fighting chance

"Day by day, minute by minute, second by second we went from where we were to where we are now. The lives of all of us, of course, go through similar alterations and changes. . . Time never stands still; it must steadily march on, and with the marching come the changes." 

-President Thomas S. Monson

to save us all from satan's power

Photo Credit

 "Christmas is a time for remembering the Son of God and renewing our determination to take upon us His name. It is a time to reassess our lives and examine our thoughts, feelings, and actions.  Let this be a time of remembrance, of gratitude, and a time of forgiveness. Let it be a time to ponder the Atonement of Jesus Christ and its meaning for each of us personally.  Let it especially be a time of renewal and recommitment to live by the word of God and to obey His commandments."

-President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

go your own way

never forget this

Hell's waiting for you, little girl.

I can't promise you a light at the end of a tunnel.

Not yet. 

But I can promise you a candle to guide you through it.

Close your eyes, take a breath, say a prayer, shed a tear. 

God knows what's up. 

Never forget that. 

And never forget that I love you.

even heroes have the right to bleed

I think it was the only day I ever spent at my dad's house on a school night. I remember that morning. Everyone was in a rush, school was going to start and we were still in Springville. As kids, we didn't understand it wasn't like every morning at home with our mom. We thought we could still watch our usual 15 minutes of Arthur before we had to leave. We quickly turned the tv on. My dad spattered in the room, turning the tv off telling us it was time to go. We got in the car and drove to school. 

I don't remember the exact moment I found out. But I remember seeing those videos. My almost 8 year old self didn't understand the tragedy, but I realized that this was something huge. Two buildings crumbled to the ground.  There are few moments I remember distinctively from elementary school. Three to be exact-- the Twin Towers falling, Elizabeth Smart being kidnapped, and the day she was found. How come our brain remembers tragedy?

  . . . . . . . . . .

 . . . . . . . . . .

Ten years later, 9/11 is much more to me. It's representing something bigger than it really is. It represents hope, unity and courage.  Documentary after documentary, and we still don't know what it felt like to be one of them. We are the generation of 9/11. We must remember it, and remember it always, "Freedom isn't free". It comes with a price. Thousands of men and women died in those buildings. Firefighters, policemen, and every day people were killed in innocence. Millions have been killed because of the war this started.

On the news it talked about people who want to stop teaching the kids the Pledge of Allegiance because it says "God" in it. However, no matter how many people try to argue, or pretend like God isn't watching over us, they don't comprehend the whole point. God was there that day, and he has been ever since then.


In as much of a catastrophe as that was, too many miracles took place that day for us to feel that God forgot us.

what if i'm not what you think I am?

I'm the girl that everyone loves to tease.

"Mayson, remember when you drown in the river?"

"That's what Mayson said"

"You guys could have a fiesta at your wedding"

blah blah blah blah blah.

For the most part, I handle the teasing well. I am aware that I am probably the easiest girl at Timpview to tease.  I am also aware that I am the one that my family loves to tease, and my friends too. Something about me is "tease-able."

Okay so I can't swim, I can't talk to boys and I know that I definitely can't stand on my own two feet very well. But you don't all need to treat me like I am 12. I am not your little sister, I am your age. Remember?

"A man was exploring caves by the seashore. In one of the caves he found a canvas bag with a bunch of hardened clay balls. It was like someone rolled clay balls and left them in the sun to bake. They didn't look like much, but they intrigued the man. so he took the bag out of the cave with him. As he strolled along the beach, he would throw the clay balls into the ocean, one at a time, to see how far they could go. He thought little about it, until he dropped one of the clay balls and it cracked open on a rock.  Inside he found a precious stone! Excited, the man broke open the few that were left. Each contained a similar treasure. He found thousands of dollars worth of jewels in the 20 or so clay balls he had left. Then it struck him. He had been throwing clay balls for a long time. He had thrown 50 or 60 clay balls into the ocean. Instead of thousands of dollars, he could have had tens of thousands of dollars, but he had thrown it all away"

At times we are the man exploring. We look at people with less than they are worth and indeed, we are missing out. Sometimes we are the clay balls. Being chucked as if we are nothing. There is a treasure in each of us-- to share and to have. 

"For my dear friends, the sky is the limit. You can be excellent in every way. Respect yourself. Do not feel sorry for yourself. Do not dwell on unkind things others may say about you. Particularly, pay no attention to what some boy might say to demean you. He is no better than you. In fact, he has already belittled himself by his actions. The Lord did not send you here to fail. He did not give you life to waste it. He bestowed upon you the gift of mortality that you might gain experience, positive, wonderful purpose experience that will lead to life eternal"

--Gordon B. Hinkley

(Let's just say, the prophets know what's up)