Spiritual Monday "Pioneer in us all"

So typically I aim to make a post on Sundays about something spiritual.... Sometimes, well okay most of the time it never ends up being that easy. But as I lay in bed and think back, the words of one of my friends came to mind, "You are a pioneer!" Yesterday at the monthly munch and mingle at church my friend uttered those words to me. So I thought I'd take the time to write around that.

So like I said at the annual munch and mingle which is traditional in Mormon singles wards I was stuffing my face with sun chips salsa and anything else that mixed into the Styrofoam bowl. My buddy and I were talking about the church and he was telling about the 6 generations of members, and I was going on about how crazy it was that I was the first of my family to join the church. He out of no where so naturally replied "You my friend are a Pioneer!"

Now when I think of pioneers my mind drifts back to the Oregon Trail computer game which gravitated my
attention in my elementary school years, or even more prominent in my memory the stories of the mormon pioneers who trekked across the United States in the mid to late 1800s.

Pioneers aren't simply those pulling carts across the countries and though their legacy shall live forever and the great trails they blazed for future generations, a pioneer can take up the burden and task of trail blazing every day.

So back to the munch and mingle...

I remember standing there half my mind on more chips and then the other half on people I haven't even met yet. Future generations that would know my faith through what I would call one of the most defining moments of my life to date. When I get down and think about my baptism of which it will be two years in October, I don't tend to think of myself for the most part. I tend to focus on generations of Royster's who aren't here yet. In a sense to them, I'll be a pioneer. It's quite a calling to take up. Like every step you make you realize that this could affect someone you may never meet. Every trial you face you realize that it'll touch a little one, that will prob come to existence in the next ten years. It's touching to think about that every move I make will affect more people than just myself.

I think about Pioneers often, and this is beginning to parrallel a previous post on legacy, but cares!

When thinking about pioneers, I think of my great grandfather Will Royster. He moved here from North
Carolina in the early 1900s. He started a family, which out of that family I was born. I don't know who or what I'd be if he hadn't taken it upon himself to be brave and move North to Maryland. His legacy is quite a big one to live up to.

Pioneers come in all shapes and sizes, of all walks of life. I look at Pioneers as usually being the first of something. Brave enough to trust in something greater than themselves and push onward with their dream. Pioneers don't care what others think and will fight on to the finish line for their desired end goal. Usually they have no idea what the future holds or what the end result will be, but they do it in the belief of a better life.

I started my spiritual journey 2 years ago almost to the day when I began to seek out my faith for the 2nd round as I like to say. (It's actually 4 years ago with a 2 year break in between)! But nonetheless when I called my friend 2 years ago for her to teach me more about my faith it was the single greatest thing I've ever done in my life.

Pioneers don't do it alone though...

Usually it's with the support of a very strong support system of friends, family, and neighbors. I've preached in previous post the greatness of my friends and family, and that still holds strong. But seriously it's true, from the Missionaries, to my friends and family both old and new, it has been that support system that has allowed this journey to continue. From my family and friends who've known me for years on years, to my friends within the church from my old ward in Odenton to the new on in Glenn Dale, it is you all who have been there for me and who have kept me going.

I consider myself a strong person, with a goal in mind, and that is to be as successful as I can be and raise a beautiful family for all eternity. I know I can't do it alone. The pioneers who set across the country to Utah didn't do it alone, my great grandfather raised a rather large family here in Maryland, political and civil rights pioneers worked together for change in the country we live in today.

What I'm trying to say without rambling on until 12am, is that we are all pioneers in our own light. In some way shape or form we are all blazing a path that there is no return from, that generations to come will sing our names. It's what we do today that will affect what happens to those who come tomorrow.

I honestly have no idea what the future holds, but compared to two years ago around the same time period, I'd say it looks quite bright. I'm so blessed to have such a strong faith and testimony, and wonderful friends and family both old and new to help me along the way. One thing I've seen this summer is the fact that I know I can count on them, and I hope they know they can count on me. The trail is thick and hard but I know I can make it. The backing of millions of pioneers from all corners of the world are behind me.

Like my friend said "You're a pioneer", well I'd like to say to all of you who read this "YOU'RE A PIONEER!!". As you go through life, don't forget that. Never forget every step you make is a step on a trail to be blazed.


The Artist-