Three Things of Which I am Grateful

"Life's Waiting to Begin" What does that even mean? It could me a lot of things to a lot of different people. To me though, it means that there is so much to be experienced that none of us has the time to wait for life, we just need to take it on.

I believe that all of us will go through different 'stages' of our lives that are defined by certain events or moments that make lasting impressions that then impact us for the coming days, months, years or even decade. I've gone through several stages like many my age have. I feel that the current stage I'm in began on January 3, 2007, the day I entered the MTC. I never fully understood what I had in my life (the gospel of Jesus Christ, an amazing family, incredible friends) until that day. I think I took most of it for granted. I'd wake up in the morning and all of that would be there, ready for me to utilize and reap the benefits of. It wasn't until I didn't have my family or friends everyday that I began to realize how important they were. The only thing I had at the time was the gospel and I also began to then realize how important that was to me as well.

I am SO blessed to have the family I do. I couldn't ask for more understanding, caring, and loving parents who have given up so much for me and my happiness. I have felt that I could talk to my parents about anything and everything and that they would give me sound advice and counsel. I have also been blessed by an incredible brother. Although we don't have a ton in common, we have connected on many levels that have brought us closer. It was so hard telling my family that I had decided to serve a mission. I would see my mom cry and my dad get quiet whenever I brought it up but they knew that it would make me happy so they supported me 100%. I will never forget when I opened my call and announced "You are assigned to labor in the California Roseville Mission" and then seeing the sheer relief and joy on my parents' faces. I knew that my Heavenly Father was mindful of them that day and that He was mindful of them for the next two years while I was gone.

I certainly wouldn't be the person I am today if it weren't for friends who the Lord has put in my life. I firmly believe that every person who enters our lives does so for a specific reason. That knowledge came to me while in the MTC when I met one of my best friends, Burke Kunz. He taught me about how to love all people for who they are and what they can become. Meeting him caused me to reflect on other friends who have made an impact on my life. One friend wrote me a letter in eighth grade, bearing her testimony and inviting me to come back to church. That letter changed my life and caused me to be who I am today. Another friend who has been like a sister taught me during a summer when we both had Lagoon Season Passes that life needs to always be enjoyed and that we should laugh at the stupid things. That summer changed my life and caused me to be who I am today. I've cried with friends in vice principals offices, I've held friends in my arms as they've bawled their eyes out, I've yelled at a friend out of love because I thought he was lost in a cave which I had hated going into but was willing to go back in to find him, I've laughed with friends during crazy games of Yahtzee, and I've enjoyed every single minute of it.

It is an understanding of the gospel and my relationship with God that has made me realize all of these things in greater abundance. I will be forever grateful for two missionaries, Elder Sherwood and Hutto who decided to stop by the new move-in's house to meet the eight and nine year old boys who hadn't be baptized. The spirit they brought with them will always be with me, it's one of those things I will never forget. I have experienced miracles in my life that I know came from a loving Heavenly Father who wanted me to learn and come closer to him. The thing which I am most grateful for however is that I have a Savior, Jesus Christ, who loves me so much that He was willing to give everything for me. I still don't fully comprehend it, understand it, or feel like I take full advantage of it, but I know He died for me! I know that He loves me! I know the He is so willing to help me every step of the way! I remember realizing that one year into my mission and I finally began to 'get it', to understand how the Atonement works, and how it can work for me. I still sometimes forget and need reminding but hopefully as I continue through this stage of my incredible life I can come to better understand Christ and what He has truly done for me, for all of us.

This certainly isn't the last stage of my life. Marriage will be a stage, having children will be a stage, serving a mission with my spouse will be another. I look forward to them all and what they have to teach me.