A friend loveth at all times...

As i'm winding down my night, I got the idea to read through some old letters and documents from a dear friend. I figured that this would help center my mind after a l-o-n-g night of studying for midterms.... This is what I found.  It is just what I needed.

"The fact of the matter is life will always have it's difficulties. It's how we handle and what we do in these instances that will define who we truly are. We must let difficulties define us, not destroy us. Those soon-past difficult moments will always determine our present and future destiny. So when the heat is turned up, let it refine you. When the rains of life come down to you and you are drowning in trials, rise above it enough to see that God has a purpose for you in that storm. Life in general, and difficulties specifically, are exactly what you make out of them."

I have the best friends. Even though this quote was taken from something received over a year ago, it applies perfectly to my life right now. My friends impact my life in so many ways, and help me to overcome difficulties and hardships even when they don't know it. So... if you are reading this; Thank you for supporting me and being my friend. I love you :)



Until Next Time.

Elder...errrr Brother

Today, I got the BEST surprise. I sat down at church, looked over, and saw Elder Corbitt and his wife, Lana! If you didn't know already, Elder Corbitt was the missionary that taught me about the LDS faith, and who baptized me! I haven't seen him since the end of last April, and he decided to visit Boise this weekend! After making the mistake of calling him Elder Corbitt, I slowly started calling him Brother Corbitt... Marcus was still too weird for me. Me and two other friends skipped our next church meeting, and caught up with him and Lana. It was so good. Lana was so nice too... they make such a great couple! Reminiscing about 2012, and learning about all the new things in all of our lives was so fulfilling and encouraging. It was great, and it reminded me about my baptism. It was a beautiful day and I loved it so much. I'm still in such an amazing mood!

I love Elder Corbitt!

[Elder Corbitt, myself, and Elder Choate on my baptism day]

A Reason. A Season. A Lifetime.

As much as we hate to admit it to ourselves, we are weak. We do the wrong things, we make the wrong choices, we date the wrong people, we mess up friendships, we start fights with people who are important to us, we are prideful and afraid to admit fear, defeat, and regret. Ultimately, we screw up. Fortunately, there exists this little thing called forgiveness. We can choose to forgive those who have wronged us and we can choose to forgive ourselves for the things we have done toward others. Without forgiveness and repentance to the one who saves, we are nothing. However, because of this process and opportunity, we can be granted with hope, peace, and strength to encounter what lies ahead.

Sometimes it is hard to accept that a situation, relationship, or friendship is over. However, once we realize the purpose of the encounter, we can finally move on with feelings of finality and peace. Some people may come into our lives for a reason; to teach us a lesson, to help us through trials, or to guide us to truth and happiness. These individuals might support us through struggles, encourage us through change, or push us to become something greater than our present. When this reason is accomplished, the connection may fade and disintegrate, but we can realize the lessons that have emerged because of this experience, and walk away from it.

Some may come for a season; whether it be a semester, a year, or more. These individuals often know us so deeply that a bond occurs; one which can lead to eternal happiness, friendship, and joy. However, if this bond isn't nourished, nurtured, and replenished, it may weaken and break. We hope that these situations will end up positively, but unfortunately, that is not always the case. Ties are severed, and often times, irreparable. Fortunately, after time and healing, there can be peace. Once we are in a place where we can realize the purpose for the season, we can begin to close this particular chapter and start anew. Some relationships go full circle, from start to end, with so much in between that we never forget the experience we have had. We put our memories and experiences in a box, and store them away forever. In many years down the road, we may open up that box and remember the times we shared learning, growing, and developing into something greater

Sometimes a person may come into our lives for a lifetime. With these individuals, times may get extremely tough. We might become angry, bitter, and mean. We might feel as though the relationship is dead. However, it always comes back. Forgiveness rebuilds from the rubble and creates something more beautiful than before. As a phoenix is recreated from it's ashes, we too may spur development of a new creation. A friendship may become deeper, a partnership may become fuller, re-energized by strength, purpose, and motivation. Hate, bitterness, and resentment transform into trust, confidence, and love. These occurrences and individuals bring forth purpose into our lives and create in us a new individual. And these situations reintroduce us to the experiences and commitments that demand and deserve time in our lives. 

This perspective sometimes may seem like it may never come. These relationships may seem as though they not producing fruit. But it will come. Be it something that comes quickly, or something which takes time to develop, it will come. The purpose will come to light, and the situation will prove to be meaningful. And when this time comes, we will walk talker, walk stronger, and walk with a renewed purpose in all that we know, are, and may become.

Until Next Time.