Birthdays and Such

As per the request of a dear friend, I am finally posting an entry. Actually, I have no excuse NOT to post, as I am sitting at work all alone and need to take a break from writing the yearly financial report. As engaging as crunching numbers can be, I think my fingers can have a brief rest from the calculator.

Today is my birthday, and I am 22 years old. Wow. I can hardly believe it myself. It seems like just yesterday I was a goofy 18 year old and out of high school, and now I am a goofy 22 year old and almost out of college with my BS. It is exciting. I find birthdays to be a time of introspection and retrospection--it is almost a somber day for me anymore as I look back on the "good old days" and see how much things have changed. But it is not all sad, because I see how much I have changed and that is a good thing. I have been so incredibly blessed this year, and even though I have gone through some dark and hard personal times, I know that the Lord has blessed and guided my life. I have truly been blessed with some incredible tender mercies. At times I have felt lost and have wondered if the Lord's hand was in my life; looking back at it, I know that it has been, and I am so grateful for that. It is having faith in that precious truth that is hard at present, but if the past is any indicator of the future, I will be where the Lord needs me to be and He will not fail me. He never has and He never will.

Perhaps the most comforting realization that has happened during my birthday season is this: even though times, situations, and places change, the spirits of friends never do. As I was eating dinner with some grand friends Tuesday night, it gave me great comfort that Joanna will always be Joanna, Alisyn will always be Alisyn, Debra will always be Debra, and Haylee will always be Haylee. That isn't to say that we won't change and better ourselves, but the little quirks and characteristics that have bound us together as friends won't change. So even though we'll all grow up a move on in so many different directions, we can still be friends because we are still ourselves.

And life brings new and exciting friends. Through church, school, and work I have been blessed by incredible people who love me for who I am and support me. It is Cindy who has been there for me every weekend, who will shop with me until we drop, and who will let me share my honest opinions and will share hers with me. Living at my apartment has been an incredible growing experience in my life, and I am grateful for those I have met there.

I cannot even believe what this year has brought me and taught me, but I know it has all been for the best. And at this Christmas season, I would like to let all of you know of my testimony of Jesus Christ. He is my Savior and Redeemer. He is so loving and patient, and it is my relationship with Him that I treasure the most. He was born so humbly, but He will come again and reign in glory. The Atonement is a real power that I feel in my life; it allows me not only to be forgiven, but to feel peace, happiness, and joy. Out of all the gifts of the Spirit I am grateful for this year, it is the gift of peace I am most thankful for. I am grateful for the peace the Savior gives. He lives and loves me. He loves us all.

Here's to a great 22nd year full of more exciting adventures! Cheers!