This time in my life right now is so amazing in many different ways. I am having the time of my life living in Boston going to school. I am growing close with my sister Tara and
brother Denver who are also out here in Boston with me. I am blessed to be able to attend institute 3 times a week where I am uplifted by spiritual messages from amazing institute teachers. I am developing close relationships with friends from school and also in my ward. I am actively involved in the University Ward where I am busy playing piano, fulfilling my calling, visiting teaching, and getting to know all the ward members. I am studying piano for several hours a day, trying to develop that talent the best I can. Anyway, my point in all of this is that I am so extremely grateful for all of these blessings! I know that the Lord gives us talents so that we can share them with those around us. I also know that we are given the light of Christ to be an example to those that we come in contact with each day. I have been trying very hard to be a good missionary and sometimes I get down on myself because I don't feel like I am literally "sharing" a gospel message very often. But then I am reminded that by simply having the spirit with me every day, I am being a Christlike example to those around me, to many people who are not familiar with this light.
So, being the age of 20, I have many friends who are already married, engaged, or at least headed in that direction. Can I just say how incredibly happy I am for them? I have 4 very close friends right now- Tiffany Evans, Kasey Bodine, Clarissa Ferrin, and Erin Cook, who are
currently engaged. I know each of the guys that these girls are engaged to and I am thrilled for them! Really it is so wonderful to see my friends find such great men who are worthy to take them to the temple. So many have been wonderful examples to me in living their lives righteously so that when the time comes, they are worthy to enter the temple. It is such a wonderful, beautiful time in our lives as single adults to date and grow together, then to eventually find our eternal companions and be sealed in temple for time and all eternity!
Asmany of you know, I have kind of lived all over the place for the last three years. So just to catch some of you up on my life, here is a quick review on what I have been up to. I graduated from High School in 2006. My first semester of school I came to Boston and attended Boston College, which was an incredible experience! Spring of 2007 I went to Kunming, China were I spent 5 months teaching English. Summer of 07 I was an efy counselor at BYU and also got some time to spend at home. Fall 07- Summer 08 I completed 3 full semester's at Berklee College of Music. Fall 08 I went to Changzhou, China and was a head teacher for a volunteer english program. It was the same organization that I went with the first time, but with a completely new group and a new part of China. NOW I am back at Berklee!! I will be a Senior next year, so I will be graduating in May 2010! Woo hoo! So, having wandered all over for the last few years, you can imagine that I have learned a lot. Well YES I have! I am so grateful for my Heavenly Father for blessing me with so many great experiences. I know that he is preparing me for a life full of service to him and his kingdom! I never could have done any of these great things on my own, I always had complete faith and trust in the Lord that I would always be lead and guided by his spirit along the way.
Life is great! I am so especially grateful for my many friends and family who support me no matter where I live or what I am doing with my life :) Also, I apologize for not keeping in close contact with everyone. But, just so everyone knows and to clear things up, I am not currently dating anyone. Hahaha I hate to just say it like that but that always seems to be the question when I am catching up with people back home. I have been on some great fun dates though! All is well, I am using this time to focus on school and prepare myself for the eternal marriage that I will have someday! Woo hoo!