Adjusting Focus

 As 2020 comes to a close, like many, I’ve had the opportunity to reflect on everything that made up my year. There were a lot of changes, a lot of trials, and a lot of good things that made 2020 the Year of Courage. I had to grow up a lot, which honestly, was kind of scary. But, I made it, and am thankful for all that happened.  I started out by moving to Utah for my internship working with immigrants and refugees, and started my final semester at BYU-Idaho. I came out as bisexual, moved into my own apartment, graduated college, worked 2 jobs, got a cat, and battled depression. I started therapy again, began new medication, restarted my gym membership, and towards the end of the year, felt hopeful about what the future held again. Despite the challenges we still face with COVID-19, I feel a sense of peace I haven’t felt in so long. For a while I struggled to find any joy and an sense of hope that life would get better, that I should keep going. I’m thankful for my parents, my...

If you asked me what I thought my life would be like in a year from the time I stepped off the plane in Massachusetts after my mission, I would've never imagined anything that's happened. During my last night as a missionary, I stared up at the ceiling in complete darkness. I was nervous, terrified, excited, feeling about every emotion possible. I wondered what it would be like to finally hug my parents again. What would it be like to watch a movie? Or have my own phone again? What would happen when my mission, the thing I loved the most, was gone? Some nights I lie in bed and think about the last year. I've learned more about God's mercy and grace than ever before. 2019 has been nothing short of easy, but also one of the greatest years of my life. I've found my purpose in life again. I've established really good friendships for once in my life, I've stood up for myself, and I've found God in a much more real way. On one of those nights where I lie...

So, I'm setting the date back in time to December for this blog post because I failed to write one all last month. Finals and the holidays were busy. So, here we are on January 2nd with a December blog post. Here are the past 12 very odd, exciting, boring, hard, growth-filled months. JANUARY: I started my last semester at community college. I made a goal for myself to raise my hand in at least one class once a week. I think as the months went on, I wasn't as great about it, but the anxiety I had before isn't as great. I raise my hand more and my face doesn't feel like it's on fire, so there's been some big improvements. I also started my first internship. It was definitely nerve wracking at first, but I was so excited to start working. It was really a growing experience and I absolutely loved it. It was freezing cold (I worked on a barn in the middle of winter) and I fell in horse poop mixed with mud. But, when the internship was over and I had completed my ho...

My motto for 2015.  This year has been an interesting one! So, here is a quick review of what has happened over the past 12 months of my oh-so interesting life. JANUARY: I started my second semester at MWCC, taking classes that were more relevant to my major. FEBRUARY: I turned 17 and got asked to church prom, on the same night in which I had a surprise birthday party! MARCH: I went to Michigan with my mom to visit my brother and sister-in-law. APRIL: Prom month once again. Cherish and I got ready together which was really fun. Here are some pictures below. prom 2k15 MAY: Finally finished my second semester of college/my junior year. I also ran my first 5k! I figured my next step would be a 10k, but so far I've never run further than 6.5 miles. And that was once. And then I took a two month long break on running. So, there's that. Cherish left which was sad, and I became an only child once again. But I am grateful for the internet and text messaging. And Snapc...

So 2014 was quite the year. I guess I'll do a quick recap of the past 12 months in case anyone is even remotely interested in my adventurous life. I'll add pictures to make everything better. JANUARY: At the end of the month once the semester was over I jumped out of one school and hopped into an old/new one. I made new friends and reconnected with old ones, so that was really nice. David left on his mission which was sad but also amazing all at the same time. FEBRUARY: I finally turned 16 which meant I could finally date. I also got my permit after failing the test the first time... MARCH: Um, I'm sure something happened. APRIL: April was the month of prom.  My first one and I was pretty excited. :) MAY: ??? JUNE: I stepped foot onto GD floors for the last time. I wouldn't be returning for the next year as I would be a part of the MWCC Pathways graduating class of 2016. JULY: Youth conference happened and that was truly a great experience. Everyone worked...