Another Season Soon Ends and a Chapter Closes

Do you ever realize that a chapter in your life is about to end whether you want it to or not? Well I've recently noticed that another chapter in my life is quickly coming to a close. I must say that this chapter has not included all the things that I had imagined it would at the onset but it has also included many things that I wouldn't trade for anything in the world. So, although this chapter of my life still has approximately a week left I just want to take a few minutes to reflect on the things that the past few years have held for me. Lessons learned, lessons missed, mistakes made, friends made, friends lost, loves lost, understanding gained, and heaven felt are all part of this game we call life and I am so grateful to be able to be a player in the game and not just a sideline observer.

1- Friends gained and lost: I can't believe its been nearly 2 1/2 years since my best high school friend Eldon was killed! Time definitely flies past us if we aren't careful. I feel lucky to have had him in my life and am grateful that I haven't lost any more loved ones than him. Along with losing a great friend I have gained 3 of my closest friends in the entire world here in Logan. I count my blessings every day that I was put in an apartment two years ago with Jason and Micah. They have been such a great blessing in my life and I love them like brothers. We have had a lot of fun and interesting times together and have never had any roommate drama.... well besides that time I pushed Jason just a hair too far... whoops! The third friend will remain unnamed but she has literally been my salvation in the past year. I don't know what I'd have done without her! She'll probably never know just how much she means to me. I have also made many other friends and associates that have helped me so much in this chapter of my life. I will truly miss those that are moving on to new chapters of life and leaving me, especially Jason and Micah. Thanks guys!

2- I have gained a whole new understanding of who I am and what I am doing with my life. Its crazy how Heavenly Father will remind you that you're not going the direction you should be going and will help guide you to retrace your steps and make the right turns in your life. We really can't go wrong with Him in our corner. My testimony and understanding of the atonement and other essential Gospel principles have grown immensely. So grateful for the learning opportunities that God has put in my path. Its nice to have a more clear idea of where you want to go in life and how you intend to get there. Doesn't mean you wont have to work your tail off but it does mean that you can be certain that the hard work will actually get you someplace, not just anyplace but someplace you actually want to go.

3- The depth of love that I have for my family has really come into focus in this chapter of my life as well. In the past three years I've had the opportunity to hold 3 new nieces and 1 new nephew and I tell you what, holding one of those precious little infants is about as close to touching Heaven as I've ever come. The most recent addition to my family was this past Monday with the birth of Kyle and Becca's second child Abigale Kate (spelling?). I was so happy to be able to drive down and see her the day after she was born. Family is probably the most important thing in my life right now. I don't know when I'll be blessed with such blessings of my own but for now I am content with sharing these precious moments with those that I love.

4- The loss, gain, and eventual loss again of love has been a very active part of the last few years. I don't feel it is necessary to go into any great details on this topic. I hate the topic and have yet to have any lasting good experience so there is not reason to dwell on the losses right? I have seen the hand of the Lord in this aspect of my life. Sure it is tough when someone you become interested in leaves and goes on a mission but I accept that this is the right path for them and I am so jealous of them for being able to get away from the world and serve the Lord for their allotted time. I can't believe how soon one gets home and I wish the other all the luck in the world. She will be just as successful as the first. The one thing that does frustrate me about this part of my life is when a very amazing and steadfast friendship suddenly appears to be so much more. But I have also learned that when in the pursuit of a meaningful relationship one can never assume to know what the other is thinking. As the old antage goes, "when you assume you make an 'ass' out of 'u' and 'me'." I couldn't agree with this more. But every once in a while you come across another person who is as honest and straightforward as you are. When you find that person you need to fight for them like there is no tomorrow. I intend to do just that! Love isn't always fair and almost never makes any sense but I'm confident that it will all eventually make sense.

Basically I want you all to know that you have each touched my life in the past few years in a way that only you could have touched it. You are each important to me. I struggle to express these feelings and because of that inability I find that most of those that mean so much to me never realize just what they have done to touch my life. Thank you all! I hope many of you will be key players to some extent in the next chapter of my life!