Friends!!!

So this last Sunday I went to the singles ward in Champaign and after returning home dad told me that brother Newman had asked him to ask me to speak on the following Sunday and I could choose any topic. Last night brother Newman called to confirm that I would be speaking, told me 10-15mins and also said that he would like me to talk about something from school and relate it to the gospel...ummm ok! (By this point I had made a tentative decision on my topic, so I was like for real! haha) Anyway I have decided to talk about friends, why we need them and how they can help us in our life (tied in with unity and the importance of it).
This is Ryan and Marianne. They are two of the most amazing people I have met! Sure they look normal but these are my friends here in Illinois. Had I not attended the singles ward I would still be lonely and bored and would be counting down the days until going back to school! But now I don't want to leave and it's coming way too fast. They have made my summer memorable and happy. It's the best summer that I remember ever having! They have been a HUGE blessing in my life and I'm very grateful for them being here for me!

This is Katie and Pama! They have been my friends for years on end and have and will always be there for me. Our friendship is forever and no matter what the problem or what the stress load they are able to help me get rid of some of that stress so that I can continue with my homework, work, or whatever frustrating situation it may be! They have been awesome awesome friends and I miss them soo much! Words cannot describe the relationships I have with them :)





This is Ako, Erin and Tandy. Not really the best picture, but it works! Erin and Tandy were my roommates for my first two semesters. They were awesome (Ako is awesome too, but I don't know her as well, she's going on a mission soon, I'll miss her, but she'll do GREAT!) Erin was alway there to lend an ear or to make me laugh. We shared a room and I'm glad she was my first roommate! She's awesome!! Tandy is absolutely crazy and wonderful! She was always there to make things fun, put a smile on my face or to scare the crud out of me! haha. She's been a great friend to me and I miss her soo much!

These people I have talked about have had such a huge impact on my life throughout the years. Some are very recent, others I've known since I was 12, some I've known for a year. No matter how long they have been around they have helped me in someway or another! They are awesome people and have a great future ahead of them! These are only a few of the friends who have helped me in the past, there are more and there is family. So long story short friends have and always will be very important to me, I am grateful for them and I love them soo much!

oops..I'm slacking!

Alright, so it's been awhile, probably too long! I'm still trying to stay positive although it's proving difficult lately..so here's what I'm thankful for!

I am so very grateful to belong to the only true church on the face of the Earth. I'm grateful for Joseph Smith and his sacrifices along with the sacrifices of his family that helped bring the restoration of the gospel to this earth. I love the gospel with all my heart. I'm grateful for the Book of Mormon and the comfort it can bring to us. I'm also grateful to be alive and to have the opportunity to live and prove myself worthy to live with our Heavenly Father again. I love Him and His way of showing us He loves us. I love that the gospel is so central on the family, and I'm glad that I can live with my family forever and ever! I love them so much, and I love my friends, both new and old, they make my life 100x better! They put smiles on my face even in the hardest of times! You guys are all awesome!

So there is my optimistic thankful post for now..Keep a smile on your face! God loves you and will carry you through everything if you will take the first few steps and exercise faith! Have a great week :D <3