Well, today is my 22nd birthday. I have been on this earth for 22 years. Crazy right? (Also, it feels like it's been almost that long since my last blog post, right??)
I can't say that I'm sad to not be 21 anymore. I mean, I have had some great times! I had the bestest roommates ever (and currently have some pretty amazing roommates, too), I got a beautiful new baby cousin, William, I got to see my favorite person ever graduate from high school and then be knighted as a Jedi at the Happiest Place on Earth, I have made some amazing friends, and I have found a new passion for "princessing" (being a party princess).
But, to be honest, this past year has been one the my hardest years ever. I almost failed a class, then missed the withdraw deadline, and had to retake it. I worked my heart out to apply for the creative track for advertising, and was absolutely crushed when I found out I had not made it in. My great-grandfather, who I had seen make great changes throughout my life, including being baptized and later sealed to his late wife, passed away. I got in one of the biggest fights of my life with my roommates, almost to the point where I thought I had ruined our friendship forever (I didn't, but it was still one of the hardest weeks of my life). I have lost my best friend, and have seriously questioned the sincerity of our whole friendship. I have been heart-broken more times in the past year than I think I ever have in my whole life (if that is even possible).
Even though I fell like I have spent the majority of my time of the past year in tears, I have also spent a majority of my time on my knees in prayer with my Heavenly Father. I have grown closer to Him in so many ways. I have come to learn that the Atonement is not just for a remission of sins (although that is a huge, significant part of it). Christ has literally felt every single pain that I have felt this past year, and more than that. He knows specifically what I am going through, and although he cannot change what happened to me, he CAN give me the exact comfort I need. It can get easier, and it WILL get easier if you trust in the Lord.
21 was an emotionally painful, but spiritually strengthening year for me, so, bring it on, 22! May my testimony and faith in the Lord grow stronger! (But, hopefully not in the same, painful ways it did while being 21.)
