Sunday, May 24, 2015

He was there, always there.


As this school year comes to a close, as well as my high school career, my Savior is who I think about most. He was there waking me up when first period seemed impossible, He was there when I had convinced myself I had no worth. But most importantly, I want to focus on the fact that I knew He was there through the people who roam the halls of THS. I felt His love in every single person I have met, in every experience I have gone through these past 3 years. It has been through kind words spoken to me by a class mate, by the new friends I have made this year, by the job I have been given and experiences that make me grow each day. He taught me how to laugh at myself, how to focus on the good in life, even when it felt like everything was crashing down around me.

As I look back on this year, I will remember the toughest times, toughest classes, hardest moments to be the moments where my Savior had always been with me and another stepping stone to where He has planned for me to go.

Seminary has been a safe guard for me. A place where I can be going through the hardest moments in my life, but I could instantly feel the grace of God wash through me by an inspired teacher or a comment by another student that gave me the strength to keep going. I know that without seminary I would not have the testimony that I have today.

For the close of a senior year, many regrets, 'what if's', and 'if only's' may come to our minds, but rather than doing that, I want all of you to look at the people you were on your first day of high school, and look at the person sitting here, looking at this blog now. I know I can honestly say, that I wouldn't change a thing. Shocker, right? I am surprised myself. Even through the highest highs, and the lowest lows of high school, I wouldn't want to be anywhere else, or be anyone else than the person I am right now. Because I know that high school has changed me. Changed me into someone I never had imagined. But it's because of His perfect love and this gospel, that I can say this. We might not think about it like this in the moment, but because of the fact that we can think like this at all, is a testimony of His grace and love.

I want to thank all of you for the lessons you've taught me, shown me the characteristics I want to posses and most importantly, thank you for the times you've acted based upon the spirit and helped not only me, but the people around you. We will never know the impact we have had in each other's lives in this life. But I hope we all choose to make sure it's a good one.

If we don't meet again once we receive our diplomas, or wherever life will take us, I know I will see you all again. If it's at the grocery store when we have 3 kids running around, or when we are old and senial, or when we reach the gates of heaven, I know I will be able to look at you all and remember what you have each done for me.

Thanks for the best three years, THS student body.

Sunday, May 3, 2015

Change is coming, no matter what

I finally convinced myself to put my keys onto my Class of 2015 lanyard. I've been trying to deny the fact this is my last year of high school and my last year of it being socially acceptable to act like a child (but who cares about socially acceptable, I will act like a child anyways).
Thinking back on this, it could not be a more perfect time to be listening to the hymn "Because I have Been Given Much," because I really have. Heavenly Father is in the tiniest of details. He has blessed me with people that I can honestly say, have changed my life and saved me in times of need. And when I have felt that no one was there, I was reminded of the words my sister once said, "Let Christ be your best friend. If you allow Him to be, you will never be truly alone." As I listened and followed her advice so many times this school year, I've been able to find the strength to keep moving. To keep putting a smile on my face in times where it felt nearly impossible.
As we go on our way, to fulfill the things life has asked of us, I just want to thank every one of you that have played a part in not only my senior year, but in my life. We will cross paths again, and we will be happily reminded of the place that brought us together: the hallways of THS. I know that the world could not find any greater groups of kids than in those hallways. There is something about this school that brings us all together in some shape or form. May we all proudly say the we entered those hallways and made a difference. That we lifted up a soul in need, that we caused someone to know their true worth.
As we receive our diplomas in these next couple of weeks, take these last chances to put a smile on someone's face, to graduate with no regrets. Make these last moments count T-wolves. Change is coming no matter what, but it is up to us to choose what we will make of it and what we make our futures become. I love you all. Sincerely. Thank you for the examples you've given me these past 3 years, or even if its been in these past few months, weeks, days, hours. It's made a difference in who I am right now. I wish you good luck in college, missions or wherever the world will take you. We are all important and are here for a reason, its just up to us to go out and find what that reason is. And with Heavenly Father on our sides, we will find it and achieve it.

Let's go T-wolves. THS is truly the best.