Best Friends

I'm thankful for best friends. I don't have just one best friend, so I suppose I shouldn't use the term "best" friend. But, I have been blessed with many close, close friends I consider to be "bests."

One is my old roommate, Rebecca Joy Falke. I love this girl. I just recently found out she is engaged. Rebecca Joy makes me happier whenever I talk to her or spend time with her. She has such a positive outlook on everything about life. She's always optomistic, but knows how to be sympathetic when needed. She has a catching, infectious personality, and anyone who spends time with her can't help but love her. Back in the day when she was man-less and discouraged about it, I told her "Becca, the man who finds you and recognized how amazyingly wonderful you are will realize that he's the luckiest man in the world and won't dare let you go." Well, that man found her. And I was right...he's not letting her go.

Another one is Sundy Lynn. I love my Sundy Lynn. She is my best friend through and through. She pretty much knows me better than anyone. Sometimes it's a little freaky how alike we are. We're definately cut from the same cloth. Or as our grandmother says, we're two peas in a pod. :) I love Sundy Lynn because she knows me and puts up with my weaknesses, is forgiving of my sarcasm and understanding when I'm not always chipper. She knows what I'm feeling before I say it. She knows what my reaction will be to something before I even react. She's always reasuring in times of doubt; she always says the magic words. I'm lucky enough to have a blood bond with this best friend. Our mothers are sisters. :)

I'm blessed enough to have become wonderful friends with the majority of my mission companions. I consider some of these sisters as best friends, because they are people who will always remain dear in my heart. Heather Love Jones showed me the ropes on the mission. She was patient and understanding. When I had a mental and emotional break down, she was there to hug me and post encouraging notes all over the apartment. She made me laugh like crazy and never looked down on crazy, un-realistic ideas I had to baptize all of Mississippi. Tanja Jensen was like a sister...a big sister who looked out for me. We'd stay up talking and laughing, eating green pudding, and sometimes even dancing...(it's like you're rowing a boat, rowing a boat. :)) Whenever I needed to cry, or break down, she'd park the car and listen, never getting upset at me wasting time or having a pitty party. Christina Roach is a tender soul. I loved trying to figure her out. She'd dance in the middle of the streets with random little kids, speak to me in fluent Spanish just to make me giggle, make me fried pancakes in the morning (because she knew I loved them,) share her specially picked out fruit with me at night, and even colored a fuzzy poster with me. We worked hard at our relationship because we respected eachother. I continue to respect and love her. She's so close to the Spirit that you can see light beams shining out of her eyes. Joy Wiechmann taught me humility and forgiveness. She's someone who does not do things for attention. She continues to endure through the toughest of times with a smile on her face. Even after I hurt her, she forgave me through many tears and hugs. She's a close friend that I have a strong bond with. I showed her the ropes of the mission. And she showed me how the Atonement works. Amber Chamberlain and Ashlee Draper are both also really dear to my heart. Amber Chamberlain taught me to lighten up and enjoy the simple things in life. We cracked fallen pecans together, rocked out to Josh Groban together, and built forts in our living room and had sleepovers. She loved me for me...even during the hardest time of my mission when I was the grumpiest. Ashlee Draper helped me feel needed and important. She watched my every move, making me feel special. We chased flying cockroaches around with frying pans, drank "Celestial Juice" together, had living room sleep-overs on the L shaped couch, and ran up and down the flooded streets in the Mississippi rain storms. I'm so thankful for these dear dear friends.

I have many, many more...and I know I have many many more to come in the future. I love friends. I love these angels that Heavenly Father has sent down for me at specific times in my life to help me learn, grow, and enjoy.

Looking back...

The years of 2007 and 2008 were the two most meaningful years of my life. I began my mission in 2007 and ended it in 2008. I miss it and think about those 18 months every single day. The memories well up inside of me until they come out in the form of free flowing tears every so often. The year 2008 was a great one. It began in Hattiesburg, Mississippi with a game of MouseTrap. It ended in Portland, Oregon with a game of Setlers. I witnessed many miracles during the year 2008. I felt the power of forgiveness from someone I had deeply hurt for the first time in my life. I was brought to my knees many, many times in the dinky little bathroom of Meridian, Mississippi where I learned who I truly am and who my Maker truly is. I poored my heart out to many people...some accepting what the Savior has to offer, some not so much. During the year 2008 I witnessed Leah Polanco come unto Christ and complete her family. I witnessed Leann Walden soften her heart and decide to be re-baptized and to bring her 9-year-old son with her. I witnessed Maureen, a poor, broken individual, become rich and whole in the Gospel, where she found love and acceptance. I witnessed a 10-year-old Madelyn wanting to follow the example of her older cousin and be baptized, even though her whole family tempted her with tea and other choices to stop her...yet she overcame. In the year 2008 I was able to teach Frank Golden every single missionary lesson, watch him progress, only to see miss his baptism date, twice. In the year 2008 I also received a phone call...the 25th of December to be exact, informing me that Frank Golden had finally followed the promptings of the Spirit and chosen to be babptized that day, and he was. In the year 2008 I met a dear friend and kindred spirit, Amy McCormick. In the year 2008 I was able to see my family for the first time in 18 months. My cousin and best friend, Sundy Lynn and her husband, Tyler, moved to Oregon to bless me with their sweet spirits during my sad days of post-mission life. During the year 2008 I had the oportunity to work closely with Santa Clause...the man who brightens the lives of believers, also known as children. In 2008 I received the sweetest gift I've ever received in my life from a longtime friend, Lisa Wach. A professionally bound and lamenated book of all my mission e-mails, my call, letters from the President, and release letters and certificate along with several pictures. During 2008 I was able to bond tighter with my sister, Kayleen Nicole, over many happy hour meals, movies, and games. During 2008 I saw the most snow Portland has seen since 1968. During 2008 I began writing a boy...a boy I like and likes me...and he started writing me back. :) And now, 2008 is over. I can't wait for the wonderful opportunites 2009 will bring.