Friends

"And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul."
- 1 Samuel 18:1
"And now Zoram, I speak unto you... I know that thou art a true friend unto my son, Nephi, forever." -2 Nephi 1:30
"Thy friends do stand by thee, and they shall hail thee again with warm hearts and friendly hands."
- D&C 121:9



I consider myself lucky to have been blessed with amazing friends. I have never been the person that had loads of friends; always hanging out at parties or social events, but I have almost always had at least one or two really good friends inmylife who have helped me cope through the hard times and helped me to be a better person. In fact, just the other day I heard a quote, I think it was in the movie "Forever Strong", that a true friend is the person who makes you want to be a better person and, inmylife, I have found this to be true to the utmost extent. Those true friends, the real friends, always stood by my side when I wanted to be better, stronger, truer, and to "stand a little taller," while some of those who I thought were friends left when I didn't want to do what they had to offer. This is still true today. I thank God every day for my true friends, even those who I don't talk to every day anymore. Even those who are not here anymore. Even those who may have gone a different direction due to hurt feelings, challenges, or other unfortunate situations, and in these painful losses, I pray that forgiveness and healing will someday come, and we will be able to be friends once again. I still consider you my friend because you have made me want to be better than I am. I hope you feel the same way. To all my friends; those who stand by me today, those who once held my hand, those who are no longer walking this earth, and those who I hope to someday call a friend again, I love you and I thank you for all you have taught me about who I am and who I want to be. I especially thank those friends who have led me to seek for the friendship of the only person who can truly understand everything I have been through and the mistakes I have made and, yet, still love me and be my Friend when no one else knows how to or has the strength or courage to be.

BID #2 Travel the Mediterranean

There are so many places I would love to visit inmylife. This is only one of them. What a gorgeous area of the world rich with ancient culture. Culture dating back to the time of Christ. The Apostle Paul traveled around this area after the death of Christ preaching the gospel throughout the known western world. Stadiums, museums, churches, art...there is so much to see, and then, there are also the beaches! Wow! What wonderfully blue water with gorgeous white sands and loads of privacy. Sunshine all year round and delicious food too. What can't you enjoy?

An undeserved and priceless gift

Titus 3:3-7 Words of Paul to Titus

3- For we ourselves were also sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.
4- But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,
5- Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
6- Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
7- That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

for my friends and family

I bought a new set of scriptures the other day. I have not bought one in about 6 or 7 years and I wanted a large one. So as I opened my brand new set yesterday, I unintentionally opened to the words of Paul to the people of Philippi. I love the words of Paul and I had these exact words highlighted in my last set. This is one of my very favorite verses in all of the scriptures. I thought of all of you as I read these words again. I love you!

Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord, Jesus Christ.
I thank my God upon every rememberance of you.
Philippians 1: 2-3