2017 in Photos

The year started with a goodbye to my dear Romney Branch. I felt welcome and accepted there from day one, and my testimony of the Savior grew SO MUCH from fellowshipping with these people. Attending that branch taught me that I don't have to have anything in common with someone to consider them a friend, but it's also easier to find things in common with people than you'd think. 

My reason for leaving Romney was to serve as an AmeriCorps VISTA in my very favorite place. Being a VISTA has been the most rewarding, frustrating, and fun labor of my life so far. I love the other VISTAs and the staff at my site - there's nothing like being surrounded by people who've chosen to serve. I'm soooo excited to have the opportunity to serve as a VISTA Leader later this year. I've also been able to volunteer in my "free time" as an advocate for children in foster care, which is my lifelong passion.

Speaking of cool people who've chosen to spend 24/7 serving, I've been fortunate enough to continue convincing missionaries to call me their friend. 

Aarin & Chatlen were the best dang counselors a Young Womens' President could ever need. ;) Before I left Romney, they gave me a priesthood blessing that has carried me through some really challenging moments.

Weekly visits with Patty and the missionaries were one of my favorite things about this year! It was sad to watch Patty's health decline, but it's been amazing to see how much a simple visit and receiving the sacrament can brighten her day.

Adam and Koby made being in Morgantown again "okay" until it became "great." (Morgantown is my favorite place, but transitioning to life there as not-a-student with not-my-old-callings was lonely.) I'll always be grateful for their friendship & the fact that Adam only judged me a little for calling him a badass son of God.

Austin, Elder Sandlin, and Krugs (center below) helped me SO MUCH with one of the hardest ongoing trials of my life. I honestly expected to be judged when I opened up to them about it all, but all three of them were nothing but loving. They also helped me rediscover my love for Indian food. (: 

I'll also choose this random space to give a shout-out to Elders Howe and Kent, two Motown ZLs who made my days brighter but haven't yet coughed up any of our photos.

Elder Cornwall and Elder Estes are two of the most compassionate, caring, and crazy missionaries I've ever met. I thoroughly enjoy the spiritual and emotional boost I get every time I spend time with them & appreciate their choice to befriend a weird old lady like me. ;) 

As I've grown to love Morgantown again, I've had the tremendous blessing of reconnecting and becoming closer with both my old friends from church and some new ones too. The Morgantown University Ward members are my people. (Especially the Relief Society! Never thought I'd say that...) When I was first called to the Relief Society Presidency my instinct was like "???" but my heart leapt for joy, and that's pretty much how it's gone.

These particular old-and-new-again friends deserve a special shout-out... 

One of the very best parts of 2017 was that one of my all-time favorite missionaries came back to visit for a day! He also got married this year, which is cool for him but a little bit lame. (*cough*marriedpeopleareboring*cough*) It was fantastic to hang out with one of my very best friends for a day. 

Note to any other RMs reading this: VISIT!!!! 

Last and most importantly, please enjoy some literal family photos. I love my family. (: 

50(ish) Things I'm Thankful For

A couple of days late, but after a year without blogging I think a couple of days late is better than nothing.

• Friendships with people who support me in being the best and most authentic version of myself 
• My patriarchal blessing and the dozens of priesthood blessings I've received



• Being able to spend holidays visiting my parents and grandmother 
• 21 years of holiday memories with both of my grandmothers together (in-law unity) 
• Rest areas with wheelchair accessible bathrooms 
• Serving with a Relief Society president who's taken the time to learn what foods don't make me sick 

• AmeriCorps VISTA 
• Coworkers who become friends, even temporarily 
• The ability to use my time in mortality to love and help others, especially as a CASA and LWB volunteer 
• Parents who taught me how to serve 
• My home hospital bed, RoboChair, Rikki Bobbi, and other tech that gives me freedom 

• Every person who treats me like a "normal" person from the first time they meet me 
• Friends and family who listen when I need to vent about the people who don't treat me like a "normal" person (especially those who get angry about it with me) 
• Forgiveness 
• Years of therapy 
• Chocolate
• The Atonement of Jesus Christ 
• Knowing (having a unique and precious testimony of) our Heavenly Father's plan for us 
• Getting to chill with the Holy Ghost (almost) every day 
• Every young adult who chooses to serve as an LDS missionary 
• Being loved enough by the missionaries that I get to stay friends with so many of them years after they've gone home

• Drunk texts from former missionaries #honored 
• Patty Friend 
• Doctors who laugh with me 
• All of the bishops, branch presidents, and institute teachers I've had and what I've learned from them 

• Accessible parking with adequate ramp space 
• Curb cuts that aren't sketch 
• Witnessing the miracle of others gaining testimonies of the things Heavenly Father wants them to know 
• Snapchat (it's a friendship strengthener) 
• Humility (even when it comes from the less pleasant part of "Be humble or be humbled") 
• Friends, family, and strangers who both literally and metaphorically pick me up when I'm down
• Friends who both literally and metaphorically sit on the floor with me when they can't pick me up

• Two Excedrin and a bottle of coke
• Having the body that my spirit needs 
• Being West Virginian 
• Sci-fi where the good guys always win 
• Leggings, maxi skirts, and all other manner of clothing that hides the fact that I only shave my legs twice a week in the winter #keepingitreal 
• The promise of summer 
• Every experience that helps me gain a testimony of the importance of families - not just my own

• Cats who decide I'm their person whether I like it or not 
• Old dogs 
• Seeing this tattoo every day and remembering why I got it 

Please disregard the fact that the only photo I have of it is actually a tan comparison.

• Having a symbol of my covenants with Heavenly Father that I can see every day 
• My running list of things I've done that I never thought I could do 
• Being born in the first time in history that I could get an education, live independently, drive a car, and do almost everything else that able-bodied people do
• Cinnamon hot chocolate 
• Zofran 
• The world's coolest baby sister

• The perspective to know that the preteen attitude isn't forever
• An extended family that defies the conventional definition of "family" in every way but love 
• Chick-fil-A

Why I Believe - Part 3 - The Spirit World

Part 1 | Part 2

Everyone knows I'm a Mormon. Seriously, everyone. There have been several times when missionaries have told me that some person they met on the street, usually a person I barely even know, has told them they know me. Even more often, I get messages from people saying they've offered the missionaries a glass of water/paid for their ice cream/not slammed a door in their faces/smiled at them on my behalf. (Thanks, guys!) 

What I don't think so many people know is why I believe. (Usually asked as "why I gave up sweet tea and frappes.") The simple answer is that it's true and it's changed my life - but that's not the answer anyone wants. What they want to hear is more complicated, and I can be hesitant to share those details at a holiday dinner or in the middle of the market. I'm more than happy to share in other settings, but most people don't want to come join my Sunday school class or schedule a 45 minute discussion. 

So, I've picked 5 principles of the gospel - basic things Mormons believe - that contribute the most to my personal testimony. Mormons believe a lot more than just this, most of it exactly the same as any other Christian church, but these are 5 things that I feel most strongly tie my beliefs to this specific church. 

The Spirit World 

The Spirit World was my VERY FIRST favorite thing when I was learning about this church!

When I was younger, I struggled greatly with the idea that anyone who died without hearing about Christ or who never gained faith in Him would be sentenced to spend eternity in Hell. I clearly remember a preacher describing the image of one who was suffering horribly in Hell begging those in Heaven for even a drop of water, and the people in Heaven ignoring that request. That thought has always horrified me. Who would want to be in Heaven while knowing other people are suffering and you're not allowed to help? That concept was much of what led to my disbelief in God.

As soon as I heard this aspect of the Plan of Salvation, my heart was opened to the idea that maybe one Christian church could be true.

When we die, our physical bodies are separated from our spirits, and our spirits go to a place called the Spirit World. It's a place of waiting and rest, but also a place of learning and work. From the time of our death until the resurrection, when we'll finally be judged, we'll be engaged in teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ to those who were unable to learn about Him during their mortal lives.

In the Spirit World, there are two conditions. The first, "Paradise" is for those who accepted Christ and lived His gospel to the best of their ability. The other, "Prison," is for those who did not. I think of Paradise and Prison as states of mind. I imagine that if I leave this mortal life and realize I didn't do what I came to earth to do, I'll be pretty anguished. Those who were faithful will minister to those who weren't, helping them to repent and leave that state of sorrow.

That's one of my absolute favorite things about this religion: we don't believe anyone will be doomed to suffer for eternity just because of the circumstances in which they were born. We send out missionaries to preach to people during mortality because of the great joy the gospel brings to our lives, not because we believe those who never hear about Christ will be damned.

I know that when I die, I won't have to stand idly by knowing that others are suffering for their ignorance of the gospel. I can continue to teach others of Christ's goodness and what He's done for each of them. Even after death, I can keep following Christ's example. No brother or sister who wants to return to Heavenly Father's presence has to be left behind.

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