Rough Start to a New Year

It's not even the end of January yet but it seems as though this year has been filled with many trials but much more important than that many blessings. When I moved back up to Utah at the end of December because of certain situations going on I was apprehensive and dreading moving back here. Don't get me wrong, I love Utah (shocker?? yes I know) but my living situation was not a good one. I only lived there a week before I just could not take it any more. You know that saying "Misery loves company"? That's what I was living with...misery and it definitely wanted company. I decided, with the help of my mom, that it was time for me to move out and find a place of my own. The next day I talked to the Bishop and the Relief Society President in my ward and found someone that was looking for a roommate and someone to help me move my stuff out of the house and into storage until I could move into the apartment. I am so blessed to have a wonderful aunt that allowed me to stay with her in this time of need. Everything came together so easily that I knew that my Heavenly Father definitely had a hand in what was going on. He saw that I was in need and decided to bless me. I am now living in an apartment within my same ward boundaries with two other girls. Life is going great. I am finishing Yavapai online this semester with plans to start going to Weber next January to pursue my BA in Elementary Education. Now the hard part, looking for a job. I have been out of work since the end of May and let me tell ya, life is boring without a job.

I just have to say how blessed I am to have such a wonderful mother. I do not know how I would have gotten through this last month without her. I'm sure she is probably sick of me calling her all the time but I miss her like crazy. Just one more week until I get to see her. I'm not sure what I have done to deserve all of these great blessings but I'm sure not complaining. Everything happens for a reason...Just believe. I am so grateful to for everything in my life and everyone that has gotten to where I am today!

You never know

Do you ever at some point just have a thought about someone pop into your head that you haven't spoken to in a while? This always seems to happen to me at the most inopportune times, i.e. while I'm driving. For the past couple of weeks I've had random thoughts about a friend of mine named Richard. On Sunday I remembered that thought long enough to come home and check up on him on facebook (the place I go to to find answers for anything or see what people are doing). What I found is not what I expected to find.

My dear friend Richard had committed suicide on January 16. I believe everything happens for a reason. I had those thoughts about him for a reason, to find this out. I was in a complete state of shock when I learned about this tragic moment that had taken place. This did not seem like anything Richard would have done. He was a happy guy that liked to party and made friends where ever he went. It was evident by all of the posts on facebook that everyone was in complete shock by this news. It taught me that sometimes you can never really know what is going on in a person that would lead to something like this. It taught me that you should not take for granted the people in your life, always tell them you love and express gratitude towards them for the things they have done for you in this life. I hope that Richard found what he was looking for and is somehow happier now that he has moved on. 

These are some pictures of the dessert auction our Singles Ward holds every December in 2008. He was always so much fun to be around. My favorite memories of Richard are when we went to The Gurley Street Grill. We had lots of good times there. He was always embarrassed to be there with us because through no fault of our own we always had rude waiters/waitresses which then caused us to be rude back. Even though we weren't best friends and I had not seen him for almost a year now it breaks my heart to think that he is no longer with us on this earth. I hope he had found the peace that he was searching for.