21

So this is going to be my last post as a 21 year old. I wanted to share my ups and downs and what I have learned in the past year. Here we go.

Dear 21 year old Laurel,

This past year was one of the hardest you ever been through. But you never gave up and kept fighting. You went through many trials but kept your head up high. You learned so many things. You learned how to love and accept people for who they are. Great job. That is what our Heavenly Father wants us to do which is to love other people as He loves you. You have been through many things that brought back bad memories when you were in middle school. From people teasing you and making fun of you because you live a good life. But you loved those people anyway. You learned how to look for the good in people. You learned that judging is not the way to go especially in this kind of world that do it continually.

You learned that music is great therapy for you. Playing the guitar takes away your worries for awhile. You learned how to deal with betrayal from those who you thought were your friends. You were heart-broken, but it turned out ok. You learned how to deal with people not accepting you for who you are. People tried to make you change your life-style and the way you look. But you didn't let them do that because you are happy with yourself and the way you look. You just thought to yourself, "It is their own problem if they can't accept me for who I am." You just moved forward. Great job.

You found many people that inspired you. They are BYU Noteworthy, your family, close friends, Backbeats, UO Divisi, Courtney and Katie Jensen. All of these people have changed you life for good. They taught you to be yourself and don't care what other people think. They made you happy. They have inspired you through music. They taught you that through hard times, everything will be ok in the end. They taught you how to endure to the end. Enduring to the end can change your life for the better. You really want to meet these people who you have not met yet. Good thing you have learned patience. Patience is essential in many things. :)

You learned how to Love the Life you Live. You are grateful for things around you. You learned how to be grateful for trials. Not because they are desireable, but because it taught you how to love people beyond measure. By learning this, this has made you compassionate. You care for the well-being of others. Your heart aches when you see other people suffering. You want to help them. You learned how to love serving other people. Great job.

You learned that there are angels watching over you. Especially of what happened when you went tubing down the Oneida River. Remember what happened? A rope snapped and hit your neck pretty hard and you went over a huge dip with a huge rock. Somehow you were kept on your tube. If you went off the tube, it might have been a possibility that you were toast. You now have a firm testimony that people are watching over you.

You became grateful for the nature around you. What beautiful creations what God has made. It makes this earth extra special when you just ponder the beauty around you. It so so wonderful.

You learned that your guy friends are like your older brothers that you never had. They watch our for you. They protect you and make sure that you are safe. If you are not feeling well, they give you advice of what may make you feel better. You are so grateful for them.

*Well, this is what I have learned and what happened in my 21st year of life. I am looking forward for what my 22nd year will bring. I just wish I was home for my birthday. This is my first birthday away from home because I always went home for it. It should be interesting. It just won't be the same.
Love, Laurel