Happy Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving this year was good, but it started differently. Every year my grandpa makes everyone list something they are thankful for, but he wasn't here this year and we didn't do that. And on the drive back my brother mentions that we didn't say anything we are thankful for and so my dad has us do it. It's something small but I love those small traditions. And while it's always annoying how my grandpa makes us all wait for food for everyone to go around and say something, I think it's important to share what you are thankful for. And while I told my parents and brother in the car ride home I thought I'd tell all you guys as well. This year I am thankful for

1. Getting into BYU- I think about how different my life would be right now if I wasn't here in Utah and it scares me. Back in February I remember finding out I got in and I couldn't have been happier. I was scared. BYU had been my goal forever, and I reached it. Nothing feels better than accomplishing a long-term goal. And now that I am here I love it, sometimes I question why I am here, there are other people smarter and other people more social but I know that there is a reason I am here. I know my grades and tests and my high school career was just a little above average and I was probably on the edge for getting into BYU but there is a reason I got in. I am trying my hardest to make my most out of college. I am so thankful for BYU. I  get to not deal with all the negative aspects of college like the peer pressure for drinking and drugs and having sex and instead I am making great friends who I can be totally myself with all the time. I really love BYU, way more than I was expecting (which is saying something because I was VERY excited to come in the first place)

2. My family- I am thankful for my dad because of how hard he works for everything. He works so hard and gives me so much. He helps me with everything I need. And while I do get mad at him and we fight I know that he loves me. I am thankful for my mom because without her I'd have nothing. Yes, my dad works hard but without my mom I'd never get a single nice thing in my life. But I also know my mom is understanding and  when I mess up she always forgives me. I'm thankful for everything she has taught me, which is a lot, I couldn't begin to list them. I'm thankful for my sister, me and her do fight but I love her so much, I wish I showed it better. She has been such a great example to me and I don't think she'll ever really know how much she has influenced me. I love that she is close by now that I am at school and I really don't spend enough time with her. It's just hard balancing school but knowing she is close by and there for me whenever I need it is amazing. And lastly, Jacob. I love this guy so much. I can't be with him and not be smiling and laughing. He is the best little brother. He is funny and silly and shy at the same time, it's just so Jacob. There really is no way to explain how amazing he is. He adds so much to our family and I miss him so much while I am at college. WAY more than I thought I was going to, but all these little things remind me of him and his silly ways. I am so thankful for my family and for everything they do for me and I know everything about me is because of how I was raised and how they have influenced me and I love them for that. 

3. The Gospel- I know Jesus Christ lived and died for me. I know that He atoned for my sins and I am so thankful for that. I know that God loves me and that is something I am so thankful for. That knowledge has helped me on many days here at college. Feeling alone sucks but I am always able to get past it because I know my Heavenly Father loves me and that He is always with me. I am thankful that Joseph Smith questioned religion and went to God. I am thankful for Joseph Smith and that God trusted a 14 year old boy enough to start and restore this gospel of Christ through him. I know the Book of Mormon is true and I love learning more about it. My Book of Mormon class is one of my favorites at BYU, 1 because it's an easy grade but 2 because I am learning so much. I really pay so much attention in it and am learning to love this book like none other. I am thankful for this Gospel because I know so much I have is because of my steadfastness in it. 

4. Being privileged enough to have grown up in a strong Latter-day Saint home. I can't imagine my life without growing up LDS. It's such a blessing to know everything. All my questions can always be answered because of this Gospel. I love that I have been able to grow up LDS and have my home ward. I know so many of them, who I regrettably don't know as well I should, love me and care about me. I love this church so much and I am thankful for everyone back home who has taught me throughout my life. While I sometimes feel I don't know anything about the Gospel- I know what matters most. And I know things because of the awesome and caring people back in Binghamton who have taught me in Primary, Young Women's, and Seminary. I am thankful for all the time these leaders have given to the church and how selfless they have been, all contributing to me and my testimony in this church. Thank you.

5. My friends back home- I'm thankful for Morgan and that she is so caring and always there for you. I'm thankful for Sabrina and that she is so accepting and not judgmental at all. I'm thankful for Jessica and how easy she is to talk to and that I've been able to tell her anything and she gives me honest opinion. I'm thankful for Emily and that she is so reliable, I know I can always lean to her and she'll be there for me. I'm thankful for Shaneka and that she is just so funny, she can always put you in a better mood and make you happy. I am thankful for them as a group because I love that we have kept each other good. I will forever be thankful for how good my friends are- I got very lucky and haven't ever had to deal with feeling left out because my friends were going to some party. I know that we can share anything and even though we are all away at different college we can still be friends. 

6. My friends here at college- To start my roommate Naomi is pretty dang awesome. I really don't think I could have gotten luckier. She is so understanding and accepting of me... pretty sure I don't deserve it all. I love that I can tell her anything and that she is open about what she thinks about stuff. I like how she is clean so it makes me be cleaner...most of the time. I really am thankful for Naomi and how great of a roommate she is and how we have become such awesome roommate friends :P Then there is Erica and Hayley and Rachel and Eliza and Kim and Lisa and Brooke and Sami who are just so fun and amazing. I love hanging out with them and I love that I feel so close to them and can tell them stuff so easily. They really have made college awesome.

7. My other friends that don't fit into those categories really like Misa who I am so thankful for. I wish we saw each other more at college but I realize we are both ridiculously busy. That being said she is still the most amazing friend and is always there for me. There is Joanna who I've gotten 10 time closer to now at college and I love that. She basically has moved into my room which is totally fine by me :) It's actually weirder for her not to be in my room one night that it is for her to be in it, and I love that. I like having Book of Mormon with her and meeting her in the stairwell to walk together at 8:43... except that never really happens. And I'm thankful for Whitney and that she has tried so hard to keep in touch with me. I don't want to lose her friendship and I like when we skype and text and tell each other about our friends and boys. I'm thankful for Marshall. I am SOOOO proud of him and that he is on a mission. He has the strongest testimony and loves this Gospel so much. I could go on for hours about how proud of him I am but that'd bore you guys...

I wish I reflected more often about what I'm thankful for. I have been blessed so much and this isn't even a dent. There are so many great things in my life and I should be more aware of them. I hope you all have had a wonderful Thanksgiving and have been able to reflect on your own life. And now with Thanksgiving over that means its Christmas season! Who else is pumped?!