And as I was sitting home alone tonight, I thought about my life the past 12 months.
I thought about my experiences, my blessings, and what I accomplished in 2014.
I thought it was probably a good idea to document such things.
So here I am.
Saturday, December 20, 2014 listening to "Piano Guys", and looking back on this past year.
(Pics are at the end of the post...)
I moved back home exactly one year ago.
January-April was probably the most difficult of this year.
I didn't know anybody in my YSA Ward, and didn't have very many friends.
I began working at an insurance company in Salt Lake, dating a guy I met online, and praying for strength to get through each day.
At the beginning of April, I lost my job and things didn't work out with the guy.
I quickly began dating again, only to have my heart broken once more.
I felt so stuck, lost, and alone.
Within a week, Heavenly Father sent angels my way.
Girls from my YSA ward included me in everything they were doing.
And a member of my bishopric was able to find me a temporary part-time job until I could find a full-time job.
I was also called to be the pianist for the YSA Ward choir.
I can't tell you how much comfort I found in spending time with the amazing people from my ward.
I felt so loved, wanted, needed, and even special.
I decided to date as much as I possibly could to make more friends and have a social life. And between work, church activities, and dating, I was so busy I barely had time to eat and sleep.
The month of May is when I truly found myself.
I was so involved in the gospel, and was so confident in who I was.
I was happy, and although parts of my past were still haunting me, I was beginning to let go.
My brother/best friend married the most amazing girl named Michelle in the temple and I can't tell you how thankful I am for her.
I spent a lot of my time with new friends and I can't tell you how much I appreciate them.
I think I laughed more in May than I did all year.
May was by far my favorite month of 2014.
The summer was full of adventure.
I got hired on at Tanner Clinic full time.
I went to institute every week and absolutely LOVED it.
I spent a ton of time with my family and friends.
I dated a great guy.
And I was blessed with two precious nieces.
It seemed that life was going just the way I wanted.
However, as Autumn came, I noticed my faith wavering a bit.
I wasn't as confident as I was earlier in the year.
I felt so confused and self conscious.
My thoughts were constantly racing and I worried about the smallest things.
It seemed like I was beginning to feel like myself again around the second week of October.
For my birthday I was able to go to St. George and Las Vegas.
I have never had such an amazing birthday before!
I was seriously on cloud nine the entire time, and was so incredibly happy.
Perhaps it was just the vacation though.
Because once I was home, the uneasy feelings began again and I felt lost.
I thought I had finally figured out my future.
And then in an instant, everything changed.
As crazy as this sounds, and as confusing as it was, I'm so grateful it did.
Although at times it has been difficult, I'm finally feeling like me again.
I'm happy, hopeful, and optimistic.
And I needed certain trials to realize who I am and what I deserve.
I love my job, and am truly happy.
I've felt more love in the past month than I did all year.
2014 was my year of change, my year of discovery, and my year of experience.
I kept a journal of my adventures each month. Apparently January wasn't too exciting because I didn't write anything down for it. But here are the others:
February: Went to Wyoming
March: Shot a pistol
April: Attended the Saturday afternoon session of General Conference
May: Rode on a bullet bike
Shot a shot gun & hit a clay pigeon
Climbed and fell out of a tree
Went on a zip line
June: Went to the airshow at Hill Air Force Base
July: Hiked Waterfall Canyon
Went to a Japanese Festival
Listened to President Uchtdorf speak at the Dee Events Center
Went to a REAL Salt Lake game
August: Went to the LDS Ogden Temple open house
Played Badmitton for the first time.. and LOVED it!
September: Did proxy baptisms in the LDS Bountiful Temple
Listened to Elder Holland speak at stake conference
Went to the LDS Ogden Temple dedication
October: Walked around the outside of the LDS St. George Temple
Climbed petrified sand dunes in St. George
Walked "The Strip" in Las Vegas
Saw the Broadway production "Wicked" in Las Vegas
November: Sang in stake conference
December: Let go of my past
I'm so grateful for the blessings and lessons I received and learned this year.
The atonement has truly healed me and has helped me forgive so much.
2014 is going to be hard to beat, but I have a feeling that 2015 is up for the challenge.
I love my life.
