Mission Series: 2 years +friends

Two years ago today- February 20th. 

I left my family, my best friend dropped me off, and I put my phone in the mailbox for the next 18 months. 

Little did I know the impact these people would have on my life. 

Little did I know that serving a mission blessed me with the greatest friends I could ask for. 

I never thought in a million years that I would make friends from a mission. 

The other day, my friend Sadie, mentioned: Remember when you were scared to go on a mission because you didn't want to leave your friends behind? Now you have a lot more."

I was talking with my MTC companion who said it perfectly: "I was blindsided by the friendships I made. I never thought that would happen."

Those 12 days in the MTC were so great. 

I laughed with these people, cried with them, shared fears, played pranks, and grew with them. 

Now we are all home. 

It's so good. 

My life is forever changed.

~Linz

Blessings in disguise

I am so grateful for the people in my life that make life bearable.  

Today started off terrible and ended Great.  Sometimes, I can't believe how lucky I am.  God really does love me, he truly does care about me.  He really does hear my prayers.  Life has been rough lately.  17 credits, graduation is down the road but coming up fast.  (That means finding internships, realizing you are becoming a grownup, and finding a job and and....)  Dealing with problems, trying to figure out life, and more.  It can add up fast.  

I am so thankful for:

• Friends that ask if your ok and you say, "no not really", and they reply with, "I'm coming to get you" and then take you out for ice cream.
• Words of inspiration given, that truly gave me a unique perspective.  
• Valentine's balloons.  
• Phone calls with mom.  I'm so glad she is there for me, I am glad for her listening and sometimes giving her advice and always giving me her support. 
• FHE brothers.  Being single on valentine's day has it perks, let me tell you.  Being kissed 6 times by two different guys...How could a girl get so lucky? Oh wait...lets make that 7...3 different guys. 
• I am thankful for the package mom sent a week ago.  I passed out valentines to others and was able to focus on others and not myself.  I believe service be it small or big really helps, when your feeling down. 
• Valen shared this video with me at 2 am.  All I can say, is perfect.  I love songs that just...describe your life. 

 

Friendship

I'm reading this book for a class. I actually really like it. There is this part, that made me stop and think about my life and the friendships in it. "Interestingly enough, the two men to whom Lincoln became the closest were also the two who had originally thought the worst of him." Often times, I prejudge someone I meet, and often times they become my closest friends. Edwin M. Stanton insulted Lincoln on multiple occasions and was very negative toward Lincoln. Lincoln knew of Stanton's abilities and knew that he was very competent. Lincoln put his feelings aside and appointed Stanton as the secretary of war. After working together for a while, they both came to understand, respect, and admire each other. The two men became very close. Sometimes we just have to put our pre-conceived notions aside, let them go. Otherwise, you won't get to know someone who could be a great friend.

I thought about the friendships in my life, that didn't end so well. Was there anything that I could have done different? I have pondered that question often. In the end, sometimes it doesn't matter how hard you try, the other person doesn't want to put in the effort.

I often revert back to thinking about a certain line in my blessing.
"Surely have friends and all, but be careful." Was that friendship not supposed to happen, and it did? Who knows...?

I think some of the best friendships are ones that require no effort. It doesn't feel like you have to try. It doesn't feel like work. It's just...natural. Once someone makes me laugh its like insta-friends. I thrive off laughter and humor. A friend is there to make your hard day a little easier. To listen, sometimes give advice, to just...be there. A friend makes secret code words with you. A friend doesn't keep a tally of who did what for who.

The past few semesters have taught me that communication is huge in friendships, any relationship really. I think often we sometimes are not quick to forgive our friends, because what they did hurt. "Ever notice that the people who hurt you the most are the ones you tend to love more."

I had been thinking about a certain friend. We hadn't talked in three months. Things kinda ended in an awkward, dramatic mess. Well the other night they sent a message and reached out. My heart melted. It made my night. Once you find a good friend, it's really hard to let go. And lets be honest, you can never have too many friends.

"Maybe some people just aren't meant to stay in our lives forever, maybe some people are just passing through. Some people just come through our lives to bring us something, a lesson we need to learn, and that's why they are there."

I have had great friends over the years.  They have taught me so much.  They brighten my day and for that I am thankful. 


~Linz