Days 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18

Day 14: Institute 

By helping students draw closer to Heavenly Father, make friends, and set priorities, institute strengthens testimonies and changes lives.

Institute is a saving grace. Its been almost 10 years since I started attending institute. My first few years my attendance waxed and waned. But I found that every time I went back, the Spirit would testify so very loudly that I could't block it out. And even in the midst of storms in life, slowly I began to learn something-I began to learn that institute was mine. It was the one thing in my life that I could put in effort and receive more then I ever put in. As I continued to attend, my learning increased and I found greater purpose in church and ultimately my own life. My beloved scriptures went from being a gift that I didn't know how to use, to my most prized possession. They are filled with my notes, my revelations, my growth, and my testimony. And I owe all of that (and so much more) to institute. 

Day 15: Tender Mercies

Today was a very hard day for me. And as I sat, trying to piece together where things went wrong-a friend randomly showed up at my house. She had made some food and felt prompted to drop off the extras. Little did she know that she was going to be a HUGE tender mercy. 

Then later, another person wouldn't let me ruin the rest of our evening with my crazy girl brain. So instead, they made the effort to communicate exactly what I needed to hear so that we could enjoy the night. (it sounds vague and weird, but it was definitely a tender mercy for me). 

My life is full of them. And I am so very grateful that each one testifies to me that the Lord is aware of me and loves me. 

Day 16: Books

I love them. I can't get enough of them. I don't want a kindle or any other form of electronic book. I want to touch my books, I want to smell them, and I want to mark them all up with my thoughts and ideas as I am reading them. 

Day 17: Last Weekend of Work for a while

ITS AVERY GOOD THING TO BE GRATEFUL FOR. Trust me. 

Day 18: Best friends that forgive

Its to much to write out-but I'm glad that there are people who are willing to overlook my weaknesses and provide support, even when I've let them down.