22

Yesterday was my 22nd birthday. No, I am not going to be one of those young people that say they feel so old, and older people respond with, "you feel old, look at me." I don't feel old at all. In fact this week, I've felt like more of a little girl than most. The only thing weird about being 22 is saying it. I'm 22. Weird.

 

My roommate Jessica and honorary roommate Dani took me out to eat at The Pastry Pub.

I have noticed that it is popular to put lists in blogs, so I have decided to write a list. It will be called 22 things I am grateful for. This list isn't in any particular order, it just contains some things I have been thinking about lately.

1. My Savior's love and the many ways I feel it around me
2. My mom and dad because they provide me with such good examples of testimony and love and strength
3. Gabe and Sidney because they are so sweet and love me so much even though I'm just an annoying older sister sometimes
4. Dwight, who is a good big brother to me and who I look up to when it comes to dealing with difficulties in life. He's always happy, and I don't know how he does it.
5. Cousins who send me thoughtful texts and e-mails containing words of encouragement and love
6. Aunts who tell me nice things that make me feel good about myself
7. Kind roommates who take care of me and made sure I had a fun birthday despite difficult circumstances
8. Church leaders such as my old bishop, President Adams
9. Priesthood blessings to provide me with the extra comfort that I can't get on my own sometimes
10. The scriptures, especially the Book of Mormon. I won't ever stop reading it because it's what keeps me close to the spirit even when I am confused or scared
11. School. It's been a busy four years, but I am so grateful for the opportunity to get an education and in May, I will have my Bachelor's degree
12. Living away from home because this experience has taught me so much. I have learned to love and appreciate my family more, and I have realized that I will never fully understand the level of sacrifice my parents have made for me to be able to reach my goals in life
13. Talking to friends who understand and let me vent and cry, because we girls just have to do that sometimes
14. Certain material things that I will try to never take advantage of again, such as a computer, a car, a good job...
15. My student Anastassia, because she is so cute and thoughtful. She got me purple slippers for my birthday because purple is my favorite color and I had mentioned in one of our random conversations once that I loved slippers, but didn't have any
16. Having the opportunity to work with my teacher Dr. Gliadkovsky. He is amazing and I am so lucky
17. Prayer. I have said many prayers, and they help me calm down, sleep, and realize that everything is okay when I tell Heavenly Father how I am doing
18. Thinking because I am gradually learning that my good thoughts come from the spirit
19. Phone conversations with my family because living here, that's all I get sometimes and it keeps me close to them
20. Words of inspiration from prophets and apostles because they give me faith in the future
21. The gospel in my life, because I honestly don't know how people live without it and I hope I can be braver in sharing it with others.
22. Someone who has been and still is very special to me and taught me a lot of things I needed to learn about life and myself and will always have a special place in my heart