After Months of Waiting...

I cannot believe it's been so long since I've blogged. July 11th? It feels like a whole different life I'm living now. Just days before my last blog, I met Bryce Taylor Bond, one of the greatest blessings that I have ever been given. Since then I have fallen in love with him, through his actions, his words, and his kindness. I feel so blessed to have him.
It's a new semester here at BYU-Idaho. My roommate and best friend went home early due to a sickness, and it's been hard without her. She has always been the one to help uplift me and reassure me if ever I find myself doubting. Luckily technology allows me to talk to her when I'm falling apart over here. Otherwise I'd be in big trouble.
I've been working on my degree toward dental hygiene, which at this moment is in the pre-requisite stage. I plan to complete the pre-requisites and apply to a few different schools after this coming spring. I have big dreams and cannot wait to see what the Lord has in store for me.
I have grown more and more in love with life. I can see blessings and the Lord's hand in them everywhere I turn. When I sit back and think about the education I am receiving, the loving friends and family I have, and the truth that I have through THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST of Latter-Day Saints, I realize I have so much more than many in this world. I try to pray for those who don't have the truth, that they might find it. Once someone has that, they can press forward in any situation. All they need is the knowledge that we have a Heavenly Father and a Savior who know us and love us individually. When I am down I find comfort in knowing that the Lord knows what I am feeling to an exactness. I can go to him not only when I am sad, but when I am happy and want to share it with someone. He can be our best friend if we allow it, and the spirit our constant companion.

I've been taking a course called Family Foundations this semester. It's all about the family, and the purpose of the family in this life. The honest truth is that that IS the purpose. To have a family, and be exalted with them in the life to come. It's so comforting to know that I can have my family forever through the sealing power of the right authority that is in this church. There are times, however where I get scared. There have been so many divorces in my family. What exempts me from the same occurrence? But then I am strengthened as I read the words of the prophets in these latter-days. As I read the scriptures and know that Heavenly Father will never break a covenant with us, and through the atonement of Christ, we can keep ours with him. He will help us work through the hard times. Something I loved reading last night was "A good marriage does not require a perfect man or a perfect woman. It only requires a man and a woman committed to strive together toward perfection."
With that quote in mind, it helps me remember that a marriage does not have to be perfect. That things will get hard, but if we persevere we can come out triumphant. We are working towards perfection always. We can get there, but only through Christ, because of that infinite atonement I keep speaking of. I am so grateful for that sacrifice that was made for ME. For all of our Father's children. That is what will get me through, knowing that he died so I can live, live with my family forever in His presence.