Just on for the ride

Breath in, breath out. Take a step back and look at how far you have come. This past semester has been quite the ride. As some of us head into these last few days of tests, it's important to recognize the growth of each one of us. I am going to be writing about my personal growth and activities this semester. This Thursday it will have been exactly 6 months since I have arrived home from my mission. It is impossible for me to fathom all that has happened in these last 6 months and what the next few years that lie ahead of me have in store. I am just so thankful for all the memories and friendships that have happened; another turkey bowl spanking at the hands of the Mantua Gang, crashing my car into an SUV, getting on Jumbotron at a USU basketball game, the having the opportunity to direct the ACYI musical, and so many other things. I have truly have been blessed with great friends and family. As I reflect today thinking that 6 months ago I was packing my backs to head home from a place I never thought I could love and miss so much. I wrote in my journal "I'm glad I came, it was a privilege,...I am so thankful I have learned so much on the mission. Now it's on to applying it." My hope and goal is to learn how to do just that, apply the gospel very literally to my life. Nott just go through the motions, but have it be a part of me. This past weekend has been so loaded with great things; the opening and closing of my show, Karly's sealing, Aubrie's farewell, and tonight I will be receiving a certificate of advancement from the institute. God has been good to me, he hasn't been easy on me but has been very good. This semester came with it's trials and obstacles that at the time seemed like impossible mountains, and now that they are in the rear view mirror are nothing but gentle hills. Life truly is about the journey, not the destination. Thank you to everyone who has ridden along.
It has been a whale of a ride.