One Year, Holllller.

Wow, can I just start off by saying I cannot believe how fast a year really does fly bye! On August 27th, 2010 I made one of the hardest yet most fulfilling decisions I've ever had to make. I followed the example of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and was baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints & let me tell you, it's been on heck of a year. My interest in the Church first sparked during the summer 2009 when one of my best friends boyfriend left for his mission. I was baffled by how he could just leave for two years, getting paid nothing, having to pay himself to go knock on doors 6 days aweek. Who would do that? Then in November another one of my best friends left for his mission, I went to his talk where I met the missionaries for the first time. They asked if they could meet with me and I kindly declined, telling them I had my own church but I told them I'd come to church again with the Thornhill family, they took me on my offer and said see you next week. For about a month I worked all my magic to never have to talk to the missionaries after sacrament, I became a pro at dipping & dodging. You see I'm the type of person who has a hard time saying no to people who are so nice. But one Sunday when I was stuck in a pew they came up to me, asking if they could share a message with me sometime, I said sure why not. We had a meeting for that Friday.
    I joined the Church a little over a year from the first time I went to a sacrament meeting to my actual baptism, I originally had a baptism date for March but with everyone constantly feeding me different information, I knew I wasn't ready, so I backed out. I became a Christian in high school through a youth group called YoungLife and a church here in Tempe called Praxis, it was what I was all about, I loved both of those communities so much, they blessed me more than they will ever know. But just like a parent watching their child making a decision they don't agree with, my two communities weren't too thrilled about my decision to join the Mormon Church. A lot of people where confused, some angry, and some shocked at how "stupid" I was being, but I couldn't keep letting their remarks affect my decision.
    So, in July 2010 I secretly started meeting with the missionaries again, about only 4 people knew I as meeting with them....I wanted to figure this out for myself. After many lessons & thoughtful prayer, I knew this was something I wanted to do, and had to do. I told the missionaries I wanted to get baptized within in two weeks because I knew from prior experience the longer I waited, the more time Satan had to work on me. The whole baptism all I felt was so loved and so much happiness. You'd think life would be peachy after that but its been far from it.
    This year has brought many obstacles and trials but more importantly it has brought be great friendship, amazing conversation, and closer to my Savior. I can tell you I've wanted to give up a couple times, walk away, wish I made a different decision but Heavenly Father blessed me with friends who wouldn't let that happened. I've been on the worlds highest spiritual high but I've also felt the lowest of lows. I can even admit there has been a few tears. I'm not perfect, I don't want to be but I know with all my heart that this Church is perfect & my Savior is perfect. He is the perfect source of love, He is the perfect stream of mercy, He is the perfect example and for that, I am eternally grateful. I know my Heavenly Father knows me, He knows all my thoughts, my doubts, my concerns, my highs & lows, He created me. I am thankful for the knowledge I have of my Savior and I have never felt so close to Jesus as I do now, my love for the Lord continuously grows. Thank you for everyone who helped me through this journey and stuck by my side. You are deeply loved & greatly appreciated.