The Gift of Friendship

One of my favorite books is titled " The Ultimate Gift." It is a wonderful book about a man that is very rich. The book starts with the death of this man and the giving of his inheritance to his relatives. His family is a bunch of greedy, selfish and rude people. He feels bad about how his family turned out because he feels that he never taught them correctly but instead gave them everything monetary that he could. He feels the worst about his grandson. To his grandson he leaves 12 gifts that he will receive throughout the year. These gifts end up changing his life for the better as well as my life. I have recognized these gifts in my own life and am very thankful for them.
What I would like to do this year is write about a different gift each month. It may be a gift from the book or it could be one that I have seen evident in my life. These gifts are blessings to me. I do not believe in luck but I do believe in being blessed! I hope you enjoy this series of posts and that you will look deep for the gifts/blessings in your life!
This month I want to write about one of my favorite gifts I have in my life. This is the gift of friendship. Life has been difficult after coming home from my mission. A lot changes in 18 months, especially the people you know. Most of my friends from BYU are gone. I have been stuck on this concept for awhile. But I am starting to realize just because they are gone doesn't mean they don't care. And also that not all of them are gone. I have friends that I didn't even know about. I want to name them all by name and tell them how great they are but I simple don't have the time or the room, so I will write about three of them that have really touched me. For all those that I love and care deeply for, THANK YOU. Your smiling faces have made life wonderful this last year and have helped me so.

The first friend I want to talk about is one of my old roommates. Her name is Ashton. Ashton is one of the most amazing people I know. She is so kind, gentle and meek. She emanates Christ love. Ashton got married right before I went on my mission and had a baby a couple of months after I got home. While I was on my mission, her and her husband moved to California to finish up school. I missed her so much when I got home but was able to talk to her occasionally on Skype. Her example helps me greatly to remember who I am and all that I can become. Every time I hear from her I feel my strength renewed and feel like I can face the world again. I cannot accurately describe what an angel she is in my life. I love her so much and thank my Father in Heaven for her. During finals week, I got a phone call from her and we were able to meet up and see each other for the first time since my mission. What a blessing it was to see her and her sweet baby girl. It was one of my favorite Christmas gifts! Thanks Ashton for all you do, in word and in silence!

The next friend I want to address is my friend Heather! Heather and I met when we were 12 years old. She moved in across the street and we instantly became friends. We did everything together from milking cows to eating lots of junk food. But eventually our paths separated and she moved to American Fork when she was 14. I missed her so much when she moved. I did get to see her on occasion but it was only about once or twice a year. I had a really hard time when she left. I really cherished the times that I got to go and see her. Well, over time I lost pretty much all contact with her. And then one day I got an invitation to her wedding. I was excited to see her so happy to get to go and see her. We then started to keep better contact but it was still very sparse. She texted me a week before my mission and I went up to see her before I left. It was really fun to see her but I wasn't for sure if we would stay in contact over my 18 month leave. Heather was one of many that wrote me every couple of months. While I was gone she had a baby and now she is expecting her second. I love her so much. It is so fun to go up to her house and visit her. It is nice and relaxing to be in her company. I am so grateful to her especially because she is a great example of courage and determination to me.
The third friend that I want to talk about is named Marisa. Marisa and Ashton were my roommates in the same year. I really idealized both of them and still do. Marisa is so sweet and nice to everyone. She never says anything negative about other people. She is a great cook and great host. I love Marisa's family so much. There is no one like her mother and father. I have been in there home and have felt the spirit that resides there. Marisa also got married right before I went on my mission and now has a little boy. There is defiantly something different when you walk into her home. It is peaceful, quiet, and full of the spirit. I hope my home will be like that one day. I am thankful that Marisa lives just up the street from me. It is so fun to go see her and her baby!