Grateful for Trials in Life

I feel like as a whole, our society is pretty hypocritical. This is true in a lot of things, but I find it particularly evident now, as Thanksgiving approaches. We talk about being grateful for what we have and giving thanks, but we only extend that as far was what is pleasant. We gives thanks for our food, for our friends, for our homes. We ignore or complain about our sicknesses, our pains, our tragedies.
So, I want to break that. This is my third Thanksgiving post, I believe. But usually I do the same thing and only talk about the things that make me happy. I want to do something different.
I am thankful that I am struggling with school right now. It's taught me time management, discipline, and humbled me. I usually excel academically, but not so much this semester. It's been difficult to admit that I am in fact normal and have to work really, really hard to get good grades and learn things well.
I am thankful for the relationship issues I've had with people. Through them I am learning how to be more gentle, more obedient, and to look to God for guidance more. I am learning how to 'disagree agreeably'. While many of my family members and a few of my friends would tell you that I need to work on that still, I think I've made some progress. These arguments and such hurt a lot, but I'm grateful for this opportunity.
I'm thankful for people leaving, both by moving and just not talking to me. I have had a lot of people move far away recently, leaving for missions, to college, or other issues that life brings up. I am very tender regarding these issues even from a few months back, but it helps me learn to deal with pain and not be as dependent on people. People just not having interest in being my friend anymore is a worse pain even, but once again it teaches me how to depend on God rather than man.
There are other things I could write about, but I think that's a good start for now. I really am so thankful that Heavenly Father allows us to have challenges and pains. How else would we learn so much and eventually become like him? It just wouldn't happen, so I am working on praising him for all things. All things.

My Missionary

My friend Charity just left on her mission. I miss her so, so much already even though she just left this morning. It seems different than when she went to college even. I guess it could just be that she's leaving for a full year and a half, and that two of my other friends and my brother are either gone or getting ready to leave, too.
Charity is a really, really wonderful person. I am incredibly proud of her for choosing to spend this portion of her life sharing the gospel and helping others have the happiness that the gospel brings. Alabama is so lucky to have her.
Pretty much, she's going to be the best missionary. She's already been one of the best friends, teachers, and (kind of) sisters. She will change the world.

Standing As An Everyday Witness

"We will 'stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places'..."  Every week I recite the Young Women Theme. I promise to be a witness of God, always. Not just in church. Not just at home, or school, or special occasions. Always.
So, how can I do that? How can I be his witness? I have a list, and some of these things include listening to people, reaching out to those who are lonely or hurting, serving, being cheerful, being modest in action and language, and just being a good person. Above all of these wonderful things, I have chosen to work most actively on talking about God more often.
See, talking about my feelings is difficult sometimes. It's easier with bearing testimony of the gospel than with emotions, but sometimes it is still difficult to bear witness of the reality of our Heavenly Father and of our Savior. I know that they live, and that they love us. I know that completely. It just seems awkward to bring up. Like, imagine this conversation:
"Hey, what's up?"
"God is up. Here, have some scriptures. And come to church. Also, be baptized while you're at it."
It just wouldn't work very well. It's also a pretty good way to make people uncomfortable around you, and probably isolate yourself from many friends/acquaintances.
So, I just try to turn people to God when they need advice, or when an opportunity occurs. This conversation is much better:
"What should I do?"
"I would suggest praying to Heavenly Father. This is a tough situation, and I really don't know how to handle it, but He does."
Or,
"Wow! The sunrise is so beautiful!"
"Isn't it? God sure knew what he was doing when he made our earth."

Just little things. They really don't take that much effort, and I feel like talking of them is the least we can do thank Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ for all that they've done for us.

Annabelle and Izabelle

I have two baby sisters now. Annabelle turned one year old last week, and Izabelle is just a couple of weeks old. I never thought I would have any baby sisters and had been forced to accept my position as one of the 'littles' in the family. Not anymore. Now I can be a big sister to my little baby girls, and hopefully help them be strong as they grow up and get hurt. I don't want them to be hurt ever, but I know that it's going to happen.
I want my baby sisters to grow up kind, gentle, loving, strong, joyful, intelligent, optimistic, brave, and faithful. I can see that they're meant to be so beautiful. They are already. It's so hard, though, when people are mean and things don't work out the way we want.
Annabelle is so bright. Joy just shines out of her and lights up everybody who happens to be near her. She is so intelligent, persistent, and loving. It doesn't hurt that she is really good at snuggling, too. And she happens to like me, which is always a plus.
I don't know Izabelle very well yet, because she just came home a couple of days ago. But I have every confidence that she is just as beautiful as Annabelle. Already she's proven that she is particularly excellent at making funny faces, which I am very fond of.
I love my babies. <3