20. Blog Conclusion

When we first received the assignment in Writing 150 to start a blog, I was a little nervous about it. I am not one who normally posts anything personal or super meaningful on the internet or social media. I tend to keep to myself!

So as I started to blog, I was pretty formal from the start because I had no idea what to write about aside from the things we were assigned to write. I have never been sure of my own writing voice, since most assignments we receive are not to be written from our own perspective. As my blogging went on, I tried hard to ease up and bring out my own voice and style of writing. I found that as I loosened up, the things I wrote about were more meaningful to be. I also found many things to write about! I wrote in greater depth and detail about things, and more importantly why they matter so much to me. I also tried to focus on being uplifting by sharing my hopes for the future, lessons I have learned, and how the gospel as helped me in my life. I have learned so much even from this first semester of writing college; things I hope to take with my for the rest of my life.

Some of the things I posted were very important to me, and I loved to think back on so many memories as I wrote them down. As I wrote some of these memories, I realized I don't have some of these experiences written down anywhere! This blogging experience has definitely effected my personal journal writing. I have started writing things that I have not yet recorded- the things matter most and I want to always remember.

19. My Testimony

I could think of no better way to use my last official blog post than with my testimony. I am proud to say that I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I know without a doubt that this is the true church--it is the restored gospel of Christ on our earth today. I know that we have a loving God, who loves us more than we will ever be able to comprehend in this life. I have definitely had my moments where I was stubborn and it was hard for me to feel His love. I often have felt like I don't deserve it. But it is incredibly always there for us. I have felt that love throughout the best and worst times of my life. God is the one constant I have learned to rely upon. We cannot be successful or truly happy in this life without His gospel. The evidence of His love is clear as He gave us His Son and our Brother, Jesus Christ to come to this Earth to suffer and die for us. Without our Savior, we would not have the amazing gift of the Atonement. The Atonement has helped me in every aspect of my life. It has cleansed me, provided me with peace, comfort and hope. I am so grateful for this knowledge that I have that I can improve each day, and that I can be forgiven of all I have done and continue to do. That feeling of hope is what carries me through day to day.

I have a testimony of prophets. I know that the prophets in the scriptures are true men called of God. I know that we have prophets that lead and guide our church on this Earth today. President Thomas S. Monson is a man of God who gives us the guidance and council our God would have us know. He has not left us alone without help. I also know that the Book of Mormon is a true book. I know that it was translated correctly by the hand of God through the prophet Joseph Smith. I am grateful for my family. I am grateful for temples and for sealings. I am grateful for the knowledge I have that I get to be with my family forever as I live righteously. I know that with God all things are possible, and as we rely on Him and our Savior we will be able to return and live with Them again.

I say these things in the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen.

18. Like Mother, Like Daughter

Ever since I can remember, books have always been a big part of my life. I have countless memories of my mom reading to me in bed as I grew up. I loved spending time with my mother, and I loved the stories just as much. Whether it was a picture book, or out of a simple chapter book, bedtime was something I looked forward to always. My mother is a huge reader, and she loves to spend any extra time sitting down with a good book. Although all of my siblings were read to as kids, reading has stuck with me the most.

As I grew older, I started to read on my own every night. I would beg my mom to take me to the library to get some new picture books that I could read. I even checked out a few books every week at my school library all throughout elementary school. I would even wake up early for school some days so that I could have time to get some reading done before school. In junior high, I brought books with me to read in classes that were boring to me, or just for when I would finish my work early. I remember some days I would even convince my best friend to read with me; we spent some of our Friday nights reading two copies of the same book. We would read to a previously decided stopping point, then discuss like our own little book club. I loved those nights! In high school, I became much more busy with school; but I always made time to read at least one chapter before bed.

Now that I have started college, I have not had the chance to read a book of my choosing for quite awhile with all the other required readings for my classes. As I thought about this, and I wondered why is it that I love reading so much? I found this quote by Mason Cooley that says, "Reading gives us someplace to go when we have to stay where we are." I think this describes my love of reading perfectly! I love feeling like I am experiencing a different life with compelling experiences from unique viewpoints. Reading is a great way to escape, and definitely is my most commonly used coping method. I have read many books that have changed my life and made me a better person. I am so grateful for my mother for introducing me to my life-long love of reading books. I hope to incorporate the same traditions with my own children one day!