Hello! So sorry I haven't written for awhile. Life just gets kinda chaotic and you get caught in all the craziness and don't have time to slow down. But anyways, I kind of have a lot to share. Over the past few months, I have really learned a lot. It hasn't been easy, but it will definitely help me grow into my best self. So anyways today, I just want to share the things I have learned, and that I am still learning.

Lesson One: There are bad people in this world, but there also so many good. Take the Connecticut shooting for example. That was horrible. So many people died because of some twisted sicko. Lives have been changed forever and I have been heart broken over this. But there were also a lot of good people involved, like an amazing first grade teacher named Victoria. She hid her first graders in cabinets and closets after hearing the gunfire. When the shooter came into her classroom, she told him the kids were in the gym for P.E. He then gunned her down, and moved on. She loved these children so much and was willing to sacrifice her life to save them. So yes, there are horrible people out there, but there are plenty of good ones to make up for it. Heavenly Father has placed Angels on this earth to watch over us.

Lesson Two: Real friends stick with you through the bad times, and through the good. If a friend can't stick with you through the hard times, go to hell and back with you, then they aren't a good friend. Real friends never give up on you. Real friends want to really help you and will do everything in their power to help you. Even if you don't always like it, they know what's best for you and will do it. Real friends really care about you.  Real friends know you the best and will push you to be your best. Real friends will never leave you. Real friends can joke with you and cheer you up on a bad day. Real friends will put up with just about anything. If you are willing to do, or give up anything for this person as well, they are indeed a real friend. I have been blessed with a few of these friends, and I am so grateful for them. Thank you to all of you, and you know who you are ;) I sure love you, a lot :)

Lesson Three: God has a reason for everything. He has a plan for each and every one of us. Bad things happen for a reason. We may not know why right now, but we will understand some day. Even if it's in the next life. In fact, we may not need to understand, but instead have faith. Have faith that Heavenly Father loves you and He will help you through anything. Sometimes we may ask "Why did he/she have to pass away? Why did this horrible experience have to happen? Why did Heavenly Father let these horrible things happen to me?" His intentions are not to hurt us. He gives the hardest trials to His strongest soldiers. Remember that He is always there. All you have to do is hit those knees to the floor and just pour your heart out. My roomate, Jessie, showed me a talk recently that I would like to share. It's called "Hope Ya Know, We Had A Hard Time"

Here is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wz41YxNiHEg

And also another talk that my Junior High choir teacher, Mrs. Woolf, shared with me a few years back. It's called "Come What May, And Love It

Here is the link for that one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tVNYhcYEwIE

 I have gone back to these two talks a lot lately and they have brought me so much comfort. If you're struggling, please go to the Lord. He will help you and give you comfort. He truly loves all of us, we are His children and he wants to help anyway that He can. We are all children of God, and He will never give us more than we can handle.

Lesson Four: Families are forever. I know that personally, my family situation isn't perfect right now. But, we all love each other so much. I know that I will always have a family no matter what. Some may not physically be here on this earth, and some of us may not get along, but we will always be family and love each other. The tough times bring us closer together. Even if some of us aren't here physically, they are in Spirit. Friends are great, but they come and go. Family is there forever. I am so grateful for the opportunity to be sealed to my family. We can do hard things. We will always be there, even though sometimes it may not seem like it. I am so grateful that I get to be with my family now, and in the next life. How amazing is that?!?! We get to be together forever! And just because someone is physically gone does not mean they are completely gone, or not a part of the family. They are always here, especially in hard times when we need their presence. You can talk to those who have passed on any time you want. They will always hear you. They become kinda like our guardian angels. I love my family so much and I am so glad that we get to be together forever. I am so glad to have people that I can call my own.

Lesson Five: Life sucks sometimes, and you may fall flat on your face, but you get back up and you keep moving forward. You keep on keepin' on. There's a Florence and the Machine song I love called "Shake it Out". One of my favorite lines in that song is "It's always darkest before the dawn" So things may be tough, but they will get better. And find things that cheer you up. Do things that you enjoy. Surround yourself with good things. And honestly, humor really is the best medicine :) My sister, Eve, shared a quote with me once that said "May the bird of happiness fly up your nose and get stuck" I love it :) So, it may be hard, but have faith, pray, and things will get better.

Thank you, all for reading my post today, these were just the things I felt I should share at this time. I love you all and keep enjoying this crazy dance of life!

Love,
Hannah