Quick note: I share this to give background to my story and to show that I am not perfect.
I led a seemingly "normal" childhood.
I did well in school. I participated in various sports. I had my first "boyfriend" in fourth grade. I had my first "kiss" in sixth grade (the boy was like a foot shorter than me...). I got a job at a grocery store when I was 14. I spent the summers carefree with friends. I got a car when I was 16. I was a "normal" teenager.
My friends and I hung out with older boys my Sophomore and Junior year of high school. We went to parties. We did things we should not have, and got in trouble for it sometimes.
The summer before my Senior of high school was a life changer. I had spent my summer nights out much too late with friends and with boys that expected too much. Towards the end of summer, one of the boys in our "group" left where we were in his car, angry and drunk.
A half hour later he had managed to lose control near his home and have a wooden fence pole go through his windshield, nearly missing his face and killing him.
Several hours later he met up with a previous girlfriend, whom he had lived with, and ended up in jail for domestic violence.
That event made me wonder where my life was going.
It made me ponder what I wanted for my future.
My 17 year old mind KNEW I wanted to be a wife and mother. I wanted to be successful. I wanted to serve others. I wanted to be a good influence.
I changed that day.
I did not know where I was headed or how I would change. I just knew that there was something more.
About two months later I met a boy. A few months later I met his family. They were kind, generous, loving, faithful, and joyful. They were everything I wanted for my future family.
They were members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
I spent many days and evenings at their house that year learning about the Gospel through Family Home Evening, dinners with the missionaries, church activities, family scripture study, and family prayer. They were member missionaries.
All I knew was that I wanted to spend as much time at their home as possible. I wanted to know more.
After deciding to go to an in state university, I quickly changed my mind after applying and getting into Brigham Young University in Utah with the encouragement of this family. I was thrilled at the idea of going out of state, on my own, and becoming who I wanted to be.
A fresh start.
That summer I received my first Book of Mormon. Secretly slid onto the driver's seat of my car, wrapped in paper, with a sweet note inside from a 12 year old girl.
I started going to church. I realized that this family I had spent so much time with weren't the only ones. Everyone I met had a smile, kind words, served each other, and loved the Gospel.
One evening I was invited to attend a missionary fireside in the Mission President's home. The speaker shared about conversion. I remember saying a silent prayer that if what he was saying was true that I would feel it. I would know.
I felt it. I felt the warmth of the Spirit revealing to me that it was true.
I knew in that moment that I would be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
At the beginning of July I received a text asking if I would want to meet with the missionaries for the discussions.
Without hesitation, I said, "yes".
Lesson two I was invited to be baptized.
Without hesitation, I said, "yes".
On August 20th I was baptized and confirmed. It was one of the happiest days of my life.
Two days later I left to start my freshmen year at Brigham Young University.
My fresh start. The beginning of my life in the Gospel.
