Life is kinda hard...

Life is hard. Really hard, actually. There are countless disappointments, struggles, and unpleasant trials in this life. There are so many things that seem unfair. You didn't do anything to deserve what's happening to you. You were just going along in life, and bam! Your brother is sick in the hospital all of the sudden. That pregnancy test reads negative. Again, for the sixth time. You failed that big test, even though you studied your guts out. But I promise that things do, and will, get better. But even then, when things do get better, it will still probably hurt. Life hurts. Life is uncomfortable. That's just the way it goes.

My senior year in high school, I got pretty sick. I was having horrible stomach pains that would literally knock me down to the floor. It was so very painful. There were times when I couldn't move. My mom would find me crying on the floor. I was also always tired. As soon as I got home from school, I would sleep for a few hours. From January-May 2014 I hadn't completed a full week of school. I was gone at least one day a week. Those months were full of doctors appointments, tests, and tears. I felt horrible that my medical expenses had cause my parents to reach their insurance deductible within a few months. I became an expensive burden. I felt really guilty.

That school year, my schedule was very full. All of my classes were either AP or concurrent enrollment with Weber State. I was also on a ballroom dance formation team. During those months, I literally just about dropped everything. I dropped many classes, which caused me to forfeit college scholarships that I could have had. I missed dance practices and performances, and only showed up for the year-end recital. I was on the brink of failure.To be honest, I barely graduated high school. If it wasn't for my wonderful mother, I would not have graduated. Even though I was sick, she woke me up, and made me do my work.

I couldn't see past my current situation. It was really hard. They never did find out what was wrong. But for whatever reason, I slowly got better. I would never have guessed that one day I would have accomplished what I have.

"It's supposed to be hard.

If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it.

The hard... is what makes it great."

-A League of Their Own

Life is hard. But it gets better. Please don't lose hope. You can do it! I believe in you! This is not the end. I learned a lot during that time. We are here on this earth to learn and to grow. And as unpleasant as it sounds, how can we grow if we are not tested by life's trials and hardships? So push through and endure life's struggles. I advise you to pray to the Lord. He will listen. He loves you. Things may not, and probably will not, turn out how you would like them to. But I have comfort in knowing that Heavenly Father know what's best for me, and for you, and for everyone on this earth. He is our father. He can see past my current struggles. He loves me. He loves me enough to let me have trials and hardships. For He knows that that is the only way I can grow and learn. I am so thankful that he gave the world His son, Jesus Christ. Christ suffered and died for our sins and sorrows so that we don't have to be alone. We are never alone. Christ has experience our sorrows so that He can relate to each of us individually. He died for you.

"In the gospel of Jesus Christ you 

have help from both sides of the

veil, you must never forget that.

When disappointment and discouragement

strike--and they will--you remember

and never forget that if our eyes could be

opened we would see horses and chariots

of fire as far as the eye can see

riding at reckless speed to come to our

protection. They will always be there,

these armies of heaven, in defense

of Abraham's seed."

-Jeffery R. Holland

Please don't give up. Giving up is not worth it. I plead with you to keep pushing forward. Keep moving. Even if you can only take one step right now, take it. It's one step forward. Do not retreat. You can do it! I have faith in you. Everything will be okay. I promise.