V-Day

For Valentines Day I gave my roommates and I matching PJ pants. The pants were so cute. I gave them the pants on 2-10-10 because I was going home the next day. I wanted a picture of us to post for today but it is just the 3 of us instead of the 4 of us because Allie was not there when we took them. So anyways I am so glad I have 3 good roommates. We fight like sisters (almost) but I still love them. I am also going to take this opportunity to tell some other people that I love them.
1) my mom- She has been a wonderful mother. I think she is the best! Maybe it is because I am her daughter but it is true. Having to raise my sister and I could not have been easy but she didn't. Through-out my illness she has been there through my tough times and the times that I just wanted to give up and lock myself in my room she was there to tell me "NO". Thanks mom! I love you!
2) my sister- Another person who has been with me through everything I have done. The person I grew up with. The person that we got in to trouble when we would talk at night and then my mom would sneak up to us, the person that we felt each others pain when everyone would tease us about not having a father, and the person that has been my best friend forever. No one has ever had to say I love that sibling better or that sibling is my best friend cause it has been just the two of us. I love you sis!
3) Charlene Bradley- This is a person who has never let me think that I am not good enough. She is the first friend that has gotten married but has continued to stay in contact with me. She is the first best friend that I had when I moved out of my mom's house to go to college. If it wasn't for different blood parents we would defiantly be sisters. I am glad that she lets her daughters call me Aunt Tasha, and lets me say that I have 3 nieces. I love you Char!
4) Extended Family- my aunts, uncles and cousins! I love you and I wish we were closer and showed our love for each other more.
5) My grandparents- I love you both- Grandparents Clark and Grandparents Hill- Thanks for everything you do, do for me.
6) The rest of my friends-You know who you are! I am glad I have you in my life.
Well for all of those who read this I am sorry if it was a lot that you did not want to hear. But it is a day of LOVE after-all. I hope that everyone can show love today in someway that you have never done before. If you have not told someone you love them in a while tell them, if you have held a grudge on someone let them know it is okay even if it is for one day. My IWA advisor read us this story in our presidency meeting on Wednesday and so I have copied it on here as well, Please read it and live it:

THE GREATEST MISSIONARY IN THE WORLD.

I will greet this day with love in my heart.

For this is the greatest secret of success in all ventures. Muscle can split a shield and even destroy life but only the unseen power of love can open the hearts of men. I will make love my greatest weapon and none on whom I call can defend against its force.

My reasoning they may counter; my speech they may distrust; my apparel they may disapprove; my face they may reject; and even my message may cause them suspicion; yet my love will melt all hearts liken to the sun whose rays soften the coldest day.

I will greet this day with love in my heart.

And how will I do this? Henceforth will I look on all things with love and I will be born again. I will love the sun for it warms my bones; yet I will love the rain for it cleanses my spirit. I will love the light for it shows me the way; yet I will love the darkness for it shows me the stars. I will welcome happiness for it enlarges my heart; yet I will endure sadness for it opens my soul. I will acknowledge rewards for they are my due; yet I will welcome obstacles for they are my challenge.

I will greet this day with love in my heart.

And how will I speak? I will laud mine enemies and they will become friends; I will encourage my friends and they will become brothers. Always will I dig for reasons to applaud; never will I scratch for excuses to gossip. When I am tempted to criticize I will bite on my tongue; when I am moved to praise I will shout from the roofs.

Is it not so that birds, the wind, the sea and all nature speak with the music of praise for their creator? Cannot I speak with the same music to His children? Henceforth will I remember this secret and it will change my life.

I will greet this day with love in my heart.

And how will I act? I will love all manners of men for each has qualities to be admired even though they are hidden. With love I will tear down the wall of suspicion and hate which they have built round their hearts and in its place will I build bridges so that my love may enter their souls.

I will greet this day with love in my heart.

But how will I react to the actions of others? With love. For just as love is my weapon to open the hearts of men, love is also my shield to repulse the arrows of hate and the spears of anger. Adversity and discouragement will beat against my new shield and become as the softest of rains.

I will greet this day with love in my heart.

And how will I confront each whom I meet? In only one way. In silence and to myself I will address him and say I Love You. Though spoken in silence these words will shine in my eyes, unwrinkle my brow, bring a smile to my lips, and echo in my voice; and his heart will be opened.

I will greet this day with love in my heart.

And I will love myself. For when I do I will zealously inspect all things which enter my body, my mind, my soul, and my heart. Never will I allow my mind to be attracted to evil and despair, rather I will uplift it with the knowledge and wisdom of the ages. Never will I allow my soul to become complacent and satisfied, rather I will feed it with meditation and prayer. Never will I allow my heart to become small and bitter, rather I will share it and it will grow and warm the earth.

I will greet each day with love in my heart.

Henceforth will I love all mankind. From this moment all hate is let from my veins for I have not time to hate, only time to love.

I will greet this day with love, and I will succeed.