A Few Items of Business (February 1, 2016)

1) Congratulations to those who are recently engaged or getting close, as heard through the grapevine (AKA my loving parents). It is wonderful to know that there is a lot of love and happiness going on right how;) Wishing I could come to all of the wedding receptions and things,  know that I'm wishing you well! Glad to hear of a successful start to your happily ever after, and grateful for the role you played in my life:)

2) Just a shoutout to the fact that it's February??? What?

3) I just want to express the fact that I know that God lives, and that He loves us. I know that he gave us families to guide and protect and teach and grow and learn together. This week, we were blessed with the privilege to visit the family of a sister missionary who came home last week, and seeing her family with her and the love they shared touched me deeply. I know that families are central to our now and to our forever, and that Jesus Christ was born into a family of his own over 2,000 years ago, a precious child born to bear our pains and our sadness. And because he was born, and because he lived, and because he lives today, he is the one who supports us when we think we can go no further, the one who pushes us forward when we can't take another step. The aching we hold and hide is his to take and heal and create, remold into something beautiful, because by his hands, all beauty was made, and we through him can be made lovely again, no matter how shattered or broken or stained we feel. He is our light and our hope and the truth and the way that makes not only tomorrow but today and yes, even yesterday a day to remember in the happiest of ways.

I am so, so grateful to know these truths, to know of our Redeemer, to feel my Savior's love.

I can honestly say that I cannot even dream of being happier than I am right now.

:)

Love you all! Thank you for the countless prayers and support. May God be with you!

--L

Pictures: Companion Exchange with another Sister K, and my original Sister K and I playing with snow:)

Bonus photos: