Since I'm without a valentine...

On my couch the past two nights has been sleeping one of my good friends. In my dictionary I define good friends as someone who helps you to reach your full potential: I have realized that my life has been full of such people.

I started my life being born into a household of friends. Friends who fed me, cleaned my diapers, and helped my learn the fundamentals of life. They taught me how to make more friends. They taught me everything I have ever needed to know to be happy. They have always been there and will continue to be there for me.

I then began making friends who weren't obligation to love me. Friends who helped me learn to share. I had friends who showed me what it meant to develop talents, by outworking me. Because of them, I tried to do the same. I have friends who showed me what it meant to be a friend, when they would stand by me, when I didn't deserve it. Friends who turned the other cheek as I failed at trying to do the same for them. I have friends who I saw stand up for their beliefs, their standards when it would have been easy to cave. They made it easier for me to do the same. I had friends who helped me decide to go on a mission, because they never wavered in their desire to go. How could I not dedicate two years, when they who had so much more to lose were so steadfast in their decision?

And most importantly, I have a Friend who came into this life, born in a manger. He lived a perfect life, and He was mocked, spit upon, lashed, and eventually crucified. A Friend who bore the weight of all my sins; who gave a sacrifice so great, that if I become a better Friend to Him, He will help me become like Him.

Stake Conference

Stake Conference only comes around twice a year. I can not help but think that that's not enough. The messages that were shared were inspired, and the Spirit that I felt was just what I needed to keep plugging along. One of the themes that stood out to me reminded me of Elder Oaks' talk, The Challenge to Become.

I was reminded of the fact that we are not on this earth to complete some sort of checklist; we are here to become something more. It is not enough to do a good deed daily, we must become charitable. It is not enough to have faith, we must become faithful. It is not enough to know Christ's teachings, we must become like Him.

As I sat listening to the speakers, I couldn't help but wonder what it is I'm becoming...