Letters to Myself

When I was 15 years old I wrote a letter to myself to be opened on my 20th Birthday. It was a relatively short letter, but in it it contained my hopes and aspirations for the future. It outlined a few of the things that I foresaw myself doing after completing 20 years of mortal living.

After that experience I decided it would be a "Nay" tradition. My second letter was written while I was 20 years old and living in Hawaii. Yesterday morning (June 18th 2008) marked the completion of my 25th year. Early that morning I read the letter aloud to my sweetheart and emotions can close to the surface.

I could remember distinctly how I felt at that moment and reflected on how much had transpired in those short 5 years. While attending BYU-Hawaii the Lord wrought a great change in my heart and helped me to decided what really matter. I devoted myself to daily scripture study and prayer which gradually cultivated a more profound desire to serve God and his children. That meant leaving behind some old wishes and wants.

That next year I traded in my T-shirts and flip flops for a missionary name tag and skirts. I served a full-time mission in the San Jose California Mission and was assigned to teach and assist the Spanish speaking population. I saw miracles, happiness and also hard times. I learned to love people in a way I had never thought possible.

Thankfully, he didn't let my love stop there. Upon returning home I started dating my sweetheart. After a courtship that spanned across 5 years (it started at 18). It blossomed into an eternal marriage.

During the short time that we have been married we have both graduated from the University of Georgia, started jobs, worked as ordinance workers for the Atlanta Georgia Temple, played together in 2 softball seasons, served in various church callings, camped and climbed in the diverse Georgia terrain, and laughed and cried alot.

It been an eventful 5 years. The letter reminded me of how much more I need to get done. Sometime soon I will write a new letter to be opened when I am 30. Can you believe it! I'll be 30 in five years!!!!!! I hope to be just as happy and loving the experiences that God gives me each and every day.

Other random things that have happened durning the 20-25 years:
became fluent in Spanish
was diagnosed with a condition that has no cure
meet my biological grandmother for the first time
and...I'll add to this later if something come to mind.


To another 5 years! These are pictures of my birthday cake that Aunt Susan made. Its my favorite RED VELVET. Notice the little hands grabbing candles off the cake to lick the icing. I wonder who that could be? :)