2012.

(This post is mostly for me, so I apologize if I bore you.)

Looking back on 2012, I kind of can't believe it was only one year. However, I honestly think it was the best year of my life so far. It's weird looking back and seeing how I've changed, what I thought was going to happen six months ago and where I am now. In a way, it's exciting. It's shown me that I can make whatever plans I want to, but the Lord's plan will always prevail. And, that amongst all the change, what's most important always stays the same--like my family and best friends (and Diet Coke. Jokes...kind of).

2012 was an unforgettable and life changing year. I started the year off traveling around Jerusalem, Turkey, Jordan, and Galilee. I made 80 new best friends (who still love me even though they probably know me a little too well), studied the Old and New Testament in depth, walked where Jesus walked, gained the slightest insight into Middle Eastern culture and the Israeli/Palestinian conflict, discovered the importance of faith among all religions, and developed a deeper relationship and greater love for our Savior, Jesus Christ. I celebrated Holy Week and spent Easter at the Garden Tomb. I came back to Provo for Spring term and road tripped to Vegas with my best friends to see Celine Dion live (life changing). I spent a weekend with my sisters in Connecticut and New York. I had the first of many reunions with my Jerusalem crew at Bear Lake. I moved in with my best friend. The 19's became the nuns. I decided to serve a mission, submitted my papers, and received a call to Lisbon, Portugal. I took a trip to LA to visit my best friend. I went through the Temple. I became an aunt. And another one of my sisters got married. Like I said, life changing.

2012 taught me a lot about myself and about who I want to become. It taught me about friendship and love and forgiveness and happiness and the eternal perspective. It taught me that I have a lot of growing up to do and a whole lot more to learn. But I think when I look back on 2012, I'll remember the amazing friendships that developed--the people I met and the friends I grew to love even more than I ever thought possible. Here's to 2013 and knowing that it is going to live up to 2012.