Monday, April 11, 2016

A Sappy Blogpost

I'm currently home alone, and have been for the past couple of days. I HAVE had human interaction, but it's been pretty slim, especially compared to what I've been used to. This past semester I was around people A LOT. People were always over at the apartment, and I took to doing as much homework as possible outside of my room. Because, funny thing, I actually like people. So, needless to say, I've been going crazy having hours on end by myself. 

So, because of this, I've had lotsa time to reflect and ponder. My current ponderings and the dwellings of my mind revolve around yesterday: National Siblings Day.

I'm one who has always been grateful for my family, despite how crazy, stressful, and obnoxious they all can be. With all the problems that there are within my wonderful, occasionally dysfunctional family, I've actually been missing them a lot, lately. 3 1/2 months of not seeing them, and not actually know the next time I'll be able to see them and be tormented by them has actually made me kinda sappy. (Shhh. Don't tell them.)

Family is a peculiar notion. People we are stuck with...but we love them - sometimes having to try harder than at other moments - and we can't imagine life without them. We didn't choose them, yet we choose to love them. I'm grateful for the doctrine of eternal families. 

So, in honor of my sappy mood, let me bore you with details about my siblings and how awesome they are. (We'll just talk about good things. If I told you the bad things, this would be a much longer post.) There will be a lack of pictures, though. Sorry for the boringness. We suck at family pictures.

Jess. He's the oldest. He's incredible confident (in a good way) and is a wonderful example of rolling with the punches. No matter what life throws at him, he smiles, laughs, and keeps looking forward to the promises God has given him.

Sarah is incredibly hard working and has great trust in the Lord. I admire the gusto the fulfills her callings, especially as she has served with the young women.

Christina is the furthest from everyone (except for myself) but she tries to hard to be involved in our lives. She reminds me of the importance of upkeeping family relationships. Just because you live several hours away doesn't mean you automatically are out of people's lives.

Michael. This kid does not give up - yes, I refer to my older brother as a kid. He taught me how to be a kid while being an adult. It's brought a whole lot more joy in my life. He has shown me the importance of true humility, of apologizing, and of seeking help with the burdens we bear.

Seth. He helped inspire me to become the pianist I am today (ahem, the pianist I was about 3 years ago. I'm not as good as I used to be). He strives to keep the covenants that he has made. Good, better, best is put before him, and he chooses the best, according to what he knows and understands.

Robert. He's given me ridiculously high expectations for how a husband should treat his wife. Dutiful, generous with his time, not above doing pretty much anything that is asked of him. I think he patterns himself after the stripling warriors who lived a life of exact obedience. (Cue all the sassy remarks from my family. Don't worry guys,, I know, he's not perfect. You can bite back the sass. :) )

Lisa. She has incredible patience, and she is always happy. She also lets me use her Netflix. All the bonus points there. When I was home, she would put forth the effort to include me in her life, from book club, to Target trips that I never was able to go on, to Bahama Bucks runs.

Amy. She took care of me my freshman year, and then let me take care of her, when I could. Life may not be easy, and her kids may be psychotic (except for sweet little Lyndie) but she still manages to find the moments to laugh. (Her texts are the best.)

Their spouses are pretty great too. I don't have enough time to write about them ALL, because I have another point that I want to make, and this is already a long blog post. (But don't feel bad, guys. I have all eternity to tell you guys how awesome you are.You'll have your moment.)

Sometimes God gives us siblings to help us through life. We don't have a choice in these siblings. Then, sometimes God gives us other people. He gives us friends. Did you know that friendship is incredible important for child development? True friendship  happens at about 6 years old. Much of an adolescent's development and choices will be because of the friends they have. For me? My friends have made all the difference in my life.

We have this incredible doctrine where we know that we are all children of Heavenly Father. What does that mean? Well...lots of things, honestly. But one of the things that it means, is that we are all spirit brothers and sisters. Heavenly father sometimes gives us friends because our family needs expanding. In reality, over the years, my already large family has increased greatly, and not just because marriages and baby births.

Readers of my blog have read about Dani and Emmie, roommates of mine (if you haven't, you can read about them here and here). They are among some of those who I have come to consider sisters.

Shayla Clifton. She demolished my bubble (would you believe it, I actually let people - that I know, that is - touch me when I sit next to them? There doesn't have to be that buffer of space. I mean, that's still preferable, but not exactly necessary.) and lets me serve her. She puts up with me when I nerd out, when I rant, or when I get on my soap box. She is my sister.

James Pope. I may have liked him pretty hardcore for awhile (whoops, do you read my posts James? Confession time, I suppose) but as our friendship has increased and strengthened, he has become my brother. We say things as they are to each other. We support, encourage, listen to, and validate each other. 

Kathleen Heidt. I remember my first semester of college as an awkward little freshman, not real sure about the college scene and living on my own, and there was Kathleen. All of my roommates were pretty rocking in Flagstaff, but Kathleen was my homie. I would third-wheel with her and Raymond. She put up with my complaining ways. We may go for months without talking, but whenever we have the chance to meet up, we literally talk for hours. She is my sister. (And Raymond is my brother. Evident from the moment he tackled me to the ground and gave me raspberries, like I was a small child, per suggestion of Kathleen.)

Katelyn Rasmussen. We may have only gone on two exchanges on the mission, but we bonded over our love of pizza. I never think of exchanges more often than those two (partially because I frequently consider the idea of dumpster diving at Little Caeser's after they close). She taught me so much in her first two transfers, as I was in my last two transfers, and she continued to teach me as she continued her mission while I was home. Despite very little actual interaction with her, she is my sister.

ANYWAYS. Moral of the story: I love people. One of my favorite blessings from Heavenly Father is the group of people He has blessed me with. My family. Family through blood, through marriage, and through life experiences. I have 8 incredible siblings, 8 fantastic in laws, and so many friends that I haven't mentioned who have impacted my life. 

Joseph Smith taught that, in heaven, we will have the same sociality that we have in this life. Family will be family. Friends will be friends. In other words, the relationships we have gained in this life, they last for eternity! Those friendships that become something incredibly more and stronger, they are blessed by God. You may not be sealed in the temple, you may not have God making covenants with you about those relationships, but they are blessed. 

Family is awesome. Friends are great. I need human interaction so I can stop being sappy. 

What makes your family (blood or by choice) so great? Please share in the comments. :)