My Love and Gratitude

So I'm sitting here in the Harris Fine Arts Center after my Music 101 class and the only work I have to do during my two hour break isn't school work, but it's the best work that I have ever had to do.... Filling out my mission papers. I'm currently overwhelmed with gratitude for the blessings that I have been given, and I'm struggling to hold back the tears despite the students at work all around me. Years of watching young men leave on their missions and wondering what it will be like to be in their shoes, and now I'm here. Through trials and frustrations, arguments and misunderstandings, my amazing family has been there for me. I love you all. What you've been and done for me has made all the difference. How often I have thought about and wished for this day and time in my life I cannot say, but I am (more literally than ever) overwhelmed by the spirit in gratitude and thanksgiving for the life that I have been given along with the people and experiences that have been placed in it.

I have an amazing father who loves me, and has taught me to love others. He has taught me to love the scriptures and the principles that are found within them. He has inspired me to be who I am and to hopefully become what he is someday. What an admirable man he is. Humble, knowledgeable, wise and understanding. A true doer of the word and a worthy priesthood holder.

I have the sweetest of mothers. The purest of pure, the kindest of kind, the most understanding and Christ-like on earth I believe. And I have been blessed everyday of my life to see her, to hug her, to learn from her and now at college, miss her more than ever. To find a sweetheart of my own someday that will be to my children what she has been to me, will be a feat in itself. I Love her with a capital 'L', "more than Jesus loves us."

I thank the Lord everyday for them both. As my patriarchal blessing says, I truly have been born of goodly parents. And in my own words, 'born of goodly siblings' as well. You've loved me, you've dealt with me, and you've changed me so much for the better. Three brothers that I am inspired by and look to as three of my greatest examples in life. Three brothers that love their wives and children, and honor them. That know the value that God has placed on his choicest of creations, his daughters. I love you, and thank you for your everlasting impressions on me.
Four daughters of God that I have been blessed to call my sisters. As I ponder the examples you have been to me, the recurring thought that comes to mind is that of a picture of Christs' loving smile that I see on my desk everyday. I don't know how else to say it, his image is truly in your countenances. Your love and understanding is immense, your talents are rare, and the spirit you each carry with you is ever felt by your family. I'm convinced that God sheds tears of joy when he sees daughters of such strength who change the lives of all they meet, and live such amazing lives as my sisters do.

God lives, he loves us, and I know it. His gospel is perfect and we have it on the earth today because of a young boy, Joesph Smith, who knew there was something more. The savior atoned for our sins, mine and yours individually, and by him and through him we can all be saved and live together as an eternal family. I can't wait to have a call to serve, a chance to dedicate a small portion of my life to the Lord's work. I want to thank you all once more for the part you have played in preparing me, from day one, for this phase of my life.
I write this all with tears of gratitude in my eyes, and a prayer of thanksgiving for my wonderful family and all my blessings. I love all you so much.

-Love Taylor Ray