Most people would have never thought I would become an LDS member. Heck, I would have probably laughed in their face if they told me I would be mormon in a years time. Part way into my day at work I checked my phone, and to my surprise I had a message from a friend I hadn't talked to in awhile. We use to all go out and party together, so when I read her message I just started smiling. She had let me know that she had quit drinking and doesn't go out anymore. Which then leads her to being at home and thinking a lot, she ended by asking about the church. To say the least, I was in a happy shock. I know more than a few ways the church has helped my life, but I would never guess that my choice to become LDS might give question and insight to someone who is lost in their faith, just as I used to be. Now I may be over reacting a bit, and she may never end up meeting with the missionaries, but to know that my life decision has put the thought of Church and God in someones mind, fills my heart.

I have not been able to stop thinking about this all day. During my lunch break, I decided it was one of those days where I would just sit in my car and use that alone time to think. I thought of many things during that hour.... Excited I only spent a dollar on lunch (2 hard tacos, LOTS of del scorcho sauce), wow my car is filthy, but if I wash it will my window finally break?, and then eventually it came back to that message and my life. How has the church helped me? Opening my handy dandy notes section in my iphone, I started listing the first things that came to mind.

That is just my rough draft, but I will elaborate because I jotted those down real quick before I had to go back to answering phones and scheduling appointments :)

• My morals, values and self worth - I see the importance of all of these! I know and understand the reason for the law of chastity and word of wisdom. Without the word of wisdom, I felt like all of those went out the window.

• Direction and what is important in life - I am right back on track with school, I know where I need to go and what I need to do to make that happen. I am motivated to become a more educated person, to take advantage of everything that is on this earth and learn. A week after my baptism I was hired at my current job at a dental office, I don't think thats coincidence :)

• Less selfish, nicer, kinder, caring - Has caused me to realize that being mean gets you nowhere, it just ruins the mood of everybody. Why fret the all the little things? Be happy!
• Closer to God - Our creator! Answers all questions. I have faith that I can talk to him and he will listen. That he has a plan for all of us. That this life has a purpose and we can go through the plan of salvation and be with him again. 
• I am happier- Just in general, I am a happy person. I love my life (even though there are lots of things I would love to change).
• Friends- This has been one of the biggest of them all. One of the first things to come to my mind. I am SO thankful and grateful for the friends I have made. They would do anything for me and I am just getting to know them. They are the most genuine, caring, selfless people I have ever met. 

I am positive that if I really gave this list some deep thought, I would be able to write something great. Something that explains every thought of mine and just how much this church has changed my life. Besides the obvious answer of God, the people that belong to this church are what make it what it is. GREAT. And I am so thankful for them every day, to make me feel at home, to allow me to ask the most random questions, to be excited for me to learn, to befriend me, to be patient with me. In short, these are the thoughts that have been pressed into that mind of mine today :)