#blessed

High School never was my favorite. I just never found my place there. There was nothing to invest in. Being in college, even just for the short two and a half weeks I've been here has been a squillion times better than high school ever was to me. Here everyone smiles as you walk by, saying hi to a stranger is NOT going to kill you, and being yourself is cool. You sit by a new person everyday and meet new people constantly. Friends, well true friends were a hard thing for me to come by in Arizona, but here I instantly made eight new life long friends. Today, I just wanted to say how thankful and truly blessed I feel to have been put into a dorm with these amazing girls. Heavenly Father works in mysterious ways but the outcome is always more than you could have ever expected. I have been praying for a long time to meet a group of girls like the ones I have the pleasure of living with for the next year. When I first got my room assignments I was suppose to be in building D of the LLC but some complications came up and I had to switch rooms. I was so upset. I kept asking why nothing ever work out for me. Why no matter what I did, something always went wrong. My wise and wonderful mother told me that there was an opening in the Honors House and that she thought I should take it. I was so frustrated. All throughout high school I never fit in. I hated being the outsider. The thought of moving in with a dorm full of honors students and me being the only one not in the honors program just made me feel very self conscious. I just kept thinking about how much I had been praying for a good college experience because high school didn't really work out. I prayed again, I have never received an answer to my prayers more quickly than I did in that moment. A calming feeling came over me and I felt like I should read my patriarchal blessing. I found my answer there and told my mom to make the switch. I put all my trust in the Lord and prayed that I could feel good about my decision to switch buildings.

The first few days were rough. I never felt like I wasn't suppose to be here though. I just missed my family. I remember walking back up from saying goodbye to them and there was one of my new roommates, Audrianna Dehlin. I didn't know it then, when she gave me and hug and asked if I was okay, that she would soon become one of the best friends I have ever had. She is Audge to me now and one of the most genuine people I have ever met. I have never trusted someone so quickly in my life. She was the first person I told about not being in the honors program. She is like my mom away from home and the most friendly and kind human being on this planet. I have no idea how I have lived a whole eighteen years without knowing her.

Katelin Whaley. My fellow Arizonian and one of the sweetest people on the this Earth. She is Kate and is just soooo great. Not only does she have the most beautiful curly brown hair but also the most beautiful heart. I can go to her with anything and we take the best walks together. She has the most awesome personality and is full of surprises. I can't believe I have been living an hour away from such an amazing human being and I am just now getting the privilege to meet her.

Cassidy Gummersall. If you want a spectacular friend and your own personal comedian. Cass is your girl. I cannot even put into words how much I love this girl. She is a true example of Christ like living and can make me laugh more than the average person can. She blogs, runs and can "break the pole" better than anyone I know. Cass is also the best listener. I have waited a long time for a friend like her to come along.

Holly Palmer. The most spunky, crazy, jolly, loving and caring person you will ever cross paths with is Holls. She can make you feel good just by sitting in the same room as you. Her favorite color is yellow, which I feel describes her perfectly. She is a little ray of sunshine that makes everyday a good one. Her ability to care for people the way she does is awe-inspiring. Her name really suits her. I am sooo glad I can say I have met someone as great as Holly Dawn Palmer.

Jessica Christensen. I have never met someone who could whistle as good as this girl Jess can. Her musical talents are insane. Jess is my roommate and I could not have asked for a better one if I got to pick one out myself. Not only can she sing and play the organ like a champ, she is a total BRAIN. I love her dedication to her school work and the fact that she still has time to draw the attention of every boy who comes her way! I am more than glad to call this girl my roommate.

Kelci Peterson. The RA. She is the most fun loving girl you will ever meet. She is always surrounded by people because they are just drawn to her. She is so friendly and a totally awesome dancer! I am super glad she decided to be an RA.

Karina had to leave and I only got to know her for a short week but she is the nicest person you will ever meet and I hope she is having a blast and a half in NYC.

I have so many things to be thankful for but today I thought I would express how blessed I feel to have these seven wonderful people in my life. I know that we can receive answers to our prayers, and in the Lords due time, he will answer them. I am thankful for prayer and the wise counsel of my parents that got me here in this room, room 101 with these wonderful girls. I love every single one of my roommates and I just had to let everyone know.

(this has been a more serious blog post by Taylor Alexis Peck)