My dear friend,

  
       I cannot say with certainty that I know who you are, but I can say that I have an idea. Words cannot express how thankful I am for the act of kindness you have given me. As I walked to the mail today, your gift was the last thing I expected to find. 
   I found myself at home crying as I read and re-read your letter, overwhelmed with the love you have shown me. Your Christ like act has given me the strength to continue, and the comfort of knowing everything is going to be alright. As I sit in my room right now writing this, praying that you will see it, my eyes are filled with tears and my heart is full. I know it probably wasn't much for you to do, but for me it meant the world.
   Thank you for your comforting words and testimony you have shared. You have helped to remind me that He is always there for me, and all I need to do is to lean on Him for help. In my darkest time, you brought me a peace I have been searching for, and I cannot thank you enough.
   Although I may never know for sure who you are, I want you to know that I do love you, and wish I could thank you in person for the help, comfort, and strength you have given me. Thank you again, so very much. You are quite an amazing girl.

Love, Al.

This is it.

I just found this on pinterest. 
It's what's going to be playing in my head on repeat for the next few months.
I need a reminder that I can do this.
The days when I can't help but cry and feel like I'm going crazy, I'll just tell myself things will get better.

talent.

Lately, one of my missionary friends and I have been talking quite a bit about talent in our letters- developing new ones, and progressing with the ones we have. It's been very interesting. I found this quote on pinterest, and I immediately fell in love. It runs through my head all the time.

Isn't is great? 

ride, ride, ride that pony.

Get up and ride that big fat pony.

Ride, ride, ride that pony.

This is how we do it:

front to front to front, my baby.

back to back to back, my baby.

side to side to side, my baby.

This is how we do it...

As fun as it would be, this post is unfortunately not dedicated to past years of girls' camp. Now dry your tears and put on your big girl panties. Maybe one day I'll write about that. But for now, tis not the case.

We all know that the city of STG is extremely good at knowing how to spend their extra change. *coughthreehundredthousanddollarscough* What? No. I'm not bitter. I fully embrace the newly added carousel to the middle of town, as does Maddison. We had been counting down its arrival, and the moment it opened we couldn't wait to get our buns on over there and hop onto the creepy, yet beau-tea-ful ponies. 

The first time we went, we got there an hour after it had closed. We cried and cried. And then we wiped away our angel tears and decided to carry on. We chose which ponies we wanted for the next time we would return. Maddi chose one with a crazy mane that looked more like a mohawk than anything. I chose the jester horse. Good decisions those were, by the way. 

When we finally made our way over a week or two later, Maddi knew the boy operating the fun filled ride, so he gave us the child price. We got two rides for the price of one, which was exciting because we were able to choose two horses. Maddi's: merhorse. Part mermaid, part horse. Mine: roses, lions with wings, and baby cherub wrapped in a blankie on the horsie's bum. Twas great.

Anywho. That was just one of the many dates that Maddison and I have been on. We love each other's company. And we're just too darn funny. I don't understand how more people don't want to hang out with us. 

In further news, that post down there {insert downward arrow} about the one worded letter ended up being a big fat joke. Don't worry. I chewed that little missionarie's butt about how funny it wasn't. 

Also, I got to talk to my brother!! He's in Kuwait. Love that guy.

Peace&blessings

love: al.