dear sixteen year old me.

a lot has been happening! you're probably driving in your car, named sonic the saturn (a beaut) or sleeping over at a friends house or at a high school football game or eating a cookie clump...i could go for one of those right about now! you have some of the best friends in the world and don't worry, they're still your best friends and walk with you through life...even when it gets tough! live up high school because i miss it a lot a lot. it was so much fun, so please don't waste it away. once it's over it's over. and once you graduate and you're ready to go to college you get really sad that all your friends are going to the college you want to go to, and you get stuck at a community college but it will be the biggest blessing in disguise! the first year of college is exciting and hard. making new friends, doing quest to becoming a young life leader, but not living on campus with your best friends is not ideal. but you soaked up family time and you get really close to dad which is so good. but so hard. hard things happened that summer. you find things out you don't want to and don't want to imagine. and then when you're 19 august 6th comes around and that will be the hardest day for you for probably forever. it's the day you get a phone call and find out that dad was in a car accident and didn't make it. your family comes together like never before. it's hard but you cling to jesus. it's the only way you can survive. you act strong and tough but don't be afraid to break down and show emotion. (i'm still learning that) you make new friends and start living your new 'normal' life. you live your life to the fullest. you're goofy, you like road trips, you love being with your friends, and you love to laugh! the next few years will be hard but so worth it. you grow so much. you learn big lessons that lots of people don't get to. you have great friends, great community, and a family that will do anything for you. you are strong and continually learning! you still gots lots of life to live!