Taiwan Cheerleaders

My Taiwanese adventure is coming to a close this month.  I was overwhelmed today at church thinking about all of the wonderful people in my life.  These ladies have constantly encouraged and lifted me up, especially while I've been gone the last 5 months.  Living overseas is harder than I thought it would be.  I'm really liking it now, but I wouldn't have survived the first few months without:

Kami Capener and I graduated from the same High School and College but somehow didn't become close friends until we were both living in D.C.  She has sent me several care packages that were so perfect and thoughtful.  We haven't lost our touch, even though we're 9000 miles apart.

Carlie Christensen was my roommate in Alexandria, Virginia.  She sent me the cutest package a few weeks ago and is so sweet to send me snail mail and keep me updated on the happenings in D.C.

I met Brooke Jordan in DC.  She's a busy, smart dental student at Howard.  She has been the greatest friend to me since I've been gone and sends me the best emails and music!  Occasionally we set up skype dates to catch up.  We even got ready and dressed up for the last one, pearls and all.  I know Brooke cares because she loves hearing the details of my day.  Thank you for being an excellent listener Dr. Jordan!

My Grandma sent me a letter every week and we talked just as often (thank you skype).  She knew when I was discouraged and was so patient to remind me of all that I had going for me.  She was great at expressing how proud she was and how much she loved me, I needed that.  I miss our Sunday chats.

Allegra is a friend that I met as a freshman at USU.  I visited her in Boston last Spring and now she lives in Seattle!  We're both all over the place but we've been able to keep up with each other somehow.  I enjoy our lengthy email conversations back and forth.   Dan and her are the picturesque family with a darling 3 year old boy and are expecting a baby girl in April.  She's a great photographer, check it here.

My mom is so good to me and sends me the sweetest cards and packages.  For my birthday she shipped the hugest box full of chocolates.  My students enjoyed the American candy for months!!  My mom is more thoughtful, sweet and petite than me, but I like to think there's a resemblance.

Tami Tami Tami...this girl and I have been through a lot together.  She's married with 2 rambunctious kids and still finds the time to email me regularly.  Her emails are so funny, I laugh out loud as she shares with me the joys of motherhood.  A few months ago I told Tami that I was having a hard time with my skin because of the heat, humidity, pollution, etc.  Almost immediately she bought a bunch of beauty products and mailed them to Taiwan.  It must be her motherly instincts because my face is 10x better now.  By the time I get home, none of you will ever know how I hit puberty (AGAIN) while being in Taiwan...  Tami, you're so thoughtful and I'm so grateful for our friendship. 

In October, Elder David A. Bednar gave this talk that I think about often.  In it he quoted President Thomas S. Monson, "Often we assume that people around us must know how much we love them.  But we should never assume; we should let them know."  

All these lovely ladies have done big and little things to show they love me while I've been away.  I think about all of you daily and I'm so lucky to have such fantastic people in my life.  I LOVE YOU and can't wait until I see you all again!