Summertime!

Summertime! What a glorious time in life! The great thing about right now is that it's summertime and there's still plenty of summer left!

I feel so amazingly blessed this summer---including to have been involved in two classes at BYU this summer term and to have learned so much

My sister being here at BYU has probably been one of the biggest blessings I've received this summer. She is so sweet and nice, and I feel our relationship has grown a lot even in these past six weeks or so. She is an amazing example of being a friend and being involved. She's already gotten involved with BYUSA, the sort of student government association at BYU. She's gotten me lunch multiple times and has shared with me a lot of cool experiences, in her life. I'm really grateful for her.

Another huge blessing is my roommate and brother, Spencer Hughes, who has been an example to me of courage, creativity, fun, and dedication to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He has become a medical marvel in pressing forward with experimental surgery and other treatment to help his ankle heal. Not too long ago, he was in a pretty severe accident where his foot came like halfway off his leg after slipping off a rock wall. He has made huge progress, including experiencing a revival of his left talus bone. He told me this was like a one in 10,000 chance, according to one or more medical professionals. Spencer is an example for many and has helped me learn so much in the past eleven months or so.

I have been so blessed to have experienced a couple family reunions in the past month. I love my family---all of the Anderson and Bastian side. I have had a lot of cool experiences with them just this summer that I hope to always keep in my heart. The Anderson clan to me has been a symbol of hard work, cheer, and faithfulness to God. The Bastian side has emulated a sense of fun and creativity and tradition that I am grateful to have gained in my life.

One of the most powerful experiences I've had recently is realizing that I shouldn't let something else or someone else decide how happy I am. If I truly believe in Jesus Christ, I ought to be happy all the time regardless of my situation. I feel like a happy, positive, optimistic soul can do so much good in the world. At the same time, a negative, pessimistic, angry, self-pitying person can cause so much detriment to the world. My friend, Olivia, has been such a huge example to me of being so positive and so happy and so energetic. If it weren't for her, I know that I would not have discovered the truth and power of being happy as much as I have recently. She is an amazing example and person, and I hope to keep this lesson for life and onward.

The summer is bright and full of opportunity! I hope all of you get to have amazing experiences in the next couple of months while the weather is warm in the northwest and the sun is shining bright. The nice and amazing and miraculous thing is that the sun will always be shining bright---and even if it won't, the Son will.