One Year: Blessings of Boston

Today is one year since I moved to Boston.  In fact, it's even the time of day that I got here.  Crazy.  At least for me, it's unbelievable that it has already been a year.  I have been thinking about this post for a few days and I should have gone ahead and written it because I do not have time today.  Oh well.  I may edit/add on later, but I did want to write today to celebrate.

During the summer, as I still struggled with being here and figuring out why I was here, I felt prompted more than once to make a physical, written list of the blessings of being here.  Finally, I grudgingly started a list on a poster that I found.  This fall, as I heard and later studied the words of a living prophet, I continued the list with greater energy and desire to really recognize and be grateful for the blessings I have.

So, for my personal little celebration of this milestone for me, I thought I would share with you the poster that hangs on my wall in my bedroom.  (With some commentary when I have time to add it.)

BLESSINGS OF BOSTON

* Spiritually mature people; true disciples of Jesus Christ   (so many wonderful conversations, growing moments)

* Intellectual folk

* Close, very close to the temple [written when I lived less than 2 miles, about 22 min. walk away; further now, but still so close and wonderful]

* Ample social opportunties

* Public transportation

* Cross roads

* Jobs available

* Great ward!  (wards)

* Good friends, great friends   (the friends need a whole other list!)

* Beautiful views and delightful natural beauty

* Chinese immersion

* Losing weight (and my head and legs improving)

* Neighborhoods:  Belmont-beautiful, easing in, schools; * Somerville-multicultural, friendly

* Friendly local folk -- willing to share a whole new world with me

* Ethnic food (and other fun things)

* Beautiful buildings; historical sites  (places to stories and history)

* My calling!!  And my amazing committee

* Laura and Lindsay (my roommates)


There are other fabulous things about Boston and my life. These are just some Boston-specific things.

And, as I thought about a lot today at church, there are the intangibles of this past year.  The things I could never list, can't really articulate even in my journal.  My relationship with Heavenly Father, so much better than it was.  My testimony of Jesus Christ. And repentance. The characteristics in my nature that have changed or developed or gone away.  Greater faith.  Greater hope. Greater testimony of many things. And more.

It's been a hard year.  And it's been a wonderful year.  And I wouldn't trade it, even if I could.