Rachel got me thinking about when I was her age.
I was 14. And I thought every hit that came my way was the end of the world.
My best friend ALWAYS got the boy I liked.
I ALWAYS felt insecure about who I was.
I was embarrassed of the people who accepted me, my friends and family.
I hadn't lived through much but I had no idea what was in store for me.

I have had a friend commit suicide.
I have had a friends get pregnant.
I have had a friend run away.
I have gotten an incurable disease.
I have had people leave me.
I have gotten injured more than any person I know.
I lost my faith in my religion.
I didn't want to live.
I disobeyed my parents.
I made bad choices.
I've hurt people close to me.
I've made a lot of mistakes.

I have made some of the best friends I could have EVER asked for.
I have grown so close to my family.
I have a strong testimony in my savior Jesus Christ. I know that there is a God and that he loves me. I know that there is only one church upon the Earth that has the fullness of the gospel. It is the only one to have a prophet ordained by God himself. I know that the Book of Mormon is true in every way.

I know that I didn't have to go through all the pain I did. I put myself in many of those situations. I know that I am a better person because of it. Although I relapse occasionally I know that everything I have been through has been a betterment for me.

Life doesn't end when you're 14. It's just beginning.