“Be a lamp, or a lifeboat, or a ladder. Help someone's soul heal. Walk out of your house like a shepherd.” -Rumi

There were many years of my life that I was anything BUT a lamp, or a lifeboat, or a ladder. I am honestly still amazed that I survived many of those years at all. I did, however, have so many angels on my journey that walked out of their house like a shepherd and figuratively and literally saved my life:

• My family: Who never gave up on me, never stopped loving me and never treated me any other way than precious

• Sister missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints: These angel girls left their homes for 18 months to serve and help and bless anyone they could. I was a beneficiary of their service and love more times than I can count. They taught me the purpose of prayer, that I was a daughter of God and that he was aware of me every minute of every day.

• Doctors and therapists: I remember one group session explaining to the group that I was DONE with my faith! I was only participating because of guilt from my mother and I was done. This therapist challenged me on that and helped me realize (on my own and with tears in my eyes) that I did believe in the gospel of Jesus Christ and that I wanted it and needed it to be happy in life.

I am grateful to be in a place now where I can hopefully in some small ways be someone who helps others. And give back in honor of all the angels and life-savers who never left me alone and carried me when I couldn’t walk by myself.

A few of the sister missionaries who saved my life:

A collage my sister sent me via text to remind me why to keep fighting... on her birthday, no less...September 9, 2013