I was recently diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), and have dealt with Automatonophobia nearly my whole life. Dealing with all of these disorders has been a big challenge in my life. It seems I have three moods- stressed, depressed, and scared out of my mind. These challenges will never leave me, but I can consistently work to improve my life. I began an intensive therapy program that involves 15 hours a week of exposure therapy, talk therapy, and psychoeducation to help with my OCD and BDD, and will soon be taking to another specialist to get help for the MDD. It takes so much difficult work, and so finding time to work and spend time with people has been a daily struggle. But the biggest takeaway from this experience I have had is not one of struggle, but of hope. Before I went to get help, I couldn't go outside by myself. I was checking locks, under beds, and in closets constantly. I constantly worried about my physical insecurities. Now, nearly all of those worries are gone, and I am much more able to live a life that is worth living. I am attending college double majoring in Sociology and Religious Studies, specifically focusing on abnormal psychology and mental health whenever possible. Using this education, I plan to teach Seminary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. For many Latter-day Saint kids, seminary is a refuge. A class away from school to come closer to God, to belong, and to get away from the stressors of the world. I want to provide an environment of hope. I want my students to know that they are loved and valued- especially those who struggle with mental illness. I believe that I was given those trials so that I could help others through similar experiences, and that is exactly what I plan to do.

To begin, I would like to speak about my personal mental health challenges. I have been diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), and Automatonophobia (fear of dolls and mannequins). For years, I was told that my thoughts and feelings were made up. That I just wanted attention. That if I just got up or went for a walk, I would feel better. Receiving a diagnosis was a very important first step in my road to a life more worth living. The second biggest thing in my recent journey has been the support from friends and family- particularly the friends I made in group therapy. Simply having people who understood and listened made all the difference to me. This brings me to my solution for helping more people who struggle with mental health. Stigmatization of mental illness makes those who struggle with it feel even more isolated than they already do- causing spirals and worsening symptoms. I suggest simply opening up the conversation. As the younger generations are growing up, I feel this process is already beginning. But I can only imagine how beneficial it would be if society reached the point where talking about antidepressants had the same tone as talking about insulin or thyroid medication. An unfortunate illness that can be eased with help- not something to shame and belittle people for. This simple change alone would completely change the mental health experience.

I was recently diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), and have dealt with Automatonophobia nearly my whole life. Dealing with all of these disorders has been a big challenge in my life. It seems I have three moods- stressed, depressed, and scared out of my mind. These challenges will never leave me, but I can consistently work to improve my life. I began an intensive therapy program that involves 15 hours a week of exposure therapy, talk therapy, and psychoeducation to help with my OCD and BDD, and will soon be taking to another specialist to get help for the MDD. It takes so much difficult work, and so finding time to work and spend time with people has been a daily struggle. But the biggest takeaway from this experience I have had is not one of struggle, but of hope. Before I went to get help, I couldn't go outside by myself. I was checking locks, under beds, and in closets constantly. I constantly worried about my physical insecurities. Now, nearly all of those worries are gone, and I am much more able to live a life that is worth living. I am attending college double majoring in Sociology and Religious Studies, specifically focusing on abnormal psychology and mental health whenever possible. Using this education, I plan to teach Seminary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. For many Latter-day Saint kids, seminary is a refuge. A class away from school to come closer to God, to belong, and to get away from the stressors of the world. I want to provide an environment of hope. I want my students to know that they are loved and valued- especially those who struggle with mental illness. I believe that I was given those trials so that I could help others through similar experiences, and that is exactly what I plan to do.

I was recently diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), and have dealt with Automatonophobia nearly my whole life. Dealing with all of these disorders has been a big challenge in my life. It seems I have three moods- stressed, depressed, and scared out of my mind. These challenges will never leave me, but I can consistently work to improve my life. I began an intensive therapy program that involves 15 hours a week of exposure therapy, talk therapy, and psychoeducation to help with my OCD and BDD, and will soon be taking to another specialist to get help for the MDD. It takes so much difficult work, and so finding time to work and spend time with people has been a daily struggle. But the biggest takeaway from this experience I have had is not one of struggle, but of hope. Before I went to get help, I couldn't go outside by myself. I was checking locks, under beds, and in closets constantly. I constantly worried about my physical insecurities. Now, nearly all of those worries are gone, and I am much more able to live a life that is worth living. I am attending college double majoring in Sociology and Religious Studies, specifically focusing on abnormal psychology and mental health whenever possible. Using this education, I plan to teach Seminary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. For many Latter-day Saint kids, seminary is a refuge. A class away from school to come closer to God, to belong, and to get away from the stressors of the world. I want to provide an environment of hope. I want my students to know that they are loved and valued- especially those who struggle with mental illness. I believe that I was given those trials so that I could help others through similar experiences, and that is exactly what I plan to do.

I am an audiobook narrator! I love the way audiobooks bring words to life. I also love that it makes books more accessible to people who struggle to read, whether by dyslexia or learning disorders.

I want to teach Seminary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. To do this, I need a bachelors, so I am double-majoring in Sociology and Religious Studies. Seminary is a refuge from school for a lot of kids, and I want to create an environment full of love and learning about the gospel in my classroom. My religion is something I am extremely passionate about, and I would like to share that passion with as many people as I can. I want to help raise up the next generation of leaders. Kids who love their neighbors. Who serve others. Who love to share the gospel as well. Kids that want to be like Jesus.

A large part of my faith is agency. We were sent to Earth to use our agency as we see fit. Thus, taking away another person's agency is a sin. For example, murder. Murder of someone who has already been born is considered wrong worldwide, so why is it not before someone is born? This is still stolen agency. And if souls exist before coming to Earth (as I believe they do), abortion is very similar, if not the same, as murder. The claim, "a woman should be able to do whatever she wants with her body" is a very valid one. Agency is important! If a woman wants to do something to her body, she should be able to do it. But it is not her body she is affecting when she chooses to abort. That is another person. And every person deserves the right to their own freedoms.

My battle with mental health has been a challenging one. I started experiencing symptoms of depression in 7th grade, although it never got very bad until the beginning of the pandemic, when I got dumped by a boyfriend of about a year. Dealing with that loss sent me into a spiral, and the pandemic made it hard to connect with people who could help. I attempted suicide that October, and engaged in a lot of self harm. I was in a really low place. Along with that, I was dealing with insecurities about my weight, and was continuing a lifelong battle with automatonophobia (fear of dolls and mannequins). In addition, I was beginning to deal with more and more fears of being attacked or raped- I lived every day in fear despite living in a safe area. I begged my parents for help, and just recently, those dreams came true. I went to a counseling center focused on OCD and Anxiety, where it was discovered that not only do I deal with depression, I most likely suffer from OCD. This was something I had never even thought of. I specifically do things that make me feel like I will not be attacked, such as repeatedly checking under my car, in my closet, and under my bed. The counselor I spoke to recommended me for an intense type of therapy- three hours a day, five days a week, for at least 8 weeks. The idea of receiving help has brought me so much peace. I feel hope again knowing what is wrong with me, and what I can do to help myself cope with the fears and feelings I've been experiencing. I don't want anyone to feel alone in their battle with mental health. It can be super scary opening up and sharing what is wrong, but I promise you will feel much better if you don't bottle it up. This battle isn't the end. Treat it like a new beginning. Stay Strong!

Christ is my everything. He is my joy, my hope... and my best friend. When I have most felt like giving up, He has been there for me. I want to share His love with everyone I can. I believe it is my mission in life to share the hope of the gospel of Jesus Christ. This life sucks. But when we turn to Christ, all of that pain can be taken away. There is hope for more. I try to do all I can to share that hope. Here is a video clip of me singing 'O Divine Redeemer' by Charles Gounod. I may not have the best voice, but I hope that my testimony and love for Him shines through. The video clip link will not work, nor can I get anything to work. I just put a link to an old survey I did for my research class.

Jesus Christ is my best friend. The hope and peace I receive from His gospel has changed my life. I believe my purpose in life is to testify of Him. I have really bad phobias and anxieties. It is something I have always dealt with. It is crippling and debilitating. Therapy didn't work. Nothing seemed to. Then a few years ago, I found a special connection to Christ. I read the scriptures every day. I prayed, and prayed hard. I discovered that when I put His work first, my fear would fade, and I could make it through. I hope that I can share my love with Him with everyone I meet. I want to teach seminary for my church so that I can testify of His love every single day. Because He changed my life.

I wish to double major is sociology and religious studies. The STEM part of this, the science of sociology, is very important to me. I believe that above all, people matter. My career goal is to teach seminary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In this position, I want to show people that they are loved. That they have the potential for greatness. I want to look at the science of people. I want to know how best to teach them and to help them. As I said before: People Matter.

Legacy is something that you leave behind, but it is also something that you start. I want to teach religion. I want my legacy to be a message of hope and faith. I want people to know that Christ loves them, and that I love them. I want people to know that this is not the end. I want people to know that there is so much more coming. I want people to be brave, and express their faith. I want to start a flame of faith in the hearts of as many people as possible.

As a religion lover, I feel obligated to share my greatest role model- my Savior, Jesus Christ. He is a perfect example, a loving brother, and my best friend. I strive to share His gospel with as many people as possible. I plan on teaching seminary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. That way, I can fulfil what I believe to be my purpose: to testify of Jesus Christ. Recently, I have been thinking about an experience I had a few years ago. You can call this a coincidence or fate or inspiration, but I like to think it's the latter. One night, I had a dream that the prophet at the time, Thomas S. Monson, had gathered a small group of people together. He instructed us to sing and share our testimonies with as many people as we could. He told us to share the hope of the gospel, because soon, he wouldn't be able to anymore. I awoke to a text message saying he had died. His challenge has been a guide in my life ever since. This life can often feel devoid of hope, and I feel it is my duty to restore hope to everyone I can. I want to share the peace and hope that Christ has given me. Jesus Christ is and forever will be my greatest role model. He taught us to love God, to love our neighbors. To have faith, hope, and charity. I have made it my mission in this life to testify of Him, and to share His gospel to all those who are willing to hear.

My goal is to hit the 50 states! Thus far, I have been to the 48 contiguous states. I love seeing the different parts of the country. It has given me a bigger perspective in life. This has helped me branch out of what I know, and come to love different cultures.

I think it started in 8th grade. I had a toxic best friend who hit me and constantly informed me that I was not good enough. I felt depressed and alone. I approached the friend about two years into the friendship, and she claimed that I was faking being depressed for attention. I was cyberbullied by her friends, and rumors spread like wildfire. The friendship was severed, and ever since I have worked hard to regain my confidence. After a lot of hard work, I felt a lot better about myself... until the beginning of the pandemic. I went through a difficult breakup, and was isolated from friends. I became underweight. I was very anxious and depressed. My auditory hallucinations (a symptom of stress) were going haywire, and although undiagnosed, I believe that I was severely depressed. I have also had a difficult battle with fear. When I was about 8 years old, I went to therapy for Automatonophobia- the fear of dolls and mannequins. The therapist was a very bad match. He told me my fears were stupid, and had a display case full of penguin dolls, one of which he asked me to take home to watch me while I slept. I quickly quit therapy. Thankfully, I can now mostly keep the phobia under control, but other fears have crept in. One night, my friend and I were walking home, and saw a man walking ahead of us. He slowed, then turned and ran at us. Terror paralyzed me. Thankfully, it was only my dad playing a joke, but ever since then I have not been able to go outside alone. Time amplified the fear. I now struggle to go outside at all. I am improving slowly, but one thing I know is that I couldn't have gotten through this alone. Friends and family have supported me constantly, and my religion has been an incredible anchor in my life. I want to teach seminary, and in my classroom I want to create a safe space where students know they can turn to God in any trial.

This is a picture I drew of Christ's hand on the cross. I'm not the most talented artist, but I really wanted to put my thoughts onto paper. I love the image of His hands. He used them to bring to pass so many miracles, and He uses them to reach out to me still. He is the reason there is hope. He is the way in which we can have eternal life. I think He is the best example of Conserving Life for that reason.

My dream is to teach seminary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-days Saints. I absolutely love this Church and it's gospel, but I do have something that bothers me- a large portion of the Church membership isn't inclusive and loving. The gospel itself teaches that we should love and accept our neighbors, no matter who they are, and I feel that there is much improvement needed to meet that standard. A member cannot claim that they agree with our doctrine and still be a racist or a homophobe. I hope to change this stigma, starting in my classroom. I want to show that despite what we believe is a sin, we should do our absolute best to love people, and show them that Christ loves them, no matter what they have done. Yes, a sin is a sin and must be repented of to truly come unto Christ, but that is a personal matter. Our role in our neighbor's lives is to love them and show them the hope and peace that comes from the gospel of Jesus Christ, not to judge and exclude. As Christ said, "He who is without sin, let him cast the first stone."

My dream is to teach Seminary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. To do this, I need a bachelor's degree. In order to be the best teacher I can, I want to double major in sociology and religious studies. Sociology is a STEM category, as it is science, and I feel it is so important in teaching. I want to further understand what makes people do the things that they do, so that I can better help my students, and meet their individual theological needs.

I want to double major in sociology and religious studies. This is because I want to teach seminary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Seminary is an off-campus religious class that focuses on a volume of scripture. By majoring in sociology, I hope to learn how people work, so that I can be a more effective teacher. I also hope to major in religious studies, so that I can have a better understanding of my religion, as well as other prevalent religions in the world today.

When I was in 8th grade, I was nominated to be a part of Hope Squad. Hope Squad is a suicide prevention group made up of students who are trained to recognize the warning signs of depression and suicide, and get struggling students to the help that they need. This has been very impactful for me. From an early age, I was able to discuss mental illness in a safe, loving environment, surrounded by students who wanted to help. I have been able to help many individuals talk to parents and counselors, and be a supporting friend for countless more. I have come to realize that mental illness is both stigmatized and overused in a way that makes understanding people's situations even more difficult to understand. Some groups of people believe that mental illness should not be spoken of at all, while others like to joke about it constantly. Teenagers and young adults seem to be caught in the crossfire of it all. After being able to help so many friends, as well as be helped at many times, I have come to know that it is okay-- it is good!-- to talk about mental illness with the right people. It shouldn't be used to get attention, but mental illness is something that you don't ever have to face alone. Friends, family, and professionals are very ready to help because they care. About you, and about what you are facing. the COIVD 19 pandemic has brought about higher rates of depression and suicide, and I want everyone who is struggling to know that they don't have to do so in silence. There. Is. Hope.

I have always felt like a misfit because of my anxiety. I have a phobia-related anxiety, so my anxiety is triggered by my phobias. I actually went to a therapist for my automatonophobia (fear of dolls and mannequins) when I was about 8 years old. When I walked into his office, I immediately noticed that he had a whole display case full of penguin dolls. Great for someone who is terrified of those, right? He saw me staring at them the whole session, and told me to take one home to watch me while I sleep. Perfect. He also told me that this was a stupid, irrational fear, and that people who are afraid of airplanes are valid because airplanes crash all the time. I don't know what he was trying to accomplish there but all he did was convince me that I was stupid for experiencing these fears, and that my feelings weren't valid. My anxiety worsened after a traumatic experience a few years ago. One night my friend and I were walking home at about 10 at night. We noticed a man in all black walking slowly in front of us. Immediately my guard went up. We got about a block away from him, and he turned and started running at us. I froze. I couldn't breathe, I couldn't move. All I could see was this man running at two teenage girls late at night. Thankfully, nothing happened, because it was my dad who thought it would be funny to scare us. But ever since then, I have struggled to go outside by myself or in small groups, even during the day. This has made my life very difficult, and I have always felt very annoying. I felt needy for always asking a parent to come outside when I had to walk from my car to my house, or turning down social opportunities because I couldn't handle it. I felt totally alone. The only thing that has helped me with my anxiety has been my faith. I am a very religious person, and this is one of the reasons why. When I turn to the Savior Jesus Christ in my times of fear, I feel comfort and peace. He is my lifeline. I want to be able to share that hope with others. My plan is to teach seminary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This means that I can teach teenagers to turn their faith to God. I want to be able to guide kids to the hope that saved me. I never want them to feel alone, because they aren't.

COVID-19 has had a dramatic influence on all of our lives. We social distance, we wear masks, we avoid social activities. The beginning of the pandemic was especially difficult on me because it was the same time I got dumped. I felt alone and unwanted. All I could do was sit at hope and watch the news of Corona get worse and worse. I lost a lot of hope then. It was a very dark time in my life. Eventually, I was able to go back to school to start my senior year of high school. This was incredibly healing for me. But I realized that the reason I was beginning to love myself again wasn't the classwork, or even seeing my friends again. I saw that I was focusing on the good in others. I was complimenting people. I was making friends with those who seemed lonely. And suddenly, I was no longer wallowing in self pity. I had hope. I would say the most important thing I have learned from the COIVD-19 Pandemic is that people matter. When we support each other and lift each other up, the world becomes a better place. I pray that as the pandemic passes, I won't forget the lessons it taught me. I hope that I can continually look for the good in those around me, and lift them up.

I want to teach seminary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. To do that, I need a bachelor's degree. It is a well-known fact that college costs a lot of money, and teaching seminary isn't the most lucrative profession out there. Paying for student loans will take a lot of time, so I want to be able to pay for college quickly, so that I can focus more on my career of showing kids that there is hope and peace in Christ. I hope to be able to put enough money away to create a scholarship of my own one day, so that I can give students the same hope that you are giving me- the hope that they won't be drowned in student debt.

The COVID pandemic has been very difficult on me, as I know it has been on many others. During Quarantine, my emotional state was worsened by a breakup after a year of dating- over text. I was crushed and majorly depressed. I didn't love myself, and I didn't think anyone could. I had the opportunity to go back to school for my senior year this fall, though on a hybrid schedule. Being able to interact with people again was very healing, but it wasn't enough to feel okay again. I don't know how it started, but I realized recently that I was finding anything and everything to compliment people on. If I liked their clothes or their hair or their attitude. I realized that as I did this, I didn't care as much about what people thought of me. I wasn't as depressed, and my outlook on life became brighter. I have made so many new friends, and have built so many new relationships because I stopped worrying about me, and started working to love other people. Now, I am a very religious person, so I would like to point out the two great commandments given by Jesus Christ- to love God, and to love your neighbor. I think there is a reason those are the two, especially the second one. It doesn't matter what your religious affiliation is, I feel that this is a universal concept. It is so important to love your neighbor. And by neighbor, I mean anyone. I think the key to self-love is not selfish at all. The best way to love yourself is to love others with all your heart, always looking for the good in them. You will be happier, healthier, and other people will feel better about themselves, and during this time, everyone needs a bit of that.

I have been trying to avoid an online shopping addiction to save money for college, but there are some times when you just have to buy something, whether it be a need or a want. When those times come up, I like to turn to my favorite sites to online shop. Online shopping has increased recently for me, as well as the rest of the world with the COVID-19 pandemic. Thankfully, there are a lot of great sites to use. Amazon is my personal favorite place to shop because it often has great deals, especially if you buy things used. The shipping is also very fast. I recently made an important purchase with HSN, and was very happy with the result. There was a deal that took a significant amount of money off of the purchase. Shipping was also a benefit. My package was shipped very quickly, and they often updated it's whereabouts, so I had a very good indication of when it would arrive. With that, it still came much earlier in the day than projected, and I have been very happy with the product itself. Finally, I enjoy shopping with target, as their shipping is very quick.

This is me and my little sister Melody on her 2nd birthday. I am very thankful for her. There is a 16 year age gap between us, but that doesn't stop us from loving each other. Melody has a great sense of emotions. My anxiety has gotten really bad during the pandemic, and she is always able to tell when I need help. She climbs up into my lap and excitedly tells me about Anna and Elsa, or show me the new word she can say. I love my sister, and I'm so glad I have her.

My dad once told me that the best way to save money when making purchases was to look at 3 different options for the same thing. This stops you from impulse buying, and helps you find what you really want. This concept alone has saved me a lot of money. I have also found that it is very important to keep track of your finances. I have found the best way to do this is to create a budget, and check in regularly with how you are sticking to it. Finally, my personal belief system shows that paying a tithe is the best possible thing to do with your money. I pay 10% of my income to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and have found so many blessings from this. I have never struggled with money. I have always had just enough, and opportunities have become available exactly when I need them. This is sensitive advise as it relates to theological tendencies, but it is the best possible advice I can give.

When I was in Junior High, I was nominated to be a part of Hope Squad. Hope Squad is a suicide prevention group made up of students. I have participated in this group every year of high school starting in 9th grade; it has been an incredible opportunity. In Hope Squad, we learn the warning signs of depression and suicide and learn how to help people get the help that they need. This knowledge has allowed me to help many friends, both in big and small situations. It is not a secret that everyone struggles. Everyone has something that they are dealing with, and often, this is a very private thing. Although I am trained to look for warning signs, people often hide what they are dealing with. I have learned that the best way to help people is to always be a friend, no matter what. It doesn't matter that I am a trained Hope Squad member; people don't usually come to me just because of that. I know that if I am a good friend, people will feel comfortable turning to me for help, and I'm so glad that I have been able to help my friends with things they are dealing with. No one should have to struggle alone. I have talked with friends about self-harm, suicidal thoughts, eating disorders, same-sex attraction, feeling lonely or isolated, and many other struggles that a lot of teenagers face. Sometimes people need professional help and sometimes people just need someone to talk to. I try my best to help them find professional help when it is needed and to be a friend who is always there for people. Everyone deserves to be heard, and everyone deserves to be loved.

In my junior year of high school, I took BC Calculus. This was a difficult class, but I worked hard to learn the material, especially when school was canceled and we had to learn online due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The time for the test came, and I was surprised by how many sub-questions there were (twice as many as I had prepped for), but I finished in time and submitted my work. I felt pretty good about the test, but then scores came out and I got a 2; I had not passed the test. I was disappointed. I had worked so hard in this class, dedicating two periods a semester to learning the material. I knew that this failure would mean having to retake the class in college, and it would not look good on transcripts, even though I had gotten A's in the class itself. When I talked to others who had taken the class, I was surprised to hear similar responses to my own. I learned that there had been about a 20% pass rate for students at my school and that the teacher had been moved to teach a less advanced class as a result. Although my score was set, I felt better about my result, knowing I wasn't alone in receiving a disappointing result. Although this was a difficult situation to deal with, I decided to make the best of it. I know that my basis in calculus from that year will make the college class much easier to understand, so I will have less stress when I take the class, and I will be able to devote more time to other classes and extracurriculars, instead of worrying about learning a whole new concept. I still can't say that I am glad I failed that test, but I am glad I took the class. I am going to use this experience to better myself, and I have high hopes for the future.

This is me and my friend doing a swing dance move called Tornado. I am the girl. We have both been in the swing club presidency since it’s beginning. This move is a combination of several moves, the most difficult being the backflip at it’s conclusion. While a bit dangerous, this dance move very fun, and a very interesting workout.

Ever since I could remember, I have struggled with Automatonophobia. This means the fear of humanoid objects like mannequins, dolls, or animatronics. This phobia seems easy to avoid at first, but it is not. Animatronics fill amusement parks, little siblings have dolls, and historical sites are filled with life-like mannequins. I have done many things to try to move past this phobia. At a young age, I attended therapy. That didn’t work out too well, as all he did was tell me my fear was stupid, as well as have a display case full of penguin dolls that seemed to stare into my soul with every visit. Very quickly I realized this wasn’t going to work, and changed tactics. One thing that is very important to me is religion. Originally, I didn’t put those two aspects of my life together. But as I grew and deepened my religious devotion, I realized that my faith could help me with my fear. I received a promise that as I did God’s work, I wouldn’t have to fear. So now, I know that I can recite a scripture, sing a hymn, or do service, and my fear and anxiety lessens conciderably. This solution has helped me both move past my fear, and build my faith. While I am still a long ways away from recovery from my phobia, I am able to make little steps, and I am so thankful for that.