I Know Who I Am

So as you guys have noticed, up there below my name it says "I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, I know who I am". 
I put that there because it's really important to me. I DO know who I am. I am a daughter of God. I am a daughter of my Heavenly Father, and I know He loves me. But also, I know that He loves YOU. He knows you, and He loves you SO much!!! To me, that's really important to know. But I know what its like to feel insecure, and I know what it's like to have low self-esteem, and feel worthless, and like no one cares about you. And let me tell ya, it does NOT feel good to feel those things. So if you'll let me... I'll tell you how I discovered who I am. Hopefully, you'll discover who YOU are. :)
I was so scared to be myself. I've got BAD anxiety, and that mixed with my low self esteem was NOT good. I just never felt good about myself. I was worried what people thought of me, and I was scared to do things I loved to do. It was really hard for me, especially because I love singing and play the piano. How was I supposed to succeed at that if I couldn't play in front of anyone?! Ah it was so frustrating.
So I was finally sick of living like that. I wanted to be like my best friend, SO confident, and not afraid of doing anything! So I started praying, and trying to be confident, at least a little bit. And it got a little better. I started going to my school counselor, knowing she would for sure help me so that I could become confident and fearless!!!
And she did help me. But there was just something missing, and I couldn't understand why I couldn't be confident, and happy with myself.
After school got out that year, I went to a church program for a week. It was a really fun week! We had church lessons, and we did fun activities, and got to know other people our age. I loved it! I had a great time.
When we first got there, my leader asked each of us girls to think of a personal goal for the week. I knew what mine had to be: I needed to be confident. I needed to find confidence this week, this was my week!!
So she asked me what my goal was, and I told her. She told me to continue to PRAY about it, and SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES.
So I did. And I was a little more confident, it worked a little. But it still wasn't enough, I was still scared.
We had a lesson, the second to last day of the week. I thought that the class was supposed to be taught on something else, but the teacher got up and said that she "felt prompted to talk about something else".
She started telling a similar story to mine: she had a hard time being confident, and feeling good about herself.
Then she said "But does God make mistakes? No. So YOU are NOT a mistake." 
My prayers were answered!!! She spoke on Confidence, and realizing that we're all unique and special, and she read a scripture that changed my life. I don't remember everything she said, but that statement has stuck with me. The lesson changed me! I felt the Spirit whisper to me, that these things were true. I wish I could remember it all, and type it up here, so that you all could read it, and so that your lives could be changed too.
I went up to her after and I told her, with tears in my eyes, "You know, you just changed my life." and she teared up and said "Well you know what? It wasn't me. It was God." 
Later, she came up to me and gave me a hug and said "I want you to know that I prayed for you. I prayed that your prayers would be answered and that you would feel something during that lesson." 
It was an incredible experience for me.
I realized that I am a child of God. He LOVES me. He LOVES you too. I promise you that!! He's watching out for you. He knows what your going through. He answers your prayers. Maybe not WHEN you think He should, or maybe not HOW you think He should, but He does. And it's always worth it.

(Challenge: Pray to Heavenly Father, and ask Him sincerely, on your knees, if YOU are special, and beautiful, and talented, and unique and if you matter. And I promise, it'll change your life. Ask Him if He's there, ask Him if He cares. And He will give you an answer if you let Him.)

Don't be scared to be yourself. 

Isn't it amazing that out of everyone alive, that has lived, and that will live, YOU are unique. No one LOOKS like you do, no one THINKS like you do, no one ACTS like you do, no one DOES THINGS like you do. YOU ARE SPECIAL!!!! You totally need to know that!! God loves you! You have a job to do on this earth, you are special. You have talents that no one else has, and you should share them. Who's to judge whether or not you're beautiful? Who's to say that you're not special? Who?
Let me tell you, YOU are beautiful. Don't let anyone's selfish opinions make you feel bad. And don't for one second hesitate to walk out the door in your cute outfit. Do it! It's you. There's no one else that looks like you. Do it!!! Don't hesitate to try out for the talent show. I did, and it was crazy, but I had the time of my life! Share your thoughts, share your voice. Do it!!! You won't regret it.

BE YOU. BE CONFIDENT. BE HAPPY.

So I have this friend that wears red lipstick all the time. And let me tell you, it looks AMAZING on her. She always looks so beautiful in her cute stylish clothes and red lips. She looks great! And she's confident. I love it! So I thought "Huh. I want to wear red lipstick, that's cute. It's bold, it makes a statement..." but right after I thought that, thoughts of "Oh my goodness, that is NOT your color, you do NOT look good with dark lips, UGH! Why try?!"
And do you know what my response was? I grabbed it anyway. And I put that red lipstick on. And you know, it's looked good. So I wear it now. Quit often, actually. Because it makes me confident. It makes me feel happy. And it goes with my clothes. So wear your red lipstick, whatever it is. Wear your heart on your sleeve, live your dreams, and aim high!!! Go for it. :) 
I wish I could know everyone in the entire world, because I want to see every unique style, and hear every different idea, see every extraordinary talent, every beautiful unique face. You guys are amazing children of our Heavenly Father, and you should know it, and live it, and love it. Be confident!! I love the quote "Be yourself; everyone else is taken." It's true! Just be you. :) I love you all!

-Molly

P.S. 
Don't forget to wear your red lipstick. :)