How I Walk With Him - Anahi Ruiz

Most young women struggle to find their identity and navigate their faith—until they hear Anahi Ruiz’s inspiring story of transformation, faith, and embracing her true self. At just 19, Anahi opens up about leaving behind her Catholic roots, discovering the Book of Mormon, and overcoming fears to follow her own spiritual path, all while balancing college life, cross country, and family. Her journey reveals the raw, relatable struggles of faith, culture, and belonging—and how trusting Heavenly Father can bring unexpected joy and peace.

You'll discover how Anahi squared her cultural identity with her newfound faith, turning uncertainty into strength. We break down practical advice for teens on building a personal testimony, navigating friendships with diverse beliefs, and being a light in a world filled with peer pressure and societal challenges. Plus, Anahi shares her heartfelt insights on the power of love, forgiveness, and perseverance—qualities that transformed her life and can transform yours too.

This episode emphasizes that everyone’s faith journey is unique—sometimes messy, often challenging—but always worth it. Anahi’s story is a powerful reminder that even amid doubt and fear, the gospel offers joy, purpose, and the opportunity to become your best self. Perfect for teenagers, young adults, and anyone seeking real hope and direction, this story will inspire you to trust your Heavenly Father, stand tall in your beliefs, and shine brightly in a world craving kindness.

Anahi Ruiz is a passionate 19-year-old college student, cross country runner, and devout member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Her authentic, joyful testimony is a beacon for all who feel lost or afraid to follow their spiritual dreams.

If you're ready to find strength in your faith, embrace your unique journey, and learn how to be a light for others, this episode is your next step. Let Anahi’s story remind you: your own conversion and testimony can bring the greatest joy in your life—and inspire those around you to do the same.

Transcript

SPEAKER_02 0:00

You're listening to the How I Walk Within Youth Podcast. So uh welcome to the How I Walk With Hin podcast. We're excited to have uh you got me and Jessica again. We're excited to have Anahi Ruiz with us tonight. She has quite an interesting story, and we're so excited she uh agreed to uh be on the podcast.

SPEAKER_00 0:31

Anahi, we're just gonna turn it right over to you. And will you introduce yourself a little bit and then tell us your story?

SPEAKER_04 0:38

Hey, yeah. Um, my name's Anahi Ruiz. I'm 19 years old, and I attend College of Southern Idaho right now. I'm the youngest of three. I have an older brother and an older sister, and I love the youngest, and everybody can tell me that they just know that I'm the youngest. I don't know how, but they just see me and they're like, we know you're the youngest. I'm like, uh, well, I love being the youngest, so I have like nine cats. I love cats for everything. I'm the cat lady for sure. And oh, I'm also running cross country and chat at CSI, which is has been really awesome. I've been doing cross country since middle school because I realized early on that I'm not really coordinated when it comes to balls, like basketball, soccer, really anything that involves a ball. So I was like, running is my only option right now. And yeah, I was like, running is actually awesome. I mean, it has its days for sure where I'm just like running is horrible. Who would want to do this? But I fell in love with it really early on and it was super cool to run.

SPEAKER_00 1:36

Oh, that's awesome. So um tell us about like high school and graduation and and uh then starting out on your own and going to CSI.

SPEAKER_04 1:44

Yeah, so in high school, um, I liked high school. It was super fun. I had a lot of bunch of like awesome friends, awesome memories. It was just super fun. And then I graduated this past May, which was awesome. Um, I've always been very family oriented, so it was hard to leave you in my family, even though I live 30 minutes away. But it was hard because I I love my family. I love my mom, I love my dad, I love everyone. But I would rely on them way too much. And then I moved to the Falls Crossing apartments at CSI because the whole team lives together. So I have five awesome roommates. It's so awesome. We all can well, we're trying to learn how to cook. Um, sometimes not the best meals, but we get through. Yeah, I like being on my own. It's super awesome being independent and just discovering yourself more and more as the days go on and meeting so many people and experiencing so many things. It's it's so awesome, really. So if you're in high school right now and you're like, this is horrible, trust me, it gets better. Yes, you just have to trust the plan. Like right now, yeah, that math test that's coming up. Well, that won't go away, actually, but it'll get better. I promise you, high school is just a small step in your life. Like, once you leave high school, there's a whole new world and you're just gonna love it so much.

SPEAKER_00 2:56

That is such great advice for our you, thank you.

SPEAKER_02 2:58

So tell us a little bit about how you got involved in the church. Cause if if you grew up Catholic, right?

SPEAKER_04 3:06

Yes, I did grow up Catholic.

SPEAKER_02 3:07

And your mom and dad are still members of the Catholic Church.

unknown 3:11

Yeah.

SPEAKER_04 3:13

What?

SPEAKER_02 3:13

They're strong members in the Catholic Church.

SPEAKER_04 3:15

Oh yeah, yeah. My mom is very a very devoted Catholic, but so is my dad. I mean, my whole family growing up in a Catholic church. We were very involved from the beginning, and I I loved it. I loved the whole experience growing up in that. It was honestly really awesome. But then in high school, I met this boy, his name his name, Nathan. I met Nathan and the Christiansons, I'm sure you guys are familiar with them. But um, I met him and we became really close friends, and he was part of the LDS church and stuff, and he would mention little little moments about it and all these things. And on every question day, I was like, okay, you know, it's the church, every everyone belongs to a church. And I remember we would have so many like discussions, arguments about like our our differences and everything, and he would just be so like, no, no, no, you're wrong, you're wrong. Like, this, this, this. And I'm just like, okay, this is kind of getting annoying. Like, I don't want to talk to you about this anymore. But then I just saw how how much joy it brought in him, and just how happy he was really when he he was so passionate about the church. He's on a mission right now, but where is he at right now? He's in Mexico. Mexico. Aguascalientes, Mexico. That was like, oh, how come you um is that yeah, it's close from where my family's from. It's about four hours, and I was like, wow, this is kind of coincidence. I was like, this is awesome. But um, early on he would talk about the church a lot, and and we we would discuss it almost all the time, and it did get a little frustrating, but then I was starting to get more open to it and more open to it. And then he invited me to church. And when I came to church, I was so nervous. I was so nervous. I was like, what dress do I wear? Like what what can I can I not do? Like, I was just so nervous. And I walk in this church, everyone greeted you, everyone, everyone smiles everywhere. It was it was insane. I was like, wow, this everything is so like everyone is so welcoming. And then we go in and we sit down, and I was like, okay, this is nice. There's like 20 little kids running around the aisles. I was like, oh my egg, like there's so many kids. And um, everyone was like not necessarily not paying attention, but I noticed they like some of them were on their phones, or you know, it was just very different from the Catholic Church because in the Catholic Church, you sit down and you listen, and like phones are just forbidden, like any little fidget toy or anything, it's just not common to have around, really. And I came here and I was like, whoa, like everyone is just kind of doing their own thing, you know? And I thought that was really strange at first, but then someone was bearing their testimony and and I didn't understand, like I didn't understand the structure of how everything worked. And that I was asking Nathan, I was like, hey, like what is he doing? Like, is he just gonna talk about the church? And it's like all you g you guys hear. He's like, Yeah, he is not really good at explaining things, but he was like, Yeah, that you just kind of just talk about the church. Everyone has their own testimony, and I'm like, testimony. I'm like, I don't know what that is, really. Um, but I was like, okay, I'm just gonna sit here and listen. And so I was listening, I was listening really hard actually. I was just like, whoa, very observant. I was like, okay, that's awesome. Their stories are really cool, like this is really cool. And then the sacrament came up, and I was like, oh my goodness, do I take the bread? Oh, do I take the water? Like, I was so confused. Because that's just um in the Catholic Church, you just get up and you it's it's wine and um bread. Well, kind of bread. And I don't know, it's it's definitely different. And I remember they were passing it around, and I was like, oh, this is a little strange. And then I didn't take it because I was like, I can't do this, like, I'm not allowed to take the bread or the water. And uh I left it at that. And then second hour, I was like, there's more. I was like, oh my goodness. And yeah, we the everything ended, and I was like, okay, time to go home. I was ready to leave. I I wanted to leave so bad. And then he's like, No, there's class. And I was like, class? What do you mean there's class? He's like, Yeah, we have to go to class. I'm like, We like I think this is just you. Like, I gotta go. He's like, No, like you have to experience the whole thing. So then we go to class, and I was like, my goodness, there's class after church. Like, this is I don't like this. Why is there class? I go to class seven days a week. Like that Sunday's my day off from no class, no nothing. And then we went and um they were just explaining just everything. You know, they had a lesson that day, and I was like, okay, this is actually really cool. This is awesome, but I'm really hungry right now and want to leave. So I was like, okay. Um, but yeah, my first experience as a church was actually it was actually pretty positive. I was I was definitely shocked about a lot of things like class and and sacrament and just a lot of kids. I was not used to all that and and just all of it, and the songs do the hymns. Like, okay, this is nice. And that was the first time, and he's like, So do you want to come next week? And I was like, No, I think I'm just gonna process this one week. Like, no, it's okay, because after that I had to go back home and go to my church because it started right after. And my mom, she would she would be like, Hey, like, you gotta rush home, so because we still have to go to church. So for the longest time, I would be coming to church here, and then I would go back and change, and then I would go to Catholic church in Jerome. And so it was it was just so exhausting. So I was like, Oh, I have to come here and then go to two churches. I was just so confused. I was like, I don't know what I'm doing right now. I really don't know. I would explain that to Nathan and be like, I don't know what I'm doing. And he would always start, he would always tell me, you just have to pray. And I'm like, I don't know how to pray. Like, what do I pray about? What is there? Like, I don't know. And he's like, just pray. Just you don't, it doesn't matter where you pray or how long you pray or just anything, just pray. And I was like, okay, like I've never really, really thought of praying. That didn't cross my mind. He's like, Yeah, all you have to do is pray. I was like, okay, I'll pray about it. I'll pray about it. And I was praying about it for two years because it took a while.

SPEAKER_02 9:20

So so you were a sophomore in high school? Yeah, I was a sophomore.

SPEAKER_04 9:24

Yeah, a sophomore. So Nathan had to teach you, did he teach you how to pray, or just yeah, I mean, I would bomb him with questions and it would leave him speechless. Like he would not know what to tell me or anything. He would always try. He would always try. And he was the one person that I could be like tell have confidence in telling him. And I wouldn't because I didn't know who to go to. I didn't know anyone else in the church. And everyone who was part of the church, I was like, uh, I don't I don't really trust you enough to ask you these questions. And I wasn't familiar with anyone here. So it was Nathan who I would tell everything to. I was like, I don't understand this, or I don't get this, or like, why this, why this? I would just all constantly bug him with questions, but he never got actually he did get kind of annoyed, but like he he never got annoyed to the point where he just gave up, or he was just very, very patient and just answering all my questions. And he gave me the Book of Mormon and English and Spanish, and he made me download the library app on my phone. And I was like, What? You guys have an app? Like, you guys have an app? What? And he's like, Yeah, just Google it. It's almost like you can just if you have any questions, just go on the app and just start reading, basically. I was like, okay. So then I was on that library app for probably like three hours, just skimming through it, reading random parts, everything, and I didn't know what I was reading. This is all very new to me. And then I would, he'd be like, Did you like anything from it? And I was like, Well, I mean, there was so much. I I just don't know. Like everything just feels out of place. Like, I don't know. And he's like, Well, okay, why don't you start with the Book of Mormon? And I was like, Okay, I'll I'll start with the Book of Mormon. And I read the first chapter, and I was like, Oh man, this is a long book. I was like, and he's like, Yeah, just start with the Book of Mormon, just start saying that. Okay, like I'll I'll try. So I'd read a chapter three weeks later, I'd read another chapter, and it was just took forever. Um, and then senior year when we were graduating, he was talking about going on a mission, and I was like, a mission, like you're gonna leave? And he's like, Yeah, like I I'm gonna go on a mission, you know, and I was like, Okay, do you have to?

SPEAKER_02 11:26

Were you guys dating at this time?

SPEAKER_04 11:28

Yeah, yeah. Okay since the sophomore year.

SPEAKER_02 11:32

Oh, since sophomore yeah, okay, yeah, okay.

SPEAKER_04 11:35

And I was like, You have to go on a mission, like because I didn't think a mission was a big deal. I was like, you know, it seems very I don't know. And he's like, Yeah, like I really want to go on a mission. And he's like, I just feel prompted to go. Like, I I want to go, and I was like, okay, that's awesome. Like, no, two years, two years is a lot. I was like, no, he's like, it'll go by fast. And I was like, okay. So before that, I he would talk about going to like he would talk about the temple. He was just talking constantly about the temple. And I was like, like the temple seems really cool. I remember in the beginning, I was like, why can't I go in the temple? Like, why do you have to be a member? You know, all this stuff. And and he was like, You're like, you'll understand later, like later on. And I was like, okay, so senior year, he was just really just talking about the temple and and his mission and and and all that. And I was like, okay, so then I took it seriously. I was like, okay, I'm gonna actually sit down and learn about this and read the Book of Mormon and just pay attention and see how I feel about this. And I was I was reading more, I was learning more on my own. It was just it was just like a whole new world when I really took it seriously. Because in high school, you just don't want to do that. You're just whatever, I'm just surviving high school right now. And I was like, no, I'm gonna, I'm gonna take some time about this because I I really want to learn about this. So then I learned about it, and it was so cool. I remember going to Nathan, I was like, I read this, I learned this, I like the scripture, and he was just his eyes were just so big, he's like, Really? Like, do you actually guess? Like, I'm I'm being so serious. And he's like, Well, you can talk to missionaries. And I was like, missionaries, what? He's like, Yeah, they're they're there. It's like you could talk to them. You have to, you know, if you want to get baptized, you have to have some lessons. And I was like, No, like I'm already giving myself lessons, like I don't need someone to give me lessons. He's like, No, but like this is kind of the process of it. And I was like, Okay, fine. So I met with two missionaries, and um uh they were just talking to me, and I was like, these guys are like my age, you know, so I was like, they're like my age, and I thought it it was gonna be like the older people were like, you know, like us. So I I met with them and they were they were teaching me all these things and it was really cool. And he's like, Hey, you have to you have to go to another lesson. I was like, another lesson. He's like, Yeah, you it it's a process, you know. And and then after a couple lessons, um, they're like, Do you have do you want to get baptized? And I was like, Yeah, I think I think I do want to get baptized. And they're like, Well, you think or you know? And I was like, Oh, I was like, I I think I know. And then Nathan again would be like, just pray about it, pray. And so I I would pray a lot. I didn't know, I didn't necessarily know how to pray because sometimes it just feels like you're staring into a wall and you're just like, I do not know if anyone is listening right now. But I would I would pray about it, and then I set a baptism date to get baptized with the missionaries. Then I remember the week following up to it, I was like, no, I I don't know. So I changed it again. And Nathan was like, What are you? You know, the date and stuff, and I was like, This is my journey. This is what I I have to do it for myself. I can't do it because you want me to. I can't do it because, you know, like family or friends or like anything wants me to. I have to choose that path. I have to want it, you know. And so then I chose my date, and it was June, I believe it was somewhere in June, end of June. And I remember the the whole Christensen family. They were really a big part of the journey with me. I mean, they answered every question I had, and it was super awesome. And I got baptized, but before I got baptized, I forgot to mention my family. I think that was the one thing that I was super scared about was was my family, because I would meet up with the missionaries and they wouldn't know because I I was I don't know how to explain this to them, or I don't really want to. I was I was hiding from it because they were super like devoted Catholics, and my nephew was going through his confirmation to be able to take the sacrament in the Catholic Church, and they were just all super involved in it, and I was just super scared. I was like, I don't know how to tell you guys, and uh it would make me cry almost all the time. I'd be like, I just don't know. Like I feel like they're not gonna love me or anything, or they're just not gonna accept me because it's two different worlds, it's so different from each other. And um, I remember me and my mom were um gardening, we were planting our our flowers because it's something me and my mom always do. And I was like, Okay, I think this is the moment where I'm gonna mention it to her and be like, you know, mom, I already had my baptism date picked out. I tell I was this is the last step that I was avoiding with everything in me. And um, we were gardening and like three flowers in, I was like, okay, at the sixth that we plant, I'm gonna tell my mom blurted out.

SPEAKER_03 16:17

I'm stressed out right now.

SPEAKER_04 16:19

And I remember telling her, I was like, mom, I was like, Do you love me? And she's like, she just looked at me, she's like, Yeah, like I I've always loved you. Like, why would you ever think that I don't love you? And I was like, No, I was just wondering, like, do you really love me? And she's like, Yeah, like I really love you. And I was like, Okay, well, I was like, you know, like you know, Nathan's church, the LDS church, and and everything, and the missionaries that walk that knock on the door and we run away. We and you know, cover the blinds and everything. And she's like, Yeah, yeah, like about them. I was like, Well, I've I've been talking to them for for quite some time, and um, I I want to get baptized, and she's like, Really? She's like, I I kind of figured like as secretive as you were trying to be, I I kind of figured you you would, you know, mom's moms now. Yeah, it's crazy. She knew, and I mean, she saw the Book of Mormon on in my room, and she didn't ask me about it, but she knew it was there. Um, she's like, Yeah, like I kind of I kind of figured, you know, you have to do it for yourself. Like you can't do it because of him, or you can't do it because, you know, you feel obligated to. And I was like, I know, like I I want to do this. This is something I I I really have just thought about for honestly three years now. I was like, it's it's something that I've thought about. And she's like, okay, you have you have to, you know, if you want to, I'll support you. And she was like, Don't don't ever think I don't love you. I think that's what she was strung up on, was me thinking, like asking her that. And um, I was like, Okay, like thank you. And I was like, Wow, that's all it took. I was like, that's all that wasn't scary at all. I was like, this this is actually not that bad. I was just being so dramatic. And I remember telling Nathan, I was like, Hey, I told her. And he's like, What did she say? Oh, I was like, she was and he's like, I I see you being a member, I see you being a sister. He that's what he said. He's like, I see you being a sister, okay. And he's like, Okay, so they were very accepting of it, and it was really awesome. And then leading up to my baptism date, I was so nervous. I was like, Oh my goodness, how is this gonna be? The Christians and family was there, and there's a whole bunch of them, so it was really awesome.

SPEAKER_01 18:23

There's a bunch of them.

SPEAKER_04 18:29

They were all there, and I was like, wow, like they they're just awesome people, and my family was there, and it was just it was honestly really, a really good experience. And I got baptized and I was like, okay, finally this is over with, you know, this is I'm done. I'm done. This is it, this is it. And then after that, I I realized I really have to keep my testimony and and strengthen it more as I go. I was like, this isn't where it ends, this is where it starts, you know, this is the beginning. And I started learning more and more, and it was just really awesome. A lot of people helped me. Um, and then I moved to college and I went to the YSA and I was like, wow, this is really different from Was it fun? Yeah, it was super fun. I mean, it was a bunch of teenagers, and and I was like, wow, there's not like 40 little kids running around everywhere. You know, I was like, this is really fun. A lot of people that are my age are here, and it's it was just super awesome. Class was a I didn't dread going to class anymore or anything, but it was it was super fun. Yeah, that's that kind of sums up my story a little bit.

SPEAKER_00 19:29

Hopefully that made sense. That is a beautiful story, and we really appreciate you sharing that. I'd have to say that we can tell that your mother is probably one of the most beautiful and loving people in the world because she's passed that on to you. Okay, we can see and feel your light and her light through you.

SPEAKER_02 19:43

So where where are you at now? And you uh are you working to go to the temple? Have you been to the temple?

SPEAKER_04 19:50

Yeah, I've been to the temple. My first experience was I no, I haven't. No. No, a lot of my friends have though on the team, and they say it's so beautiful. Okay, yeah, it they they loved it. So eventually I will.

SPEAKER_02 20:03

But most of your team is is LDS.

SPEAKER_04 20:05

Almost everyone. There's almost there's probably two people on the team, two to three people that are not part of part of the church yet. We we go to institute together, we go to family home evening together, activities, word parties, church. We take up probably two benches at our wise table. It's just the whole team that's there. Um, my roommate is actually our Sunday um school teacher. It's it's really awesome. I try to avoid bishop because I don't really want to go to calling. You know, if I do, I'll accept it by very good. Yeah, really quickly. But yeah, it it's pretty awesome.

SPEAKER_02 20:42

So tell tell us just a little bit about the relationship you have with your hand by father now. Did you do that? Is that okay?

SPEAKER_04 20:49

Yeah. Well, now I realized when I got into my first week of college, it was just so hectic. I was, you know, practiced in class and my schedule. I really didn't have time to read scriptures or anything. And I didn't realize that for a moment. I was like, whoa, I really haven't done this in a like a week or two, you know? And then I was like, okay, I need to make time for this because I I I still want to feel connected. I can't lean away now after everything. Um so then I started I started to make a routine, and it was just practice and school and reading scriptures, and I I found a pretty good routine with it, and I felt very connected to Heavenly Father. Um, there would be days where we would run like nine miles, and I had a two test that I had to take morning classes. I was like, wow, I feel so exhausted right now. Like, oh, I just I'm done with everything. I I wouldn't read my scriptures or anything. And then I was like, no, I need to make time for this. So I I made a pretty pretty solid routine of reading my scriptures in the nighttime because I realized the morning was too hectic for me. But I would recommend in the morning because that way you can get that good word in. Then start your day, but in the nighttime is okay too. You know, any time of the day is okay, but make sure you have a routine. I think routine is super, super helpful to find some time to read your scriptures, even though when your life was so hectic, but find some time. It's on your phone too. So you really don't have excuses because you have it on your phone, you have it in hard copy, you know, it's it's there, you know, you just have to want it. But my relationship now, I I would say it's super strong. I I feel very, very connected to him and just to everything. I I couldn't imagine not being connected. So I I think it's my my relationship is pretty strong.

SPEAKER_00 22:35

Um, I have a question uh that I'd like to ask you. What advice would you give to the youth in our area about how to interact with their friends of other that have grown up in other churches? How can they let their light of Christ shine? And from both perspectives, what is the best way for them to invite others to come onto Christ?

SPEAKER_04 22:55

I would say if you know they're a different religion, don't argue. I feel like when two religions are talked about, they argue about it a lot. Like a lot. Like uh it's just definitely don't push a religion down because I mean you don't really understand their religion that well. But I would say to just introduce it slowly. I mean, it's not really a topic of conversation now in teenagers. You don't really go up to someone and be like, hey, like, are you LDS? You know, what religion are you? But if I would say just, you know, embrace it. Don't don't be shy of saying um certain things or or you know mentioning the prophets or any of that. But you know, if they see that they're just in denial or just getting very like passive aggressive with you, to just let it go, you know, it's just not for them. But if they seem open to it, definitely like roll into it slowly. Don't, you know, tell them that ours is the only true trick. You know, don't bomb them with so many things because that just it gets scary when you learn something new. It's it's so foreign to you, you just don't know. And you have to introduce it slowly. But if there's a lot of people that just are like, no, like I don't want to listen to you and yeah, and just let it go. You know, there's more people you can talk about it with. And that person, you know, they have their own routine, you know, a heavenly father has a plan for them, and they will find it if they need it or you know, if they want it. But if someone feels open to it, definitely go with it slowly, don't throw everything at them because it does get overwhelming. Because I remember uh I felt like a lot of stuff was being thrown to me and I didn't I didn't know how to take it all in. I was like, whoa, this is so much information, I don't know what to do. Um, but yeah, go slow and steady for sure. Um, don't don't be hesitant to talk about it either. Sometimes show it through your actions and through your words and just how you are as a person. Let it show for sure.

SPEAKER_00 24:55

Thank you. That's a great reminder that um everybody is a child of our Heavenly Father, and we need to treat them as such, no matter which church they sit in on Sunday. So thank you. As we listen to your story and you talked about your conversion, I know that you came at it from being converted from the Catholic Church to the LDS church, but I don't know that your um your experience is far different than what everybody needs to have their own conversion story. Can you give some advice to our teenagers today to help them? What would you tell them they can do to build their own testimony and have their own conversion story?

SPEAKER_04 25:30

I would tell them to have some um very good friends. I would say your community is so important and you, you know, you have to want it for sure. And then also just the people you surround with really does impact your decision and what you want to do. For sure. Having a close community, good friends, good examples, that really will determine, you know, if you really want to go into this and if you want to follow, you know, to have a conversion story. Definitely get with people that are wanting to help you, wanting to guide you, and are just positive all around. And just be around people that are very positive and uplifting and that are have good interests that have good intentions towards you for sure.

SPEAKER_02 26:22

I'm sure you had to come overcome some challenges to to to get on the government path, right? Or however you want to say it. Sorry, I need to get closer to the mic. So what what what were some of your uh biggest challenges and how how was it how did you get how did you get overcome? To converting or just in life, yeah.

SPEAKER_04 26:43

To converting, one of my biggest challenges was my family. It felt like I the Catholic Church is very connected with your culture, and I felt like I was getting that stripped away from me. I was like, I feel like I'm letting go of who I am, my identity, my culture, and all of that. And that just really hurt. I was like, I don't know. I don't want to let this go. You know, this is this is who I am. That was really one of the hardest challenges. Then I I started talking to um Nathan's parents, and I was like, this is you know, I feel like I have to let all this go. Like, no, like you can still do all that. Like, there's those traditions that you have. It I realized that it's it's part of my my culture, not my faith. But with those traditions that I thought of. But that was for sure my hardest challenge was feeling like I I had my culture stripped away from me. But it it really wasn't. I s I still participate in in some things and you know it's not associated with the Catholic Church, I've realized. And it's just to keep your culture alive and and thriving. But that was really hard. That was one of my biggest challenges is feeling that way of like I have to let that go. But I really didn't. I I did not have to let that go at all.

SPEAKER_02 27:54

One more for you, and then and then well, there's two. I want to ask you two more questions. I want to know what your favorite price like attribute is and and why.

SPEAKER_04 28:03

Um I did write this down, so I need to remember this. Oh, um, forgiveness and love and compassion are my favorite ice like attribute. Um, definitely forgiveness. There's a lot of people that just really hurt you in this life, and you just feel like you don't want to forgive them, and you're just like, no, like I I never want to talk to you again, I never want to see you again, I never want to be associated with you or anything. But you you have to think of it as like Heavenly Father wouldn't do that to them, so why why would you do that to them, you know? You have to forgive. And you might not necessarily forget because there's a lot of you forgive and you forget, you know, but because some people really don't forget. But you can forgive, you can forgive, and just find peace within yourself. I really I really just like that Christ-like attribute because Heavenly Father forgives us, you know, we we have repentance and we're we're forgiven. We know we're forgiven of our mistakes, you know, once once we repent. I really like that attribute is is forgiveness and then love and compassion. I there's so much hatred in this world, and it's really sad. And I just think you should love everyone, love thy neighbor is like one of our commandments, you know. Like you you have to love everyone and you you have to be compassionate towards everyone, you know. That's why I wanted to go into healthcare, because I just have so much love and I I wanna I'm so compassionate. And, you know, I think those attributes, I mean, it's what it's what God is. He is love. And if you can't give that to someone, well then you gotta figure that out. You know, you have to you have to love your neighbor, you have to love your friends, your family, your cat, your dog, everyone. I just don't, I hate hatred. I hate the word hate. I think those attributes, love, compassion, and forgiveness. I love those attributes about our Heavenly Father because I know He He has those for us, so we should give them to other people too. Be compassionate, have love and have forgiveness. Forgiveness is definitely the hardest one because there's so many people that really do hurt to your feelings, and you just get really shut down by people, especially in high school. A lot of people, there's so much drama, there's so much just boys and girlfriends, boyfriends, friends, friendships, all of it. You know, they they stab you in the back or they're talking about you or this and that, you know. Just just forgive them because Heavenly Father forgives them. So you should too. And trust me, there's more to life than high school. There you're gonna flourish, you know, your your garden's gonna be big, it's it's gonna be good. But yeah, I love those attributes about our Heavenly Father.

SPEAKER_02 30:40

My next question is you're such a I don't know, you're you're bubbling. I mean you're you're kind of contagious to be around. You you really are. But but I want to know ha has the gospel brought you a different level of joy in your life? And and have you have you have you felt that?

SPEAKER_04 30:55

Yes.

SPEAKER_02 30:56

Kind of a hard question.

SPEAKER_04 30:58

No, yeah. Um, the gospel has brought so many, so much emotions that I didn't even know I had. I was like, wow, I'm feeling it's like I don't even oh my goodness, it's so hard to put into words. When I have it like when I have the Book of Mormon in my hands or Doctrine and Covenants or anything, I'm like, this book holds so much emotions, and it's right in front of me. Like, this is so crazy. You feel so much joy and even sadness, you know, reading some of the stories, you just feel like, oh my goodness, that's a really sad story. But there's also uh such a positive outcome with with them. And I just just brought so much joy, and I see how much joy it brings to everyone else too. Like, I don't know what it is, but like you just know when someone's LDS, they're just so kind and and so like you know, just loving and and welcoming and all that. But yeah, the the scriptures and everything in the gospel has brought so much joy, and I and I wouldn't think that. I was like, there's no way that this can bring that much joy or that you guys are getting this much joy from this. There's no way. And I remember reading it and I was like, oh my gosh, everyone's right and I'm wrong. I was like, I'm wrong, I hate being wrong. But it brings up so much joy if you let it in. If you don't fight from it, if you're like, no, like like when you pray about something, you you have to accept what Heavenly Father wants for you. Oh, if you're gonna pray about something and he gives you an answer and you don't want to do it, then what like you're just playing games there. Like you need to you have to accept what he has offered you and what he has given you, even if it's not what you want, you will at the end you'll you'll be fulfilled. He has a plan. He has a plan, you know. You just have to be willing to follow it and the joy will come with it for sure.

SPEAKER_02 32:40

Good. That was that was awesome. I loved it, I loved it all.

SPEAKER_04 32:43

That was beautiful.

SPEAKER_02 32:44

It was it was you you kind of have the whole time through, but if you just take a second and and and bear your testimony now, if you feel comfortable doing that. If you don't, that's fine. You can tell us no at any point. But yeah, I would I would love to hear your your test.

SPEAKER_04 32:59

And like, what else about a second? Like, um, well, I haven't really gone up the stands and beared my testimony because I'm just so shy. But I would say just be an example of what it is to like follow his plan and to be a member. Do do the right thing. Everything if you do the right thing, everything will follow. Like every good thing would follow. And I know now it's so hard with society now because the standards are just so different for everyone. I remember thinking, like, there's so many rules in this church, like my goodness, there's a lot of rules, but they're they're good rules. Like it's not it it won't destroy anything. I or you know, when the missionaries were teaching me something, they was a word of wisdom when they were teaching me the word of wisdom. They're like, think of it like as cats, and I was like, I love cats. And they're like, What why are they associating this with cats? And they're like, no, no, cats, two teas. And I was like, what? And they're like, yeah, like no, no coffee, no alcohol, no tea, no tobacco, no silly drugs or substances, as they would say. And I remember thinking of that, and I was like, okay, nowadays the youth you're surrounded by so much of that, and you just you feel like the peer pressure of it all. And just remember that, like you just have you just to sum it up, just don't do it. As much as the peer pressure is there, just don't do it. Just be an example of what it is to be Christ-like and to to be associated with the church. Set a good example for the youth, because now there's the youth are seeing so many other examples that they just don't know who to follow anymore. And just be be that good example, be that one person that just sticks out, and you're just like, wow, I want to be like her, or like I want to be like him. But yeah, just just be the example of what it is to to follow his plan, his path, and you'll it'll be good. It'll be good in the end.

SPEAKER_00 34:50

We're all gonna be happy and be up there with him. So you have reminded me that this really is a gospel of joy. I I feel that from you. And um, to the young people that are listening to this podcast, I I wish that you could, I hope that it's eventually your your path will cross with Annahi, because she really is a living her testimony of being that example and shining her light. I think Frank and I both have have uh felt that today, that we we feel uplifted just being here and listening and and visiting with her and hearing her story. Um and I I do, I I guess I'll echo your testimony that the example that we set is so important. And for some people, that will be the only testimony that they ever hear from us. That's that is the testimony that we are living is the example that we set and the attitude that we have and the happiness that we can spread to others.

SPEAKER_02 35:38

Yeah. Thank thank you so much. I feel like this you're you're one of the reasons why we started this podcast so we can share your message with the youth of of this area. So so thank you for for be willing to share. I I guarantee you somebody out there needed to hear your message. So thank you.

SPEAKER_04 35:54

Thanks for having me. This is really fun.

SPEAKER_02 35:57

It is kind of fun.

SPEAKER_04 35:59

I really like this.

SPEAKER_02 36:00

Um if you don't mind, uh I'll I'll close with a prayer and and uh we'll we'll be done. I hope you enjoy your uh the rest of your Sunday afternoon. Dear Heavenly Father, we're very thankful for for Anna He and her willingness to share her testimony and her story uh with the youth of this this this area. We're so thankful for her example and ask for a blessing or she will be able to continue to grow in the in the gospel, that she'll be continue to uh continue to be a light to her roommates, her teammates, and and the people that she's around. Bless her that she will be able to uh to continue on and and uh accomplish all that she wants to accomplish. We're actually still thankful for her example, we're still thankful for your example.