Most Likely To ...

Two blog posts in one day? It's a miracle!

How can I not add this bit of great news to my blog history?

Laney was recently chosen Most Likely To ...

SUCCEED

by her peers at Waynesville High School! Hurray!

What a great honor to be recognized by her peers in such a way! Waynesville High School's class of 2013 is a top notch class. There are 13 valedictorians this year. There is a lot of talent among the ranks.

A few weeks ago Laney told me that she was among the finalists for Most Likely to Succeed. The other possibilities were excellent kids, and although I think that Laney is amazingly awesome in every way, I didn't expect her to win the final vote.

But she did!

Reasons why I think that they are right that Laney is likely to succeed in her future life:

1. Laney has some good business sense.

How many 18 year-old seniors do you know who own their own rental properties? Not a lot. Laney is good with her money, recognizes the value of it, and makes plans for how to make good investments with what she has. That is way more than I could say about myself at that age. If this business sense continues, she will have a solid foundation for her financial future.

2. Laney is hard working.

If there is a job to do, Laney will find a way to do it!

3. Laney is motivated to do her best in everything.

When working on her assignments for church or school Laney always goes above and beyond in her performance. She does all that is asked of her with a bit of pizzazz added on. In a world where too many are content to do only the minimum of what is required, Laney should be able to find success as a person who does even more.

4. Laney is constantly seeking to do the Lord's will in her life.

Life is hard. Isn't it a bit easier to manage if we are trying to figure out what the Lord would have us do? That way, even if things are hard, we can at least know that we are on the right path and will be blessed in the end. Laney is definitely a girl who makes sure that she is on the right path before she heads down it.

5. Laney is genuinely kind to all around her.

If there is ever a special-needs person who needs encouragement or assistance, Laney is always a good person to turn to. She can be kind to everyone, even those who others find difficult to treat kindly. I was always impressed with how Laney interacts with children with autistic tendencies or my mom who can often wax on poetically about complete nonsense when she is in a bi-polar swing. This ability will serve her well in her future.

6. Laney is humble.

Laney is super excited to know that her peers think of her as likely to succeed, but she isn't one to talk about it much. She is a good, humble girl who accepts the kind words of others but doesn't let it go to her head. Humility is rare in the world these days. People are either convinced of their awesomeness or they are convinced of their nothingness. Humility requires a delicate balance, recognizing your talents and gifts, but acknowledging that they are gifts and blessings from God. Laney can do this.

7. Laney is awesome.

Kind, sweet, intelligent, hard-working, motivated. All of these qualities will serve Laney well as she heads to BYU-Idaho in the fall, a mission in the winter, and all of life afterwards. I can't wait to see where life takes my sweet girl in the future.