An Attitude of Gratitude

November 25
Babies!! My cousin blessed his little baby today and it's such a miracle that babies arrive the way they do and that those little tiny people grow into adults! I love the joy children bring to life and I'm grateful that if I can't have any kids of my own at this time in my life, at least there are people around me who do, and I can feel of the special spirit that comes with them. Talmage. You're my favorite.

November 26
Missionaries! We went to temple square tonight to see the lights for FHE and of course saw all the sister missionaries. There was even a group from the Philippines doing a special Christmas musical number and I couldn't help but think of my sister out there as a missionary. Hurray for missionaries and their sacrifice and dedication to the Lord and his work.

November 27
Options. I am grateful I live in a country where I have options. If one thing doesn't work it's not the end of the world (even if I feel like it is in the moment) and I have other options I can go to to get what I need.

November 28
The Priesthood. I am so grateful for God's priesthood restored on the earth and for worthy men in my life who can use that to bless me. I am also grateful for their willingness to use that, no matter the time of day.

November 29
Life's lessons. I'm grateful for the life lessons I've learned first hand and the lessons other people have learned and shared so I don't have to experience them first hand.

November 30
The gospel of Jesus Christ. It gives me direction and purpose in life. Helps me to keep going even through the hard times.

So much to be thankful for

November 18
My parents!! Today is their 29th wedding anniversary and I'm so grateful for them and all they've done for me in my life. I'm grateful they have worked through the hard times and given me a good example of how marriage can work. :)

November 19
Optimism. I really am grateful for optimism and optimistic people. As I sat tonight doing a service project at FHE with a few people on the cynical side, I was grateful for all the people in my life who will try and look on the bright side instead of seeing and commenting on all the bad things. I understand realism and knowing that the world isn't sunshine and roses all the time, but it really does make like easier and better to try and find the positive in a world that sometimes feels like it's filled with darkness and thorns.

November 20
Modern Medicine. When you feel crappy like I did today, it's nice to take some medicine and feel better. I'm a fan of somewhat instant pain relief. People who like to just endure it are crazy in my book.

November 21
Great people in my ward and their willingness to serve. Tim and Alex get the shout out on this one for lifting the giant motorcycle engine out of my trunk into Hollie's car for me. Pretty sure that one wouldn't have happened without them.

November 22
Thanksgiving. It's my favorite holiday and I really do have so much to be thankful for.
November 23
The gospel! I grateful for the Plan of Salvation. I know why I'm here and where I'm going and that I can be with my family forever!

November 24
My patient mother who is a wonderful example of love and service.

Let's be thankful some more

November 11
I've really been trying to not pick a person, outside of family, specifically by name to be grateful for, but I just can't help myself today. My old home teacher Kory is in town visiting and at church today he gave me the hug I've been waiting for, for a month! He really just made my whole day and reminded me that sometimes you just have to wait through the bad times to get to what you really want and God knows the little desires of your heart. Prayers are eventually answered.

November 12
I'm grateful for the opportunity I had to serve a mission. I had the opportunity to volunteer with the Sub for Santa program tonight, for the Spanish speakers. I just LOVE Spanish! Aside from the Spanish, the mission was just a great opportunity to serve, share the gospel, strengthen my own testimony and build lasting friendships. Hurray for missions!

November 13
Technology. It may bring with it many evils, but it has astounding good. I'm grateful for the ease it creates in keeping in touch with people and making our lives easier.

November 14
Visiting Teaching. I'm grateful for this program within the Relief Society to make sure that every sister has someone checking up on them. It's another boost to the testimony and a great opportunity to make new friends.

November 15
Talents! I'm grateful for the talents I have been given and for the talents of other people. It makes life more interesting and sometimes much easier. :)

November 16
Little miracles. I'm grateful for the little miracles that a lot of times we don't even notice. Like tonight when my computer wasn't working and then I just did something that I didn't think would fix it, but it did. God is good.

November 17
Fabric. It's the little things in life that make it worth living. ;) But really, it makes me really really happy.

Thankful x's 2

November 4
I was struggling to think of something to be grateful for today. Not that I don't have things, but I didn't have anything that really stuck out that I was particularly grateful for, until I just checked my email, because you know it's Monday in the Philippines and that means it's p-day for my sister. To my great surprise and delight there was an email, but it was short and said to be continued at the bottom so I looked at when it was sent and it was only 21 minutes ago! Do you know what that means!? That means she's on right now so I can email her and it's like instant messenger, only not so instant, but we can have a sort of normal conversation through sending emails back and forth. I did that with my dad on my mission. BUT back to my grateful thing for the day. I'm grateful for my SISTER!!! I just love her. She can always make me laugh and make a sour situation great. She is strong and determined and full of life and love and energy. I love the inside jokes we have and how when we both get laughing it can go on and on and we're both crying and can hardly breathe. THAT is a good time. Who knew that my mom was right, when I was 15 and my sister was 9 and I didn't want her to tag along with me and my friends and I just didn't really want a sister, and my mom said, someday you'll change your mind and she'll be one of your best friends. True statement. Mom is smart. I miss her like crazy with her being on the mission and sometimes I go to text her to ask her something or tell her something funny only to remember she's in a different country and won't be able to respond, but I'm so proud of her for going on a mission and being an example to my family. She's a gem and I'm glad if I only have one sister that she's it.

November 5
Tonight I went to FHE. It's not my most favorite thing, but I try to be supportive of people in the ward and their callings.  As I sat there listening to everyone discuss a conference talk, I was very grateful for their insights and testimonies on the gospel. I am surrounded by really good people who help strengthen me and help me see things in new, different and sometimes better ways. I'm grateful for the gospel and the common ground it gives us to connect and help each other grow, so maybe this counts as two things, but I can play by my own rules and I say it's okay.

November 6
My body. I am really grateful for a healthy body. It is amazing all the things my body can do and how it just keeps going even when I put it through awful things, like not sleeping enough, eating junk and running 26.2 miles. It is a miraculous machine and I'm grateful for the health I have and the ability I have to run. Running just clears my mind and makes me feel better about things. Yeah for a body! and yeah for running!

November 7
My job. Not only that I have one, but that I have one that I like. I know a lot of people who can't say they have both of those things. I'm grateful to work with nice people and feel like a productive person at the end of the day. I'm grateful I have a paycheck. Although it may not be the biggest one, it pays the rent and buys me food. Hurray for having a job in this less than ideal economy of ours!

November 8
Nature! God is the ultimate artist. The sunset tonight as I was going into the temple was AMAZING. The changing leaves on the trees were stunning and I am always amazed by the beauty in the mountains and really all around me. To add to this on the 9th, the BEAUTIFUL SNOW!

November 9
A place to live. As it snowed and snowed today, I am very grateful that I have a warm house to go home to. A house that keeps out the elements and keeps me safe.

November 10
My family. I've always loved my family. I of course went through the teenage years of not liking them very much and not getting along with my mom at all, but it seems growing up fixes that. At least for me. College opened a whole new world of what my family means to me. I love to be able to call up my mom and dad to just chat. Or to ask a question and get their opinions. I love to go home for a visit and just hang out with them. Family really is where it's at.

I am not political

I am not a political type person. I don't get super wrapped up in the comings and goings of anything political. I would rather do almost anything else than have a political conversation. I really think it brings out the worst in people. Everyone is entitled to their opinion and I respect that. What I don't respect is you trying to convince me that your way is the only "right" way. It goes for both parties. Have an opinion! But don't cram it down my throat.
That being said I did try and watch the debates and be a bit informed on the issues this year. I voted. Sure I don't live in a swing state and my vote probably "doesn't make a difference". BUT I am an American, I have the freedom to vote, and so I did. Did things turn out the way I would have liked? No. Will my world end? No. Will the world in general end? not likely (although there is that Mayan calendar thing . . .)
The future may look bleak and uncertain to some, but there is one thing of which I am sure.

God is still there for us and watching out for us and as long as we stay close to Him, we'll be okay.

It's that time again

It's November, a time to remember all that we are grateful for. Instead of annoying all my facebook friends every day in November, I choose to do a weekly blog post of all I'm thankful for each day.

November 1
Music. I love it. It can change a bad day to good and cheer you up just like that. I'll just lump Josh Groban into this thing that I'm grateful for. I'm really grateful for him. My life is better because he's in it. :) So music in general and Josh Groban specifically.

November 2
Friends. Throughout my life, I have been blessed with amazing friends. Really quality people who lift me up and keep me going. They support me and love me through the good times and the bad. They make me laugh and listen to me cry. I'm not sure what I have ever done to deserve such great people but I am truly grateful for their examples and friendship. I'd name them, but I'm sure I'd forget someone and then they'd feel bad and I'd feel bad and who wants a bunch of girls feeling bad? No one, that's who.  So you know who you are and I LOVE YOU!

November 3
The temple. I am grateful for God's house here on earth and the peace, direction, and strength I can find there. I'm grateful that I live close to temples. I'm grateful for the blessings that come from being worthy to hold a temple recommend. I went to the temple this morning with a friend and as we were coming out, I saw an old roommate who was going in to receive her own endowment. How happy!!! What a blessing for her and her family. I'm so proud of her for working to achieve that goal and I'm excited for her to enjoy the blessings of the temple as well. 

Masquerade!

Any excuse to dress up and dance around.