It's the simple things in life...

I have to tell you, I've been a little humbled lately. Living in a hotel because your apt doesn't have hot water or heat, and having your car heater braking down around the same time, does something to a person. Especially during the time of the year in Rexburg when the HIGH doesn't get in the double digits. There's something about coming home and not being able to take your coat off because it's so cold in your apt. Then, turing on the water and having ice cold water run over your already frost bitten hands. And finally, getting in your car and having cold air blowing you in the face.
I have to say, I'm SO grateful for heat!!!! We really are spoiled in this day and age and I really am grateful for the modern convienences that we do have! Because when they fail us, life just isn't quite as comfortable and enjoying as we like!
THANK YOU INVENTOR OF HEAT!!!!

Friends, hot chocolate, and the temple :)

So, last night my roommate said something that really offended me. I was really upset about the fact that she would say something like she did and was pretty much ready to curl up in a ball on my bed and mope for the rest of the night. But instead I decided I needed to get out of the house. I finished up the dishes (from 2 days, that didn't help my mood) and left the apartment without another word. I didn't really know where I was going. I hadn't decided if I wanted to talk to someone or just walk alone. I finally decided to go see Jared (one of my good friends here in Rexburg) I texted him to make sure he was home and then we went to the park! We sat on the swing for a little while and didn't really say much, then a girl I knew walked past and we talked for a few minutes, and by that point my butt hurt from the swings and it was cold, so Jared and I started walking again. I still hadn't figured out what I wanted to say and it probably took another 5 minutes before I was finally able to talk about why I was so upset. Anyway so we started talking about it and then went and got some hot chocolate and decided to go to the temple grounds to help me calm down a little bit more :) It was very nice! I'm grateful he took the time to calm down and make me feel better. I'm so grateful to have people to go talk to when I get upset. I'm also grateful for the spirit that can be felt in the presence of the temple! It's such a blessing to live so close to one! Anyway, since it's been forever since I've posted on here I decided I would share how grateful I am for friends, they are so wonderful :)

Power of prayer

All my life revolves around is: Psychology, Counseling, Topics in music, algebra and composition english. But, I did have something exciting happen today! I had psychology midterm (which I think I did OK on, but nothing too spectacular) and so I studied my butt off for that instead of Topics in Music test. Anyway, I took a test in my Topics In Music class on Thursday and was for sure that I was going to bomb it because I studied for maybe maybe Five minutes...if that. I somehow pulled a B out of it. =] Awww- the power of prayer

The example of others!

I don't know why, but I just have to share what's on my mind right now. I figured that this should go in the grateful blog because I really am SO grateful!! Plus, I'm really bad at writing on here!
So, I work with two boys who are bed bound. They can't move except for some facial expressions, and minimal movement in their fingers and toes. Because of this, they are completely dependent on others for EVERYTHING!!! If there eyebrow itches, they can't scratch it. The other day, one of them wrote a note to all of his friends on facebook. He has to use the keyboard that you can bring up on your computer screen to type. It took him three hours! But I'm so grateful for the precious time he took to write it. He talked about his life and different things. He never once complained! He said his life has been hard, but no complaining at all! One part that really stood out to me is when he said, "I know that God has a plan for me."
I'm so grateful that he knows that!! I've had conversations with him before, and he has told me how sometimes he wished he could do things that everyone else can do such as walk, run, and jump. He has also said that he knows that someday he will be able to do those things.
Isn't the Atonement amazing!!!! Because of the ressurection, this sweet boy will one day know what it's like to run, and move, and even be able to give someone a hug! This made me think of the things that I want in my life. He made me realize that even if I don't receive all the blessings that I "want" in this life, I am PROMISED them in the next. The Lord has given all of us the same blessings, but he never said when those blessings will come, and each of us will receive them at different times and in different ways. I hope that all of you know as this boy knows that God has a plan for you. And whatever that plan may be, the Lord will help each of us through that plan as long as we are willing to do His will.

It all works out...

It has been way too long since I have posted on here, and I'm sort of having a rough night, sooo here I go!
I have realized how blessed I am in my life. I have the gospel, I have family and friends who love me, I have the opportunity to attend the Lord's university to study, learn and grow. It's not only a secular knowledge but a spiritual knowledge as well. I love being here at BYU-Idaho. I also look forward to the new adventures I will be taking after this semester ends. The Lord has blessed me so much. I have been unsuccessful in finding a job, but as I start this semester it may be a blessing in disguise. My classes are going to be time demanding and fairly difficult. I have faith in the Lord that He will deliver me and help me through each of my days, so long as I rely on Him and keep Him first in my life. I'm grateful for the knowledge I have of the true gospel and I know that no matter how down or frustrated I get, He loves me and I know things will work out in the end.

9-11

I was in 5th grade and didn't find out until I got home. The school kept it from us because they thought it would scare us. As if we didn't find out about it later on that day anyway........

I am grateful for this country that I live in; and for all of those men and women who have sacrificed thier lives for us.

thankful for blogs...

I am thankful for blogs and that they can keep people far away in touch. It has been kind of hard for me to go from seeing my niece almost every day to not seeing her for the last two weeks; as I've been away at school....I'm grateful my sister updates it so I can see pictures of the little cutie pie!! =]

Friends!!!

So this last Sunday I went to the singles ward in Champaign and after returning home dad told me that brother Newman had asked him to ask me to speak on the following Sunday and I could choose any topic. Last night brother Newman called to confirm that I would be speaking, told me 10-15mins and also said that he would like me to talk about something from school and relate it to the gospel...ummm ok! (By this point I had made a tentative decision on my topic, so I was like for real! haha) Anyway I have decided to talk about friends, why we need them and how they can help us in our life (tied in with unity and the importance of it).
This is Ryan and Marianne. They are two of the most amazing people I have met! Sure they look normal but these are my friends here in Illinois. Had I not attended the singles ward I would still be lonely and bored and would be counting down the days until going back to school! But now I don't want to leave and it's coming way too fast. They have made my summer memorable and happy. It's the best summer that I remember ever having! They have been a HUGE blessing in my life and I'm very grateful for them being here for me!

This is Katie and Pama! They have been my friends for years on end and have and will always be there for me. Our friendship is forever and no matter what the problem or what the stress load they are able to help me get rid of some of that stress so that I can continue with my homework, work, or whatever frustrating situation it may be! They have been awesome awesome friends and I miss them soo much! Words cannot describe the relationships I have with them :)





This is Ako, Erin and Tandy. Not really the best picture, but it works! Erin and Tandy were my roommates for my first two semesters. They were awesome (Ako is awesome too, but I don't know her as well, she's going on a mission soon, I'll miss her, but she'll do GREAT!) Erin was alway there to lend an ear or to make me laugh. We shared a room and I'm glad she was my first roommate! She's awesome!! Tandy is absolutely crazy and wonderful! She was always there to make things fun, put a smile on my face or to scare the crud out of me! haha. She's been a great friend to me and I miss her soo much!

These people I have talked about have had such a huge impact on my life throughout the years. Some are very recent, others I've known since I was 12, some I've known for a year. No matter how long they have been around they have helped me in someway or another! They are awesome people and have a great future ahead of them! These are only a few of the friends who have helped me in the past, there are more and there is family. So long story short friends have and always will be very important to me, I am grateful for them and I love them soo much!

oops..I'm slacking!

Alright, so it's been awhile, probably too long! I'm still trying to stay positive although it's proving difficult lately..so here's what I'm thankful for!

I am so very grateful to belong to the only true church on the face of the Earth. I'm grateful for Joseph Smith and his sacrifices along with the sacrifices of his family that helped bring the restoration of the gospel to this earth. I love the gospel with all my heart. I'm grateful for the Book of Mormon and the comfort it can bring to us. I'm also grateful to be alive and to have the opportunity to live and prove myself worthy to live with our Heavenly Father again. I love Him and His way of showing us He loves us. I love that the gospel is so central on the family, and I'm glad that I can live with my family forever and ever! I love them so much, and I love my friends, both new and old, they make my life 100x better! They put smiles on my face even in the hardest of times! You guys are all awesome!

So there is my optimistic thankful post for now..Keep a smile on your face! God loves you and will carry you through everything if you will take the first few steps and exercise faith! Have a great week :D <3

Nauvoo

Nauvoo was just amazing! Within minutes of arriving in Nauvoo I recognized the spirit that was present throughout the area. People were cheerful, kind, willing to help. Everything seemed peaceful, and for the most part the weather cooperated. I was fortunate enough to be able to see the pageant. It was such a thought-provoking and remindful play! I felt as if I could actually imagine the pioneers draining and settling the land, building their homes, the temple, the gospel and each other. It's amazing how united the saints were in their purpose and in helping each other with all their problems and building each others faith. This visit to Nauvoo also helped me appreciate more fully the technology we have today. Our houses are built with insulation, heating and air conditioning. We don't need a summer kitchen to keep the heat out! We don't have to find ways to keep perishable foods cool, whether in a cellar or in the bottom of a well! Also, vehicles! From Nauvoo to Carthage it is roughly 30-40 miles. Now a days that is nothing, it's less than an hours drive! Then, it would have been days of traveling. Poor Emma, sending her husband to Carthage and asking if he would be returning only to be answered by silence. He was days away from her! Then, once there the only form of communication was letters! The postal service was unreliable, the time to get from one place to another was so much longer than it is today! We are so blessed with phones, email, texting, reliable postal serivce (for the most part)! It's so amazing everything we have. I love the spirit of Nauvoo, I love the feeling of sacrifice that is there. I join with President Hinckley in saying that EVERYONE should visit Nauvoo at least once in their lives. I'm grateful to live so close to have the opportunity to visit. I'm grateful for my own ancestors that sacrificed everything, including their lives, for the gospel of Jesus Christ. In summary of my experience: I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the true gospel and that Joseph Smith was a prophet sent by God to restore the fulness of the gospel to the Earth. Joseph truly saw Heavenly Father and His son Jesus Christ, and I know that there is a prophet on the Earth today who recieves revelation from our Heavenly Father. I'm grateful for the testimony I have and for my family and the experiences which we shared this last week :)

The good life!

Well, I guess it's my turn! I've been so busy with finals and everything that I didn't even realize that this was already up and running. Good job Adrianna!!! Way to be on the ball! Thank you for the posts! It's good to know that good things are happening all around us.
I am very grateful for a lot of things, and I know I can't possibly list them all here. First of all, I'm grateful that the Lord is looking out for me. About a month ago, I received a pretty bad head injury, and it has taken awhile to fully recover. I am SO grateful for all of the blessings I've seen in my life from that experience! I'm grateful for the people that took care of me at the hospital. I'm grateful that it wasn't any worse that it was! I'm grateful that somehow I've been able to pay for the overwhelming amount of Doctor and Denists bills I've received from this injury. Somehow everything haw worked out, and I'm so grateful that the Lord allows me these opportunities to more fully see his hand working in my life!
I'm also grateful that I only have two more finals left to take!!! YAY!! I'm grateful that I'll be able to spend time with my family this weekend! And, I have to say that I'm gratful that the semester is over so that I'll be able to see Adrianna soon! Wahoo!!!

Everything seems to fall into place...

I have been struggling a lot lately. When people, in general, struggle, I think we have a harder time seeing and knowing how richly we are blessed. I thought I would do my first post on this blog listing the things that I am grateful for.

Lately, I am V.E.R.Y grateful to my wonderful and loving grandmother. I wasn't sure how I was going to buy my laptop, fix my car and buy dorm room stuff. My grandma paid about $600 or so for my laptop, and than bought my dorm room stuff AND THAN BOUGHT ME A NEW CAR! I am grateful to get in my car and not have to worry about whether it will break down or not. I do not have to worry about how loud it is or how hot or cold it is outside. I can just get into my 2006 Kia Optima and go. It is great. I am grateful :)

I am grateful that my brother is serving a mission and serving the Lord.

I am grateful that my sister stayed worthy and got married in the temple. What an example and blessing she is to all those around her. I am also grateful that she is in the Relief Society Presidency.

I am grateful that my brother in law works so hard to provide for his family. I am grateful that he was sealed to my sister and my precious niece.

I am thankful for all the giggles that Bug gives. I love that kid :)

I am grateful for my mom and how much she has put up with these last few years. I am grateful for her sacrifices and everything she has given up, and everything she has done for me.

So, even though I am really struggling right now- I can find many, many things to be grateful for. :)

Blessings!

I am creating this blog to help me in my goal to become a more positive and optimistic person! I will post blogs at least once a week listing things I am thankful for and the blessings I have received! There will be NO bad news or complaining! If you feel so inclined you may leave comments of blessings you have received or something you are thankful for! So for my first post:

I am GRATEFUL for:

• My job
• My family
• Home
• The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
• Friends
• Air Conditioning
• Cars

My Wonderful Family :)