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 :)