I've Got So Much To Be Thankful For

It has been longer than I would like since I posted last. Here are some updates from the past month.

My girl is one and a half! She brings so much joy and happiness to my life. I love how sassy and fun and snuggly and loving she is all of the time. I love knowing that when I am done with school on my days off she will be ready to have some fun.

My family (the whole family!) had a fair day. We didn't have any of the food, but we did all of the other essentials such as riding the ferris wheel, seeing a dog show, going to the petting zoo, and having fun spending time together. 

It never really slowed down at work this summer. We stay busy, and there is always fun to be had. For Halloween we were inside out characters. No one knew who we were, but I think we nailed it. 

Also, one day Christine and I went down to accept a donation. Guess who was donating stuff with her family? Kennedy! It was the best surprise!!

My family also got to go to the pumpkin patch. It had a very bumpy (as in driving over mountains bumpy) start, but we got some good pictures of Ryan and me! I feel like I have to take as many pictures as possible with this kid before he leaves me for two years! I am going to miss my buddy, but let's not think about that anymore until the time comes.

                        

Lately I have really missed seeing the mountains every day, so during General Conference I worked on this. I put it on my desk at work, and every time I see it I have to smile. I bought a good set of painstiks, which for those of you who don't know are like sticks of oil paint (basically finger paints for grown-ups). I want to do a big picture of the Utah arches with the mountains in the background. Then I will get the beautiful reds and blues. It will be the best of both worlds if I ever invest in some more illustration board.

I've have gotten to do a lot of really fun things lately. For instance, I went to the "midnight" premier of Mockingjay Part II with Christine. I went to Chi Omega Market with Mrs. Lisa and Momma, and I had half a day with Ashley where we went out to lunch and then saw a movie. I got this wreath at Chi Omega. I decorate my bedroom each year for Christmas. I have two Christmas trees with cute ornaments, a stocking, twinkle lights, two nativities, and probably something else that I am currently forgetting. The wreath on my door completes everything perfectly, and I just think it is gorgeous.

Along with all of the other fun things that I mentioned, I got to go to my first camp for work. I went to the TLC family camp which is the camp for kids with Spina Bifida from ages newborn to 8. I saw the smallest wheelchairs but the happiest faces. I had so much fun in the middle of nowhere with all of the snakes, bugs, and deer. I met new people, ate s'mores, and did a lot of arts and crafts with the kids! I loved every minute of it, and I am so glad I got to be a part of it.

Living Proof

Sometimes you just need a time out. Now, I'm not talking about putting a kid in the corner, although I was put in the corner of our office at work. I am talking about a break. There is a lot of drama in life. It comes from work, home, and friends as well as the inner struggle you have with yourself every single day. I have come to accept that there is no better place for a time out than that of General Conference or Time Out for Women. Good thing we have the latter once a year in Texas because it came at the most opportune time. It is when a rather large group of women gather together to laugh, listen to uplifting music, and hear wonderful speakers. Speakers such as Hank Smith, Brad Wilcox, Meg Johnson, Mary Cook, and Lisa Valentine Clark did not disappoint this year. Yes, I got to hear a beloved former teacher, a member of the Young Women General Presidency, the sister of a Project Runway designer (for 2 seasons), and so many other wonderful people speak this weekend. It was just what I needed.

 I am not going to bore you with all that I learned because let's face it, what connected with me may not connect with you. We are all going through different stuff (there's a lot to go through). I will say, seeing Brother Smith and getting to talk to him made my week. I look up to him. I admire that he is so happy and makes people laugh and is willing to talk and lift you up when you need it most. He did that for me my freshman year of college when I was missing home and barely making it through my first real winter. Today he showed genuine interest in what I was doing with my life and told me I had grown up and looked beautiful. At a time when I don't usually feel beautiful and feel inadequate in most that I do, it was really nice to see a familiar, smiling face and hear the person that I admire so much tell me I looked beautiful. The best part was, I felt beautiful. I could feel the sparkle. The sparkle that has seemed to dull lately--as my clothes get tighter, school gets harder, and the stress of work and the other aspects of my life that aren't quite the way I would like them to be--was shining bright (like a diamond!).

At a time when people laugh about Pinterest fails, trying to be perfect, and so much more that women struggle with I thought about being at home. I may not have been able to make a bunch of friends or learned to enjoy the single's ward or go back to BYU, but I have learned how to cook quite well, I have a puppy that I absolutely adore, and I have been able to do a lot of things I probably wouldn't have been able to in Utah. So, I may not know why I am supposed to be here, but I know I am. And to all the people who have been a positive influence in my life, Thank You. You are living proof to me that some angels physically walk beside us to love and help us on our individual journeys through this mortal life.

Sunday Funday

It's been a long time since I have done this, and I know exactly why. All of my insecurities about the single's ward have really made me question what I believe in. I know that sounds so silly, but it's true. Trying times, you know? For a while it was so hard for me to go to church. The feeling of not fitting in anywhere overwhelmed me to the point where I contemplated even just going to a park or sitting in my car for three hours so I could drive home and pretend everything was okay. The only thing that has truly kept me going to church is my testimony of the Gospel and my Savior, Jesus Christ.

On this beautiful Sunday, I would like to share my testimony. It may not matter to you, and you certainly don't have to read it. This is more for me. This is what matters to me, keeps me going, and what has helped shape me into the strong, beautiful woman I am today. It is a simple testimony, but it is all mine.

I have a testimony of my Savior, Jesus Christ. I know that He lives. I know He loves me, and I am so thankful for the Atonement which gives me a chance to live with Him once again. I am thankful that He was willing to go through all that pain for me. I know that He not only suffered for my sins but all of my infirmities as well. He has made all the difference in my life. I am thankful that He gave me the chance to repeatedly try again and pick myself back up when I fall. With Him I am never and will never be alone. With Him I am made whole.

I believe in the priesthood. I know of its divine power, and I am thankful for the boys in my life that are worthy to have the priesthood and act on the duties that come with it. I am thankful for priesthood ordinances which leads me to the temple. I am thankful for the temple. I know the ordinances performed in the temple for ourselves as well as our loved ones that have passed on were divine revelations to the prophets. I am thankful that I was able to go through the temple, and I know I will continue to learn from it as long as I remain worthy and continue to attend. I know those saving ordinances for the dead keep me close to loved ones on the other side whether I know them or not, and I know I have angels attending me at all times.

I am thankful for forever families. Knowing that no matter what happens on this earth, in the eternities I will be with my family forever brings me a kind of comfort that I cannot fully explain. I will never have to worry whether or not I will see my family again. I know I will. I know that if we keep the commandments, we will be able to pass through the veil and live through the eternities together. Forever.

I know there is a living prophet on the earth today. I know he and his apostles are called of God, and I know they lead the church by revelation from our Heavenly Father. I know they devote their lives including their times and talents to the church by serving others and making sure we are always on the path that leads back to our Heavenly Father, and I am so thankful to them for that.

I know the Church is true. I know that Joseph Smith, even though just a young boy was a prophet of God. I know that with the help of Heavenly Father, he restored the true church on the earth. I know that even though I have a hard time at the single's ward and I am sarcastic about it a lot that it is still the only completely true church today. I know the difference it makes in my life. People of the church truly are happier because we believe in service, love, and we have the Gospel in our lives.

I have a testimony of the Book of Mormon. Ever since reading it when I was little, I have felt that it is true. I don't think that I had a testimony that was completely mine until my second year of college when I studied it on my own and prayed about it, and just like Moroni promised in the end, I felt with a surety that it was true. No uneducated farm boy could write that on his own. The translation of that book was divinely inspired, and I know that those events really happened, those people really lived, and that book is really really true. If you read it, actually read it, and pray about it, I promise you that you will feel the same way.

I have a testimony in the power of prayer. Prayer is what brings you and your Heavenly Father closer to one another. He hears, and He answers your prayers. I know that sometimes it takes a while or the answer is not one you want, but an answer always comes.

I have a testimony that I am a child of God.  I am His daughter. He loves me. He knows me by name. He knows everything I am going through at any given time, and He waits for me to call for His aid when I need help. He knows who I am, but most importantly, He knows who I can become. I know He smiles when He thinks of what He has in store for me, and I cannot wait to see. I am thankful for all of the blessings He has bestowed on me. I am thankful for all of the talents He has given me. I am thankful for the life I live as well as the life that is to come, and I hope I can live up to my full potential.

I know these things are true with all my heart. I will continue to learn, grow, and build my testimony, but I am thankful that I have this foundation to build upon. So much is in store for me and for all of us. There are so many promises waiting to be fulfilled based on our faithfulness.

That's my testimony. Like I said, it is a small one, but here are a few quotes from prophets and apostles of the church who have testimonies far greater than mine.