New Chapter, New Blog

Today I am grateful for my family; for my extended family; for my pioneer heritage; for modern convienences; for the chance to go to Brigham Young University; for the chance to live in the fulness of times; for the knowledge of the gospel and the perspective it brings; for the hope of meeting a charming young man who serves the Lord with all his might, mind and strength and who will take me to the temple and be sealed forever; for the hope of being reunited with my Heavenly Parents someday; and for the pushes that life gives us to make us move on and become better people.

Today I went with some of the Baroses to go and see 17 Miracles. I needed that reminder, of what my ancestors had sacrificed for the Lord and for all of their posterity, including me. Suddenly my life doesn't seem nearly so hard. It's true that I've been missing my family terribly, and until today had had very little to no success finding a suitable on-campus job to finance my education, but perspective can change everything. My family is sealed forever. I received two more emails back regarding possible jobs today. Things will work out, because I have a will and a prayer in my heart. 

Earlier today I had been struggling with what to do with this blog. I knew I wanted one to record my comings and goings and get it well established so that by the time I have kids, I'll already be in a routine of updates and pictures. Hopefully. We'll see if life really turns out anything like that. :) At first, I was toying around with cute phrases and song or movie references, but none of them fit what I had hoped for, and so I had thought I would put it out of my mind for a little while and try again later. Then, as I was brushing my teeth and thinking about how grateful I was for the running water, the clean towels, the beautiful house, the warm bed, and all those other commodities the pioneers sacrificed on their journey, it struck me. I would write a blog about my everyday stories, but make sure that it was through a grateful perspective. This way, I will remember to count my blessings everyday.


So, in accompaniment to this new chapter of my life, at BYU and beyond, here is a brand new blog.

[Gratitude is a Spirit-filled principle. It opens our minds to a universe permeated with the richness of a living God. Through it, we become spiritually aware of the wonder of the smallest things, which gladden our hearts with their messages of God’s love. This grateful awareness heightens our sensitivity to divine direction. When we communicategratitude, we can be filled with the Spirit and connected to those around us and the Lord. Gratitude inspires happiness and carries divine influence. “Live in thanksgiving daily,” said Amulek, “for the many mercies and blessings which he doth bestow upon you.”] - Bonnie D. Parkin, "Gratitude: A Path to Happiness", Liahona, May 2007