#ASaviorIsBorn

I am grateful for the willing sacrifice of our Savior, Jesus Christ. I can't imagine the pain he endured, but I am grateful that He didn't shirk.

Because of Him, we can have everlasting joy and true peace in our lives.

General Conference

I am grateful for General Conference. Since this past conference, I am really taking the time to study the talks. There is so much truth and guidance in each and everyone of those talks. While I was watching the General Women's Session with Annie, I felt like the speakers knew exactly what I have been feeling and they were talking just to me.

Pizza

I wasn't too grateful to work on Black Friday because it was just going to be my supervisor and me. However, I was grateful that Jennifer who heads our department ordered pizza for us. It helped me feel appreciated for working on a day that most people have off.

My Own Space

I am grateful to have my own work space at home. When Jonathan and I moved into our apartment, we agreed that he would use the second bedroom as his study space for school. It didn't take long for me to realize that I needed my own space as well. I would take over the kitchen table and the front room, but it was hard to get anything done. Thankfully, my parents were able to bring out my desk when they visited our first summer living in Utah. There was just enough room to squeeze it into our bedroom. It was so nice to have my own space, but it quickly became too cramped.

This is what it looked like before things got crazy!

I  thought about moving around our bed to make some more room for my desk. I kept putting it off, which was silly because everything is so much better.

 I have more than enough room and my desk is no longer in our way.

Family Motto

Happy Thanksgiving! We are off to my aunt and uncle's house to spend Thanksgiving with their wonderful family.

I am grateful for our family motto. During General Conference, Sister Neill F. Marriott shared her family motto and how it helped keep her family grounded through difficult times. Jonathan and I decided to copy her!

We posted this above our desks and in the hallway as a reminder that even when it doesn't look like it or feel like it, it will all work out.

My Equal

I am grateful that Jonathan and I are equals. Just over a week ago, Jonathan was telling someone from our congregation about how we started dating and realized our age difference. It's not that he forgot (because he loves how much younger I am), he instead focuses on us. He truly lifts me up.

I love the proverb Sister Linda K. Burton quoted in her talk from General Conference this past April. Through our marriage, we have had many set backs and heartbreaking disappointments. They could have destroyed our marriage, but they haven't because we stuck together. One habit that I feel has protected us, is our consistency with temple attendance. We still went through all of these difficult experiences, but going to the temple has brought us reassurance that we are doing what we need to do. I don't know what is in store for us, but as long as I have Jonathan at my side it will all work out.

Socks

I am grateful for toasty wool socks. Last winter, I made the discovery that wool socks are able to keep my frigid feet warm. The thing I wanted most of all for Christmas was more socks because I did not have enough. On Christmas morning, I got more wool socks from Jonathan. (I almost cried because I was so happy.) Jonathan told me that he even called my dad to find out what kind of wool socks would be the best. I am so grateful that I finally have socks that can keep my feet warm.

Seasons

I am grateful to live in a place with four distinct seasons. (Even though I'm not a fan of living in the snow.) The seasons change and in the middle of winter it can be hard to remember spring, but every year it comes.

I love how bright and colorful spring is after the bleak winter. I'm trying to remember this in the season of my life. Spring will come and be filled with color and new life.

Sabbath

I am grateful for the added emphasis on Sabbath observance. It has helped me to reevaluate what we do on Sunday and how I can make it better. I'm still working on being prepared for nursery before Sunday, but I've noticed that my entire week goes better as we keep the Sabbath day holy.

Testimony

I am grateful to have a testimony. Lately, there has been clarification on policy in my church that received a lot of negative attention. My testimony was not shaken. I could understand why other's were having problems with it and I don't blame them for struggling with it. I hope they hold to the faith they already have and work to understand the policy.

I have worked to get to where I am today. There are plenty of things I struggle with, but I am grateful to know that Jesus Christ leads and guides The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He does it through his servants, the prophets just like He did in ancient times. The heavens are open.

PS I did do one yesterday, but I forgot to share the link...

I am grateful for Jonathan's patience. He is so willing to take the time to clearly explain things, even when he doesn't have a captive audience.

He loves answering all of Ty's questions.

I need to work on following his example!

Adventures

I am grateful for all of the adventures Jonathan and I have gone on this year. I love that we can go and visit where our ancestors lived. One of my favorite adventures was going to Minersville. As we drove toward the mine on a dirt road, I couldn't help but think I am looking at the same view my great-great grandpa Joseph saw everyday for the year he lived there.

I am so grateful that Jonathan enjoys coming along with me. I look forward to the adventures we will have next year!

Primary

I am grateful for my primary teachers when I was growing up. They spent week after week, preparing our Sunday lessons. I remember one of my teachers dropped off cookies for me because she thought I was allergic to chocolate chip cookies because I never took them in class. I just didn't like them, but she made me feel loved and important. Honestly, I don't remember most of the lessons they taught, but I remember the interest they each took in me and the boys in my class. I understand them so much better now that I am teaching nursery. I know these kids won't remember me or much of what we teach them as they grow older, but I will remember them. I will remember how they started singing along with us during singing time. I will remember them flailing on the floor because the lesson went too long for their attention span. I will remember them saying thank you without being prompted when we pass out their snack. I am doing a small part of the many years they will have in church. I am grateful that I can follow the example of my primary teachers.

Remembering

On my drive home from work on Friday, I was listening to the news that was coming from Paris. It brought back a lot of feelings and emotions from September 11th. I remembered the sense of uncertainty about what was happening and what the future would look like. I remember the unity and the determination of the American people. The same has been happening in France.

I wasn't in New York and I wasn't in Paris, but to a very small degree I shared their sorrow. I am grateful that I can remember those feelings to better understand those around me.

Two for One

I am grateful for my job for two reasons.

The first is I am able to provide for my family, so Jonathan can focus on getting through school. The second is for all that I can do while I am not on a phone call. I spend my time studying General Conference talks, doing family history work, and relax. Sure there are times when the calls come in fast, but there is still plenty of downtime to do what I want to as well. My job has been such a wonderful blessing.

Nursery

I am grateful that Jonathan and I have been in nursery for the past year and a half. We love having a calling together that includes snacks and toys. Oh, and a lot of funny kids to play with.

We love nursery. The kids are wonderful examples to us, until they are tired of sharing! They are at an age where they are starting to be aware of others and their feelings. They are starting to remember what they are learning in church. One of the boys that isn't two yet, loves to talk. The problem is it isn't in English. During the lesson, the other teacher held up a picture of Joseph Smith's First Vision. He walked over to point at the picture, jabbering away and as he pointed at the picture, the last word he said was God.

source

Children, even toddlers, know so much more than they are typically given credit for. I am grateful that I have the opportunity to learn from them.

Nineteen Going on Twenty

I am grateful that I was able go to California two weeks ago to spend time with my family. It has been over two years since the last time we were all together. As soon as Tyler found out we were coming out, he offered us his room to stay in. Kyle, Seth, and Garrett were inseparable. Lyla and Clara dressed up as their favorite princesses. Ruby was thrilled to be out of her car seat. Charlotte was in awe of so many people. Ryan and Tyler aren't little kids anymore.

Don't worry, by the end of next month this picture will be outdated.

By the end of the trip, Lyla said that we are friends and Charlotte was only a little shy around me.

Snow

I am grateful that snow is so pretty. I am not ready for winter this year. At all. It's probably because it was freezing cold in the office all summer long.

The mountains look gorgeous with a fresh coat of snow. How many days until summer?

Veterans

I am grateful for the men and women that serve our country, past and present. They are defenders of freedom and liberty. Earlier this year, we found out that Jonathan's great-great-great-great-great grandfather served in the War of 1812.

My great-great-great grandfather served in the Mormon Battalion in the Mexican War.

There have been many others who served in the military in our families and we are grateful for their example. Freedom is not free.

I am grateful for health. This past week or so, I've had a cold. It's not really enjoyable feeling groggy and stuffed up at work, but it makes me so much more grateful for how healthy I have been.

Now, I need to disinfect my desk!

Ponderize

I am grateful for the counsel given by Brother Durrant during this past General Conference to "ponderize". It is a combination of 80% pondering and 20% memorizing a scripture. I have been posting my weekly scripture at my work desk since I spend so much of my day there.

It has helped me feel the spirit and apply the scriptures to my life. I would challenge you to start "ponderizing" for yourself. It is simple and the blessings are real that come from it.

I was sick this weekend and I did post on Saturday and Sunday, but I forgot to share them.

All But One

I am grateful that Jonathan and I made it to all but one of the Utah temples. It is such a blessing to live so close to so many temples. Living in Utah, you sometimes forget how much people have to sacrifice to get to a temple once in their lifetime. Each temple is unique in location and style, but the truths taught are identical. There is no variation in any of the ordinances.

Provo Temple

Mount Timpanogos Temple

St. George Temple

Salt Lake

Draper

Logan

Jordan River

Oquirrh Mountain

Vernal

Bountiful

Manti

Brigham City

Payson

Ogden

Sorry Monticello Temple. We do plan on visiting that temple, it's just that we live 4 hours away from it.

Pioneer Heritage

I am grateful for my pioneer heritage. I've been able to learn more about their stories this past summer. Their conviction to make sacrifices for their children to grow up in the light of the gospel of Jesus Christ is powerful. I have pioneers that joined in the early days of the church all the way to the late 1950's. Their lives strengthen me to continue on the path that they set before me.

I am grateful to know them even though I haven't met them.

Birthdays

I am grateful that this year we were able to celebrate all of our nieces and nephews birthdays with a special birthday message for them. It started with Garrett's birthday. I thought about holding a sign that said happy birthday. It quickly grew into something so much cooler!

 Garrett is crazy about TMNT and I knew he would love it if we were pretending to be characters. I made masks and simple weapons and we were ready!

We had so much fun with Garrett's and we knew that all of the kids would love something like that. Living in Utah, a Frozen themed picture would be so easy to do. I made a tiara and Jonathan added a little CGI. The lake was really frozen though.

We started planning out the pictures more and Jonathan got to do a lot more with special effects to make our pictures even better.

The Rapunzel picture was taken in Chris's backyard, but it really doesn't look like it thanks to Jonathan!

Charlotte loves animals and she loved seeing all of the puppies in her picture.

After Seth's birthday, we had a break until October. We decided that one year olds don't have strong interests yet and wouldn't really understand the pictures, so we didn't do one for Ruby this year. We did a double one for Ryan and Tyler since they share a birthday.

UVU has the perfect little house on campus for little red riding hood.

We are already starting to brainstorm for next year's birthday pictures!

I am grateful that even though I live far away from most of my nieces and nephews, they still remember me and love me. I was a little worried about visiting because I wasn't sure if some of the younger kids would remember me.

Charlotte was by far the hardest one to win over, but thanks to giving her a dry towel and chocolate she became less and less shy with me.

I am grateful for the time we were all able to spend with each other. It doesn't happen often, but it is wonderful when we can work it all out.

I am grateful for a thoughtful husband. A few days after Jonathan's birthday, he came home and said he had a (free) present for me. He saw this colorful flower and had to bring it home because it reminded him of me.

Food is my real love language. Most days when I come home from work, Jonathan has dinner ready or just finishing up for me.

Jonathan does things that make me feel very well loved.

I'm grateful to have a car that safely takes us on our adventures as well as my commute to work. It doesn't look great especially since people in Utah keep running into the back bumper, but it takes us where we need to go.

Ogden Temple

This was a very special visit to the temple. The Ogden Temple is where Jonathan's mission president served as a sealer. We went to the temple after his funeral.

Before we left the temple, we sat down in one of the sealing rooms. It was wonderful. I could imagine President Anderson sitting behind the small desk saying the beautifully simple words of the sealing ordinance.

source

(This is one of the larger sealing rooms in the temple and not the one we were in.)

It was a wonderful experience going to the temple and remember President Andersen. He had such a positive impact on Jonathan and I am so grateful to him for helping Jonathan become the man he is today.

Month of Gratitude

It's November, which is the month I (try to) post something I'm grateful for everyday. I didn't make if very far last year, but this is a new year!

I am grateful that this post is coming from California. My dad was made the bishop of his ward (or congregation) today. I am grateful that I have a father that teaches by example. I don't remember him sitting us down to teach us very often, but I remember him always doing something (usually with the Scouts). He accepted every calling that was extended to him and did them to the best of his abilities. In just the last few years, he was taught how to do them better and he did everything he could to follow that counsel. He taught me that it is better to be humble and do things the right way today rather than focus on how things were done in the past. I know that he's going to be doing a lot more learning as a bishop and I can't wait to see what else he teaches me.