I am Grateful for Wise Leaders

I am grateful for the many of the leaders of our nation. What really brought this to my attention was a quote from Abraham Lincoln.

Thank you for sharing this Tiffany!

I absolutely love this quote. I am grateful for leaders like Mr. Lincoln (and no, he wasn't a vampire killer). I hope that our current leaders take a page out of his book.

I Am Grateful To Be Heard

I am grateful that today, I was able to let my opinion to be heard. I was able to share my opinion of my elected officials by voting. We live in an amazing country. No matter who wins today's election, there will be a peaceful transfer of power. We don't need to worry about a sudden coup taking over. That is a wonderful blessing and I am grateful that my opinion matters.

Is It Seriously November?!

Boy oh boy! Time really seems to be going faster! I still have a hard time believing that September is over... Well I just need to get with it!

Life has been fairly low-key as usual for us, though some changes are coming. 

I'll talk more about that later.

Jonathan's been working on a new app idea.

I'm learning about inductors. It's ok if you don't understand the math, neither does Jonathan.

Since it is November, I plan on doing the same thing that I did last November. I'll be sharing something I'm grateful for every day of the month. It helps me get more into the spirit of thanksgiving (especially since I'm not too keen on the traditional dinner part of the holiday, I would good with some fish and a green salad but whatever!) Anyway, I know that I don't express enough gratitude in my life and this is something that really helps me.

Today I feel particularly grateful for my Father in Heaven. I am so grateful to know that He loves each and every single one of His children. His purpose is for us to be happy and to grow into strong, dependable, faithful men and women. Sometimes that path involves pain and heartache, but He is there to lift us up and help us through those times when we feel weak. I am so grateful that Heavenly Father knows me personally and knows all of my weaknesses, and yet He still wants me to come home to Him. And He feels this way about each and every one of us.

Changing Seasons

I usually love the change from summer to fall. I love the colorful leaves, the cozy fires, the rain, the cuddling under blankets. I was enjoying it, until it started getting cold again and then it was rainy and windy. 

I know that we need the rain, but I get tired of being so cold all of the time.

I guess I just need to go shopping for sweaters.

Even though it was cold yesterday, I did love all of the huge clouds.

It was amazing to see a sky filled with massive, puffy clouds.

At least I can enjoy the beauty, 

even if I am shivering the whole time!

11 Years Ago

Eleven years feels like a lifetime ago. I was an 11 year old in 6th grade and Jonathan was 18 starting at Sierra. So much has changed in those years. I remember the unity of this country in the aftermath. We were all unsure of what the future held and it made us cling to the things that are most important in life. 

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I sometimes wonder why those feelings have waned and have been replaced with increased contention. There seems to be a free pass to anyone who mocks and degrades things that most Americans feel is sacred. It's hard living in a country that I am regularly told what I believe and that I am a bigot.

I have been so blessed to be born into a country where I can practice whatever religion I choose, I can go to school every day and not worry about it being blown up by an extremist that believes women should not be educated. We all lived extremely comfortable lives compared to most of the world and yet we can't have calm and rational discussions on our disagreements. No, we have no choice but to run around calling each other horrible, awful names to get our point across.

When I started this post, I was planning on going in a different direction, but these are the words and feelings that came out. I have been feeling these things for about 4 years and it feels right that I share them today. These feelings will not go away over night, but I have hope that things will get better in this country. Everyone needs an added measure of patience and a lot less judgement. I trust that we can reunite like we did 11 years ago. I know that this can happen without another attack happening. I want to share a scripture from the Book of Mormon that one of my friends shared this morning on Facebook.

"Now have we not reason to rejoice? Yea, I say unto you, there never were men that had so great reason to rejoice as we, since the world began; yea, and my joy is carried away, even unto boasting in my God; for he has all power, all wisdom, and all understanding; he comprehendeth all things, and he is a merciful Being, even unto salvation, to those who will repent and believe on his name.

"Now my brethren, we see that God is mindful of every people, whatsoever land they may be in; yea, he numbereth his people, and his bowels of mercy are over all the earth. Now this is my joy, and my great thanksgiving; yea, and I will give thanks unto my God forever..." Alma 26:35,37 The Book of Mormon

I am so grateful to know that our Heavenly Father lives and his greatest desire is for us to return to Him. I know that He loves each and everyone of us equally. I love this country and the men and women who are willing to sacrifice all to protect our freedoms.

Some Thoughts

I woke up early on Friday morning, and couldn't fall back to sleep. Jonathan was sound asleep next to me, and I decided to get on my phone. I saw someone refer to a shooting in Colorado and I didn't know what they were referring to. I went ahead and looked for it on the news and there it was.

A shooting in Aurora that happened during a midnight showing of the new Batman movie.

I was stunned by what I was reading. It seemed so unreal to me. That sort of thing doesn't happen in real life. People don't just go around shooting and killing random people doing everyday things.

After the initial shock, I started to think about what I would do in a situation like that. Would I think clearly or would I just freeze? Would I try to stop the person or would I be a shield for the people around me? How would I react if someone I loved had been killed?

I don't know the answers to those questions. All I know is that there is a plan laid out for us, but it is up to us to find it and then stay on it. I read an amazing blog post written by a woman that was in the theater with her two daughters discussing the idea of God being merciful if he allows senseless violence to occur. I would encourage you to read it. Heavenly Father loves us perfectly and He allows us to make decisions, even if they are bad ones. He is there for us and as soon as we turn to Him, He takes us in His arms and assists us back onto the only path that leads to him. I am so grateful that I am loved by our Heavenly Father even though I am imperfect and make dumb decisions. He is always there for us, we just need to turn to Him and work a little harder at being the person He knows we can be.

Seriously, read it!