Truth and the Holy Ghost

I am grateful that the Holy Ghost testifies of truth. Back in April, Jonathan and I went to UC Davis to go to some Physics lectures. I couldn't contain my excitement that I'm married to a guy that will take time off from work to go to Physics lectures with me! I don't plan on sharing the details of what was being taught because most people would get bored. I do want to share an experience there that strengthened my testimony of how the Holy Ghost works.

The first speaker was giving kind of an overview on where Physics is currently and some of the next set of questions that they are looking to understand. As he was speaking, it felt like the spirit was in the room. This was later confirmed during the question and answer portion when a man compared a scientific discovery to Mary, the mother of Christ, and would scientists cling to that discovery even if it was proven wrong in the same way the Vatican clings to Mary and how that one thing makes or breaks all of their religion. The emotion behind his question was hostile and demeaning. Both Jonathan and I could feel the spirit leave the room. Since we felt the spirit leave, that meant that it was in that room. The things that were being shared previously are truths.

It seems like most people today can't reconcile religion and science. The thought seems to prevail in the scientific community is that because we can't prove that there is a God that there must not be one. Has anyone ever disproved that there is a God? I find it ironic that one of the biggest theories in Physics is String Theory. The major problem string theory has it that it there are no testable predictions which means they trust that it is there without seeing it or proving it. That sounds like faith to me.

I am grateful that as I learn more about science that I feel closer to our Heavenly Father. I am getting a glimpse of how He uses physical laws to give us the world we live in. Heavenly Father isn't just some cosmic being that snaps His fingers and suddenly everything works perfectly. He understands and knows the physical laws and then uses them. We have the potential to know and do all that He has done for us.

Technology

I am so grateful for technology. It shrinks distances. It is a resource of endless knowledge. This past year three of our siblings have moved away and things like email and Instagram have helped me feel closer to them in spite of the physical distance.

Taylor and Mercedes getting ready for Halloween!

All ready for trick or treating!

Grandpa Price took Seth to his first cattle auction. He's our little cowboy!

Spent the day at Grandma & Grandpa Price's farm.

It's not easy being away from these growing kids and their parents, but I'm grateful that I can still see them.

Holidays

I am so grateful that my brother's family is coming home for Thanksgiving. It's been tough living so far away from them. I can't believe how much Seth and Clara have changed since they moved in March. I look forward to spending a lot of time with them.

The count down is on!

Small Moments

Today I am grateful for the small (seemingly insignificant) moments in life. Yesterday morning, Garrett came over before Jonathan and I went to work. We talked, tickled, and played. Garrett found my old trombone and cornet mouthpieces. He had so much fun playing with them. I thought about it more and I had many similar times with Ryan and Tyler when they were about the same age. At times, I still can't believe they are in elementary school. I am grateful for the memories I have of these types of moments with all of my nieces and nephews.

I Did It Again!

Here's another two for one post. (I'm just glad that I'm still doing so much better than last year!)

Yesterday, I felt particularly grateful for the sky. Last night's sunset was colorful and just beautiful. It amazing that every day we can view an ever changing piece of art.

Today, I am grateful for homemade cinnamon rolls. When I was growing up, we didn't have much dessert and sweet treats around the house. Every so often, my mom would make cinnamon rolls. I loved eating the raw dough and anticipated the warm, sweet rolls. I remember after we ate all the cinnamon rolls picking at the frosting that was left on the pan. These memories are some of my favorites.

Apple Hill

I am grateful that we were able to have a family picnic at Apple Hill. The weather was perfect, there were no crowds (because it was Thursday and not Saturday), and we had lots of entertainment from the boys. Some of my favorite highlights were Tyler eating all of the raspberries, Ryan herding the little boys, and Garrett bossing everyone.

I am grateful for the fun memories we made that day.

Home

I am so grateful to my parents for sharing their home with Jonathan and me. It's been such a blessing as we've been working to save money for school and figure out our next step in finishing school.

Two for One

Even with an extra hour yesterday, I didn't find enough time to post.
Today I'll share 2 to make up for it.

Yesterday I was grateful that I had an extra hour. I taught the teenage girls at church and was so grateful for the extra hour I had to prepare for it. I finished figuring out the structure of the lesson and noticed I still had more than enough time to make handouts. So, I took my time and then saw a clock that said 9:45 and nearly had a heart attack because I had to be at church by 10. I started running all over the house trying to get ready and then I realized that I looked at a clock that hadn't been changed. My morning was so much more relaxing after that. This is the lesson I taught.

Today I am grateful for a new week. Last week got really crazy and overwhelming. This week will probably end up the same, but it just feels like I am more prepared to handle the craziness.

Work

Today I am grateful that I am able to work in the laundry at the temple. It has been a year since I started and I still feel so blessed that once a month I get to work there. Today was a crazy busy day because the baptistry was double booked (oops!) Thankfully, my partner and were able to catch up before our shift was over. I never realized how much work is done behind the scenes at the temple and I am grateful that I can do a small part.

A Thankful Month

After my last post, I was thinking that I should start blogging more regularly again. Then I remembered that the next month is November! This will be my third year of daily gratitude posts! I'm probably going to have some similar ones (it's hard not to) but this year I think I have a few new things to add to my list.

Today I am grateful for a seemingly simple thing. I am grateful that I slept through the night without ear plugs. Jonathan is a loud snorer and that has made it very difficult for me to sleep. Ear plugs helped but not all of the time. I remember being really tired and hearing Jonathan start to snore and think that I should grab my ear plugs. I woke up this morning without any ear plugs! It was amazing! I hope that this is the new normal.

Playing with Our Camera

This fall has been crazy. That's why I haven't posted since the beginning of the month. Any way... ever since we got our camera this summer, we have had so much fun going around to familiar places to take pictures.

Here's a few from downtown Roseville:

This is Roseville's version of Red and Guido.

These are from Diamond Oaks Park:

Shots of the temple:

Here's some from Old Sac:

We love having a camera as we've been going around town.

It's Coming!

This weekend is one of the best weekends of the year! It's time for General Conference. It's when our church gathers together all over the world to listen to wonderful, inspired messages from our church leaders. 

via

I am really feeling the need for their words more than usual. I'm working on a list of questions that I want answers to.

I invite you to listen too!

Life Lately (According to My Phone)

Since I've been terrible at blogging this summer, I think I'll just share some pictures of what we've been up to since my last post.

Jonathan is just about everybody's favorite person to be with.

We realized that Tyler is part spider. He can 'walk' all the way down the stairs without touching the carpet.

For anyone that has seen the movie Pollyanna, I was able to eat her dream dinner of steak and ice cream. It was awesome! I wish I could have steak and ice cream every night for dinner!

My grandpa's brother Gerald came in to town and we were able to visit with him. He was very disappointed that I didn't bring a saxophone to play for him. (That's the next instrument I want to get!)

One night, Jonathan and I went on a walk and we ran into one of our friends from church and asked if we were going to the park to feed the bunnies. We had no idea that there were bunnies there and she gave us some of her left over carrots and we went to the park and sure enough, there were bunnies! We've gone back since then and there are some baby bunnies now!

For Mother's Day, I painted a small painting for my mom. It's the first one I've done since I was in elementary school!

We've been enjoying watching our cute little Charlotte grow up! 

Back in June, Tyler and I flew to Idaho to visit Chris's adorable family. This was Ty's first time on an airplane and he was so excited! (Though he didn't understand why we had to go through security.)

While we were there, we played outside, found rocks and worms, flew kites (that was mostly Annie and me), visited farmer Wayne and Denise (Annie's wonderful parents), picked strawberries, and fed ducks.

Finding worms in the sandbox.

Don't be fooled, this only lasted long enough to take the picture.

I love sweet little Clara.

Annie and I moved pipe because all boys (including my dad and brother) were at a huge Scout encampment.

Jonathan and I got a killer deal on a camera and have been going around taking some pictures.

I've been working all summer and I get to use a stack of Apple products.

They're not as new as the stuff my brother uses, but that's because he actually works for Apple and I don't!

Lyla loved playing with the balloons for her dad's birthday.

So this is what we've been up to. Lots of work and lots of playing with the nieces and nephews. We're so excited that Andy's family is moving to back to Roseville at the end of this month!