General Conference

I am grateful for General Conference. It helps redirect my focus and encourages me to do better! It builds me up and helps me see what I need to improve in myself. One talk that I would like to share with you was given by Elder Jeffery R. Holland. It was a talk that I needed to hear.

Click here if you would prefer reading it.

Veterans

I am grateful for the brave men and women that willingly serve our country.

Freedom is not free.

Seeing More of the World

I am grateful that we were able to see more of the world during our drive to Texas. I got so excited seeing so many saguaro cacti as we drove through Arizona. We didn't see much of New Mexico because the sun already set before we got there, but we saw tons of stars as we drove through the night.

Next year, we are planning on taking some big trips to see even more of the world and I can't wait!

Frank

I am grateful for my old iPod that I named Frank. I finally recharged him for the first time in years and I love rediscovering music that I listened to throughout my high school years.

I love how music brings back so many memories.

Fall In Texas

I am grateful for the warm Texas fall weather. There have been a couple of days that were in the low 60s and I had to remind myself that it wasn't actually freezing cold.

I love living in a warmer climate!

Google Maps

I am grateful for Google Maps. It makes moving to a new place so much easier and less stressful. I don't worry about getting lost because even if I miss my turn, it will redirect me. It took us about a month, but we now know how to get to church without the directions!

Family History

I am grateful that we made a lot of family history visits this summer.

Visiting great-great grandpa and grandma Nielsen and great grandpa and grandma Nelson
in Mink Creek, Idaho

Visiting great-great grandpa and grandma McGavin Idaho Falls, Idaho.

Visiting great-great grandpa and grandma Davis
in Rexburg, Idaho.

 Then we went to Rexburg to visit great-great grandpa and grandma McMillan and great-great grandpa and grandma Davis. On our way home, we took a detour to Star Valley, Wyoming to visit great-great-great grandpa Nebeker and great-great grandpa and grandma Call. We are so blessed to be part of their families

Visiting great-great grandpa and grandma McMillan in Rexburg, Idaho.

Visiting great-great grandpa and grandma Call in Star Valley, Wyoming.

Visiting great-great-great grandpa Nebeker in Star Valley, Wyoming.

I really enjoyed researching to know a bit more about them and see where they were living before they died. Everything was so green from the extra wet winter. We are so blessed to part of their family!

Fasting and Prayer

I am grateful for the power of fasting and prayer. One of the biggest unknowns about our move was where we were going to live. During that short day of packing, people were always surprised when we told them we didn't have a place to move to.  Our main focus was getting Jonathan to Texas to start work on Monday and I would focus on finding an apartment.  We are both planners and this very large unknown wasn't bothering us like it typically would.

Within 18 hours of getting to Austin, we had the keys to our apartment. Everything about getting to Austin and finding a home there was smooth and easy. I knew that it wasn't because of anything we did. Our first week in our new ward we found out that they were fasting and praying for over a month for new people to move into the ward. I am grateful for the faith of the members of our new ward and the blessings we received from them before we even got here.

Winn Elementary School

I am grateful that we were able to play a small role in a service project at Winn Elementary School here in Austin. Our stake has an annual service project for schools in the area. From what I heard, the school board was seriously considering closing down Winn Elementary because it was too expensive with all of the work that needed to be done. There were projects that needed to be done inside and outside the school. We were able to provide the labor needed to tackle the projects. Jonathan and I assisted with creating the gardens for the children to use.

There were people everywhere, planting trees and flowers to pulling weeds out of the overgrown track to painting murals. There were big jobs to be done and there were less people compared to the previous year, but it all got done. The projects will help keep the school open. I'm grateful that my small effort was able to help our new community.

A Washer and a Dryer

I am grateful to have our very own washer and dryer. After years of carrying our laundry up and down two flights of stairs in all types of weather we finally live in an apartment with hook ups! It felt so weird going appliance shopping. I guess we really are adults!

The guys who installed the machines were so nice and quick. We did five loads of laundry that same day. It was amazing!

California

I am grateful we were able to spend about two months in California before moving to Texas. It was wonderful to have that time to strengthen our relationships with our nieces and nephews.

It was hard having to leave without any notice, but I'm grateful that what time we had together.

A Month of Gratitude

I can't believe it's already November! As with previous years, I'm going to be posting everyday about something I'm grateful for to help get into the real spirit of Thanksgiving.

Today I am feeling particularly grateful for Jonathan. He has worked tirelessly over the years to complete his degree. His persistence opened opportunities that would have stayed dreams if he didn't push through the discouraging times. It still seems unreal how his career has started with his dream coming true of working for IBM's security team. I love that he is still working just as hard and learning just as much, but can focus on enjoying life with me when the work day is over.

I encourage you to participate in finding something you are grateful for each day and write (or type it).

A Month In Texas

It's unbelievable that we have already been living in Texas for a month. We already feel at home here and have had some great adventures.

We've gone to a few different restaurants in our neighborhood and slowly started figuring out where all the stores are. We found the four story Restoration Hardware. It is amazing!

We also found a candy store that's less than a block away that has candy boxes that are the same size as cereal boxes. I keep having to remind myself that everything really is bigger in Texas!

We also have a cupcake ATM down the street from us. That's right an ATM that gives you delicious cupcakes! It tempts Jonathan everyday as he walks past it to and from work.

A few weeks ago, we went to the San Antonio Temple and it was great. It's really similar to the Sacramento Temple with the floor plan. We both felt right at home.

Last Saturday, we were able to help out at a service project at a local elementary school with our stake. There were over a dozen different projects and we helped with building a garden box area for the kids.

Here's an article about what we did.

After the service project, we went to the Circuit of the Americas to watch the qualifying session for the United States Grand Prix. It was awesome! We started watching Formula 1 last year and to actually hear the cars and see them in real life was incredible.

Life is great here in Texas and we look forward to more adventures here!

Spiritual Enlightenment: Value Beyond Measure