Oh yeah, I have this blog. Sometimes I forget about it.
Anyway, I need to do better about remembering it, because everyday I think to myself, "I should write that down... I'll probably remember it though. Hmm, what was that funny thing that happened yesterday?"
Nothing extremely funny happened today... just the usual types of stuff, but I had better write that down in case one day I can't remember what was normal when Gabe and Luke were 3 and almost 2.
Luke got very upset with me today as soon as he realized he was hungry, and started "bossing" me around: "Mommy, I want to eat! I want wunch. Wight now Mommy! Stand up now! Go! I wanta eat wunch!"
When he needed a diaper change, I asked him if he was poopy, and he said, "No, I don't want a diaper change, I just clean, Mommy. It's play time."
When I handed Luke a toy he was struggling to reach, he took it and said, with gusto, "Oh, tank you, Mommy!"
Gabe is also very good about saying thank you, and he will often add "Good job pouring the milk, Mommy, you did that so great!"
When I told Gabe it was almost naptime today, he at first said "No, I don't want a nap!" But then started saying, "Mom, is it night time?" I told him it wasn't night time, but it was sleep time, to which he responded, "Oh, ok Mom, but I a-better eat a snack first, and then take a nap. Maybe playtime first."
Gabriel is especially fascinated with my sewing machine and serger, which are off limits, but he gets into anyway. If (when) I catch him opening little doors and turning little dials, I give him a little reminder by saying "What are the rules?" and he will say "Don't play with Mommy's 'chines! But I just want to close this door, Mom. Can you close it for me?"
We just got back in town from Tayler and Heather's wedding. We were so glad we could make it. It was a crazy trip, but we all had a good time. We didn't actually get to see much of Tayler or Heather, but I guess there will be time enough for that. Heather is "Hedder" to Gabe and "Heddow" to Luke, and a princess to both of them since they saw her in her wedding dress.
While we were in Washington for the wedding, we were able to stop by and visit BJ's grandparents. We only had about 2 hours with them (plus 4 hours of driving) but we made the most of it, the kids were pretty good, and I am so glad we were able to have that time with them.
Speaking of that trip, I wrote about the crazy part of the journey and the tender mercies we experienced as a result on my other blog. Read about it here.
Showing posts with label Gratitude. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gratitude. Show all posts
Thursday, April 05, 2012
Friday, April 24, 2009
Just one of those days
Yep, it's just one of those days... not a bad day, but not a great day either. Gabe has been sick with a cold and an ear infection and is cutting his 8th tooth, I am sick now too with the same cold, have a ton of laundry to fold (blech) and to top it off, my sister is leaving today with her husband to live out of state for the summer. Boo hoo. However, there are some good things in all of this.
Below are two pictures from last Friday night, when Marissa watched Gabe while BJ and I went dancing up in SLC. It was the first real, dress-up, fancy, eat-out date night we have had without Gabe since he was born. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Also, despite his illness, Gabe has been a real trooper, trying so hard to be happy. He truly brings sunshine into our home.
Also, I have had the opportunity the past couple of days to really reflect on the blessings in my life, and realize how thankful I am for the many little things in my life that I usually take for granted- like the use of my hands, my ability to see and hear, and a loving family that accepts me no matter what. I am truly grateful.
Below are two pictures from last Friday night, when Marissa watched Gabe while BJ and I went dancing up in SLC. It was the first real, dress-up, fancy, eat-out date night we have had without Gabe since he was born. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Also, despite his illness, Gabe has been a real trooper, trying so hard to be happy. He truly brings sunshine into our home.
Also, I have had the opportunity the past couple of days to really reflect on the blessings in my life, and realize how thankful I am for the many little things in my life that I usually take for granted- like the use of my hands, my ability to see and hear, and a loving family that accepts me no matter what. I am truly grateful.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Easter
I've been meaning to post these pictures we took of Gabe on Easter. BJ actually took about 200 pictures, but these are some of my favorites. There are a couple that I think look so much like pictures of BJ when he was a baby. Like father, like son.
For Easter, after church, we ended up having my sister Marissa and her husband Richard, and his sister Diana over for dinner. We ate ham, rolls, veggies, mashed potatoes, salad, jello, and a yummy apple crisp that Marissa made from a recipe on Allrecipes.com I think. We enjoyed the company, and we also enjoyed watching The Testaments again, which is a video depicting events in Christ's life, his atonement, resurrection, and appearance to the people in the ancient Americas. We felt it was very fitting for Easter with its message of faith and hope in Jesus Christ.
I am indeed grateful for the atonement of Jesus Christ which makes it possible for us to return to Him, and especially because He understands us. He understands our sorrows and pains, and thus knows how to comfort us if we let Him. I know this is true; I have felt that comfort in my own life.
For Easter, after church, we ended up having my sister Marissa and her husband Richard, and his sister Diana over for dinner. We ate ham, rolls, veggies, mashed potatoes, salad, jello, and a yummy apple crisp that Marissa made from a recipe on Allrecipes.com I think. We enjoyed the company, and we also enjoyed watching The Testaments again, which is a video depicting events in Christ's life, his atonement, resurrection, and appearance to the people in the ancient Americas. We felt it was very fitting for Easter with its message of faith and hope in Jesus Christ.
I am indeed grateful for the atonement of Jesus Christ which makes it possible for us to return to Him, and especially because He understands us. He understands our sorrows and pains, and thus knows how to comfort us if we let Him. I know this is true; I have felt that comfort in my own life.
Sunday, July 01, 2007
My turn
It is my turn to blog, and I am afraid I don't have much to report this week... I guess I will catch you up to the workings of my recent life...
I spent my last day in Buenos Aires touring the U.S. Embassy, meeting the Church Area Presidency, and going to the Buenos Aires Temple before hopping on our plane to come home. It was very good to be back, although I miss the many friends we made. There are a few things that I have really come to appreciate, which I know I took largely for granted. Those things are:
-Five star bathrooms (flushing toilet with a seat, has toilet paper, has running water, soap and something to dry hands with... none of those things could be taken for granted... you might be lucky enough to find a bathroom with TP, but you can bet you had to pay if you wanted some!)
-Carpet (you never realize how lovely carpet is until you don't see it for a while. I was so excited to see our industrial grade carpet when I got home!)
-Heating/ cooling systems (We experienced the coldest week on record for the last 40 years or so in Argentina- freezing temperatures, and of course we didn't think it would be so cold, so we had brought no coats... needless to say, it was sort of.. well.. cold in the unheated hostels we lived in.)
-Fruits and vegetables (we ate mostly meat and pasta and it was very good, but... I have been loving all the summer fruit since being home! YUUUUUUUUUUM!)
-Peanut butter! (Many of our wonderful friends in Argentina had never tried it... they really don't have it there...)
-Earplugs (really, my salvation and the only way I could get any sleep those 6 weeks)
-The ability and total confidence to be able to communicate completely any thought, desire, need, or idea to anyone as needed or wanted. (I will NEVER again think badly of anyone living in the U.S. who is having a hard time communicating in English (as their second language). I experienced quite a lot of anxiety, stress, etc. etc. when I first arrived in Argentina and hadn't gotten in my Spanish speaking mode yet. I was afraid I guess, and I even knew that I would be able to go home in 6 weeks! Imagine what it would be like to move to a completely new place where no one can understand you and you can't communicate- either adequately, or at all. You can't talk to the people at the grocery store, doctor's office, hospital, restaurant, your neighbors, schoolmates, coworkers etc. How terrifying! And you know that this place is your new "home"- you may never again go back to the place you grew up. I have a new appreciation for people who take a leap like that, who struggle to be able to communicate, and who must at times despair that no one understands them, and some people even hate them- people say things like "You're not welcome in this country if you can't speak English." While I realize that can be a frustration for all involved, I also know what it is like to be yelled at for not speaking or understanding clearly, and I know how wonderful it is when someone is sympathetic and rephrases or patiently explains what they mean. Smiles and soft tones (rather than loud exaggerated pronunciation) make understanding so much easier! OK, maybe that's enough on that subject for the moment...)
-Clean air (We lived downtown, and all the smog, car exhaust, and cigarette smoke (Young, young girls smoking everywhere- to lose weight they said) were hard on the lungs when we were walking several miles each day.)
-Clean water (we drank bottled water out of necessity, which wasn't so hard, only inconvenient, and expensive, at restaurants, when you can't get tap water or free refills!)
-My health (I got sick twice in 6 weeks... incidentally, I am fairly sick now, and have been since Tuesday, the difference being that I have access to all the comfort and familiar medicines etc. I could want.)
-Easy communication (this refers to more than just language- We relied on email and methods as unreliable as Skype and other internet methods. We couldn't use our cell phones to make the long distance calls home. Nice to be able to call people up now- just to say "Hi!" if I want.
-I appreciate the way the gospel is the same everywhere you go. (Even when I couldn't completely understand the lesson or talk given, I could feel the Spirit and the kindness of the members at church.)
I actually made a whole list of things I appreciated. I don't have that list with me now, but these are the things that stuck out the most to me. I may add more things at a later time!
I spent my last day in Buenos Aires touring the U.S. Embassy, meeting the Church Area Presidency, and going to the Buenos Aires Temple before hopping on our plane to come home. It was very good to be back, although I miss the many friends we made. There are a few things that I have really come to appreciate, which I know I took largely for granted. Those things are:
-Five star bathrooms (flushing toilet with a seat, has toilet paper, has running water, soap and something to dry hands with... none of those things could be taken for granted... you might be lucky enough to find a bathroom with TP, but you can bet you had to pay if you wanted some!)
-Carpet (you never realize how lovely carpet is until you don't see it for a while. I was so excited to see our industrial grade carpet when I got home!)
-Heating/ cooling systems (We experienced the coldest week on record for the last 40 years or so in Argentina- freezing temperatures, and of course we didn't think it would be so cold, so we had brought no coats... needless to say, it was sort of.. well.. cold in the unheated hostels we lived in.)
-Fruits and vegetables (we ate mostly meat and pasta and it was very good, but... I have been loving all the summer fruit since being home! YUUUUUUUUUUM!)
-Peanut butter! (Many of our wonderful friends in Argentina had never tried it... they really don't have it there...)
-Earplugs (really, my salvation and the only way I could get any sleep those 6 weeks)
-The ability and total confidence to be able to communicate completely any thought, desire, need, or idea to anyone as needed or wanted. (I will NEVER again think badly of anyone living in the U.S. who is having a hard time communicating in English (as their second language). I experienced quite a lot of anxiety, stress, etc. etc. when I first arrived in Argentina and hadn't gotten in my Spanish speaking mode yet. I was afraid I guess, and I even knew that I would be able to go home in 6 weeks! Imagine what it would be like to move to a completely new place where no one can understand you and you can't communicate- either adequately, or at all. You can't talk to the people at the grocery store, doctor's office, hospital, restaurant, your neighbors, schoolmates, coworkers etc. How terrifying! And you know that this place is your new "home"- you may never again go back to the place you grew up. I have a new appreciation for people who take a leap like that, who struggle to be able to communicate, and who must at times despair that no one understands them, and some people even hate them- people say things like "You're not welcome in this country if you can't speak English." While I realize that can be a frustration for all involved, I also know what it is like to be yelled at for not speaking or understanding clearly, and I know how wonderful it is when someone is sympathetic and rephrases or patiently explains what they mean. Smiles and soft tones (rather than loud exaggerated pronunciation) make understanding so much easier! OK, maybe that's enough on that subject for the moment...)
-Clean air (We lived downtown, and all the smog, car exhaust, and cigarette smoke (Young, young girls smoking everywhere- to lose weight they said) were hard on the lungs when we were walking several miles each day.)
-Clean water (we drank bottled water out of necessity, which wasn't so hard, only inconvenient, and expensive, at restaurants, when you can't get tap water or free refills!)
-My health (I got sick twice in 6 weeks... incidentally, I am fairly sick now, and have been since Tuesday, the difference being that I have access to all the comfort and familiar medicines etc. I could want.)
-Easy communication (this refers to more than just language- We relied on email and methods as unreliable as Skype and other internet methods. We couldn't use our cell phones to make the long distance calls home. Nice to be able to call people up now- just to say "Hi!" if I want.
-I appreciate the way the gospel is the same everywhere you go. (Even when I couldn't completely understand the lesson or talk given, I could feel the Spirit and the kindness of the members at church.)
I actually made a whole list of things I appreciated. I don't have that list with me now, but these are the things that stuck out the most to me. I may add more things at a later time!
Thursday, May 31, 2007
My devotional thought for Wednesday
I was assigned to give the devotional yesterday, and I chose to tell a story I heard a while ago, and then relate some of my feelings about it pertaining to the gospel.
So here is what I prepared; Hopefully you enjoy the story as much as I did.
"In 1989 there was a terrible earthquake in Armenia that killed over 30,000 people in four minutes. A distraught father went in frantic search of his son. He reached his son's school only to find that it had been reduced to a pile of rubble. But he was driven by his promise to his son, 'No matter what, I'll always be there for you!' He visualized the corner where his son's classroom would be, rushed there, and started to dig through the debris, brick by brick.
Others came on the scene--the fire chief, then the police--warning him of fires and explosions, and urging him to leave the search to the emergency crews. But he tenaciously carried on digging. Night came and went, and then, in the 38th hour of digging, he thought he heard his son's voice. 'Armand!' he called out. Then he heard, 'Dad!?! It's me, Dad! I told the other kids not to worry. I told 'em that if you were alive, you'd save me and when you saved me, they'd be saved. . .
'There are 14 of us left out of 33. . . . When the building collapsed, it made a wedge, like a triangle, and it saved us.'
'Come on out, boy!'
'No, Dad! Let the other kids out first, 'cause I know you'll get me! No matter what, I know you'll be there for me!'
(Mark V. Hansen, "Are You Going to Help Me?" in Chicken Soup for the Soul, ed. Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen [1993], 273-74)."
I read this story several months ago, but it has stuck with me, and I feel the Spirit every time I read it, testifying to me that we all have not only an earthly father who loves us, but a Father in Heaven who also loves us, more than we can ever imagine, and who will never leave us. No matter what, he will be there for us whenever we need him, and we will never be abandoned. Like the son in the story, we have to wait patiently, and we may have to exercise faith before we receive help, or the thing that we want or need. But in always having faith that our Father will take care of us, we are allowing the Lord to direct our lives, and we can then feel peace and confidence about the future. I know this is true, and looking back on my life, the times that I have felt the most peace and comfort are when I have trusted the Lord to take care of things. Interestingly enough, those are the times when I have been doing my best to pray, read the scriptures, and have faith that things will work out, and remembering the answers I have received to prayers. You probably have some experiences similar to mine. Hopefully this story/thought brings a good feeling to your heart, or reminds you of your own experiences. I am glad I ran across it again.
So here is what I prepared; Hopefully you enjoy the story as much as I did.
"In 1989 there was a terrible earthquake in Armenia that killed over 30,000 people in four minutes. A distraught father went in frantic search of his son. He reached his son's school only to find that it had been reduced to a pile of rubble. But he was driven by his promise to his son, 'No matter what, I'll always be there for you!' He visualized the corner where his son's classroom would be, rushed there, and started to dig through the debris, brick by brick.
Others came on the scene--the fire chief, then the police--warning him of fires and explosions, and urging him to leave the search to the emergency crews. But he tenaciously carried on digging. Night came and went, and then, in the 38th hour of digging, he thought he heard his son's voice. 'Armand!' he called out. Then he heard, 'Dad!?! It's me, Dad! I told the other kids not to worry. I told 'em that if you were alive, you'd save me and when you saved me, they'd be saved. . .
'There are 14 of us left out of 33. . . . When the building collapsed, it made a wedge, like a triangle, and it saved us.'
'Come on out, boy!'
'No, Dad! Let the other kids out first, 'cause I know you'll get me! No matter what, I know you'll be there for me!'
(Mark V. Hansen, "Are You Going to Help Me?" in Chicken Soup for the Soul, ed. Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen [1993], 273-74)."
I read this story several months ago, but it has stuck with me, and I feel the Spirit every time I read it, testifying to me that we all have not only an earthly father who loves us, but a Father in Heaven who also loves us, more than we can ever imagine, and who will never leave us. No matter what, he will be there for us whenever we need him, and we will never be abandoned. Like the son in the story, we have to wait patiently, and we may have to exercise faith before we receive help, or the thing that we want or need. But in always having faith that our Father will take care of us, we are allowing the Lord to direct our lives, and we can then feel peace and confidence about the future. I know this is true, and looking back on my life, the times that I have felt the most peace and comfort are when I have trusted the Lord to take care of things. Interestingly enough, those are the times when I have been doing my best to pray, read the scriptures, and have faith that things will work out, and remembering the answers I have received to prayers. You probably have some experiences similar to mine. Hopefully this story/thought brings a good feeling to your heart, or reminds you of your own experiences. I am glad I ran across it again.
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Today is World Hello Day
Hello!
I am done with school for the week (kind of). I am grateful for the break; it has been a pretty intense couple of weeks. As I previously mentioned, I have been going up to LDS Hospital to watch surgeries, and last week I watched some interesting surgeries, mostly orthopedic surgeries. I have also had about 4 papers due recently, and a midterm as well. Needless to say, I am looking forward to Thanksgiving.
Many of you have written your "thankful" lists, which I think is a great idea. I would like to add a few things of my own.
I am thankful for a church that teaches us about Good News, a Plan of Happiness, and the many tender mercies and everlasting love of our Lord. I am thankful for my Savior, and for a living prophet. I am thankful that families can be together forever.
I am grateful for family. All my family- the family I was born into and the family I married into. They are all wonderful, and I am so grateful to have many of them so near. It is great to have my sister living just up the road, and many in BJ's family living only a few minutes away. All the members of our families that are not as close as we like are missed, thought about, and prayed for.
I am thankful for my (and BJ's) grandparents. I appreciate the wisdom of their years and experience that is much greater than my own. I appreciate the sacrifices that they made for their families and for their country.
I feel so blessed to have a kind, patient, fun, and handsome husband! He is a hard worker and a very creative and smart guy. He makes me very happy, and I love him very much.
I am grateful for the opportunities that I have. I realize that BJ's and my situation (school, other responsibilities) is a great blessing, although it seems difficult sometimes. I don't know if I can fully appreciate living in a time and place where women getting a college education is possible, but it is something that has great worth to me. I am thankful for my job, and for BJ's job. Things have worked out for us just when we thought there was no way we could do it on our own.
I am grateful for the world we live in today. Our lives are so much easier than our grandparents' lives, and I take that for granted sometimes. I am grateful to live in a free country, where I can make my own choices. I am grateful for modern conveniences! I'm thankful for email, cell phones, blogs, and airplanes that connect families!
I am grateful for the many beautiful surrounding me. I am grateful to have blue sky and fluffy clouds in November, and mountains with a little snow :) on them. I am grateful for the holidays coming up, and for the wonderful things that we celebrate.
Well, I know I can't possibly write everything I am thankful for, but these things especially have been drifting around in my head for the last couple days. Love to all.
I am done with school for the week (kind of). I am grateful for the break; it has been a pretty intense couple of weeks. As I previously mentioned, I have been going up to LDS Hospital to watch surgeries, and last week I watched some interesting surgeries, mostly orthopedic surgeries. I have also had about 4 papers due recently, and a midterm as well. Needless to say, I am looking forward to Thanksgiving.
Many of you have written your "thankful" lists, which I think is a great idea. I would like to add a few things of my own.
I am thankful for a church that teaches us about Good News, a Plan of Happiness, and the many tender mercies and everlasting love of our Lord. I am thankful for my Savior, and for a living prophet. I am thankful that families can be together forever.
I am grateful for family. All my family- the family I was born into and the family I married into. They are all wonderful, and I am so grateful to have many of them so near. It is great to have my sister living just up the road, and many in BJ's family living only a few minutes away. All the members of our families that are not as close as we like are missed, thought about, and prayed for.
I am thankful for my (and BJ's) grandparents. I appreciate the wisdom of their years and experience that is much greater than my own. I appreciate the sacrifices that they made for their families and for their country.
I feel so blessed to have a kind, patient, fun, and handsome husband! He is a hard worker and a very creative and smart guy. He makes me very happy, and I love him very much.
I am grateful for the opportunities that I have. I realize that BJ's and my situation (school, other responsibilities) is a great blessing, although it seems difficult sometimes. I don't know if I can fully appreciate living in a time and place where women getting a college education is possible, but it is something that has great worth to me. I am thankful for my job, and for BJ's job. Things have worked out for us just when we thought there was no way we could do it on our own.
I am grateful for the world we live in today. Our lives are so much easier than our grandparents' lives, and I take that for granted sometimes. I am grateful to live in a free country, where I can make my own choices. I am grateful for modern conveniences! I'm thankful for email, cell phones, blogs, and airplanes that connect families!
I am grateful for the many beautiful surrounding me. I am grateful to have blue sky and fluffy clouds in November, and mountains with a little snow :) on them. I am grateful for the holidays coming up, and for the wonderful things that we celebrate.
Well, I know I can't possibly write everything I am thankful for, but these things especially have been drifting around in my head for the last couple days. Love to all.
Sunday, November 19, 2006
Thanks Giving
As I look at my life, I can think of absolutely nothing to complain about. I am indeed grateful for everything that has happened, including many things I wasn't so grateful for at the time. I could make a list of things that I am thankful for, but there are too many things that need more description, and no possible way that I could ever make a list long enough to include everything that I should include. And so I will do this as if you were sitting here talking with me.
First and foremost, I am grateful for a Heavenly Father who loves me. In my challenges, in my triumphs, He was there with me. And I don't mean to say from a distance, but He was there beside me, standing with me to hold me when I needed strength, and to cheer me when I had done well. He has never been far. Though I look forward to the day where I can see Him face to face, I can never see Him more clearly than when I look back at my life, and see all that He has done.
I know also that my Savior lives. He too has been a constant presence in my life. His triumph over sin and death has brought my life hope and joy. His mercy towards me and my mistakes gives me the encouragement I need to continue. His love fills me when I reach for Him.
I must say too that I have the most wonderful wife. I don't mean to brag, but she gives me every reason to. Loving her has taught me what love truly is. I know without her I would not be the person I am today. I am indeed grateful for her and her love for me.
I am grateful for a wonderful family. I have never felt closer to my siblings and my parents than I do now. I think you are all wonderful. I look up to each of you, and learn from all of you. I love you and am proud of all of you. I must say also that I love Rochelle's family too. I have heard horror stories about the "in-laws" and I can't even imagine what that would be like. Whenever people make jokes about staying away from "the wife's family" I don't even know how to respond, because I can't even comprehend how it would be to have those struggles. I think you all are the greatest, and I love you all as my own family. (I'm just glad that I get to be the "big brother" in this one!) ;-)
I am grateful for my job. Ever since I have been home from my mission, Heavenly Father has heard my prayers in regards to my job. I have always had employment, and He has always led me to the jobs that I could learn the most from and that worked the best for me and my skills. I feel a great responsibility towards my jobs too. I feel very strongly that I have received the jobs that I have received in order to care for Rochelle. This is one of those things where I can look back in my life and clearly see Heavenly Father's hand in my life. I got a job as a tester at Waterford quite a while ago. That job didn't require much out of my resume, but gave me much to put on it. It was the basis off of which I have received all of my jobs since. My job at Novell paid me quite well for a student, and gave me the flexible hours I needed to work and go to school. It also gave me much experience and training. I was called in for an interview for my Novell job just a week or two after I met Rochelle. To celebrate my new job, Mom and Dad took me out to dinner, and we sat at the same table as Rochelle (not to mention her then boyfriend Evan). And when I graduated, I received a great job at Property Solutions where I have ample room to grow, and have received much training, as well as great additions to my resume. They hired me on as a salaried employee just in time to pay for Rochelle's tuition this Fall. I can see quite clearly my purpose in working is not to buy myself toys or to build my own ego, but to take care of my family.
I am also grateful for prayer and the scriptures. I know my prayers are heard. I have no doubt about that. And when I read the scriptures, and can feel the Holy Ghost in my life. My daily scripture study gives me strength to do whatever is required of me. It gives me hope, and an optimistic view on life. It keeps life in focus.
I would be foolish to forget one last thing... during my lifetime, I have had some of the best friends one could ever hope for. I could always go to them for council when I needed to make a choice, I have always found great comfort in them when I was struggling, and I have always had some great laughs with them about some of the foolish things that have done. Many of my friends are family to me.
Ok. I have said enough. For those of you who actually get through this list of things, I'm grateful for you too! Have a wonderful Thanks Giving Day (and don't forget... You're Welcomegiving day is Friday too!) ;-)
Love ya!
BJ
First and foremost, I am grateful for a Heavenly Father who loves me. In my challenges, in my triumphs, He was there with me. And I don't mean to say from a distance, but He was there beside me, standing with me to hold me when I needed strength, and to cheer me when I had done well. He has never been far. Though I look forward to the day where I can see Him face to face, I can never see Him more clearly than when I look back at my life, and see all that He has done.
I know also that my Savior lives. He too has been a constant presence in my life. His triumph over sin and death has brought my life hope and joy. His mercy towards me and my mistakes gives me the encouragement I need to continue. His love fills me when I reach for Him.
I must say too that I have the most wonderful wife. I don't mean to brag, but she gives me every reason to. Loving her has taught me what love truly is. I know without her I would not be the person I am today. I am indeed grateful for her and her love for me.
I am grateful for a wonderful family. I have never felt closer to my siblings and my parents than I do now. I think you are all wonderful. I look up to each of you, and learn from all of you. I love you and am proud of all of you. I must say also that I love Rochelle's family too. I have heard horror stories about the "in-laws" and I can't even imagine what that would be like. Whenever people make jokes about staying away from "the wife's family" I don't even know how to respond, because I can't even comprehend how it would be to have those struggles. I think you all are the greatest, and I love you all as my own family. (I'm just glad that I get to be the "big brother" in this one!) ;-)
I am grateful for my job. Ever since I have been home from my mission, Heavenly Father has heard my prayers in regards to my job. I have always had employment, and He has always led me to the jobs that I could learn the most from and that worked the best for me and my skills. I feel a great responsibility towards my jobs too. I feel very strongly that I have received the jobs that I have received in order to care for Rochelle. This is one of those things where I can look back in my life and clearly see Heavenly Father's hand in my life. I got a job as a tester at Waterford quite a while ago. That job didn't require much out of my resume, but gave me much to put on it. It was the basis off of which I have received all of my jobs since. My job at Novell paid me quite well for a student, and gave me the flexible hours I needed to work and go to school. It also gave me much experience and training. I was called in for an interview for my Novell job just a week or two after I met Rochelle. To celebrate my new job, Mom and Dad took me out to dinner, and we sat at the same table as Rochelle (not to mention her then boyfriend Evan). And when I graduated, I received a great job at Property Solutions where I have ample room to grow, and have received much training, as well as great additions to my resume. They hired me on as a salaried employee just in time to pay for Rochelle's tuition this Fall. I can see quite clearly my purpose in working is not to buy myself toys or to build my own ego, but to take care of my family.
I am also grateful for prayer and the scriptures. I know my prayers are heard. I have no doubt about that. And when I read the scriptures, and can feel the Holy Ghost in my life. My daily scripture study gives me strength to do whatever is required of me. It gives me hope, and an optimistic view on life. It keeps life in focus.
I would be foolish to forget one last thing... during my lifetime, I have had some of the best friends one could ever hope for. I could always go to them for council when I needed to make a choice, I have always found great comfort in them when I was struggling, and I have always had some great laughs with them about some of the foolish things that have done. Many of my friends are family to me.
Ok. I have said enough. For those of you who actually get through this list of things, I'm grateful for you too! Have a wonderful Thanks Giving Day (and don't forget... You're Welcomegiving day is Friday too!) ;-)
Love ya!
BJ
Sunday, October 22, 2006
Count your many blessings...
So, Rochelle last blogged on Thursday when she was feeling quite grandiose. Then Friday hit, and she didn't want to get out of bed. In fact her whole weekend has been full of ups and downs. Feeling better and then feeling worse. I'm not sure that there is a pattern other than we had prayed that she would be able to get through her clinical rotation on Thursday. We were fairly specific in our prayers, and Heavenly Father was just as specific in His blessings. But we still feel blessed. I count myself lucky to have someone to take care of, and the health and ability to do so. I feel like we have been very blessed as a couple. I think back to when I met Rochelle, and how I was making $7 an hour fixing machines at BYU. Shortly thereafter I get a call out of nowhere asking me to come in for an interview. I wasn't even looking for a job at the time. I put out my application in August, and here is was February and I had an interview. Well, considering how much I loved fixing those smelly machines, I interviewed, and got a job. Little did I know, but that was the first blessing I had received so I could better take care of my dear soon to be wife. I have no need of going into detail on every blessing we've received for the last two years we have been married, but I feel like they have been many. And I have noticed something in common with many of them. With every blessing I receive, I have been better able to serve Rochelle or some other person who is in need. It has been an eye opening experience for me. It has made me consider things in a new light. What are blessings for? I have been taught ever since I was old enough to pass the sacrament that the priesthood was given to man for the serving of others. I have never supposed though, that in reality, every blessing given to us is an opportunity to serve others. And in fact, many of the challenges we face, and the trials we meet are in fact an opportunity for others to serve. For example, read the following verse: "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." Most of my life, when I read this verse, I get out of it one point, and one point only. That the ultimate demonstration of love is to give up your life for another. But it never occurred to me what trials the friends were going through. It seems to me that "his friends" were in serious trouble. It does not say whether they were in trouble because they put themselves there or by no fault of their own. But were it not for the sacrifice of another, they would soon perish. But because of their "trial" and the sacrifice of the one, blessings were poured out on all. The one who laid down his life would be blessed in heaven for his great act of service and love. The others would be blessed by feeling so loved, and cared for by another. They would appreciate their lives more, and be more willing to serve others in the future. They would have learned a great lesson. And so it is with us. We have trials so that the Savior can save us. He has already laid down His life for our own. He has already made the ultimate sacrifice of love. We have our trials so we can learn to seek Him out and trust in Him. Our trials also offer others a chance to emulate Him. Your trials may give me a chance to serve you. So when it comes down to it, everything -- both blessings and trials -- give us a chance to serve and be served, to love and be loved, and our testimonies of the Savior and His sacrifice grow regardless of which side of the service we are on. Anyways, these are the thoughts that came to me today. I hope you all had a good Sabbath.
Love you all.
BJ
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