Now Watching

Day 120

I’m terrible. I have a Blu-Ray player now. I found a good deal and the budget was able to accommodate. So I bought it. And it connects to the Internet! I’m not a fan of TV, but I do love movies. Being able to watch my Netflix Watch Instantly on the TV is such fun. Yet I have gotten hooked to various shows. Like “Little Men.” And I’ve watched more episodes in a row than I should have. But I have loved it. And it has been good and clean and with morals and fun and funny and just plain nice.

I love it when the Lord helps me find wholesome entertainment.

Lazy, Sort of

Day 119

I had a most lazy day. It was wonderful!! Just lazing about. And then I took a walk in the cemetery among the blustery weather. I listened to my music as I walked among the tombstones and read their writings. I did not expect the experience to be as somber and spiritual and uplifting as it was. It was very precious and I’m glad I can visit this reverent place often.

Later in the evening, I joined two friends to watch a high school’s production of a musical I have never seen on stage. I’ve watched the film version of it many a time while growing up. So I was so excited to see “1776” live—and I was not disappointed in the least!

So, I guess it wasn’t all out lazy, and I am so grateful for the other joys the Lord sent to me this day.

Aware

Day 118

Because of my wonderful temple time with family yesterday, I was unable to attend the YSA meeting at the Conference Center that my stake (as well as others) was asked to go. So, I went to the meeting tonight, meant for stakes in Davis county. Aside from the new stake boundaries being told, the information would be the same. It was neat to have members of the Quorum of the Seventy telling us of this, as well as to have Sister Beck and Elder Ballard speak to us of the changes coming this Sunday.

What meant the most to me was to know that the Lord is mindful of us Young Single Adults, and that these changes are from Him and my Heavenly Father.

Family Temple Trip

Day 117

I have now been able to attend the temple with all 7 of my siblings. Not all at once. Not yet. But at various times and temples. And it is wonderful to know all of us hold temple recommends and try to attend the temple when we can. It just means a lot to me to be able to have attended the temple with my little brother today. (Mom and two more brothers were with us, so it was exactly half of the original family.) It was a sweet joy inside to see him walk into the Celestial Room and join the rest of us. I wonder if this is how Heavenly Father will feel for those of us who are able to return to His presence.

I’m grateful to the Lord for his temples and for eternal families—and for the small reminder I got of that today.

Busy!

Day 116

It has been one very busy day. Again. Full of many things to do. Day like these whiz by, and always leave me feeling very fulfilled, and worthy of my hire.

I’m grateful the Lord sends me things to do, in all parts of life.

Coming Back

Day 115

I love a break. It is always nice. But it is also nice to return to a job that is not a drudge to return to.

I just cannot get over how much I love that my life is so wonderful and happy now—and I know I owe it completely to my Savior.

Easter--kinda

Day 114

It didn’t quite feel like Easter Sunday at church. A bit understandable in some ways, as it was our last Sunday as a ward. Indeed, the last Sunday that ward would ever exist. We spent much time in farewells. I’m rather grateful I hadn’t been here for a very long time, so that I didn’t feel as attached as those who have been in the ward for 3 or more years. (I haven’t known what that is like since I was 15 years old.) Sad, yes. But exciting, too!

Then, being Easter, I decided to spend time with the family. So I went to see grandma and uncles and aunt and cousins. And I had a very fun, enjoyable visit. My uncles sometimes remind me a great deal of my own brothers.

A nice Easter with my eternal extended family—made possible through my Savior.

For Me

Day 113

Today (or this morning and early afternoon) were a day for me. I hiked the Multonomah Falls. So beautiful! What a rejuvenation for the soul!! (And the body, too!) Then I mosied into downtown and enjoyed the weather, scenery, and one of the museums. It was a marvelous vacation for only a few hours to myself. But I did not mind the shortness in the least.

It was perfect and wonderful and I am so happy—all of which I attribute to my Savior and Friend.

Celestial Happiness

Day 112

It has happened! One of my dearest, bestest friends is now married eternally to her best friend. She was absolutely beautiful. The families were so fun to be with, and so kind to me—who never once felt out of place or alone! The party was simple and perfect. There was sunshine and happiness everywhere. And I will never be the same after this magnificent day.

I’m grateful the Lord has brought this wonderful day for my dear friend, and that I was able to take part in it.

Kindness

Day 111

Tonight, I’m grateful for the kindness of others. That a “distant relation” would be so kind as to let me stay in her home during my quick vacation. That she would literally welcome me with open arms.

The Lord’s kindness truly is passed on through others, and I’m grateful my life is blessed with that.

I've Been Waiting

Day 110

Anticipation mounting. I love happy anticipation. A much-anticipated event—long before I even knew an exact date for this event.

The Lord knows I do love a happy anticipation, and I’m especially grateful for this one!

Out to Eat

Day 109

I had the chance to go out to breakfast with one of my new friends from my soon-to-be old ward. It was a quick visit, but enjoyable—our first anything outside of a Church activity. We get along quite well and I enjoy that. She, in fact, was my “first Utah friend.” Meaning, I sat by her, and she reached out to me—the first person to do so. This means a lot to me, since it is very hard for me to reach out to all strangers.

I love that the Lord gives me time and means to hang out with friends as I never really got to during my college days. 

Monday Morning

Day 108

Mornings off are fabulous. I can sleep in if I want. I have plenty of time to workout and get ready after and not worry about a rushed morning. I can read a book. I can watch a movie. I can do my laundry. I can do all of that. In one morning.

I love that the Lord gives me time in a workday to still relax and get things done and have part of a day to keep me going through everything else.

Coming

Day 107

There are big changes coming for the Young Single Adults. It’s a little sad on my part considering I just barely started to feel settled in my new ward, and now things will be completely uprooted. But it’s also exciting to know that our leaders are mindful of us and feel this will be best for us.

I’m ready for the changes, because I know the Lord is behind it—and I’m grateful for that bit of faith.

P.S. A dinner with ~15 friends from Church was an excellent addition to the day!

All Day Long

Day 106

I had the pleasure of avoiding a marathon on my way to work today. I knew it was occurring, so I left much earlier and tried taking other routes. It wasn’t too bad, even with a couple of extra detours I ended up having to make. I still got to work on time. And I enjoyed seeing these people in the race. Being a “runner” myself, I know the pains and sacrifices and determination and exhilarations that can come from running the race. Whether a running race, or the race of life.

Today’s pain was related to one of my stomach episodes. And in spite of that, I still was able to go to a tri-stake activity and enjoy being with friends from my ward (since that as mostly who showed up). I even stuck around after dinner for an hour of the dance. I didn’t dance much. But I was there. And I had fun with the people there, and am grateful for how welcoming and inviting they were to me—even in my pain.

I’m also grateful for “my water,” as it has made these stomach episodes so much more bearable than they were for many years.

And I’m grateful that the Lord was with me all day in helping me see these things to be grateful for!

Making My House a Home

Day 105

It was a very good day. I had my weekly temple trip this morning. It made me smile to know my little brother has received his endowment now. At some point after returning home, my apartment was dedicated. It was a very special and spiritual experience, and I’m grateful I was able to have it.

Then I was on to cook. I don’t often get a chance to cook lots. Nor the time. So having a few hours to make a Strawberry Shortbread and some Wontons. It was very happy. Even happier when friends came over to share that food and watch The Music Man with me for National Library Week celebrations. A happy way for a house warming.

I’m grateful the Lord has given me a place for my home.

Happy Day!

Day 104

Two successful storytimes. 

My parents and 2 brothers in Nauvoo for a very special event in my youngest brother’s life.

Wonderful Institute class (sadly my last one for the semester). 

A little more information on the BIG meeting(s) next week that will bring changes I'm nervous and excited for. 

Snow in the morning followed by a lovely sunny afternoon.            

Talking to my newly planted garden. 

Meeting with my fellow teen librarians in the system (always fun).

Cheez-Its! 

Netflix. 

Knowing tomorrow is my day off. 

Less than a week until I'm in Portland for a very special event.

Ah, yes. It just keeps looking up and up!

What I Owe

Day 103

I know I finished my taxes a while ago. And I believe I’ve mentioned this joy before. But when you work at a library where tax forms are and see people scrambling to get forms and try to get things done in these last few days, well, it just makes me even more grateful. Grateful that I got all of my forms in good time (which is a little nerve-racking when one changes jobs and moves). Grateful that I didn’t procrastinate. Grateful for a refund. (Yay for paying tithing!) Grateful for peace of mind.

Grateful for the Lord helping me see a responsibility and making it fairly easy to fulfill.

All Started

Day 102

It’s official. She has begun! I planted my garden this morning. It was fun working in the dirt and planting the seeds and packing the dirt and just having an all-around great time. Right in the middle of my kitchen!

I love the Lord’s command that we till and take care of the earth—and that I get to try!

We Love Libraries!

Day 101

We had a party today celebrating libraries. (It is National Library Week, after all.) And I decided to show a newly released and quite popular movie to go along with all the snacking. And it was a success! Almost 50 people came!!!

I know that the failed programs are things to learn from and not as discouraging as I could let them be. But it is still a joy when not only people come to a program, but lots come. And have a great time. And love it! And keep thanking you for it. And even give you a chance to have a great encounter with one of the younger boys who’d actually given you grief at a previous program. Parenting and social skills to learn at work—and it was wonderful!

I love that the Lord gave us libraries, and things to do at libraries, and great people to come to libraries—and my chance to work at libraries!!

Improving Myself

Day 100

Today’s gratitude is for a lesson the Lord brought into my life. And not just for the lesson. But for seeing how far I’ve come in the last few years that, when I saw just how big this fault of mine is, I didn’t beat myself up for it. I didn’t get depressed and think how awful I am. No. I was able to see the fault. Acknowledge my wrongs. And determine to make improvements with the understanding that it make time but to be honest with myself and consistent in my efforts.

And that I have the Lord to help me to be more like Him.

P.S. A new nephew is pretty good addition to the happiness, too!

Grow a Garden!

Day 99

I’ve been itching for this ever since I saw that my new home had a balcony. Even more so when I saw how much good sun exposure I had. And driving me crazy to hear all of my east coast friends who have already begun.

So, today, I made my first steps. I bought the beginning things I would need for My Garden!

I’m so excited the Lord is giving me another learning chance at trying to be self-sufficient and obedient to His prophets while getting in tune with nature right here at home.

Now the Week is Over

Day 98

Ah, the weekend. Even if I love my work., and have a good week at work, it is still so wonderful to come home knowing it’s the weekend!

I love that the Lord created weekends for rest, relaxation, rejuvenation!

Do I Play?

Day 97

I get to play here and there in Institute. Being back in Utah, with many other piano players (and most much better than me!), I don’t often get this chance. Thus, I’m grateful for each time I get to play the piano. Not only for myself, but for others as well.

I’m grateful the Lord brought the piano into my life, reminding me as I was growing up just how much I wanted to play, and giving me now as an adult the opportunities to serve and praise Him with that talent.

Truth Restored

Day 96

It is the Church’s anniversary. Always a very special day to reflect on. For so many reasons.

For me, it always makes me grateful to my Savior and to our Father for restoring the full truths back on earth—and allowing the Gospel’s wondrous blessings to have always been a part of my life.

Real

Day 95

I attended a training today with lots of librarians from the system. About 60 or more. And there were people I recognized. And some recognized me. And as I sat in the training that would help me with Collection Development (something I’m “re-learning” as I didn’t get much experience with it for the last 3 years), I started to feel like a “real librarian.”

Not sure how to explain that, but I know the Lord understands—and I’m grateful I get to be real and not fake. :-)

Food and Memories

Day 94

We don’t often get to go out often as a family. When we get together, we do try. This morning, we went to Cracker Barrel. Mom and Dad don’t have one where they live now. Sad day. Cracker Barrel definitely became “the thing” for the younger part of the family. We still want on long road trips as the older kids and we younger kids were still around. And Cracker Barrel became the staple of those trips. Indeed, one trip I think every restaurant stop was at a Cracker Barrel!

It is a love that I’m grateful to share with my parents and younger siblings. A kind of bond that reminds me we were still a family, even if things weren’t as they were when we were very young. Plus, it is also something that we can share with our parents when there are things our oldest siblings share with the parents that we do not. It’s like a symbol of a family always changing and yet growing—and hopefully closer together.

I love that the Lord reminds me of the memories that our family has worked to create together, no matter where we were or what situation we were in or who was actually in the home. Forever families. Forever memories.

It was the Best

Day 93

I was right. Best. Conference. Ever.

So far!

I’d stayed the night at my brother’s. So I got to have nieces and nephew around in the morning as I got ready. Then my parents and I were off in the snowy white early morning to Conference. For the first session, we headed straight to the Joseph Smith Memorial building. I’ve watched Conference there before. I can’t remember full details, but I believe I had tried to get in on stand-by, and it didn’t work. But I had loved watching Conference on a humongous screen!

It was the same this time. And it was such a wonderful session, of course. More messages that were so great to hear. Wonderful sharing it with my parents, too. But the last song. When the choir sang “The Spirit of God,” I truly felt the Spirit so strongly. It was very powerful and I could scarcely breathe from trying to hold in the tears. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to hear that song again without remembering just how strong the spirit was. I hope so at least.

Then after the session, the excitement mounted even more. We crossed the street among the crowd of Conference-goers. We ate our little lunch among the snow-melting trees. Then we got in line. And then we were inside!! And then we were some of the very first to get our seats—right at the edge of the lower balcony!!!! (Hey, I did tell you I’m a nerd.) They were wonderful seats and I was so excited to be with my parents actually there in the Conference Center for a Conference session.

And it was wonderful. A most beautiful and joyous experience to share with my parents. And I am grateful the Savior made such an amazing blessing possible for me, one which I hope to never forget.

Different, but Still Great

Day 92

I’m a nerd in my ways. And I’m proud of that. And one of my nerdy ways is that I like to hear my leaders speak as they speak as often as possible. It is a wonderful thing that General Conference is immediately available to watch on the Internet after it takes place. But it’s just not quite the same as seeing/watching/hearing our leaders speak to us—and to hear it right away! Maybe that’s because I know stories like my grandfather, who woke very early on his Iowan farm to hear what he could of broadcasts of Conference on the radio—well after Conference had taken place. Or of so many who for so long in other countries had to wait for the messages to be written down (sometimes translated into their language) and send overseas to them.

So I try to watch Conference live whenever absolutely possible. And when one’s scheduled Saturday to work happens to be Conference Saturday, it’s a disappointment to have to miss my live opportunities. But then it’s a great joy to hear that you can actually take part in some live!

Meaning, I was given a lot of off desk hours—right when the first session of Conference took place. Often I listen to music or books on CD when I’m in the office. It makes the monotonous work much better. Thus, why not listen to Conference while doing my work? And then because of scheduling from the week, I had an extra hour I needed to take off and add to my lunch hour. Which allowed me to watch half of the second session and give my full attention.

It’s not the most conventional way to watch Conference. But I was able to get my “live” aspect. And loved every bit that I heard. Especially Brother Kent Richards’ talk. It spoke to me very much with what is occurring in my life. And I find such comfort and strength in it.

The Lord always knows what I need and is constantly mindful of even the little things that bring me peace, joy, and comfort—and I am so grateful for that.

P.S. Spending time with the family in the evening certainly adds to that!!

Family Time!

Day 91

Family in town! Even better, it’s my parents!!! I always envied those who participated in reunions of family, friends, and missionary companions during General Conference time. But for my first time, I got to have this for myself. And how much more wonderful it has made Conference for me—and the leaders haven’t even started speaking to me, yet! Oh, and adding a session in the temple to start it all off? Splendid!!!

As typical, this is guaranteed to be the Best. Conference. Ever!