Today in Sacrament meeting our intermediate musical number was done by the brethren in the ward. As they all stood at the front of the chapel singing "Ye Elders of Israel" I felt an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for the music we are blessed with in this life.
Music is a big part of my life and always has been. Nothing can touch my soul faster or more deeply than music. Whether it be the perfect song on the radio to rock out to in the way home from work, time to sit down at the piano and just let all the problems fade away, or a powerful hymn sung in Sacrament meeting, there are very few things that can ease pain, increase joy, or soothe the soul faster than music.
I am so grateful that my mom never gave up on the stubborn 8 year old that went to piano lessons and sat on her hands the entire time. I am grateful my dad put up with the squeaky violin playing through elementary school, junior high, and high school. I am thankful I was able to dance for so many years and learn to "feel" the music.
I am thankful to belong to a church that puts such an emphasis on music. It is such an important part of our worship. It has an ability to join people together, to bless the weary, and strengthen its members.
Sunday, November 23, 2014
Saturday, November 22, 2014
Thankfulness Day 3
After spending some time in Logan this weekend, I can't help but be grateful for that wonderful, beautiful place. People often saying, "Oh you just love Logan because of Utah State." Not really. I love Utah State because of Cache Valley.
There is something so special about that valley. Every time I come out of Sardine Canyon and see the view 't take my breathe away. It doesn't matter if it is the middle of the day and you can see forever, or dark and all you see are the lights across the valley. It doesn't matter if it is summer and everything is green or the dead of winter and everything is covered in a blanket of snow. Logan in the fall is a beautiful sight, but Spring can be just as lovely. There is a beauty there than can be found no where else.
I love that from just about anywhere in the valley you can see the Logan temple. And the view of the valley from the Logan temple is just as breathe taking. My favorite road in the entire valley is the one way road that winds up behind the temple from the southwest.
I love the weather in Cache Valley. Yes, it is butt-freazing cold 5 months out of the year, but it seems more...worth it... there. There were times I thought for sure that I was going to freeze to death walking across campus, especially when the wind starts blowing out of Logan Canyon. And I was always thankful for the shortcuts I found through buildings on my way to the next class. But, it is a beautiful cold.
I can't be thankful for Logan without being thankful for USU. The first time I can clearly remember going to Logan was for the UAC summer workshops. I think I was about 12. I can clearly remember driving up Aggie Blvd. and my dad pointing out the different buildings and things to see. I clearly remember thinking as we drove past the education building that one I WOULD go there. I made my decision right then and there.
That building became my home away from home. I can't count the hours, especially Fall semester 2009, that I spent in that building. I made friends there that will be friends for life. I am so thankful for the education I received there. Just today I was talking with some friends about how absolutely wonderful the ELED program there is compared to other schools in the state.
I am so thankful for the decision I made to apply for the A-team. I was crushed after not being accepted as a school ambassador when I started at USU. But looking back on it, there is no doubt in my mind that the A-team was by far the better blessing. The people I worked with, the students I met, the chance it gave me to get involved and make a difference are all things I will forever be thankful for.
More than anything, I am so thankful for the people in my life, because of Cache Valley, because of Utah State. I am so blessed to have such wonderful friends and family still there. I have made many, many trips to Logan in the 5 years since I have graduated, and every time it is a little harder to leave.
There is something so special about that valley. Every time I come out of Sardine Canyon and see the view 't take my breathe away. It doesn't matter if it is the middle of the day and you can see forever, or dark and all you see are the lights across the valley. It doesn't matter if it is summer and everything is green or the dead of winter and everything is covered in a blanket of snow. Logan in the fall is a beautiful sight, but Spring can be just as lovely. There is a beauty there than can be found no where else.
I love that from just about anywhere in the valley you can see the Logan temple. And the view of the valley from the Logan temple is just as breathe taking. My favorite road in the entire valley is the one way road that winds up behind the temple from the southwest.
I can't be thankful for Logan without being thankful for USU. The first time I can clearly remember going to Logan was for the UAC summer workshops. I think I was about 12. I can clearly remember driving up Aggie Blvd. and my dad pointing out the different buildings and things to see. I clearly remember thinking as we drove past the education building that one I WOULD go there. I made my decision right then and there.
That building became my home away from home. I can't count the hours, especially Fall semester 2009, that I spent in that building. I made friends there that will be friends for life. I am so thankful for the education I received there. Just today I was talking with some friends about how absolutely wonderful the ELED program there is compared to other schools in the state.
I am so thankful for the decision I made to apply for the A-team. I was crushed after not being accepted as a school ambassador when I started at USU. But looking back on it, there is no doubt in my mind that the A-team was by far the better blessing. The people I worked with, the students I met, the chance it gave me to get involved and make a difference are all things I will forever be thankful for.
Friday, November 21, 2014
Thankfulness Day 2
This one might sound kind of funny, but I am thankful for politics. Many of you know that my dad's job is an elected position. He has been the Tooele County Auditor for the last 14 years. Because of changes at the county level, this year he decided to run for county treasurer.
The last 11 months have been very, very difficult for our family. It is not easy to watch someone you love be torn apart and ridiculed, knowing it is all a lie. Sometimes the hardest part for us was just keeping quiet. I was often amazed at how unkind and downright ruthless people get, especially when using social media.
How can I be thankful for all of this?
First, I am thankful I got the opportunity to watch my dad through it all. It was hard on him most of all, but never did I see him lower his standards to fight back. He was determined from day 1 to run a clean, honest campaign. And he did. He never lost his integrity throughout the entire thing. He treated everyone he met with respect and kindness.
Second, I am thankful the voters of Tooele County saw that. And they saw through the lies. The support we received from family members, ward members and neighbors, friends across the valley, and people we didn't even know was amazing. I personally got to meet and know so many wonderful people through all of this that I never would have met otherwise.
Third, I am thankful for all the clerk/auditors we have gotten to know over the last 14 years. We have had so many adventures traveling the state of Utah every summer for UAC conferences. These people have watched our family grow up. All of our adventures, from tours of dams and coal plants, shooting ranges and rafting the Colorado River to horrible concerts and strange dates in small town Utah that we still laugh about to this day, some of my favorite family memories come from these trips.
Last, I am thankful that my dad still has a job. I am thankful for the new adventures that will come with this new job and I am thankful for all the people we will get to know now.
The last 11 months have been very, very difficult for our family. It is not easy to watch someone you love be torn apart and ridiculed, knowing it is all a lie. Sometimes the hardest part for us was just keeping quiet. I was often amazed at how unkind and downright ruthless people get, especially when using social media.
How can I be thankful for all of this?
First, I am thankful I got the opportunity to watch my dad through it all. It was hard on him most of all, but never did I see him lower his standards to fight back. He was determined from day 1 to run a clean, honest campaign. And he did. He never lost his integrity throughout the entire thing. He treated everyone he met with respect and kindness.
Second, I am thankful the voters of Tooele County saw that. And they saw through the lies. The support we received from family members, ward members and neighbors, friends across the valley, and people we didn't even know was amazing. I personally got to meet and know so many wonderful people through all of this that I never would have met otherwise.
Third, I am thankful for all the clerk/auditors we have gotten to know over the last 14 years. We have had so many adventures traveling the state of Utah every summer for UAC conferences. These people have watched our family grow up. All of our adventures, from tours of dams and coal plants, shooting ranges and rafting the Colorado River to horrible concerts and strange dates in small town Utah that we still laugh about to this day, some of my favorite family memories come from these trips.
Last, I am thankful that my dad still has a job. I am thankful for the new adventures that will come with this new job and I am thankful for all the people we will get to know now.
Thursday, November 20, 2014
Thankfulness Day 1
Yesterday in institute we talked about gratitude. It was based on Pres. Uchtdorf's talk from April 2014 General Conference, Grateful in Any Circumstances. The main point is being grateful IN our circumstances, not just FOR a list of things. And that is very true, but I would like to take the next week to express all those things I am thankful for.
Today is dedicated to the people in my life that I am most thankful for.
My family has to be at the top of the list, of course. I seriously have the best family in the world. People have always said that we are "super" close, and I love that. I love our adventures and road trips. I am so grateful that we all get along so well and enjoy spending time together.
I am thankful for Jessi. I never could have asked for a better best friend. I am so thankful that it doesn't matter that we live so far apart. I am thankful that she listens to me complain. I am thankful she is a teacher too so she just gets it. I am so thankful for all our fun times and memories, for Vegas and basketball.
I am thankful for the wonderful people I work with. I have said from the very beginning that there are very few people I could fit in with so well. They may be 35 years older than I am, but it doesn't matter. We fit. I am terrified of the day they leave me. I would not be the person and teacher I am without them. I am thankful for the people that no longer have a responsibility at my school, but still take the time to help me, bail me out when I need help, and check in every once in a while to make sure things are going well.
I am thankful for my bishopric and stake presidency. I have been very blessed to get to know them. They are all wonderful men and men of God. I am so grateful for my calling and the chance it gives me to serve them and serve with them.
I am thankful for all the people the Lord has put on my path to help me and bless my life. There are so many of you that have enriched my life and made it so much better. I am thankful for each one of you.
Today is dedicated to the people in my life that I am most thankful for.
My family has to be at the top of the list, of course. I seriously have the best family in the world. People have always said that we are "super" close, and I love that. I love our adventures and road trips. I am so grateful that we all get along so well and enjoy spending time together.
I am thankful for Jessi. I never could have asked for a better best friend. I am so thankful that it doesn't matter that we live so far apart. I am thankful that she listens to me complain. I am thankful she is a teacher too so she just gets it. I am so thankful for all our fun times and memories, for Vegas and basketball.
I am thankful for my bishopric and stake presidency. I have been very blessed to get to know them. They are all wonderful men and men of God. I am so grateful for my calling and the chance it gives me to serve them and serve with them.
(I mean, whose Bishop is THIS cool?)
I am thankful for all the people the Lord has put on my path to help me and bless my life. There are so many of you that have enriched my life and made it so much better. I am thankful for each one of you.
Monday, September 22, 2014
#my26by26 ~UPDATE~
On my birthday, I made a list of 26 things I wanted to do before I turned 26 on the 26th. Check out this post from March. 6 months in and 6 months to go!
Red has been done, blue is in the process, black ones still to go!
#my26by26
1) Go on a GOOD vacation (in other words- Logan, Tooele, and Fish Lake don't count)
2) Go to the zoo
3) Go horseback riding
4) Pay for the car behind me at the drive through
(Sorry I don't have a picture of this one..)
5) Watch the sun rise and set on the same day
6) Go to a NEW MLB park/game
7) Have dinner at a fancy restaurant
8) Pay off my car loan
9) Read the Book of Mormon again
10) Sing in a choir
11) Get my motorcycle license (so I can drive my mom's scooter)
12) Hike Timp
13) Take a big risk/do something way outside my comfort zone
14) Visit all the temples in Utah
15) Give a boy my number/tell him I like him
16) Have a water gun fight
17) Run a 5k (Let's be honest, this is probably going to be the hardest one. I don't run!! At all.)
18) Go camping
19) Slow dance in the rain
20) Take a photo every day (not necessarily of me, but of something legit)
21) Get my concealed weapons permit
22) Hike Deseret Peak
23) Read 10 NEW books
24) Lose 20-25 pounds (this one incorporates the whole eat healthier, exercise more thing)
25) Actually start the teaching blog I have wanted to do for over a year
26) Do at least one random act of service each week
Bonus: Get a passport and actually USE it (I originally had this on my list and then thought about the fact that I was actually going to have to pay for all of this myself. Remember, I am a teacher. I'm not exactly making the big bucks. So I am adding it as a bonus. I still really want to do it, but I am not making it "list official.")
Red has been done, blue is in the process, black ones still to go!
#my26by26
1) Go on a GOOD vacation (in other words- Logan, Tooele, and Fish Lake don't count)
2) Go to the zoo
3) Go horseback riding
4) Pay for the car behind me at the drive through
(Sorry I don't have a picture of this one..)
5) Watch the sun rise and set on the same day
6) Go to a NEW MLB park/game
7) Have dinner at a fancy restaurant
8) Pay off my car loan
9) Read the Book of Mormon again
10) Sing in a choir
11) Get my motorcycle license (so I can drive my mom's scooter)
12) Hike Timp
13) Take a big risk/do something way outside my comfort zone
14) Visit all the temples in Utah
15) Give a boy my number/tell him I like him
16) Have a water gun fight
17) Run a 5k (Let's be honest, this is probably going to be the hardest one. I don't run!! At all.)
18) Go camping
19) Slow dance in the rain
20) Take a photo every day (not necessarily of me, but of something legit)
21) Get my concealed weapons permit
22) Hike Deseret Peak
23) Read 10 NEW books
24) Lose 20-25 pounds (this one incorporates the whole eat healthier, exercise more thing)
25) Actually start the teaching blog I have wanted to do for over a year
26) Do at least one random act of service each week
Bonus: Get a passport and actually USE it (I originally had this on my list and then thought about the fact that I was actually going to have to pay for all of this myself. Remember, I am a teacher. I'm not exactly making the big bucks. So I am adding it as a bonus. I still really want to do it, but I am not making it "list official.")
Wednesday, September 17, 2014
Dear Boys #40
Dear Whip Cream,
You give me "chills".
Love, Jess
Dear Shawn,
You, me, Manda, #jaserboy. Soon. Yes?
Love, Gus
Dear Johnny,
Ready...Set...Go!
Love, Jess
Dear MGM,
What it is with you boys?? What is this spell you hold over me??
Love, Jess
Wednesday, September 03, 2014
Dear Boys #39
Hey, Hey Good Lookin'
I am still here. You are still here. We should still be here together.
Love, Jess
Dear _______________,
If you are waiting for the opportune moment, this is it.
Love, Jess
Dear Johnny,
Yep. I am on board. 100%
Love, Jess
Dear Shawn,
Keep your head up!
Love, Gus
Keep your head up!
Love, Gus
Dear Warrior,
Too bad you are just a young'un...
Love, Jess
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