Six Geese A-Laying: Eggs

Eggs can be scrambled, fried, deviled, and fried. They are essential in so many recipes, especially for baking. Eggs can be eaten for breakfast, lunch, as a side dish for dinner, and is essential for many desserts. Today I express my gratitude for eggs.

Also, happy new year!

Five Golden Rings: Precious Stones and Minerals

There is so much to admire about the earth we live on. Usually I think about the beauty of nature when I think of the beauty of this planet. Seldom do I consider the beauty beneath the earth we stand on. The rare and precious gems and minerals we find there have been and are the subject of a lot of debate and violence over the course of history. But, they were part of the original creation of this planet and they are great blessings. Diamonds, gold, silver, other gems coal, granite, marble, and other minerals, I am grateful for all of these. I am grateful, as a lovely hymn says, "for the beauty of the earth," and that includes what we find above and beneath it.

Four Calling Birds: A Call to Stand a Little Taller

Every Sunday, as I attend church meetings, I have the opportunity to think, to ponder, and to learn from others and especially by the power of the Holy Spirit. Today I made a stronger effort to listen to the lessons I hear and the impressions I receive in my mind and in my heart. In this time when resolutions are made, I seriously thought about what I could do to be better. What should my new year's commitment be? I thought of a number of things I could do to improve my health and my happiness and my obedience to God.

Above all, this was a call to me to do some specific things in my life to be better, to stand a little taller. As I recall these impressions I had while in my church meetings, I express gratitude for them. I am grateful the God blesses each and every one of us with the power of the Holy Spirit, as well as that Light that is within each of us that leads us to do good, be better, and stand a little taller.

Three French Hens: The French Language

The things I've learned in my studies this past semester have given me a tremendous appreciation for the French language and culture. I am grateful for its incredible influence in the development of the English language, and I am grateful for the opportunity I have to learn French and study French culture. It is challenging, but it is a fun and enlightening challenge. So, I am grateful for the French language.

Two Turtle Doves: Happy 25th Anniversary

It is quite remarkable to me that the "second day of Christmas" falls on my parents' wedding anniversary. Today marked their 25th anniversary. Today, I am grateful for the wonderful people my mom and my dad are. I am grateful for all the wonderful things they do for each other, for their children, for their extended family, for the people they associate with at work and at church, and for everyone they meet. On this day, 25 years ago, a wonderful family was established. I am very grateful for those years that have passed since that day.

A Partridge in a Pear Tree: Fruit Trees

For the next twelve days, including today, I thought it would be fun to find something to be grateful for that had something to do with "The Twelve Days of Christmas". There are lots of birds in the song, but only one tree. I am grateful for fruit trees. They are the beginnings of so many wonderful and tasty blessings for the holiday season.These blessings include but are not limited to apple pie, apple crisp, any other apple dessert, cherry pies, banana cream pies, any kind of pie that involves fruit, jams, jellies, preserves, dried fruit, and so on and so on.

Skype with my Brother

My younger brother is currently serving a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He writes letters and e-mails to me and my family each week, but we get to actually talk with him twice a year: Mother's Day, and Christmas Day. Part of the excitement of the day for my family was to receive a skype call from him and spend an hour or so talking with him and catching up directly on how he's doing on his mission. I am grateful for that time we had to be together as a family for Christmas. I am also grateful my brother is well and very happy in his missionary service. I know the service he gives to people as a missionary is priceless, and he is dedicated to it. God bless him and all of us as we search for opportunities to give back to God and to His children at this cold and happy time of the year.

The Christmas Story (in the Scriptures)

My family opens one present per person on the night of Christmas Eve, but before we do that we take the time to read the words of the story behind Christmas. We read the second chapter of Luke in the New Testament, the best account of the story that we have. We also read the first chapter of Third Nephi from the Book of Mormon because it gives the account of what happened in America when Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem. As a small group of humble shepherds were alerted of the Savior's birth by an angel from heaven, a group of believers in America looked for the sign of His birth: the night before Christ would come would be as bright as day. Many people fell to the earth either in disbelief or in great gratitude when the sign came.

These two stories, one from each side of the world, are testaments to the fact that the arrival of the Savior was a world event, anticipated and celebrated by more than the precious few who saw Him in Bethlehem. I am grateful for the true Christmas story, and for the accounts we have in the scriptures of this miraculous and glorious event.

Merry Christmas!

Spontaneous Caroling

Yesterday I talked about a Christmas hymn marathon. Today I express gratitude for the tradition of Christmas caroling. Some friends unexpectedly stopped by our house, sang a Christmas carol, and presented us with some Christmas treats. I remember when I performed as a caroler in my high school days. I loved it. It was so much fun to dress up and go "Caroling, Caroling" for friends, family, and strangers. I am grateful for the tradition of spontaneous Christmas caroling.

A Christmas Hymn Marathon

There is a wonderful family in my hometown that has a really fun Christmas tradition. They invite friends and neighbors over to their home to sing all fourteen Christmas hymns in the LDS (Mormon) hymnbook, and to share desserts and conversation before and afterwards. I have attended this event two or three times so far, and I love participating in it. I am grateful for this fun and unique Christmas tradition: a marathon of Christmas hymns in good company.

Vending Machines

My sister and I spent most of the day in an airport to travel home for Christmas break. My sister wanted some gum and we didn't have any. I walked around the terminal, and there was a vending machine with some mint chewing gum! I got some gum and a couple of other goodies for us to munch on. I am grateful for the convenience of vending machines in an otherwise slow time of travel.

An Empty Library

This evening, at about 7:30, I was on my way to visit my sister when I walked by the library on campus. I looked through the window that looks into the busiest study area of the library. It was completely empty. I knew why no one was at the library. This is the last day of Finals Week, so everyone is either completely done with their finals or they are part of the unfortunate few who have a scheduled exam on a Friday evening. I am grateful for an empty library because that means Finals Week is over, and the Christmas holiday has officially begun for the students.

My French Textbook

The textbook for my French 101 class this semester has been such a valuable tool to help me progress in learning the French language. I am also grateful that I'll be able to use it next semester and won't have to buy a new textbook for French 102.

Finals Week

Why on earth would I be grateful for Finals Week? For me, I find this week more relaxing than the school weeks before it. Classes are over, so there is extra time to study and maybe do some much-needed cleaning and organizing at the apartment. My final exams are certainly challenging, and I try to work hard to do well on them, but I generally feel less stressed during Finals Week than I do during normal school weeks. Also, this time of the semester is when all the learning experiences from the previous months come together, and we see the whole picture and we can see how much we have progressed in our learning. Plus, Finals Week in the fall semester occurs on the height of the Christmas season! It's a wonderful time of the year.

Slippers

It is nice to have shoes to wear around the apartment that keep my feet warm and don't track snow and slush onto the floor. Slippers are a wonderful thing.

Sword Fights

My roommate and I had one of our fun and epic sword fights outside. We fight with toy swords that are realistic enough to fight with but safe enough to avoid real injury. It was our first time fighting in the snow, and it was very enjoyable. I am grateful for playful sword fights with a good friend and roommate. I am also grateful that my sword-fighting abilities are improving. My roommate has more experience with it than I do, but I'm getting better.

"It takes a lot of things to go right for everything to be fine."

I appreciate this wise observation in the title, quoted from one of my teachers this semester. I was involved with organizing a large Christmas music event tonight. If you were to ask me how it went, I would say, "It was great," or "It went well." It was a success. Though I was nervous about a few things and details as we went along, so many things just went right. Therefore, the musical event was fine. I am grateful for all the little, unnoticeable things that go right.

Trail Mix

Because of how things worked out today, trail mix was part of my nutrition for this afternoon. I am grateful for the variety of trail mixes out there, and for its value in outdoor excursions.

Success in Making Christmas Goodies

The highlight of my day was spending some time making Christmas goodies with a friend and sharing those goodies with people in our apartment complex. I am grateful the cookies and the divinity candy turned out so well. Even though we made a few mistakes in the process, in the end the cooking endeavor was successful.

Lunches from the Apartment

Today I express gratitude for the fact that I am able to provide food for myself each day. I really enjoy making lunches from my apartment and bringing them to campus. I have always enjoyed packing a lunch ever since grade school, and I am grateful to be able to pack my lunch and take it with me each day.

Projects at Work

At my job in the library, I have just recently finished part of a long project related to editing work on a website. Today, I got a new project to work on. I am very grateful for these projects because it gives my time at the library desk a little more purpose, and I get to learn a little more about how a library works. Plus, I just enjoy being put to good work.

So Many Computers in the Library

Tonight, I needed to stay in the library for a few hours to finish up one of those final projects that come as a natural result of the end of another semester. Not only did I finish all I needed to finish, it wasn't hard to find a computer to use in the library because I went to a less populated area of the library. I am grateful for the plethora of electronic resources at the library.

Heidi

That is the name of the car that belongs to a very good friend of mine. Heidi is just a little older than I am, and she has been all over the place on errands and road trips and so forth. I am grateful for my friend for lending the services of his car to many other people, and I am grateful for the car, Heidi. Heidi has survived this long and has done a lot of good in the past 23 years.

I Can Read French!...A Little

I was at an indexing party this evening. When I saw a couple of French records, I wondered if I could actually read it. I realized that, while I still have a lot of work to do to achieve any real proficiency in the language, I am grateful that I can read basic French-maybe enough to work on an indexing project!

Gingerbread

Another reason to be grateful for the holidays: gingerbread houses and gingerbread people! I had an enjoyable time making them with some good friends this evening, and I've been wanting to for a while. I'm glad it happened this year.

Wheat Grass Drink

Today, I didn't make the best decisions about what to eat for lunch and dinner. I ate things like pizza, bread sticks, grilled cheese, and french fries. So, for dessert I went to Jamba Juice with my sister. Along with a fruit smoothie, I got one of their 1-oz. wheat grass drinks in a tiny plastic cup. The grass flavor really wasn't all that bad, thanks to the sweet aftertaste that lingered in my throat after I left Jamba Juice. I am thankful for the healthy (and even a bit tasty) wheat grass drink.

The Story of the Army of Helaman

In my personal scripture study, I am currently reading through the Book of Mormon, and right now I am reading a story about a faithful, God-fearing army of 2,000 young men who faced insurmountable odds in a battle to regain their lost cities. Helaman was the leader of these men. I read their miraculous victory on pages 350-351 in the Book of Mormon.

Then it suddenly struck me that this story related directly to a large challenge I have before me: the final projects and exams at the end of another semester. It is a common challenge for people my age, but I still wondered if I could pull it all off.

I am grateful for the story of the Army of Helaman because it is an example of the truth that, with God, nothing is impossible. It's a simple truth, and I've heard it before, but this morning it struck me in a special way and encouraged me to go out and do what I need to do, while trusting God to take care of whatever I can't on my own.

Snow

I love snow, and I am very grateful for snow. I attribute this attitude to my growing-up years in Minnesota, where I've learned to be a little more tolerant of cold weather. Of course, I can get just as frustrated with slush and ice as the next person. Then there are the times when I look up from the slush I step on to the beautiful landscape ahead of me. It could be a white, sparkly field; a gorgeous, frosted tree; or breathtaking, covered mountain slopes. I suppose the song called "Snow" from the classic film musical White Christmas is a good expression of most of the reasons why I'm grateful for snow.

Drinking Water

Lately I've had to drink a lot of water to recover from my cold. Even with that aside, there are those times when normal drinking water is really the best-tasting and most-needed thing around.

Ibuprofen

I didn't feel too well today, and I got a bad headache. So, along with getting extra rest, drinking more water, taking extra vitamin C, getting a priesthood blessing, and so forth, I took ibuprofen for my headache. That helped a lot, and I am grateful for it.

Nice Notes

Writing nice notes to family, friends, acquaintances, and (on occasion) strangers is something I really enjoy doing to show my personal gratitude and appreciation for the recipient. This morning, when I arrived back at my college apartment after a long airplane ride, I found a nice note for me. It was very sincere, and I appreciated it so much. It made a challenging day all the more worth it. Today, on the first day of December, I am grateful for sincere nice notes given and received.

The Conclusion of a Break

I truly appreciate this Thanksgiving Break. It has been a blessing to be home with family for a few days. Now that the break is over, I am looking forward to getting back to work to conclude another semester. I am grateful to have something to work on now that the break is over.

Nutella

I don't think I have yet expressed gratitude for Nutella. I wondered if I may have written about it before, but I don't think I have. This evening I enjoyed Nutella on waffles. I enjoy and appreciate the thick, delicious taste from that finest of chocolate hazelnut spreads. A local restaurant has recently added new desserts to their menu and most of their desserts involve Nutella in one way or another. I am grateful for the versatility and most importantly the yumminess of this delicious treat.

"Thankful"

I put the title of this post in quotation marks because I am referring to a song in Josh Groben's Christmas album, Noel. The lyrics read in part:

"Some days, we forget to look around us.
Some days, we can't see the joy that surrounds us
So caught up inside ourselves
We take when we should give.

So for tonight, we pray for
What we know can be;
And on this day, we hope for
What we still can't see.

It's up to us to be the change;
And even though we all could still do more,
There's so much to be thankful for.
...
It's up to us to be the change;
And even though this world needs so much more,
There's so much to be thankful for."

What I appreciate most about this song is not just the fact that it reminds the listener to be grateful. It acknowledges that there is so much work that still needs to be done to make our world more ideal, more perfect. Yet, with everything that is being done and has yet to be done to make things right and good in the world, "even though we all could still do more", we truly have so much to be grateful for. That is what I try to remember every single day, and that is why I make the effort to express my gratitude daily.

"This world needs so much more", but each year we rest from our diligent efforts and reflect on what we have now and the progress we've made. I am grateful for this reminder in the form of a lovely holiday song.

Christmas Trees

My sister and I put up our Christmas tree at home today. To me this is when it generally becomes official: We are most certainly in my favorite time of the year. I really like the symbolism of a Christmas tree. It symbolizes the Christmas season and in several ways it serves as a symbol for various aspects of the Nativity Story.

Bing Crosby

I am grateful for Bing Crosby because of his marvelous contribution to classic Christmas music. My sister and I listened to a whole album of his Christmas songs while on a plane home, and it made for a lovely trip. Christmas includes many great things, and one of those things is the voice of Bing Crosby. I also really enjoy one song he sang in collaboration with David Bowie: "Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy". It is a classic.

Vocal Point

Vocal Point is the name of the best male a cappella group at Brigham Young University in Utah. I had heard some other a cappella groups before I heard them, but my freshman year of college saw my first exposure to Vocal Point. I saw them in concert and auditioned for a spot in the group. I have yet to make it into Vocal Point but I have found many other opportunities to perform a cappella music. Today I am grateful for Vocal Point because watching them perform has served as a major inspiration for me to start learning how to make cool beatbox and echo sounds with my mouth. Four years after I really started to learn how to beatbox I know I have made considerable progress, and I can even make a very convincing echo effect with my voice. I will keep working hard to prepare for the annual Vocal Point auditions, but now it's more a matter of becoming a better performer overall, and to find ways to make people smile. Because there are excellent groups out there like Vocal Point, we all can be encouraged to pursue excellence as well.

Chocolate Milk

Yesterday I expressed gratitude for hot chocolate. Today I express gratitude for some colder chocolate. This evening a friend shared some especially delicious chocolate milk with me, and I was reminded how much I love the taste of chocolate milk. That is what I am grateful for today.

Hot Chocolate

Today I am grateful for hot chocolate. I am not only grateful for how delicious it is or how much it reminds me that we are in the best season of the year. On top of all of that I am grateful for the effect hot chocolate has on over-cooked cookies. Dip an over-cooked cookie into hot chocolate and all the dryness and hardness is soaked and melted away by the time you taste it. Hot chocolate is one of the several things that make great things even better than they could be alone.

A Peaceful Laundry Room

During those times I get laundry taken care of, I sometimes take a place in the laundry room to study or read or listen to music. Occasionally someone comes down and we exchange friendly greetings and brief conversation. This laundry room is a good place to study, and a good place to see people without too much constant activity. Also, the white noise is helpful to me. I like white noise or soft music when I sit down and do some mental work. I am grateful for the laundry room for the cleaning services it provides, and for an environment nearly ideal for doing some homework near my apartment.

A Summer of Arranging

Last summer, I spent a lot of my time at home working on an a cappella arrangement of Owl City songs for my a cappella group this semester. Tonight, we performed that arrangement. The arrangement developed over the semester and became shorter and ultimately better by the time we performed it. After the show, I heard about half a dozen people complimented my arrangement. It is clear a number of people enjoyed the piece, so today I am grateful for the summer hours I spent working on it.

Music from Bali

Today I am grateful for music from Bali because I had the great opportunity to perform Balinese music on campus today. The style of the music and vocal percussion isn't completely new to me anymore, but it was new to tonight's audience, and it was a pleasure to share it with them tonight. Balinese music is different, it is more about fullness of each person participating and making sound. Some music is carefully calculated and soothing, while other music is explosive and flashy. It all comes together to make a lovely whole that is a fullness of sound and sight.

Rehearsal Week

This week I have two shows that I am performing in. Needless to say this week is very busy with dress rehearsals and the last day or so of fine-tuning our performances. I always love this kind of week. It is busy, but I become filled with energy. I become more excited and nervous to present months of work to an audience. It is a lot of fun for all this hard work. I have experienced dozens of weeks like this over the years, and I never get tired of it. Today I am grateful for that last week of rehearsal.

A Man Who Makes Gyros

In my part of town there is a small gyro place. I had never eaten from there until tonight. I decided to try it, and it was delicious! I was quite impressed with the food. It made for a great dinner at my apartment. So, today I am grateful for the gentleman who made my gyro tonight.

Today's Ward Council

In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, a ward council consists of the local leaders and committee chairs of the congregation. I attend ward council because I am the chair of the music committee. This week was a wonderful ward council because several members of the council had great ideas about how to give service to members of the congregation who need help and friendship. I even had an idea or two of what more I could do to be a friend to those in need. It was an exciting council meeting in church today, and I am grateful for it.

Pumpkin

We are in a great season. It is a season of many things, including pumpkins! After showing off our pumpkin-carving skills (or lack thereof), we eat them in many ways. I am grateful for the many ways we use pumpkins: in pie, ice-cream, cheesecake, cookies, etc.

"You Can Do It Now!"

Recently, I have struggled to get out of bed early. I haven't been late for my classes or other obligations, but too often I find myself in a rush to get ready for the day with too little time to prepare all of my materials for the day's classes. I often set two or three alarms within 5-10 minutes of each other for multiple reminders to get up, but I tend to ignore one to gain a few extra minutes of sleep until the next alarm, and then until the next one, and so on...

Two days ago, I had an idea. I remembered a message given over a month ago by a leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I looked up the video of the talk, and recorded a small segment on my phone to use as my morning alarm. The segment is this:

"I told him what had happened, but he didn’t seem very interested in my explanations of why I couldn’t get up. He looked me in the eyes, reached out, took my hand, and in a firm tone said, 'Opa, [Grandpa] you can do it now!'" 

Here is the whole talk for original context: http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/10/you-can-do-it-now (The extracted quote is found in the first five minutes of the talk.) 

In the context of getting up out of bed, this quote has proved very effective for me. I woke up to those words this morning, and decided I had no adequate excuses to continue sleeping. So I got out of bed, said a morning prayer, and started to get ready for the day. Today, I am grateful for inspired words by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf.

Involvement in a Student Journal

As part of a class project, I am involved with a creative writing journal on campus, and I am grateful for the experience I have in that involvement. I am still quite new to the editing field, so my time working on this journal with other students is valuable.

Argyle

I am grateful for the versatile style of Argyle. It is such a classy pattern that looks especially classy on sweaters, shirts, and socks. I often wear an argyle pattern as part of Classy Wednesday. Such a simple geometric concept that is very effective in fashion, at least in my opinion. This pattern is pleasing to my eye, and to me it conveys a cool, classy style. I am glad argyle exists.

A Successful Crucial Conversation

I have a book titled "Crucial Conversations". The definition they give for such interactions between two or more people is three-fold: "(1) stakes are high (2) opinions vary, and (3) emotions run strong."

There was such a conversation tonight at an audition event for the a cappella club of which I am an officer. We had a few judges who would determine which a cappella groups would perform in our big end-of-semester show. As the auditions progressed, the Club president had an idea to allow everyone in the show because there were fewer groups auditioning than we had anticipated. As the judges were deliberating, we (the club officers) started to talk with them about our ideas and proposed adjustments. There were varying opinions, the quality of our show was at stake (as well as our working relationships with other club members, possibly), and we needed to reach a decision tonight.

After many minutes of debate and talk, we all reached a conclusion that turned out for the best of everyone involved. Every singing group, judge, and officer was satisfied with the results, appropriate adjustments are made or will be made, and in the end we all breathed a sigh of relief. I am grateful that this crucial conversation was brought to such a satisfactory conclusion tonight. I attribute it to everyone's willingness to listen and communicate, everyone's desire to do what is good and right, and to the peaceful influence of the Spirit of God because every good thing comes from God.

My America Tie

Today I dressed up because of a church meeting, and I wore my America tie to commemorate Veteran's Day. The tie has the Statue of Liberty, the American Flag, a bald eagle, and faces of average Americans in the background. I got several positive comments about it. I don't remember where I got the tie, but I am grateful to have it. It's a nice tie, and it's a nice reminder of the good of this country.

Barbershop Harmony

Today I listened to and participated in some barpershop-style harmonizing. The smooth performing style is not only fun to listen to but fun to sing. I am grateful for barbershop singing style and for the people who perform it.

Microphones

I have performed with microphones on several stages, and I have seen countless shows and presentations that used microphones to project the vital aspects of a performance. I am grateful for microphones that work well, which is almost all the time. Sometimes issues arise, such as the time a couple of the mics stopped working in a show I attended tonight. However, the performers recovered nicely and there were very few issues for the rest of the show. I am grateful for the work that microphones do.

Women's Chorus

I really enjoyed a choir concert on campus. It featured a men's chorus and a women's chorus. The men's chorus is always great and I really enjoyed their performance. I was quite impressed with some of the songs the women sang. Their set for tonight included several hymns and spirituals. Their interpretations of songs such as "Come, Thou Fount" and "My Shepherd Will Supply My Need" were beautiful and profound. I enjoyed their performance, and I am grateful for their work and talent.

Library Scavenger Hunt

For today's work meeting, my coworkers and I were sent on a scavenger hunt around our section of the library. I knew some general things about how things are categorized and how to find what you need, but this activity was an effective way to improve my knowledge of the library by about 100%. I am glad I participated. It was fun, and very helpful for my work and study. I am grateful for a great and enlightening library scavenger hunt put on by my supervisor.

Making a Cut

This evening I practiced with my a cappella group to prepare for an audition next week. I arranged one of the songs we were practicing. My fellow group members told me it was a great arrangement, but we struggled to make it sound really good and polished because of its complexity. At one point the group director and I looked at the score and decided to cut out several pages to make the whole song easier on us. The change was made and implemented the next time we sang through it, and it sounded much better! The whole arrangement was tighter and sounded much better. I am grateful that a well-placed cut to my arrangement improved our performance of the whole piece.

Study Music

I am one of those people who enjoys quiet music in the background during focused study. It discourages stress and helps me feel more at peace with my progress in whatever I am working on at the time. Today I express my gratitude for study music.

Canadian Candy

Today I am grateful for Canadian candy. Because I have relatives in Canada, I occasionally get some candy from there. Wunderbars, Big Turks, the chocolate Smarties, and especially the Nanaimo bars are all more reasons why I have a special place in my heart for Canada. O Canada, you provide many sweet things for us, and these candies are among those things. :)

The Kingsfold Hymn Tune

According to my knowledge, the tune of each religious hymn has a name independent of the text it accompanies. For example, the name of the tune for Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing is "Nettleton". These tune names are usually come from a family name, a place, or the words the tune was written for.

Today, I am grateful for a specific hymn tune known as "Kingsfold". To me, the tune is associated with an LDS hymn called If You Could Hie to Kolob. Others may know this tune from O Sing A Song Of Bethlehem or I Feel the Winds of God Today. Even without words, the tune captures my attention. To me this tune inspires meaningful reflection on who I truly am, what my purpose in life is, and my potential as a child of God. I am grateful for the Kingsfold tune, which is among my favorite religious tunes to play and sing.

Corn Mazes

I had a lot of fun navigating a local corn maze with a couple of friends tonight. The maze was not haunted, which I prefer. Plus, it was large enough to get lost in, but small enough to find your way back. I am grateful for the people who design and create corn mazes. They do good work.

Nosebleed Knowledge

This morning, soon after I woke up, I realized I had a nosebleed. I rushed to the sink and performed the procedure of pinching my nose and leaning forward until the bleeding stopped. For a second I was really worried about it, but I didn't need to be. Within a few minutes, I was cured. I am grateful to know how to treat a nosebleed. I was able to take care of it sooner and move on with my day. This procedure for nosebleeds is very simple, small, and common. Nevertheless, I am grateful to know it because it's a good feeling to know what to do to solve such a problem.

Living Statues

I love Halloween on campus. There were so many fun costumes all day long. My costume was a living statue. I dressed up in one color and spent several hours of my free time today in a public place performing as a living statue. I want to express my gratitude for all the talented statue performers throughout the world that serve as my inspiration in my own endeavors into this unique performing art. It was so much fun to hold a pose and interact with the public around me. I saw many smiles and heard a good deal of laughter as people saw what I was doing. Happy Halloween, everyone!

Arvo Part

Arvo Part is a modern music composer, and in recent years I have become quite a fan of his music. His style tends to be minimalistic, which I like and appreciate, and generally religious. Much of his music is modern sacred music that uses religious texts. My favorite composition of his so far is "Cantate Domino" because of it's pure simplicity and the lovely blend of voice and organ. I am grateful for the music he has written. I can tell his compositions involve a great deal of thought, effort, contemplation, and inspiration.

Sound Recording Devices

This past year, I have been able to complete a few music projects and original arrangements thanks to recording equipment. Granted, I usually use the built-in recorder in my laptop, but I am grateful for that tool. It has been very helpful for personal and school projects.

Crepes

Crepes are delicious, and so versatile! Tonight I had homemade dessert crepes with friends, which were delicious. I also really appreciate meat and cheese crepes. In short, I feel that crepes and all creperies everywhere should receive a moment of appreciation, which I am providing now. I am grateful for crepes!

Giving a Blessing in a Hospital

Today my parents, my sister, and I went to a small town in central Utah to visit my grandparents there. My grandfather was in the hospital recovering from a respiratory illness, and he was glad to see us. My dad and I were able to give him a priesthood blessing in which we laid our hands gently on my grandfather's head and said a special prayer for his recovery. We gave a similar blessing to my grandmother in her efforts to take care of my grandfather.

It is such a sweet experience to have the opportunity to give spiritual service like that. It reminded me of a number of occasions during my service as a full-time missionary in the southwest states. Dozens of times, people in the local hospitals down there would ask the missionaries to come visit them and give them a blessing by the laying on of hands. Those were special times. People were encouraged and uplifted, and I've seen miracles large and small happen. I still do.

French 101

It's the weekend, and it's a weekend with family, but I still had school work to do. I have several challenging courses this semester, but one of the more challenging ones is my French class because I am trying to learn how to speak and read and use a different language with differences in spelling and grammar and usage. It can be a frustrating process. However, I recognized progress when I read an excerpt from a French autobiography. I read the passage a few times and looked up a few words to truly understand it. Then there was that moment when the words and the meaning clicked in my mind and I felt an appreciation for what the author had written. It was a small breakthrough moment between reading French for homework and understanding the text. I still have much to learn, but some good progress was made. I am grateful for my French 101 class because it is facilitating my understanding and appreciation for francophone cultures, including my Canadian heritage.

A Moving Bass Line

Tonight I had the privilege to see a production of "Mary Poppins" on stage. The entire show was spectacular and marvelous entertainment. I also love the message of the show. My favorite musical moment occurred during the song called "Step In Time". The song began at a slow waltz pace with a single repeating line from the basses and cellos. Everything else in the song built their musical ideas on top of that and that low bass line kept the pace moving along with increasing energy, repeating that rhythm. It's a real challenge to explain a musical moment in words like this, so I will just say that low rhythm and simple repetitive melody moved me and brought a feeling of potential energy that would soon be released in a grand finale. I am grateful for a simple musical moment like a simple but moving bass line.

A Reminder to Remember

Today I felt rather overwhelmed by the the coursework immediately before me and the significant decisions and academic work in the not-too-distant future. There is so much I need to do, so much I want to do, and so much I feel I need to do. I began to pray for help, until it came to my mind to pray for other people. Immediately my own burdens felt lighter because I felt less selfish. I felt more love for those around me.

Then later tonight, I had the opportunity to visit a friend who had similar concerns. As we prayed and talked together, my friend felt that what she needed to do was to remember that God is there and that He will help her in her situation as she does the things He asks her to do. This answer was an answer to her prayers and to mine. In essence, we were reminded to remember God, and to remember all those we are blessed to be of service to, and to remember that the highest priority should be to love and to serve God and His children.

Free Opera Tickets

Sorry I wasn't able to post yesterday. There were issues with the internet. In any case, today I am grateful for some free tickets to an opera on campus. I got them from a friend who was involved with the show. The opera was Strauss' "Die Fledermaus" (The Bat). It's a comedic opera, and I really enjoyed it. The performance was great, and I had a few good laughs, which I appreciated. Opera is certainly a different genre for me, but I appreciate the grandeur and storytelling aspects of the genre.

Six Word Stories

I am grateful for the fun concept of six word stories, inspired by Earnest Hemingway. It is a challenge to say as much as possible with as little as possible. I walked past a booth on campus that invited people to write six-word stories, and today I came up with a couple of Halloween stories:

Living scarecrow liked fire...now ashes.

Deceased cellist named Melody still harmonizes.

It's a fun challenge. I've seen six word stories that are sad, funny, and thought-provoking. It's a bit like poetry. :)

Indexing

Indexing is a family history project in which you are given a scanned image on a computer and you read the document and type the information so the document is easily searchable on family history databases. I was able to make the time to index today, and as always it was fun to do it with friends. It is a great thing to be able to use technology by way of service.

Washers and Dryers

They are truly modern marvels to be grateful for. Those machines do a good job on our clothes, and I mean that in both possible ways: they are good at successfully cleaning and drying our clothes, and the job they do on our clothes is a good and necessary job. I consider them a weekly blessing.

Sharing My Knowledge of Good Eats

I was doing homework outside this morning, and a guy approached me to ask about good places to eat on campus. He was looking for good lunch date places. I am grateful I could help him because I happened to know about every eating place on campus. I made it a point to try them all my freshman year. So, I shared my knowledge with this fellow student, and he thanked me for my help. It was an unexpected opportunity to help someone else, and I am grateful I was where I was and knew what I knew to be an ideal resource to answer his question.

Ode to Joy

There are many great pieces of music that I could express gratitude for, and I will very likely express that gratitude in due time. For today, I am very grateful for Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. The whole symphony is wonderful, but I am especially grateful for the final movement, the "Ode to Joy" finale. I was reminded of why I love this work by this video I was recently introduced to:

http://mostexcitingworld.com/videobest-coin-ever-spent/#Ap8IqLGvZ1Zvao7J.01

Music moves people, and for some reason this is one piece that never fails to gladden and encourage the hearts of the listeners.

Sweater Weather

We are getting into my favorite kind of weather: sweater weather. The air is chilly, but not freezing...as long as you have a sweater or a coat on. It is still quite sunny and occasionally cloudy, but not terribly cold yet. It's a very nice kind of weather, and I am grateful to have that where I am now.

Apartment Inspections

It's that time of the year when every apartment will be inspected for cleanliness. It does seem to be just another task to add onto one's growing list of stuff to do, but I am glad that the place will become cleaner for a little while because of it. I am grateful for the results of a cleaning inspection.

Light Bulbs

A couple of lights in my apartment needed to be replaced, so I took care of that. I looked forward to the additional light we would regain in the room. Of course I expected brighter light when I turned it on again, but it still struck me how very bright it was. It actually felt wonderful to have more light in the room. What amazes me even more is that physical light can have very similar effects on one's attitude and optimism as spiritual light and truth.

Hearing Aids

I was born with a minor hearing loss that was just enough for me to need hearing aids since third grade. Those miniature marvels have been such a blessing to me, making the audible world around me much more clear. Sometimes, it is annoying to have things in my ears, but overall I am very grateful to have them. Having this slight hearing loss has never interfered with my academic, social, or spiritual progress, and I am grateful for that as well. I am also grateful to know that in the next life and when the final judgement comes, I will be able to hear perfectly.

A Bit of Fun with Strangers in a Charter Bus

Today I am grateful for a brief interaction I had this evening. On my way back to my apartment this evening, I came to a busy street and waited for a green light to walk across. As I waited at the corner, a large charter bus drove by and was stopped right in front of where I stood because of very heavy traffic that became jammed for a couple of minutes at a time.

I noticed the bus was full of young people who seemed to be high school age. I also noticed some of the students looking right at me. They even started to knock on their window to try to get my attention. Well, they succeeded, but I pretended to be aloof by looking in every other direction except straight ahead at them.

This lasted for about a minute, and at first I felt I was in an awkward situation. Then, I decided this could be an opportunity to have a small bit of fun with these high school students. I continued to ignore them until their bus started moving. Right then, I turned to them, waved back and gave a large grin. The students noticed immediately and they seemed to be saying, "Oh, now he waves at us just as our bus leaves!" I saw them laughing, and I was laughing too. In retrospect, I suppose it might have been fun to do a few small dance moves for them before they left. But, at least I got to give them a wave and a smile. My light turned green, and I gave a casual salute in their direction as I walked away.

Come what may, and love it. :)

Some Time for Ice-Cream

It has been another long and busy Friday, and I was about ready to call it a night. Then, a cousin in town called me and offered to take me out for ice cream to wish me a happy belated birthday. Our time together was brief, but it meant a lot to me. I am grateful and appreciate the time he took to recognize my birthday and to catch up with me. It was a satisfying ending to another long and busy Friday.

Pleasant Surprises

Thursdays are busy days for me at school, and that's where my birthday falls this year. However, I am grateful that I was able to take the time to go to lunch with a family member and receive a surprise visit from friends this evening. Add to that a couple dozen text and online messages from other friends and family. I was touched by these small acts of kindness and friendship today, and they all came as pleasant surprises. I am grateful for this day. It was a long school day, but those few hours spent with friends and family made it special.

Oranges

I think the only truly terrible thing about oranges is the fact that nothing rhymes with it. Other than that, they are wonderful and tasty. It was very refreshing to sink my teeth into an orange as I took a walk this evening.

Band Music

This morning I listened to one of the top bands at my campus play at a mini concert for students. The music was fun, crisp, and at times profoundly beautiful. I am not as familiar with brass bands as I am with string orchestras, but I really enjoy the sound of a good band ensemble. They can drown out my cheers, impress me with their complex drum licks, and soothe me with a sweet melody accompanied by full, swelling chords. I am grateful for band ensembles.

Trampolines

Today I express my gratitude for large trampolines. It was a lot of fun to visit a gymnastics gym with friends this evening. I am always very cautious when it comes to doing tricks on trampolines, but I really like the way they can increase our physical capacity to jump, to almost fly.

I am also grateful that so far I have found one hundred things to be grateful for so far.

Witch Hat Cookies

This has been a real tradition for me each October: to make a distribute witch hat cookies for friends. I take a frosted chocolate cookie and use frosting or Nutella to paste a Hershey's Kiss on top of it. The end result looks like a witch hat. I always enjoy making them and sharing them, and I am grateful that my parents made them for me and my kindergarten class many years ago. Thus began an annual tradition that I never tire of. I am grateful for which hat cookies!

General Conference

It is a wonderful blessing to semi-annually participate in a General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. On the first weekends of October and April are two days of listening to leaders of the church give inspired and timely messages about Jesus Christ and His teachings and His Church. I have been in the habit of recording personal questions before each conference and listening for answers to my questions during the conference. There is truly something for everyone who wishes to improve themselves, recognize opportunities to serve, and to receive comfort and guidance for your current and specific situation.

What I love most about General Conference is this: Millions of people around the world tune in to General Conference, yet because the leaders who speak are inspired of God the Spirit of God can reveal to your mind and your heart, through these messages, just what you need to hear and feel and recognize in your specific circumstance. Therefore, the best part about General Conference is that it is both a general experience and a personal experience for every honest seeker of truth and happiness. After the first day of conference, I have already been uplifted and edified by the Spirit of the Lord as I heed the messages of an inspired Prophet and Apostles and other church leaders.

Sliced Bread

PB&Js, grilled cheese, ham sandwich, you name it, it's the best thing since the advent of sliced bread less than a century ago. I am grateful for the person who first looked at a loaf of dough and thought, "Hmm, I wonder what we could do with it sliced."

Career Fair

There was a career fair on campus today. Little by little I am becoming more familiar with the job market and what I can do with my time while at school to prepare for life after school. I had a very good experience interacting with the people at the fair. I am also grateful that there are so many options. I feel like there are too many options, so it feels a bit frustrating when I try to determine exactly what I want to be doing, but this is a good problem to have. For that, I am grateful.

Gracefully Led To An Exam

There are several words used to name a blessing from heaven. Some call it grace. Others call it a tender mercy from the Lord. Whatever you may call it, today I am grateful for one of those.

I signed up for a one-on-one oral exam with a teacher this afternoon. I went to the classroom and found nobody there. No one arrived at all for the next twenty minutes. I didn't know what to do to find out the room number for the exam. I couldn't send an e-mail or call my teacher because he was busy with the exam. My exam time quickly approached, and I decided to try his office. 

On my way there, one of my classmates walked past me. I called her name and asked her where the exam was. It was in a study room in the library. I thanked her and arrived just a few minutes early to my exam. I am grateful that I passed the exam, but I am so much more grateful that I was given the means to find out where to go. This is called coincidence, but I am grateful for it. Because I know that every good thing comes from God, I consider this coincidence a tender act of grace for me.

Lost and Found

Twice today, I lost something. The first time, my French book went missing, but my French teacher found it and was able to bring it back to me. The second time, I misplaced my scriptures. Another student found them and contacted me and was able to deliver them to me tonight. I am grateful my prayers were answered, that both of these things were found today.

October

I am recognizing the last day of September by expressing my gratitude for October! I have several good friends born on this month, it's fun to dress in costumes for Halloween, and the fall season is generally in full swing. Apart from the Christmas season, this is my favorite time of the year. This is the month where many young people are knee-deep in school, but the consecutive holidays of Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc. are approaching. I like October, and I am grateful for it.

Leadership Training

My responsibility in my local church congregation has to do with coordinating music in church meetings. This evening the local church leaders held a training meeting for those with any leadership position, including leadership in music. the meeting was very helpful because in it I gained a greater understanding and sense of vision for how I can better serve other people with the responsibilities I have. In the church it is all about being of service to others and by extension of service to God (See Mosiah 2:17, found on page 148 in The Book of Mormon). I am grateful for the training and what I learned from it.

Improv Comedy

I have tried improv comedy before, and I know for a fact that as of now it is difficult for me to perform without a script or rehearsal. That is how I know that improv is a true skill. I very much enjoyed an improv comedy show tonight, and seriously laughed a lot. I am grateful for the entertaining comedy skills of those who were in the show tonight. I am grateful for the laughs.

A Comment on Chivalry

This is a rather small thing, but I truly am grateful for it. I am part of a percussion ensemble and often we need to sit or kneel on a tile floor, but we use foam mats for comfort. Today I joined two other people in a separate room for practice and we didn't have enough mats to have two per person. So, it just happened that one person got to sit on two foam mats while the rest of us had one each. We practiced for a while until it was time to pack it all up. As we got up to put things away, the lady who got the two mats said to the two of us: "Thank you for letting me have two, you guys are such gentlemen."

I really appreciate comments and compliments like that, even the small ones. Such comments are the only reasons I need to be convinced that the attitude of respect and courtesy known today as chivalry is still very much appreciated.

Le Petit Nicolas

Only very recently have I discovered this cute little French cartoon from several decades ago. I heard about it in my French class and tonight I watched a movie adaptation of it. the movie was in French (with English subtitles) and it was so funny! I appreciated the humor, and really enjoyed it. I might want to look up the actual cartoons now.

Hand-Me-Down Mallets

I am currently taking private percussion lessons because I've always wanted to learn a bit of percussion. Randomly and thankfully, we happened to have a couple sets of mallet sticks that I could use to practice with. Otherwise I would have to buy new ones myself. I am grateful to have them, and grateful for my mother who first had the idea to pack them with the rest of my college boxes a couple months ago.

Teachers Who Care

These past two days, I thought about how fortunate I am to have good teachers who care about the success and progress of their students. No teacher is absolutely perfect, but I've noticed that most if not all the teachers I've had (at least the ones I remember) have been inspirational and encouraging. I could tell they cared about what they taught and who they taught. this semester I happen to have more such teachers in school. My mind goes especially to my encouraging percussion teacher and my understanding French teacher. Both subjects force me to go just barely beyond my current capabilities, and I enjoy every day of it.

A Good Laugh

Talking with my roommates tonight, we had a couple of great laughs. It's not very often that I laugh myself to tears, but this was one of those times. I always appreciate those times. There's always something to smile about.

Lessons of the Old Testament

Today I am grateful for the valuable lessons from those well-known Old Testament stories such as the stories of Abraham, Issac, Jacob, Joseph, and Moses. I am grateful for the lessons they give about God's timing, how He knows what He is doing, and that all who trust in Him receive everything they need in this life.

American Football

Football, another fun sport to watch, especially with friends. It's impressive to me that the very basic objective of the sport is so simple, but there is a network of reporters and writers who discuss it and the players for hours.

Dish Soap

Where would I be without the means to completely clean dishes? I am grateful for the product and the chemical process that breaks down unwanted leftovers and allows plates and silverware to become clean again.

A Student Country Band Outside

This was unexpected, but I stumbled upon a study abroad fair outside on campus. Part of the spectacle was a country folk band providing an appropriate underscore for the exciting event. I wasn't part of the fair, but I walked by it during lunchtime. It brightened my mood in the middle of a very busy school day. 

Finally Up to Speed about Panem

So, I finished reading the third book of the Hunger Games trilogy today. I devoured the book in a day and a half because I enjoyed the story so much. I will say that I am definitely learning my lesson about spending too much time reading in one day. My eyes got really tired by the end of it. I am grateful I am finally finished with this Hunger Games thing (I'm a bit behind on it because it became popular while I was busy serving as a full-time missionary), and honestly I enjoyed the ride while it lasted.

Now, I will get back to my schoolwork.

Some Free Cereal and Milk

On my way back to my place after another long day on campus, I walked past a booth that had free cereal and milk. It was one of the better late dinners I've had in a while.

"Put On Your Sunday Clothes When You Feel Down And Out."

Today was busy like any other normal school day. On top of all that, I had a visit to make tonight as part of my accepted responsibilities. I walked quickly back to my apartment, tired and a bit worn out. I changed into church clothes for the visit, and I noticed I felt better about myself and what I was doing. I was to go with a friend to visit someone nearby and share a brief spiritual message, and it was a good visit. It felt good and right to get into my church attire (including a white shirt and a tie) to fulfill this important obligation and in my efforts to be a blessing to others, I was blessed with greater peace and comfort as I put first things first. I am grateful for the chance to put on my Sunday clothes and serve.

The Cello's Ability to Double-Stop

I am most certainly biased, but I think the cello is among the greatest of all the instruments. Of course, it does have its limitations. For example, a cello doesn't normally play more than one note at a time. The exception to this is the "double-stop" in which the cellist moves their bow just so as to vibrate two strings simultaneously. This technique, when done well, sounds so good and it is one of the many things I love about cellos.

Disclaimer: Of course, all four classical string instruments (violin, viola, cello, string bass) can do double-stops, but I'm in a cellodic mood right now.

Music and Dancing

I had a wonderful time at a folk dancing activity. I had forgotten how fun square dancing was! The energy of the music was infectious too. I couldn't help but be happy and have fun. Also, tonight I participated in a bit of cleaning in my apartment with a roommate while we listened to party tunes. Washing dishes and wiping counter tops has never been so fun until music and friends became involved.

Movies

I am grateful for movies because watching the new Star Trek movie with friends tonight was a great way to take a break after all the homework and classes I had been busy with the entire day beforehand.

Imperfect People, Increasingly Improving

As I participated in a Wednesday night service at the temple tonight a thought occurred to me. It is not a new or deeply profound thought, but a good and gentle reminder: I am among many people who are just as imperfect as I am, and we are all working toward greater happiness. There are so many good people in our communities and in our world, and we are all working toward improvement and progression. I am grateful for that.

The Quietness and Academic-ness of Libraries

Today, I had a lot of homework I needed to get done before tomorrow morning. I decided to go to the campus library because I knew from experience that if I studied at my apartment my friends and roommates would distract me and I would end up hanging out with them for a couple hours and not get my work done. I really appreciate my friends, but I really needed this schoolwork done before I spent time with them.

The library is truly the perfect place to study for three reasons: it's quiet, I have all the resources I need there, and the whole atmosphere is such that I stay motivated to study and be a better student. For lack of a more professional-sounding word, a campus library has a great amount of "academic-ness" to it that is very conducive to learning and study.

Ping Pong

I am grateful for ping pong. It's fun, it's easy (for the most part), and most importantly: when you smack the ball really hard it flies really far. That's fun. Also, I am grateful today for ping pong because I was able to do some male bonding with a roommate while playing ping pong.

Vests

Today's post will seem a bit random, but as I express my gratitude for all my blessings it should stand to reason that some of those things I am grateful for would be kind of random anyway, right?

I am grateful for vests. Why would I be grateful for vests? First, they are classy. Second, they are versatile in that they can be worn with or without a jacket and can work with or without a tie, and they always add some class to any outfit. Thirdly, if you are wearing a tie, a vest keeps it from flying around in the wind or getting dirty, in a classy way. Vests are very useful and classy, and thus they are a blessing.

Then There Was Rain

We had quite the impressive rainstorm today. It came suddenly and looked fantastic from inside the library. Thankfully, the rain let up a little bit by the time I had to walk back to my apartment, but it still rained enough for me to enjoy it before I ran into a friend who offered me a ride. I appreciated the rain today, and that I got to enjoy it, and that I saw a friend who was kind enough to drive me through the rain as well.

More Than Half A Dozen Chance Meetings

Walking between classes today I ran into several people, probably 7 or 8, I recognized from recent times past. Good friends I met on campus last year, people I've known for many years from back home, and other friends from extracurricular activities. I am grateful to be surrounded by a network of good people during my years at school here.

The Internet

I have my days when I am frustrated with internet of computer system problems. Such days make me very grateful for the 95% of the time the internet and the computers actually do work.

Three Daily Meals

Though I had a decent dinner today, I express my gratitude for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It was the second day of the school year, and though I planned to take sufficient time for breakfast and lunch, I took time to do other things so I had less time to relax and eat. By the time I finally arrived at my apartment tonight, my roommate told me I looked so tired. I did do a lot of physical, mental, and emotional work while running on a very quick breakfast and a small lunch. I survived, but it sure made for a long day. I appreciate each meal for different reasons, but today I am grateful for the collective blessing of breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the society and culture in which I live.

Haircuts

My hair was getting way to long for my liking, so I got it cut this morning. I am grateful for the way I feel more confident, and even a little lighter, after getting a good haircut.

Labor Day

Labor Day is meant to commemorate the laborers, the working men and women, of our nation. Of course, for most of us it is a holiday away from work. That is true with me because I pretty much had the whole day free with no work and no school until tomorrow.

I did work hard though. I spent some time planning the next few days and seriously pondering the next steps for my education and career goals this year. I also did organizational work with my posters and notebooks and my journal. As the day draws to a close, I am at my leisure and it feels wonderful.

So, what am I grateful for, exactly? I am grateful today for work because it makes leisure a much greater blessing afterward.

Divinity (The Candies)

Today, I decided to make some Divinity candies just because I could. It is a more gourmet kind of sweet, but easier to make than one might think. Not only am I grateful to have them made and getting ready to be shared, I am grateful for my friends who helped me make them. Let's face it, cooking is a lot more fun with other people.

Carrot Juice, Among Other Things

Today, as is occasionally the case, I am grateful for several things. I am grateful for the exciting game of soccer (my school won tonight!), I am grateful for the ordinance of baptism by immersion as a way of formally beginning a new life devoted to the teachings of Jesus Christ, and last but not least, I am grateful that my mom had the foresight and the insight to send me off to college with a bottle of cold carrot juice. I never thought it could be so refreshing until tonight. :)

A New Planner

With the approach of a new year, I got a new weekly planner. I spent some time writing my class and work schedule in it and such. It feels good to have a new planner with which I can review my goals and plans for the week or the month. I am also grateful that as I improve my ability to manage myself and my time, I also improve my ability to focus on what matters most.

Serving as a Freshman Orientation Leader

Taking the time to volunteer to help incoming freshman get acquainted with their new school is quite rewarding. One of these rewards was unexpected: Fresh reminders of why I am in college, and considering how well I live the principles and expectations given to the freshman. My commitment to learn and serve is renewed as I help the new students understand those principles and expectations.

Washing Dishes

I washed a couple sets of dishes today. Strangely enough, sometimes I enjoy that chore. Not only do I enjoy the end result of a clean sink, it's kind of relaxing for me while I'm doing it. Maybe it's the sounds of running water or the satisfaction of seeing food melt away off the surface of a plate. I am grateful for the opportunity today to wash a few dishes for some friends.

Looking Out for Me

Sometimes I worry too much, perhaps because I feel the full weight of my problems on my shoulders. But, it doesn't have to be that way. I am never alone. Today, I had dinner with more extended family and they told me they were willing to help me with anything I would need. Today, one of my roommates helped me to identify and begin to solve a small pest problem in my part of the apartment. Each and every day, I know we all have a Father in Heaven who watches out for me and for you so we never have to be alone in any problem or disappointment. I am loved, we all are loved, by many wonderful beings, seen and unseen.

A Tour for My Sister

Today, I am grateful for the opportunity to help my sister move into her new apartment and give her a tour of her new school. I am looking forward to sharing this school year with her.

Spontaneous Service Opportunity

It has been a nice, relaxing Sunday with extended family. I also enjoyed today's church meeting. After church, my uncle asked me if I was available to go with him right then to visit a family in the neighborhood and administer the sacrament to a sick son. I had never met this family before, but I am so glad I came with my uncle to help serve them. We ended up staying for about an hour and a half talking with them about some tough things the family is going through and encouraging them to continue to have faith in Jesus Christ. It was an unexpected opportunity for me to do good for someone else. When we left, the family expressed their appreciation for our visit and our service. It has indeed been a good Sunday.

The Gift of Music Composition

Today I started to write a piece of music, a kind of ballad for piano and two woodwinds. I consider myself an amateur composer, especially when I listen to the work done by some of my peers who are actually majoring in Music Composition. Even so, I am inspired by these, my friends, and I feel that inspiration is transferred to my music as I try to express on staff paper what I feel and hear in my heart and my head. Good music is something I am passionate about, and I am grateful for the musical ideas I receive and that I have some skill in translating my thoughts and ideas onto paper.

Improvising Music with a Sister and a Cousin

Last night and today, I had a few random jam sessions with my sister and my cousin. Harmonicas, a viola, a piano, and beatboxing were all involved in these two jam sessions. It's so much fun to make music on the spot. I'm normally not very good at improv, but apparently when it comes to spontaneous music my family members and I have fun making things sound good together.

Helping Others Seek Learning

There are many things I love about my library job on campus, but the part of my job that I love most of all is being the "help" behind the Help Desk. One patron came to us today to check out a few classical music cds. She noticed an indie rock album on the shelf and asked, "You guys have popular stuff here?" I answered in the affirmative and she responded, "Wow, what an untapped resource!" She asked a few more questions about policies in checking out music from the library, and as I answered her questions and explained other offices on campus that can help her, she continued to be impressed by the resources on campus she never knew existed. Those are the best moments of this job, to open up educational possibilities and see people get excited about learning.

Video Games

They were part of my growing up years, all those times on the Nintendo consoles. I used to play video games all the time. I have since grown out of that habit, but I still enjoy engaging in fun video game battles with friends.

Tonight I moved back into my apartment for the school year and met my new roommates for the first time. Our first real bonding experience together happened tonight during a few rounds of multiplayer Halo. Two of us were playing, and all of us enjoyed laughing at each other and at ourselves as we became acquainted with each other's humor and personalities. It was fun, and a much needed release from all the loading and unpacking involved in the past two days. Tonight, we became acquainted as we played video games, and we already feel like friends.

Things Work Out

A long travel day, but such a satisfying day it was! We had spent a great deal of time and energy to get ready to leave for school so early. My family and I were concerned about whether my sister would be called in for a job interview, whether I would be able to find some work to do this coming week, and of course we wanted to be safe during our long drive today.

What am I grateful for today? How has God blessed us today? We got cell phone reception in the middle of nowhere when my sister received a call for a much desired job interview, I was able to find a few extra work shifts at my job for the coming week, and we had safe travels all the way.

Speaking in Church Today About Faith

Each week at church, members of the congregation are invited to prepare and give a talk in sacrament meeting on a specified topic of the gospel. Today, I gave a talk about faith in the midst of trials and challenges. I enjoyed preparing for this talk, which involved searching the scriptures to learn more about demonstrating faith in trying times and how God supports His children in such times. I am grateful for the opportunity to prepare and learn for this talk and to give it in church today. I prayed that the Spirit would be with me as I spoke, and I felt good about the message I gave.

I know God lives. I know He loves all of His children without exception. I also know that every moment of every day, He has our happiness in His heart.

All Packed Up (Finally) And Ready To Go

The entire day was devoted to getting ready for a long drive to take me and my sister to school, from 8am to 8pm. I am grateful that my family and I were blessed today with enough focus and energy to get everything done today. It is such a relief to have everything put together the day before a long road trip.

"Ye Would Know That Ye Must Pray"

In the Book of Mormon, there is a verse that says, "For if ye would hearken unto the Spirit which teacheth a man to pray, ye would know that ye must pray" (2 Nephi 32:8).

Today we as a family discussed a decision regarding our travel plans for the next week. We were nervous about the situation because the issue at hand came rather suddenly. We discussed both sides of the issue, and realized we needed to make a decision very soon. My mother had the idea to pray for guidance and confirmation for our decision. I was reminded of the aforementioned verse.

We prayed, and felt that after all is said and done, everything would be okay. We felt at peace with our decision to leave earlier than we planned, and started to make arrangements for that change. I truly believe, and am very grateful for the fact, that God hears and answers every sincere and heartfelt prayer given by every individual and family.

Buying Textbooks

Every semester at school of course involves the expense of textbooks, among other things. Those school books are always expensive. I am grateful that this time they were not as expensive as before.

How the Body Heals Itself

Several weeks ago I skinned my knee at a bicycle accident. Now, the would has entirely healed. I am grateful for the body's incredible ability to heal itself.

Air Hockey

While visiting a friend's house, my sister and I had an opportunity to face off at an air hockey table. Have I ever mentioned how much I enjoy air hockey? I have strategies that sometimes work in my favor, I really get into the game, and today...my sister got the better of me. But, I didn't care. We were playing air hockey!

View from an Airplane Window

I love flying. I especially enjoy any flight in which I have a window seat. The clouds are breathtaking when seen from above. They look like a different world entirely with its hills and plains and mountains. I also enjoy looking down at the clouds and quietly ponder my things with a heavenly perspective. I love the view from an airplane window.

The Oregon Coast

The Oregon shores and the sights of the Pacific waves were things I enjoyed all weekend. But, today I spent some time just looking out and admiring the waves of water, looking for whales. I am very impressed with how lovely the ocean looks and the pattern of waves that ripple along the surface of the water.

Feeling at Home During Vacation

Family has been on my mind a lot these past few days just because I'm surrounded by my dad's side of the family here in Oregon. Today was the big day for my aunt and for the rest of us. There was a wonderful wedding right on the beach, a delightful dinner/reception afterwards, and a beautiful bonfire in the evening.

This is a lively setting with all the sights and sounds and smells of an ocean-side vacation. However, my favorite part of all of that was to see my family members there. It has been years since I've seen some of them, and it was such a delight to see them, greet them, hug them, and talk to them. It was such an honor and a privilege to be a part of this lovely wedding day. Home is where the heart is, and my family is dear to my heart.

Family Reunion at the Beach

This was a day spent relaxing and seeing the sights at Rockaway Beach, Oregon. But most importantly, this day was spent with wonderful family members I hadn't seen in a long time. It is so refreshing and enjoyable to see them and to spend time with them. It is also fun to see all the little kids run around while my sister and I hang out with all the grown-ups, chatting away. what fun we have! :)

Airline Treats

My family and I have begun a weekend trip to be with family. So, this whole afternoon was spent at airports and airplanes. We flew with Delta, which offers complimentary cookies, along with other options. For the past few years I have discovered that those cinnamon Biscoff cookies go very well with ginger ale. The taste of cookies dipped in the ginger ale is so refreshing!

Along with that little treat, my sister found two unopened pretzel packs. That little discovery made our day!

Health and Strength to Work Long and Hard

There was a lot of work to do today, 10 hours worth of it, at my job. You may well imagine how exhausted my sister and I were once we got home late. Having spent a lot of energy and time working, I am reminded of the fact that God blesses us each day with breath and strength and life. I am grateful that I had the ability to work long and hard today, not to mention how good it was to finally arrive home after 10 hours!

E-Mail

I was able to get some errands done by e-mail today. Yet another manifestation of the blessing of technology.

So, what am I grateful for today? I am grateful to be able to communicate and take care of to-do list things by e-mail.

Home for the Summer

I've been home for the summer for the past month and a half, but the warm feeling of being home hasn't diminished. My parents told me they're glad to have me here for a little while, and I am too. Here more than any other place, I feel completely comfortable with myself, and that's a good feeling to have. 

So, what am I grateful for today? Today, I'm just grateful to be home with my family right now. :)

Good Pens and Pencils

All of my note-taking, planning, creative writing, and any other writing I do, to say nothing of my journal writing, wouldn't be possible without writing utensils. It is great that pens and pencils are so common and we can all keep on writing for years to come.

So, what am I grateful for today? I am grateful to be able to write what I feel, know, and learn using good tools: a pen and pencil on paper.

Art to Art

I went to a fascinating show tonight of a dance group from Brigham Young University-Idaho. They performed a number of dance pieces that were inspired by masterpieces of art. They portrayed, through dance, masterpieces ranging from Shakespeare to Degas to Pollock and beyond. It was very well done and quite thought-provoking. It was fascinating to see one medium of expression translated into another. It is amazing that art can do that.

So, what am I grateful for today? I am grateful for a dance group's demonstration of how one art form (visual art) can be profoundly expressed in another art form (dance/movement).

The Origin of Truth

Throughout my life, I have found (and continue to find) that true happiness and satisfaction comes from finding truth and living my life accordingly. I consider myself extremely blessed to have found a solid source of truth and light for my life. Not only is it a solid source of truth, but I believe our Father in Heaven is the source of all truth and wants all of us to find it and live it and find happiness.

The link below leads to a video I've found recently that is a good representation of how I discovered my relationship to God. God knows all and sees all. His glory is our happiness. He wants us to find Him. I find a great amount of peace in knowing these things for myself.

https://www.lds.org/pages/mormon-messages#origin

So, what am I grateful for today?  I am grateful to know that the One who knows and sees everything and created the universe cares enough about me and you to bless us each day with truth and light.

Greased Lightning

Tonight, I went to a production of "Grease" that was playing in town. I was really looking forward to this show because I have a lot of high school friends in it and it's been a while since I've seen some of them. Plus, from what I had heard, I had no doubt it would be a spectacular show.

I wasn't disappointed. I was quite impressed with the show, and several of my friends had wonderful shining moments on stage. It was such a thrill to see them perform again and to greet them after the show. I am very blessed to know so many wonderful and talented people. In my high school years, being surrounded with such talent and creativity helped me to develop the courage to talk to people and share what talent and skill I have to be a blessing to others. To this day, when I look back on my teenage years, I'm filled with gratitude for the friends, family, and teachers who inspired me to create.

So, what am I grateful for today? All of my good friends from my high school years who encouraged me to speak up and encourage others.

Thank You, Madame Rowling

I realized that today is Harry Potter's 33rd birthday (my source for his age is, admittedly, Wikipedia). I really am grateful that J. K. Rowling wrote those Harry Potter books. I'm told her rise to literary fame was not easy, nor did she initially expect to become famous from her books. Not only have her books captured imaginations young and old, her personal story is an inspiration to anyone with a good idea. Happy Birthday, Harry Potter, and many more!

So, what am I grateful for today? The imagination and proactivity of J. K. Rowling to share Harry Potter with the world.

Enlightening Presentations

My summer job involves assisting in graduate research. Basically, helping out with a lot of nitty-gritty data collection and entry. I honestly didn't have much of an idea about what the data was for or what the main project entailed, but the job paid well enough for me to do it. What I am grateful for is that the graduate students have recently given presentations on their projects for their principal investigator and all of the assistants were invited. Most of the terminology that was used was way over my head, but I finally know the big picture of my job. This gives me a greater sense of purpose and importance in the midst of the dirty, menial chores I do each day I work.
To look at the an bigger picture, this experience reminds me of how my faith is continuing to help me remember the meaning and importance of what I do in my life. To have a knowledge of God's plan of happiness for His children gives me a great sense of purpose and importance as a child of God.

So, what am I grateful for today? Learning the big picture behind my summer job.

Community Bike Shop

I figured if I plan on using a bike more often in college, I'd better learn how to fix one. Thankfully, there is a community bike shop in town, run by volunteers, where I can work on bikes and get personal help and advice on the subject. I went for the first time tonight, and it was a rewarding experience. I am glad I could go and begin learning.

So, what am I grateful for today? I am grateful for that bike shop, for the people who work hard to keep the place running, and the service they provide to the community.

A Weekly Sacrament

As part of the weekly church services in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, we take what's called the sacrament (others might call it holy communion). Young men with priesthood authority pray over the bread and water that is then passed to the congregation. The bread and water are meant to symbolize the Last Supper the Savior had with His twelve disciples. While the bread and water is distributed to the people in the church meeting, everyone is quiet. This is a time to reflect and ponder the life and teachings of the Savior, Jesus Christ, as well as one's personal commitment to the Lord. I really appreciate this special time set aside each week. When I am focused on the purpose of the sacrament, I feel spiritually refreshed and renewed. It is truly a great blessing to me.

So, what am I grateful for today? The most important part of my church meetings: It is known as the sacrament.

Chess

This weekend, I went on a little trip with my family to the city. Part of this trip entailed a trip to the local mall which had a couple of board game stores. I admired the different chess sets and all the spin-offs of the classic game. For some reason, chess has always fascinated me. It is one of my favorite games among all the other strategy board games I've played so far. We don't know the exact origin of chess, but it has been around for ages. The concept and the pieces of the game have sparked my imagination for years, and I am glad to be so familiar with such a great game.

So, what am I grateful for today? Chess, in all its classic glory that fascinated me since grade school.

Culinary Creativity

Who could imagine mac & cheese and hamburgers together on one plate? One resteraunt has done it, and it was a fascinating combination. I am very impressed by those who really know how to put things together on a plate. It is a fascinating science, and I am glad we have people in our society who excell in it.

Today's Cloudy Weather

It was nice and cool this morning, thanks to the cloud cover in the sky. I often see it as a godsend on an otherwise hot, summer day.

So, what am I grateful for today? The blessing of cool shade in the form of clouds this morning.

Traffic People at the Theater

I went with my family today to see a musical. The performance went well and was executed with a good amount of energy and enthusiasm, and I'm glad we got to go tonight. The show was sold out, therefore the traffic after the show was a bit of a nightmare. Thankfully, the volunteer ushers directed traffic in an orderly manner and we were able to get out on the road fairly quickly.

So, what am I grateful for today? The people directing traffic after tonight's show. Their work helped make our drive back home more pleasant and without incident.

A Long Day of Work

Work today lasted several hours longer than usual. Even though I am exhausted and just about ready to go to bed to get up to work again tomorrow morning, I am grateful for the extra time today. I've earned a little more money for my upcoming year of college.

So, what am I grateful for today? An extra long day of work, I am glad I was able to work more hours today.

Helpful Recreation

Tonight I was invited to a small get-together with a couple of friends in the area. there were only six of us but we had fun playing card games for a couple hours. One of the people there, I'll call her Michelle, was new. She had just moved into town for work and didn't really know anyone. I am glad she enjoyed herself as much as the rest of us. Of course, in about a month several people (including myself) will be leaving town to go back to school while Michelle will stay in town. Even though this is the case, I am grateful to be able to help her feel welcome and comfortable in these new surroundings.

So, what am I grateful for today? I am grateful for a fun evening of games with friends, which included helping to befriend someone new to the area.

A Family History Presentation

This evening at my church, someone gave a presentation about conducting family history research. It was very helpful in showing me what other resources are out there and what more I can do for my present and past family in this regard.

So, what am I grateful for today? The very instructive, enlightening, and encouraging tips and advice from a great family history presentation.

The Scouting Program

I had the privilege today to attend an Eagle Court of Honor in which a friend was receiving his Eagle Scout Award from the Boy Scout program. I am grateful for the Scouting program. The values they promote and uphold are very admirable and good. It is an organization that does much good throughout the country.

So, what am I grateful for today? The Boy Scouts of America, the values they stand for, and the good that they do.

Teaching with the Missionaries

This evening, the missionaries in town for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints called me up and asked if I could come with them to a teaching appointment this evening. I had given them my number a couple weeks ago and told them I was available to go visiting with them this summer. Tonight, we visited with a really great family that wanted to learn more about what God wanted them to do. We talked about Jesus Christ and the church He established in ancient and modern days. The missionaries invited the family to pray together, to read and ponder the Book of Mormon, and come to church on Sunday. It was a really good visit. The family asked good, sincere questions, and God blessed everyone in the home with the influence of the Spirit tonight. I am so glad I came out with the missionaries today. It brought back memories of my time as a full-time missionary over a year ago, and it was a blessing to see this good family express that desire to develop a stronger relationship with their Heavenly Father.

So, what am I grateful for today? The edifying experience of accompanying the missionaries in a good, successful teaching visit.

Classical Music Radio

This morning I thought it would be good to listen to a local radio station devoted to classical music. I really enjoyed it. It has been a little while since I took the time to really enjoy classical music. I also appreciate the people who work on the radio and run those programs.

So, what am I grateful for today? Classical music, a good fit for a morning bike ride.

Rogers and Hammerstein

This evening I saw a production of "Oklahoma!" done by a group I was once a part of in my younger years. The show had a lot of energy and it was a joy to watch. As I watched the show, I thought about the distinctive characteristics of Rogers and Hammerstein musicals. The two of them have a very recognizable style of words and music that has been loved for years, making them the Gilbert and Sullivan of the 20th century. They take wonderful stories and give them life through fun music and thoughtful lyrics. I very much appreciate the classics they have contributed to our modern stage.

So, what am I grateful for today? The classic combined talent of Richard Rogers and Oscar Hammerstein.

Opportunity for Jury Service

Today, I went to my county courthouse to serve as a juror for the first time in my life. I was actually excited about it. It was exciting to me to be able to fulfill a civic duty and participate in my local judicial system. It was also neat to be one of the youngest of the prospective jurors there. 

It turned out that I wasn't chosen to be a juror for today's case, so I was dismissed and arrived home early. It was a slight disappointment because I kind of wanted to be a part of the trial. However, I do recognize the heavy responsibility of a jury to determine a verdict for a case after all the arguments and presentation of evidence. In any case, today I learned more about the local judiciary system, and I am glad to know more about it and thus appreciate it a bit more. 

So, what am I grateful for today? I am grateful for the opportunity I had to be available for jury service today, and to learn more about the local judiciary system (and thus gain greater appreciation for it). 

The Helpful Bank Representative

Today I got a call from my bank about a fraud issue. I called them and got in touch with one of their representatives. He was very helpful, encouraging, and gave straightforward answers. I really appreciated his help and his confidence in the situation. All of that helped me to feel much less stressed about it all.

So, what am I grateful for today? The bank employee I talked to over the phone today. I appreciate the work he did and how well the issue at hand was dealt with. :)

Board Games

This evening, I had a lot of fun playing several board games with friends and family. I have always loved board games and I appreciate the contribution they bring to any fun social gathering.

So, what am I grateful for today? Board games.

Music Classes

Today I made good progress in a piece of music I am currently arranging. I applied some basic principles of voice leading and arranging four-part harmony. These are things I learned about in the music classes I took this past year of college. The knowledge from the music theory and performance classes turned out to be incredibly helpful today. My arrangement is much improved because of it.

So, what am I grateful for today? I am grateful for the knowledge and skills I gained in my college music classes. I am glad I was able to apply them today.

Fortunate in a Bike Incident

On my way back home from work today, I had a minor bike crash. I landed on a sidewalk but my only real injury was a scrape on my left knee. With this incident, I found several things to be grateful for:

1. I'm grateful I was wearing jeans, which provided some protection for my legs in my fall.
2. I'm grateful I had a small first aid kit with gauze and bandages to cover the scrape.
3. I'm grateful the rest of the ride home was without incident.
4. I'm grateful my bike didn't break.

In short, it could have been much worse.

So, what am I grateful for today? After a small but of misfortune, I am grateful for the collection of little things that made the incident more fortunate.

Little Amateur Concerts

I don't know how common of an experience this is for other people, but growing up with music has led to a number of tiny concerts. These little performances are usually done for family or friends with only a small amount of musical skill. Friends or family strumming a guitar, singing purposefully out of tune to be funny, having a Sunday "jam session" with friends. As much as I love going to concerts of many sorts in large venues, it is the tiny and intimate performances that I cherish. They exist just because and they are almost always spontaneous.

So, what am I grateful for today? Minuscule moments of music that make many marvelous memories for me. :)

Walking

There is something about going outside and enjoying a walk with loved ones, especially if one or more people are in an unhappy mood. One of my siblings was feeling crabby, so we decided to go out for a walk. After some silence, we started to talk about what the problem was and we were all happy and satisfied when we arrived home about 15 minutes later.

So, what am I grateful for today? I am grateful for the refreshing walk I enjoyed with my family. Walks work wonders. :)

Summer Rain

After several hot summer days, it was very refreshing to have rain. The coolness it brought this morning made today's work a little more enjoyable.

So, what am I grateful for today? The blessing of rain when it comes to cool the hot summer air.

I'm Grateful to Be Home

I don't think there was anything really extra ordinary about today. I went to work, I had dinner and home and spent the rest of the day with my family. Not much to say. Yet, I feel content and happy to be here. 

So, what am I grateful for? I guess I am grateful to be home during these summer months. 

The Missionaries

During today's church services, several young men and women who serve as full-time missionaries stood in front of the congregation and shared their testimonies and feelings about the teachings of Jesus Christ and what a blessing it is to have the opportunity to share the good news with those around them. As they testified, I remembered my time as a full-time missionary in the southwest. I also have a younger brother who is currently serving as a missionary in northern Utah. I have seen the results of missionary service bless many lives.

A thought occurred to me: I could be of service to the missionaries here while I am in town for the summer. I gave my contact information to them so they could let me know if they need a ride somewhere or would like an extra person to come with them to a teaching appointment. The missionaries were cheerful and enthusiastic and appreciative of my willingness to help. I truly feel that God is encouraging me to reach out a bit more and continue to look for opportunities to be a blessing to others. I am glad I was able to have an opportunity to help the missionaries.

So, what am I grateful for today? I am grateful for the men and women who serve all around the world as full-time missionaries.

Haircutters/Hairstylists

For me, it's a good feeling to get a haircut. There wasn't anything in particular that made today's haircut stand out from any others I've had, but I am no less grateful for the work done by people to whom we place our confidence when it comes to an important aspect of our appearance. 

So, what am I grateful for today? I am grateful for the work done by the people at barber shops and hair salons. 

P.S.-Of course, I haven't really done anything to my hair except getting it cut periodically so I suppose I can't fully appreciate everything hair stylists do (curling, coloring, styling, etc.). Still, great trust and confidence is given to them, and they do good work. 

A Time to Think and Evaluate

Work today involved a few hours of weeding a large bean plant field. About halfway through I started to think about how well I am living my faith. I am glad today's work required very little mental work, which left room for me to think about such things. I was physically exhausted, but taking the time for self-evaluation as I worked was refreshing and encouraging. Plus, the agricultural nature of the labor brought to mind various parables and symbolism in the Bible taught b Jesus Christ.

So, what am I grateful for today? I am grateful for time to think and to meditate on the things of God as I worked outside on a bean field.

Happy Independence Day!

In the spirit of Independence Day, this country has much to be grateful for and has for centuries. There are wonderful passages from the Book of Mormon (which was written by the ancient Americans) that talk about liberty and freedom and the struggle to defend it. One such passage says, "ye should stand fast in this liberty wherewith ye have been made free" (The Book of Mormon, 191). In that verse, the speaker was talking not only about freedom from political bondage but freedom from spiritual bondage, which are both gifts to us from God.

We all know that this country today faces so many complex problems and issues concerning education, health, civil rights, civil liberties, interpreting the law, how government should be run, defense, the economy, foreign affairs, and many more. This country is certainly far from perfect, but I believe it has come a long way from its humble beginnings. Despite our faults, our nation has a better education system than it did over 200 years ago. We have a better health care system. More people enjoy the rights and liberties of citizens. We have made mistakes and have learned from so many of them. Our country is doing much good within and without. If we take the time to think about it, we as a people have made tremendous strides over the centuries. Even today there are many people working hard and well in private and public spheres to do good in their communities, states, and their nation. I am also grateful for the men and women in the government who spend their precious time working hard to try to improve our country even more. Of course they aren't perfect either, but I believe there is much good being done in Washington D. C.

So, what am I grateful for today? I am grateful for the liberty wherewith we have been made free. It was and is brought about by many people over many years and is a tremendous gift from God.

Safe Bike Travels

Today, I rode my bike to and from work with my dad and my sister. Both ways, my bike had a couple of minor issues with a loose pedal but other than that the ride was straightforward. I was frustrated at the time, but overall I am glad that was the only problem we had.

So, what am I grateful for today? We had safe travels on our bikes today.

The Lunch Break at Work

My current summer job demands a lot of my physical strength and stamina as I lift heavy bags of dry beans and spend several hours out on a bean field exposed to the hot sun. In a less exhausting job I would be grateful for lunch mainly as a small break from monotonous mental tasks. Today however, I am grateful for lunch because as I rest my muscles, I gain strength and energy from the food to keep going for another four hours. I am always grateful to have the strength I need from day to day, and today's lunch break is part of that large blessing.

So, what am I grateful for today? The time given to me at my job to rest and resupply during lunch. :)

Ah Canada!

I am grateful for Canada. Besides their contribution to the world with inventions like the zipper, penicillin, and Celine Dion. My Dad was born there. I may not know very much about Canada but I am happy to be half-Canadian by birth and to know about such delights like nanaimo bars and Aero bars.

So, what am I grateful for today? I think having Canada in this world is in many ways a tremendous blessing. :)

Introduction to the Blog

Hello,

Last year, I decided to express more gratitude to God and to other people. I also wanted to look for the tender mercies of the Lord in my daily life, to find the ways God has a hand in blessing my life from day to day. I started by writing my daily gratitude in a journal. A couple months later I had the inspired idea to make my gratitude public. I felt others could benefit from a daily reminder to be grateful just as it is a blessing to me. This is one way I try to be a blessing in the lives of others. Each day on Facebook, I begin my status with this question: "So, what am I grateful for today?" Then, I answer my own question with my "daily grateful".

Now, I have decided to make a blog of my gratitude. I believe God exists and wants us, His children, to be happy. We all know there is so much about our society and our world that is in need of repair or improvement. Even though there is still much to do, there is much we can be grateful for no matter our circumstances. It is often easy to forget how blessed we are.

So, what am I grateful for today? Today in church I gave a presentation about indexing (a volunteer service to improve family history research). I was nervous as I spoke, but my preparation and prayers paid off. Several people thanked me for my talk and I felt it was a success. I am grateful that it went so well. I am also grateful to be home with a family that loves to listen to each other and talk to each other. :)

P.S.-Most of my posts will be shorter than this first introductory post.