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.