Thanksgiving Tribute #7

Grandpa Boyd

This man is my hero.

To this day, I have never met a more honest, hardworking, purely good man. His character is one I hope to cultivate by the end of my life. He truly is a man of God: full of integrity. One of the things I admire most about my grandfather is his attitude. Through years of diabetes and its related health issues I have not heard him complain once. Not once! (And here I complain about the slightest ailment.) He is my hero for the bravery and determination he faces every day with.

One of my favorite memories growing up is how eager my grandfather always was for me to show him my dance dresses in high school. (I secretly loved it.) He would appropriately ooh and ahh and I would always walk away feeling like a princess (which is pretty good for that high school self consciousness).

I hope I can live half as productive a life as he has. I love him dearly and admire what he has become and what he has done with his life.

Thank you Grandpa for being my example.

Thanksgiving Tribute #6

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

You don't have to meet a person to be grateful for them. I've never met Elder Jeffrey R. Holland personally but he has had a profound effect on my life... several times.

My first real experience with Elder Holland (I'm not counting watching General Conference for years and years and years) was in September of 2008. I was carrying a burden that I didn't think I could carry. I was broken. I remember sitting down to watch a CES Fireside on Sunday in late September with a fervent prayer in my heart for peace and understanding.

The speaker was Elder Holland. He spoke on "prison temples." He taught that often our most difficult times of trial can also be some our most sacred experiences. Those times that we are the most sad, the most lost, the most broken are the times that our Savior is closest. I felt the power of his words and I knew it was true. Even today, in my mind, I can still hear his declaration that "Heavenly Promises are ALWAYS kept."

Two other experiences that will always stand out to me...

1. When he spoke to the missionaries and outgoing mission presidents at the MTC my last week there. The one statement I will always remember is when he said, "Welcome to the work of angels, welcome to the work of the divinity." Wow.

2. And during my mission when he added his witness of the Book of Mormon during General Conference (and endeared himself to every missionary!) and declared he knew it to be true. I love that talk and have listened to it over and over. (Find it HERE)

What a good man of God and a righteous influence to so many! I really hope I get to meet him someday.

Thanksgiving Tribute #5

Rachel Briggs

(at my mission homecoming. we hadn't seen each other in three years!)

This girl makes me so happy!

Rachel is the kind of person that lights up a room when she walks in. She has the light of Christ so strong that it just can't help but emanate from her. Her smile, laugh, and optimism are contagious. I have always admired her selfless focus on serving others. I have been the grateful beneficiary many times. The whole reason we are friends now is because of that selfless service extending a warm hand to a reclusive me. ha ha I was pretty standoffish from the social scene at the BYU Jerusalem Center where we met. Rachel, in all of her love and enthusiasm for life sucked me right in. I couldn't help but be her friend. No, really, I couldn't.

I will always admire the work ethic of this girl. I'm pretty sure one day she could be President of the United States if she wanted to. Although, I'm sure the Lord already has plans for her to be the General Relief Society President. :)

Rachel, thank you for being such a blessing in my life. And thank you for always offering the hope of the Atonement. You are a true friend... and I love your stinkin' guts!

Thanksgiving Tribute #4

Ron and Sandi Hammond

(pictured here with my roommates and I)

I love this couple! Since I met them in January they have changed my life simply by their Christlike examples. I first met them when I took Teachings of the Living Prophets from Elder Hammond (he was recently released as a general authority). Sister Hammond sat in on every one of his lessons. I remember the first few class periods I could hardly take them seriously because they were so sweet! How could anybody really be that wonderful?! I quickly realized, however, that they were 100% sincere in their goodness and selflessness.

During my first few weeks as an ordinance worker at the Rexburg Temple I was pleasantly surprised that they were on my same shift. It was definitely a blessing to know someone and they took me under their wings and made me feel welcome. They have a way of making anyone they are with feel like a million bucks.

Countless times, I have been in awe of the depth of their relationship. I have never seen a happier or more Christlike marriage. They have inspired me to find the very best in people, and to treat my husband (to be) like gold. They have single handedly showed me how to live Goal #70: See the good in my husband (to be) and let him know. I will always be grateful that the Lord placed me in their path and for all the things I've learned from them.

Thanksgiving Tribute #2&3

Since I'm a day late, I'm going to catch myself up with two of my favorite people.

My Father and Mother

(I used to call them Mother and Father all growing up. What a formal child)

My Father

Oh my Dad. I just don't know what to do with him sometimes. ha ha

I do know this... he has helped me out of many, many, MANY predicaments in my life. He has always seen the good in me that I couldn't see. He's helped me discover my dreams and passions and has always (deep down) supported me.

I have a deep admiration for him. I hope one day I can accomplish half of what he has. He has taught me how to give with a willing heart, how to sacrifice time and energy for the things that are important, how to be adventurous and create experiences in life, and especially how to make sure you show your family how much you really love them.

I love this man.

My Mother

My mother has been my guiding light. She has dealt with me all these years with such grace that I can't help but admire her! I can truly call her my best friend. I've learned so much from her example:

• How to clean my room
• ...change a diaper
• ...iron clothes (...sorta)
• ...manage a household
• ...cook (again... sorta)
• ...talk to strangers (I can even call them on the phone if I have to)
• ...be a friend
• ...love unconditionally
• ...persevere trials
• ...look up (she is always reminding me to look up and not walk looking down)
• ...have faith
• ...serve
• ...have empathy
• ...trust others
• among many many more things.

She is a blessing in my life.

To my wonderful parents, Thank You!!!

Thanksgiving Tribute #1

I have the most amazing friends! Thanks Maps for the idea!

30 People in 30 Days: Thanksgiving Tribute

(Except for I'm already a day behind!)

Although these aren't going to be in any particular order, I would be very ungrateful if I didn't start my month of thanksgiving with thoughts of gratitude toward my Savior, Jesus Christ.

If only I could put into words the depth of feeling I have for Him. I can honestly say, I am who I am today because of Him. I also am where I am today because of Him. He has taken my hand and led me down a path of life I don't know if I would have chosen for myself, nor would I have received the abundant blessings that have come from it.

He has been my friend when I felt terribly and bitterly alone.

He has been my brother to guide and instruct.

He is my Savior, who offers me the greatest gift of returning to a loving Heavenly Father and there enjoy the blessings of eternal family life.

Study: Hope in a Troubled World

When I watch the local and national news I get the sense that our communities are drowning. However, when I watch this I am reminded of the power of the gospel to not only heal individuals but communities as well.

There is so much good around us. I needed that reminder.

te he he

I love this face!

This little man makes my life so happy.

I love you Ryan.

Learn more about Autism here.

Goal #32: Cowboy

No, this isn't about A cowboy (ie. the man that should be marrying me) this is about Cowboy...He and I are becoming fast friends. I've been assigned to work with him like I was assigned to work with Milo a few years ago. You can track our progress here. I am learning so much in this Advance Animal Behavior Class (I had to take it again before I graduated because I loved it so much the first time). It is truly an amazing experience!

Success

I saw this online today. It spoke truth to my soul! ha ha.

Food Part II

Speaking of Food... this website is a college student's best friend...

its actually ANYONE's best friend!

You should check it out.

Put in the ingredients you have and it will come up with recipes for you!

Comfort...

This was a BYU devotional given by Elder Busch. It was shared at church a few weeks ago and I've had to listen to it several times since. What beautiful counsel!

Food

I have been obsessing about food lately. Mostly, I want to make sure that I'm avoiding imitation foods that don't have the same nutrients as real food does. I was recently referred to this site and the 100 day challenge. I think I'm going to do it.

Check out the website here. Lots of good ideas and recipes.

Happy Eating.

Goal #62

Goal #62: Go on a formal date with my husband...

Well, I don't have a husband yet but until then this guy makes a pretty good date. ;)

Military Ball

Goal #26

Goal #26: Graduate with my Bachelors Degree

SO CLOSE!!!

One semester left.

The greatest lesson I've learned from this experience is that the Lord is in charge and that he has his own timetable. If it were up to me I would have graduated years ago, but the Lord knows what he is doing. I just have to trust Him. But still...

SO CLOSE!!!