The Atonement and Change...

So, the whole point of this blog was to remember the things I am grateful for, especially when things were tough. Well I failed! As soon as things got a little tough, I forgot to be grateful.

However, one of the great things about life is the ability and the gift to start over. Tonight, I am grateful for that.

I have made so many mistakes and I will continue to make many more, but I have really learned how changes can become so personal and can really give you a whole new life.

We will make mistakes and people will judge us but I really think that it is important for us to realize that one mistake in our life does not define who we are or who we are going to become. I think it is also important that we remember that about other people.

I am so grateful for the people around me who have stood by my side through mistakes, learning and changes. I have some amazing people in my life.

What I am most grateful for, however, is the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Through this sacrifice and only through this sacrifice, can we make permanent changes and really overcome any and all mistakes we have made and will make. Only He understands what we have gone through and who we can become. Only He truly knows the effort we have put forth and the desires of our heart.

I am so grateful for the Atonement of my Savior, Jesus Christ, and the clarity He brings me and the opportunities He grants me. How blessed are we to have a Heavenly Father who sacrificed His son for our good. Life is good, we just have to take advantage of it.

I really like this quote taken from the General Conference talk from Elder Holland in April of 2012:

"However late you think you are, however many chances you think you have missed, however many mistakes you feel you have made or talents you think you don’t have, or however far from home and family and God you feel you have traveled, I testify that you have not traveled beyond the reach of divine love. It is not possible for you to sink lower than the infinite light of Christ’s Atonement shines."-Elder Holland

I like this song...or at least the idea of it

Junior is not so Junior

Anyone who knows me is probably wondering why I haven't already posted about Junior (my dog) 18 times already. I am surprised myself :)

Sometimes I wonder if anyone loves their dog more. I am so grateful for him...always! Last night, Jordan and I took him to an open park. He wanders around a bit but listens so well. The best part is the amount of kids who were all over him! He handled it like a champ. His tail never wags faster than when kids are around and he is so good with them. They sit on him, tug on him and do everything they can to annoy him and he loves every second of it.

What a blessing he is! I don't care if he is only a dog, he is truly a best friend and a loyal one at that. He's moved around, I left on a mission and yet no one has loved me more. He listens so well, loves people, is calm and has a very funny personality. I couldn't be more grateful for my Junior who is a bit bigger than a junior :)

Such a Handsome Boy!

Isn't there a poem about footprints? Were they talking about Junior's? :)

Pondering Life!

Yep, he's the cutest!

Ladies Man

This was not tonight, but this is a pretty regular happening.

(Watching the eclipse in May with friends and their family ward)

Are You Ready for Some Football...

I am soooo grateful for football!! Is there anything else to say? I am so glad that football season is starting because I love everything about it--the sounds, the hits, the weather (fall is coming), My Raiders, traditions...everything.

My friend Rachel and I went to watch the Raiders first preseason game last night. It was a very boring game but a real fan gets through preseason with a smile!

Iggy's Sports Bar

Raiders Game to the Right, Giants Game to the left!

But Let Him Ask in Faith, Nothing Wavering

Well, I haven't posted in a few days but I think it's because I have been a little too busy really enjoying the new things that I am grateful for. Maybe they will be a post someday :)

Today I am SO grateful for prayer! I was so sick all last night and was only able to sleep for about 40 minutes. It was very miserable to say the least and as I did my best to get through the morning, I sent a text to several good friends and just simply asked them to help me in prayer that I might be able to get through the day.

The title of this post is twofold for me. It took a lot of strength for me to ask my friends for help and I think they knew it but something can be said for righteous friends who answer a call to help in any matter. I also relearned the meaning of praying with a faith that can't be denied; to truly know that He would hear and answer me.

I felt the power of those prayers today and accomplished more than I thought I could. I know that He hears our prayers and is excited to allow us to literally feel His power so that we may know and understand that when we exercise our faith in Him, in any way, He will always back us up.

I think He knew exactly what I needed today and I am so grateful for the friends who provided extra prayers so that I may feel that.

“It matters not our circumstance, be we humble or arrogant, poor or rich, free or enslaved, learned or ignorant, loved or forsaken, we can address Him. We need no appointment. Our supplication can be brief or can occupy all the time needed. It can be an extended expression of love and gratitude or an urgent plea for help. He has created numberless cosmos and populated them with worlds, yet you and I can talk with Him personally, and He will ever answer.”-Elder Richard G. Scott

Companions for a Transfer, Friends for Eternity...

This post will mostly be pictures because I really feel like pictures say it all in this case. I am SOOOO grateful for my mission buddies. I love them so much and there is always just such a strong feeling of love for everyone and from everyone whenever we are together. It's so great to live in Provo and be so close to the Viking parties, the pizza parties, the homecomings, the reunions and our other random times that we get together. These people are the best and make me want to be my best. So grateful for each and every one of them...

Headed to General Conference

Everything about this girl is beautiful!

(Mission Reunion Picnic)

Rootbeer Floats at the Olsens

Coolest Vikings you have ever seen!

Sisters' Dinner!

Paige's Homecoming!

We are too cool!

Brock and his sisters!

Love these people!

Color Festival with 2 of my favorite people!

Mission Reunion Picnic! Love these Peeps!

Dream, Conquer, Repeat

Tonight, I am grateful for goals and dreams. I spent a very nice evening with someone and it was so nice to talk about the things we love, our passions and the goals we have to serve others with the passions that we have. We hear all the time that we can do whatever we want. We grow up being told that we can become whoever we want and accomplish any goal or dream. I never really believed that until this week. I have come to realize that it is all in our attitude and desire. How grateful I am for a Heavenly Father who has given us all the resources we need to truly accomplish who we want to become and what we want to do. I know that it is possible to reach all goals, especially when helping and serving others is our motivation....oh I am grateful tonight :)

Land of the Free, Home of the Brave

Today I am so grateful to be an American. OK, I am grateful to be an American everyday, but I am especially feeling it today. The Olympics always bring a sense of pride for one's nation of origin and I am even more proud today to be an American as I watch these athletes represent my country with poise, class...oh and with WINNING!

I am grateful for all those men and women who have or do serve our country. To think that they risk and sometimes give it all for our flag, for our country, for you, for me, for those they know and for those they will never meet.

Land of the Free, Home of the Brave....

(I took the picture below on a glacier cruise in Alaska a couple years ago.)

I Can do Hard Things

This has become my motto over the past couple months and I am quite grateful for the opportunity I have had to do hard things and overcome them. Life sometimes feels like the picture below but how much better do we feel after, knowing that we got through a hard trial? I can complain at times but I know that I will be much happier in the end, when I can look back at the path I rode on my jacked up bike, knowing that I did something hard. Life is good my friends!

Ran a 10k with no training!! It was hard but I had amazing friends to encourage me along the way!