Lately the hymn, Count Your Blessings, has been running through my head. I am seriously so blessed! I have my struggles and trials just like everyone else but the blessing in my life far overshadow those! So I thought I would make a list to remind myself just how blessed I am.
1. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints! I seriously love the gospel so much! I don't know how I would even be able to function without it. The knowledge it gives me in my life brings me so much peace. I am so grateful that I have a knowledge of the Atonement that brings me peace and comfort in everything! I could go on and on about the blessing the gospel brings to my life.
2. My parents! They are two of the most amazing and strongest people I know! I mean they have to put up with my and my 2 siblings after all. They are always there for me no matter what. I can't even count the times I have called both of them up or gone home to get their advice. I don't know where I would be if I didn't have the 2 parents that I have. I was incredibly blessed when I was sent to these parents! They help keep me sane when life gets crazy.
3. My sister and her family! My sister is my best friend and we have come a long ways since we were younger. Mandy is always there for me and listens to me cry and complain about everything. She gives me the best advice, even if I don't want to hear it at the time .She also has 4 of the cutest kids around whom call me Aunt Tara! I love them all so much!
4. My brother is also an amazing example to me! I have seen him go through so much with his health and other things. I don't think I have ever heard him complain throughout the whole process. Aaron doesn't say much, but when he does you better listen! He is so wise and I have heard him offer some great advice!
5. My friends! I have some of the best friends around! They are awesome and are always there for me. I can't even tell you how grateful I am for them being in my life! I meet them just when I needed them the most. They have helped me through so much! They help me laugh even when I don't want to.They are also trying to help me overcome my fears and helping me be the person I want to be.
6. All of my extended family! I was so blessed to grow up right around the corner from most of my family and only 30 min from the rest. I know that I can call anyone of them up and they will be there for me in a minute.They also happen to be hilarious and we are constantly laughing when we get together.
7. The Temple! I love that I only live 45 minutes away from the temple! I love the peace and comfort I get from just being on the temple grounds. I always leave feeling so much better about life and so calm. I also love what the temple represents. I love that I can be with my family for eternity because of the ordinances preformed there.
.
8. The YSA 11th Ward! I am so grateful I moved into the ward. I have moved into a lot of wards but never have I felt more accepted than in this ward. I have an amazing bishopric and their wives are also amazing. I am learning and growing from being in this ward.
9. My health. I have been going through a few health problems the last few years and it has been really hard. The doctors couldn't give me any real explanation until this past May. Now I have finally found a good doctor in Utah that has me on the right track. My health still isn't perfect but it is so much better than it was even 6 months ago.
10. I am grateful for organ, eye, and tissue donation. All 3 have greatly blessed my siblings and I. Aaron with his kidney, Mandy with heart valves, and me with a new cornea. I am so grateful for the people and the families who have donated. It is truly a selfless act! If your not already an organ, tissue, and eye donor you can sign up here... http://www.donatelife.net/
Now these are just a few things that I am grateful for. There is so much more and I have been blessed with an amazing life. I am not always perfect and I will murmur and ask why me, but then I look around and realize life is good! Hopefully this list will help me keep perspective :-)
Sunday, November 17, 2013
Sunday, February 10, 2013
My Parents
So I know almost everyone thinks they have the best parents in the world, but I really do! As I get older the more I realize just how lucky I am. My parents really center their lives around what us kids need, even though we are all adults now. I can say I think I need them more as an "adult" than I needed them as a child. They help guide me through this crazy world that I am in. My parents are literally my best friends. They understand me at a level very very few people do. There is no one I trust more in this life than them. A few years back I lost almost every friend I had and they were the ones that stood by me. My parents have dealt with so much in their journey in parenthood. They have had 3 children with major health problems and they dealt with the death of one of them. Then they have to deal with me and I know my struggles haven't always been a walk in the park for them. I know they probably had their struggles through all the ups and downs in life, but they have never let us see that. They are our rock and stability when everything seems to crumble around us. They honestly don't get even half of the credit they deserve!
My Momma-is such a hard worker. She always does her absolute best in every situation. Sometimes I think she sets really high expectations for herself, but it shows how dedicated she is in everything she does (I also take after her in this area and it tends to make things more stressful for us haha). My moms life has always been centered around her children. I know that I can always turn to her for anything and she won't judge me. I also know that no matter what she will always love me for who I am. Mom is our cheerleader in life. She is always there to support our decisions and help us achieve our goals. I love that my mom loves to try out new desserts, she is the dessert queen! Everyone tells me how much I look like my momma and I am so glad I can be her blonde haired look alike. One of my favorite memories of mom growing up is whenever we were sick, mom would stay up with us and say, "If I had a magic wand I would wave it and make it go away...but I don't have one." haha! But I know that she really would take upon her every pain and heartache if it meant her kids were happy and whole. I love you mom!
My Daddy- is also one of the hardest workers I know. Growing up I watched him taking care of the farm and putting such long hours. Both parents have taught me the importance of hard work and doing my best. Dad is also the rock of our family. He gives some of the best advice and he is so in-tune with what each of his kids needs to hear (even if we don't want to admit it at the time). Dad has also taught me the importance of having a sense of humor through the hard times in life. Dad is always telling me how tears won't help and they will only make me feel worse. My dad has this amazing ability to calm me down when no one else can. Any future men in my life will have to take lessons from dad on how to deal with me. He talks me through my fears even when he doesn't understand them himself. Dad even let me drive his car today because he knew I was scared of the highways and his car has all wheel drive. I am proud to say that I tend to act a lot like my dad. The older I get the more I catch my inner Russ coming out. Someday I hope to find his strength and faith. One of my favorite dad memories was when we were walking home from milking cows one day. Dad and I were ahead of the others that day and we decided to scare them. Dad put me on his shoulders and we stood under the bridge in the ditch. When the others went by we jumped out and scared them.. I sure love my daddy!
I can't even begin to describe how much I love and depend on my parents. I was so blessed when I was sent down to them. Heavenly Father knew exactly what he was doing when He did that. I don't know how my parents have been able to go through all that they have and still be so strong. Many people have told me, "I can't imagine being your parents and going through all trials they handle". Well I can't either but they sure handle everything perfectly! So mom and dad I just want you to know how much we all love and appreciate everything you do for us. I hope I can even be half the parents you guys are when I am blessed with children. Also thank you to both of my grandparents for raising my parents the way you did and supporting them and us grandchildren through everything.
My Momma-is such a hard worker. She always does her absolute best in every situation. Sometimes I think she sets really high expectations for herself, but it shows how dedicated she is in everything she does (I also take after her in this area and it tends to make things more stressful for us haha). My moms life has always been centered around her children. I know that I can always turn to her for anything and she won't judge me. I also know that no matter what she will always love me for who I am. Mom is our cheerleader in life. She is always there to support our decisions and help us achieve our goals. I love that my mom loves to try out new desserts, she is the dessert queen! Everyone tells me how much I look like my momma and I am so glad I can be her blonde haired look alike. One of my favorite memories of mom growing up is whenever we were sick, mom would stay up with us and say, "If I had a magic wand I would wave it and make it go away...but I don't have one." haha! But I know that she really would take upon her every pain and heartache if it meant her kids were happy and whole. I love you mom!
My Daddy- is also one of the hardest workers I know. Growing up I watched him taking care of the farm and putting such long hours. Both parents have taught me the importance of hard work and doing my best. Dad is also the rock of our family. He gives some of the best advice and he is so in-tune with what each of his kids needs to hear (even if we don't want to admit it at the time). Dad has also taught me the importance of having a sense of humor through the hard times in life. Dad is always telling me how tears won't help and they will only make me feel worse. My dad has this amazing ability to calm me down when no one else can. Any future men in my life will have to take lessons from dad on how to deal with me. He talks me through my fears even when he doesn't understand them himself. Dad even let me drive his car today because he knew I was scared of the highways and his car has all wheel drive. I am proud to say that I tend to act a lot like my dad. The older I get the more I catch my inner Russ coming out. Someday I hope to find his strength and faith. One of my favorite dad memories was when we were walking home from milking cows one day. Dad and I were ahead of the others that day and we decided to scare them. Dad put me on his shoulders and we stood under the bridge in the ditch. When the others went by we jumped out and scared them.. I sure love my daddy!
I can't even begin to describe how much I love and depend on my parents. I was so blessed when I was sent down to them. Heavenly Father knew exactly what he was doing when He did that. I don't know how my parents have been able to go through all that they have and still be so strong. Many people have told me, "I can't imagine being your parents and going through all trials they handle". Well I can't either but they sure handle everything perfectly! So mom and dad I just want you to know how much we all love and appreciate everything you do for us. I hope I can even be half the parents you guys are when I am blessed with children. Also thank you to both of my grandparents for raising my parents the way you did and supporting them and us grandchildren through everything.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)