It's November....

Holy Cow! Time seems to fly by super fast lately. I've been sick so naturally the homework has been piling up day by day! To make things even better only 4 more days until I get to see my family! That means 4 more days until I finally get to hug my sister.

Lately I've been seeing a lot of posts about what people are thankful for since it is Thanksgiving time. I wish that people would realize that to be thankful is something we should be actively doing through out the whole year, not just in November. Don't get me wrong, though, I am grateful that people do express their thanks...even if it is in November.

These past 18 plus months have taught me to be thankful for a lot of things. The top three things are:

1.  My Heavenly Father and Savior, Jesus Christ. With out them I would be nothing, I would be lost and I wouldn't be able to make it through anything. 
2.  My Family. This world would mean nothing if I didn't have them here with me, whether it is in person or in spirit. They are a source of strength for me. I realize even more know what a miracle it is to have them. To have someone who will do anything for you because they love you. I wouldn't trade any day or time I have had with them for the world. 
3. My friends. These people are my "other" family. When my family can't be with me, these people step in. I hope you know who you are. If your questioning your self, stop it. You are my friend. My friends are with me through thick and thin and I appreciate that. With out them my world would be missing a piece. 

I'm grateful for everything that has happened in our family. Its been amazing to see first hand what happens when a tragedy strikes a family. I wouldn't wish it on anyone but I wouldn't trade it either, as weird as that sounds.

Not a day goes by when I don't think of Tristen or Madeliene. They taught me how to love. This is probably the greatest gift I'm thankful to have received from many. Not a day goes by when I don't think of Maegen. She has taught me what it means to be strong and a fighter. Not a day goes by when I don't think of my parents. They have taught me to be persistent and true in what I believe in. Not a day goes by when I think of my brothers, Sjon and Ian. They have taught me that no matter what, everything is going to be ok. They have taught me what it means to have great faith. My friends have emphasized each of these gifts as well as many others. Not a day goes by when I don't think of how grateful and thankful I am to a loving God who has given me my friends and family. He amazes me everyday.

I'm thankful that people take a little time out of the year to truly think about what they are thankful for. Life is too short for regrets. Life is to short to let a plea of gratitude go unheard.

"Here it Goes Again."

Well, I guess you can say I've  been putting this blog off for a while. I'm not quite sure what happened to the one I had before my mission...it's gone all MIA. So here is to a fresh new start. Which is all good but hard at the same time.

It's crazy to think that two years ago my life changed. I knew that I had to go and serve the Lord by spreading this wonderful Gospel to all those who would hear it. Eight weeks ago my life changed again. This time in a way that I never expected it to. Many of you who may read this (if any) already know what has happened. If you don't know feel free to ask and I'll tell or click here to read an article my dad wrote about the accident.

These past eight weeks I've learned that Heavenly Father has a special plan for all of us and that includes stretching our limits. Some people say, and I've been known to say, that God won't give us anything we can't handle. I've changed my stance on that. I know he gives us things we can't handle. We can't handle them alone but with the help of our Savior, Jesus Christ, we can handle it. Heavenly Father stretches us to shape us into the people He knows we can be, whether we like it or not.

I'm great full that He loves us enough to help us stretch, to give us the tools we need to help the stretching process. It's a pain. It's hard. Sometimes we want to give up. It seems like when we get  so close to what we think is our breaking point, if we allow it, the Atonement of Jesus Christ steps in.  Someone shows up to help us, I like to call them Angels. They can be earthly angels or spiritual angels.  I'm great full for those Angels.

I couldn't of made it these past couple months with out them. I wouldn't be here. I wouldn't have spent the past 18 months doing one of the best things I've ever done. I wouldn't be here, back up at BYU-Idaho, going to school. Yep, that's right, I'm back up at school. It's a little harder adjusting to school stuff, but I am finally getting the hang of it, I think. Either way...Here it goes again!