I feel so grateful for all the opportunities I have had in my life. Recently, as I've begun editing photos from Europe, spent time with old friends, enjoyed an evening with a new friend...and have reflected on the many great things I have been able to do with my life... I can't help but feel grateful to God for the many blessings in my life.
Things I thank God for... they are in no particular order and by no means all-inclusive:
Shooting stars...
friends with whom to enjoy shooting stars...
a growing photography business...
membership in Christ's church and all the blessing associated therewith...
Brad, Abby & Livie...
beautiful nieces and a handsome nephew...
a flourishing massage therapy practice...
good books...
the opportunity to travel...
my eyesight...
Sydney, Stockton & Samantha...
Puppys/dogs...bailey...tuit...enu...
the chance i have to photograph, paint, see, and enjoy all things beautiful...
the chance to forgive and to be forgiven...
Matt & Laurie, backpacking with Matt...
Sunshine and blue skies...
The opportunity to love and be loved...
chances and knowledge that allow me to cook incredible food...
being able to help people feel good and enjoy improved health everyday...
the opportunity to work, support myself and help others...
laughter...
order, and the gift of creating order from chaos...
homemade dill veggies...
fresh veggies from the garden...
homemade apricot leather...
creating the perfect gift for my mom's birthday...
The work of John Bradshaw...
my mission & all the incredible people & blessings resulting from it...
being clean... I love a clean house...
my scriptures and learning about the life and ministry of Jesus Christ...
teaching the Old Testament...
a knowledge that families can be together forever...
a desire to become a little better each day...
paying off my car...
my car…
good gas mileage...
both my parents who were/are amazing chefs...
my desire to find the perfect gift or do the perfect service to meet peoples needs and show them they are loved and appreciated...
the sunrise...especially over the beach or behind the mountains...
a physical body that allows me to run, walk, bike, ski, wakeboard, work, hike...
the work I have done for suicide prevention...
my capacity to think and act for myself...
My grandma & grandpa Fisher & my Grandma B & C
Lakes...
clothing...
a washer and dryer for my clothing...
my opportunity to study with BYU & Santa Reparata's art programs...
The chance to sing and to give voice to the feelings in my heart...
good friends...
a warm bed and a safe/beautiful home...
good men in my life...
my laptop...
Costco...
Stratton's fresh fruit & vegetables, near my office...
An office in a great location for a great price...
Clients...
Lightroom, CS5 & my camera...
learning from each person I meet...
a desire to leave everyone better than I found them...
strong hands...
a strong heart...
my resiliency...
good music...
my toothbrush... and dental floss...
Advil...
A good massage...
painted toenails...
-cool summer nights...
the opportunity to get an education and to help others with the knowledge I've gained...
The beach...
Chacos...
Seashells...
The SFL cooking teacher I had at BYU... the first who really cared about us...
BYU Jerusalem...
Evening walks...
having my hair played with/brushed...
my down comforter...
My feet...
the shoe organizer on my door...
a modern-day prophet & temple work...
Chocolate milk shakes...
my car right after the oil was changed...
synthetic oil so I can drive my car longer...
an honest mechanic...
the smell of freshly cut grass...
making my own bread...and pizza…and just about everything...
the first scoop of peanut butter out of a new jar...
Italy...
my glasses...
clean water to drink and bathe/shower...
a water heater...
ice cubes...
carpet...
Epsom salt baths…
Ruby Red grapefruit juice...
outdoor movies on summer evenings...
college football...
my ipod/ihome that enable me to listen to great music all day while I work on clients...
great composers...
fresh peaches...
dryer softening sheets...
bleach...
clorox wipes...
Lost & 24…
christmas lights...
northern lights...
fresh halibut...
fireflies…
swimming laps…
rain...
snow...
opposition in all things that help me to recognize and appreciate all the wonderful things in my life...
Gerber daisies...
Lilies...
The praying mantis on the porch…
A beautiful garden…
A porch swing…
Amazing bishops…
Hair elastics…
The founding fathers…
Good friends from each phase of my life…
The atonement of Jesus Christ and my knowledge of it…
My cell phone…
A printer…
Specialized lighting…
My great-grandmother’s wedding ring that survived the great depression…
The opportunity that I have to learn and grow from my experience…both the good and the bad…
Soccer…
The crescent moon that smiles down on me…
The internet…
A cheese grater…
Airplanes…
Salad…
Peace…
That I can learn from and not marry each guy I date…
Night and day…
Sleep…
CS Lewis…
Harold Kushner…
My beautiful plants…
My favorite pillow…
Toilet paper…
My sketch book…
Seeing Andre Bocelli live in Sienna—for free…
Canyoning in Switzerland…
Relief Society…
Flowerbomb, Ed Hardy & True Religion…
Swings…
Roasting marshmallows…
Water skiing…
Snow-Skiing…
Teaching others to ski…
The MTC…
My keys…
Mail…
Garbage day…
Learning new things…
Good recipes…
Throwing parties…
Quality dates…
The Sacrament…
My phone… and the insurance on my phone …
Prayer…
Air Conditioning…
An iron…
The Mormon channel…
My curling iron…
Traveling to Europe, Japan, Canada, the Bahamas…and all over the US…
Meeting people of different ethnicities and learning from each of them…
The ferris wheel…
Light…
The ability to discern right and wrong…
The color green...
Education week…
Women’s conference…
Boating with joyful people…
Teaching…
The piano…
Choir…
Sewing…
Quilting…and the amazing quilt I made…
People in my life who inspire me to learn and do and become more...
AND so many more...
I must say that seeing Eat Pray Love this evening made me so grateful for the knowledge I have of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and for something more substantial than fantastic food in Italy, marvelous meditation in India and luscious love in Bali. I empathized with Liz who sought more in her life, who at times felt empty and as though she had nothing left to give, no heartbeat if you will; however, I know that there is more to life than quitting your marriage, running to other countries to find yourself and losing yourself in relationships as though they were a drug. I too have had instances to ask, "God, do you really exist" "God, do you care" and "God please help me," and I know that He hears me. I may not always get an answer, or the answer that I like; however, I always have the assurance that He hears me. I know that faith, when centered in the Lord Jesus Christ has power to deliver me and you and that hope can yield light amid the most dark horizon, I know that as I look to others in love and service and charity--the pure love of Jesus Christ--that there is enduring happiness and joy to be found in this life and in the life to come.
I think it is unfortunate that we live in a society where people are accustomed to simply saying "I don't want to be married anymore" just as simply as their spouse may say "I don't want to go to Aruba." Maybe it is because I am a home and family living major at BYU, and maybe it is because I grew up amid such a mentality... but mostly I believe that this knowledge that I have runs much deeper and is something that has been embedded in my soul from long before this life... and that is a knowledge of Jesus Christ as my redeemer. Our Sunday school lesson for church this week is entitled "Sharing the Gospel with the World" and is based on the Old Testament teachings found in Jonah & Micah... and how prevalent a need to share these things is..I wish everyone had this knowledge that God loves us and has a plan for each one of us to experience joy and happiness and can enable us to find such in any circumstance we choose or have chosen.
