Family is what it's all about...

I have been thinking about family a lot lately. I am a daughter, a grand-daughter, a sister, a mom, a wife, an aunt, a mother in law, a doggie grandma, a daughter in law, a sister in law, and a friend. What do you consider family? When I think of family, I think of my own family, and then I think of those who surround me that I consider family. I feel blessed to have a family, and friends who I consider family, and then it goes beyond that. I have a family including in-laws, aunts, uncles, cousins, and second cousins, I have a lot of friends I consider family, a ward family, a neighborhood family,and a work family. 

In my own family I have so many that I want to be exactly like. I admire and love them. Aunts that are so inspirational and loving. Grandparents that loved me and taught me so much. Cousins that are as close as a brother or sister. Some are still here and some are watching from heaven. I love that I have guardian angels guiding and protecting me. 

All families have issues, and all families struggle. All families argue. The important part is it doesn't matter how long you go without talking, they are always there. I am so blessed. I am lucky to know that if I called any of my family they would help me. I have friends that I consider family. I think about them often, and I get super excited to see them. I love my ward family. So many amazing examples that have helped me along the path. 

There's lots of information about families on the web. If you type in Family, it brings up titles of shows, links to offer help, and it talks about how we are all here to help each other. I love how Bronson is born in the middle of two sisters. His whole life has been about helping his sisters. When the kids were little we would go shopping and it would stress out Bronson to think that something would happen to one of them, or that I would leave them there. We always teased him about being Nemo's dad, because he would always worry. He has grown up to be such an amazing husband, and now has a bigger family.

Your circumstances allow you to reach out to others and to become better. If you need a friend, be one. Everyone needs a friend. Some are lucky enough to call a sibling a friend and some are lucky to call a friend a sibling. Reach out to others. Be the friend you always wanted to have.  We are all in this together to help each other along the path. I love this song and video from Fast and Furious 7. The part when they sing "How can we not talk about family, when family's all that we got," and when they say "It's been a long day without you my friend, and I'll tell you all about it when I see you again." are my favorite. I am thankful for my family. I am thankful to know that I will see my family and friends who have past on. I am thankful for my imperfect family and friends. 

Name them one by one

I read a quote yesterday that I can't get off of my mind. It seems like the world is trying to tell us we are not good enough. We are surrounded by things that make us somehow feel less than we truly are. 

I started my list in my mind before I even finished reading this quote. I felt grateful as I named my family, my friends, where I live, and then I stopped in my tracks as I thought how true it is, that we never take the time to give ourselves credit for being awesome! 

It was easy to quickly think of some of the things I like about myself. It was also easy to hear the voices of self doubt try to tell me I was less than.... Why is it so much easier to think negative, or to focus on the things we are working on? Why can't we look at ourselves as others see us? We all have good. We all have things that we have perfected. We all have spiritual gifts that make us awesome. We all have light within, and it shines when we let it. 

It is my challenge to you today, to name all of the things that you love. Name them one by one. As you go throughout your day, ponder, and reflect on the awesome things that surround you. Don't forget to include yourself in your list. If you are having a hard time, think of how someone else would describe you. You are AWESOME! Don't ever forget it! 

Determination

Karlee hurt her foot on my birthday....January 13th. She was tumbling and isn't sure how she did it, but it happened, and it hurts. 

The good news is that it isn't broken, but the bad news is that it will hurt for a long time. She is tough and she has proven that she can do hard things, but this has been especially tough. 

She hasn't been able to practice very much, but picked an awesome can do attitude. Karlee has been conditioning and doing intense workouts to stay strong. It is difficult to be part of a team, but not be able to really be part of the team. She does her workout and longs to be out on the floor with the other girls. She had to go to the first competition and watch. She was determined to get out there at the next meet. 

On February 7th she was able to compete. She had one goal, and that was to finish. She just wanted to be on the floor, with her team, and finish. Troy and I were watching from the stands. I saw her do a practice run, and I could tell her foot hurt. I panicked. I went and talked to her, and she reminded me that she was ok. She did her floor routine, and ended up getting first place. 

What is determination? Is it the will to not quit? Why is it that some people keep going despite overwhelming obstacles? I am drawn to motivated, and determined people. I admire them and try to be like them. Sometimes it is a rare and precious thing to find a motivated, determined person who is very kind and thinks of others. Karlee is this type of person. She is always looking for the good in others. She tries to fill her bucket by being happy for others. She is motivated to get good grades and determined not to quit. I am so proud of her. I see myself in her at times, and yet I strive to be just like her. 

Embark in service

This year the theme for the youth is Embark in the service of God. I have been listening and trying to study this theme and how I can put it into my own life. First of all I love how the youth have been taught to come unto Christ, Arise and Shine Forth, Stand in Holy places, and now Embark in Service. 

If you are wondering what it means to Embark, it means to start a journey. What an awesome idea to start of journey of serving others this year. Think about the theme for a minute. 

The ship represents Heavenly Father. Sometimes we are in rough water. Sometimes we are drifting, and sometimes we are sailing. There is an anchor attached. The anchor holds the boat as we stop and experience different stages of our life. We are anchored to Christ as we have experiences. It doesn't matter what choices we are making, or if we are perfect. He is always there. All we have to do is ask. While we are traveling we might have some rough water. We might feel like we can't make it to the next place, but He is our strength, and He is there for each one of us. In Alma 3:36 it says: whosoever shall put their trust in God shall be supported in their trials, and their troubles, and their afflictions, and shall be lifted up at the last day. 

Do you want to be happy? All you have to do is serve others, be kind and Embark in service. We all need each other. Reach out to others and really start a journey of service. When you Embark, you are joining the greatest journey ever!

This is the video of the theme for 2015. 

45 Birthday acts of kindness

 I turned 45 on January 13th. Seems really hard to believe I am that old. I try to do something to make a difference every single day, but I thought it would be fun to do 45 specific random acts of kindness for my birthday. This year has been my favorite birthday. I posted this not to get attention or acceptance. I posted because I am happy when I am serving others. I hope this inspires others to continue to spread kindness and to look for opportunities to serve others. If you want to have an awesome birthday, do acts of kindness! I would LOVE to hear about it, or help you with acts of kindness.

I had some friends who shared with me the random acts of kindness offered on my behalf.  A hot breakfast was made early in the morning. Tacos were bought, and the car behind them was paid for. A friend bought her coworker a drink. Cinnamon rolls were bought and delivered, sidewalks were shoveled. Temple work was done. A cute neighbor girl helped someone in her class with math. Friends were asked to play at recess that didn't have any friends. Laundry was done, and shopping. Kindness was spread. Seriously soooo nice. Thank you!!

Here are my 45.....(did I mention that 45 is a lot?)

1. My dear friend Norma Rae Liston always makes me happy. I have this awesome picture of us at Bronson and Jessi's wedding that I made a copy of. I took it to her and got a hug too. 

2. I made Hug cards and sent them with Kiersten. She works in an oncology office. I thought it would be great for the patients to receive something to make them happy. 

3 & 4. I taped popcorn on 2 different Redbox locations. With a cute tag. 

5, 6, & 7. I went to Dollar Tree and taped dollars around for people to find. 

8. I made the invitation for our New Beginnings night, and made Kiersten the same invite for her ward.

9,10,11. Filled gumball machines, and candy machines

12. Put $1.00 on the vending machine at my work

13. Left a sign in the bathroom that says "You! Yes, you The one reading this. you are beautiful, talented, amazing and simply the best at being you. NEVER FORGET THAT." 

14, 15, 16,17. I took cinnamon rolls to my coworkers, and a couple of friends on my birthday. I had 10 cinnamon rolls. It was really fun to share!

18. I put quarters in a baggie, and left it at the carwash.

19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24. Me & Kiersten took baggies with candy and candy bars and put them on cars at Lee's. This one was really fun. One of the girls picked up her candy bar and looked around, then she smiled and smiled. She drove away smiling and was really happy. There was a car with a couple of teen boys and they were really excited too. A guy at the gas station was on crutches and he smiled and shouted thank you.                                                                                                       

25. I smiled at everyone at the store, and said hello 

                                                                         

26, 27. Sent some text messages to a couple of friends I admire

28. I helped an old grandpa at the grocery store

29, 30. went to two drive up windows and handed the clerk a treat. This one was funny because they didn't know what to think.The candy had a cute tag on it. Pretty sure they thought I was crazy)

31, 32. Left a candle with a cute tag that says "I hope your day doesn't stink" to two friends.

33. Wrapped some candy and took it to an assisted living facility and asked them decide who to give it to. 

34. Printed a positive quote and put it in a library book for someone to find. 

35. Listened to a coworker that needed a friend. Talked to her and helped her with a difficult situation. 

36. Mailed a letter to a friend. 

37. Mailed a box of Sunshine

38. Left a note of encouragement on a random car

39. I picked up a friend from the front-runner in Ogden

40. Bought Chili's chips and salsa and delivered them to a friend

41. Left cherry chocolates for Troy, and put a treat in his suitcase. He was headed back to Indiana and I thought it would be nice for him to find a little treat from me when he arrived. 

42. Printed pictures for Pa Val for his frame

 

43. Took Oranges to my coworkers

44. Made smores on my birthday for visitors

45. Bought lunch for Karlee's coaches at the tumbling competition and brought it to them because they couldn't leave. 

Be the one....

With the New Year we each have a fresh start. We can set goals, and make changes. Sometimes it is hard to make something that seems like a weakness turn into a strength. If you are thinking about setting a New Year's resolution, try to not be so focused on trying to change you...Remember YOU are enough. You are loved! "You have a Heavenly Father who loves you! That love never changes. It is not influenced by your appearance, by your possessions, or by the amount of money you have in your bank account. It is not changed by your talents and abilities. God's love is there for you whether or not you feel you deserve love. It is simply always there."

(President Monson)

I am hoping that as you are looking to the future you try to become your best self on the inside. You will shine. Don't compare yourself with others. One of my favorite New Year's resolutions has been this year. I have tried to pray daily to know who to reach out to. I ask Heavenly Father to let me be his hands. Prayers are often answered through another person. We are surrounded by those in need of our attention, our encouragement, our support, our comfort, our kindness. we are the Lord's hands here upon the earth, with the mandate to serve and to lift His children. He is depending on each of us. If you ask Heavenly Father to guide you to recognize an opportunity to serve one of his precious children and you stay focused, your sensitivities will be enlarged and you will discover opportunities to serve that you never before realized were possible. We have the ability to bring light into our dark world. 

Miracles happen when you serve others. You start to become happier. You will start having more love in your heart. It is awesome to know that there is someone in your life right now that needs you. If you think about it, there is always someone you relate to. That person that you can help reach the best of their potential. Be the one. I promise you will be happier. I know I am. 

Incredible

I saw the most inspiring video today. A young man named Ezra Frech is Sports Illustrated's athlete of the year. He is 9 years old and has a prosthetic leg and only 2 fingers on one of his arms. He made some valid points in his interview. He said always finish well. This applies to everything. It doesn't matter if you slip and fall, just get up and finish well. 

He reminds us that everyone is different. You might look different, act different or you think different. Everybody has challenges and everybody stares at everybody. Being different is ok, and if you can dream it, hope it, or think it,  you can make it happen. 

You are perfect right where you are. You can get up when you fall, and finish well. It doesn't matter what you are doing, or not doing, it matters that you finish well. Have you reached out to someone in need today? Have you listened to that voice that tells you to text a friend, or write a note, or just smile at someone? 

I love that is reminds us that being different is ok. Everyone gets stared at, and made fun of at one point or another. We each have people in our lives that we can relate to and reach out to. The things you do matter. When you reach out to someone it is like planting a seed. You can count the seeds in an apple, but you can't count the apples in a seed. 

You are perfect! Dream, hope and think of all of the possibilities that are all around you everyday. Each one of us plays an important part. We need to help each other to be the best that we can be.