My Happy List

as a follower of Liv's blog, I decided to take her challenge and write out my happy list.

it is an interesting subject, as I have contemplated it lately. some of the things that make me happy include:

spending time with my family

church

my awesome Institute class

living the Gospel

rock climbing

the mountains/outdoors

working out

associating with good people

what is really interesting to me is the following:

I used to be somewhat crazy into rock climbing. I would go whenever I had the time/friend to go with. this is what constituted a lot of my happiness. now...even still...I see nothing wrong with this. however, after having broken my leg recently, I have noticed the little things that make me happy...like having the ability to walk :) I'm even starting to run again! I was just given the ok from the doc to climb as soon as I feel like I can. now THAT is a motivator.

anyway, my point is that its so easy to skip over the little things. I, for one, want to recognize and appreciate the little things more.

"The Gospel Is The Easiest Way To Live"

this is so true. and it really is that simple.

again, one of the many factors that play into me absolutely loving where I live at this point in my life...two Sundays ago I was sitting, waiting for Sacrament Meeting to start. I looked up at where the speakers were sitting and thought, "that looks like John Bytheway." so I looked at the program and sure enough, John Bytheway was the High Councilor speaking in my ward that day.

John Bytheway has played a big role in my life through his many talks published on CD and DVD. it was interesting to think that if I were speaking that day (as they did have a young lady from the ward speak), I probably would have referenced one or more quotes by John Bytheway, which would have been so funny to me because he was sitting right there!!

he started speaking that day by saying, "The Gospel is the easiest way to live." and I would reiterate...it is so true.

Amen To That

the Sunday School teacher in my class yesterday read something from Elder M. Russel Ballard that hit me hard, and I think everyone should hear this:

“In the Church, we often state the couplet, ‘Be in the world but not of the world.’ As we observe television shows that make profanity, violence, and infidelity commonplace and even glamorous, we often wish we could lock out the world in some way and isolate our families from it all. …

“Perhaps we should state the couplet previously mentioned as two separate admonitions. First, ‘Be in the world.’ Be involved; be informed. Try to be understanding and tolerant and to appreciate diversity. Make meaningful contributions to society through service and involvement. Second, ‘Be not of the world.’ Do not follow wrong paths or bend to accommodate or accept what is not right. …

“Members of the Church need to influence more than we are influenced. We should work to stem the tide of sin and evil instead of passively being swept along by it. We each need to help solve the problem rather than avoid or ignore it” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1989, 100–101; or Ensign, May 1989, 80).

Its not every Sunday that the Prophet speaks in your ward's Sacrament meeting

so when I first moved to Salt Lake at the end of August I got online to check the time for a ward within the boundaries of my house. 11:00 was the supposed starting time. my roommate and I showed up and, at the end of the meeting found out that church was over for the day...the block had started at 9:00. no worries...I had wanted to check out a ward by the University and, after attending one Sunday there, became a member of the student ward. at the time I was a big fan of the late 1:00 block :) after long consideration and supposing this first ward I had visited was moving to the 1:00 schedule for the new year, I decided to switch wards to go with my roommates. I got online this time and the ward was listed to start at 9am. for some reason I wanted to go in the morning, not wanting to sleep in, and went to find a ward at 9:00. I am so glad I went.

I enjoyed the friendliness of the "regular" single adult ward as opposed to the larger student ward. the first person I met was a member of the bishopric, whom I sat by in Relief Society. I mentioned to him that I had come to the ward about a month ago in anticipation of joining. it was on a Sunday like today where all three wards that meet in the same building meet at the same time, and a month ago somebody told me I chose the wrong Sunday to come for the first time (jokingly, of course). the bishopric member told me I was in for a treat today. it was true. its not everyday you get to hear a Prophet of the Lord speak to you--not just on TV--but in person.

it was amazing. words seem insufficient for describing what I felt.