29 Days of GRATITUDE

Day Five:

So I am behind, but yesterday I felt very grateful for the gospel.

Honestly there was just so much goodness from the gospel and church that it is so hard to just zone in on one. 

The priesthood is truly amazing and such a blessing in my life. I am grateful for faithful men who are worthy to use the priesthood. 

I am so grateful for the Atonement.i need it so much and in every aspect of my life. The Atonement is such a great gift that allows me to be closer to my Savior and Heavenly Father.

I am grateful for the friendships and unity and support group the church members provide. There is something wonderful about being surrounded by those who share your same beliefs that you can discuss ad share such beautiful and wonderful things with. 

I am so thankful for church leaders. Especially for such a loving and kind bishop. Our bishop works so hard and serves us so well.

The gospel is true. It is the thing in my life that I never want to live without!!! I am so blessed to have been born under covenant and have such amazing family members who are the greatest examoles. I am so grateful for the knowledge I have. It blesses and guides me each day, each hour. 

What are you thankful for?

29 Days of GRATITUDE

Day Four:

Today I am grateful for my car.

Sure its dirty and muddy from the dirt roads right now. And inside it has dirt and hay in it from the horses, but I really do love it. 

It gets me from point A to point B. She and I have been together for three years and the biggest trouble she has given me is a dead battery. Seriously it is just a good and dependable car. And I am lucky to own her. Even though I would prefer a truck, my car is good on gas mileage.  Which is such a nice plus, esp. Whem I drive three hours to work at the ranch or driving from arizona to california. And now from tehachapi to bakersfield several times a week. 

Her name is mulan by the way. Named by my beautiful co-worker sierra. :) so shout out to her. Ha 

What are you grateful for?

29 Days of GRATITUDE

Day Three:

Grattitude is the best attitude.

Today I am gratefulnfor work. Good ol' fashioned work. 

One I am grateful for the job I currently have. Getting paid is always nice, but  after work I went home and I trimmed bushes. 

You just feel accomplished and being active and doing things just makes you happy. Being productive btings joy. 

Also it is not easy to find a paying job now days so I am glad I have it for the time being. 

Working is the greatest! 

What are you grateful for?

29 Days of GRATITUDE

Day Two:

Tody I feel extremely grateful for institute.

It is a little difficult living far away from the institute building, but the drive is definitely worth it.  

For those of you who have absolutely no idea what I am talking about when I say institute, let me explain... institutes are built all over at various college campuses or very close to them. They are a part of the Latter-Day Saints churh education program. They have several different classes throughout the week all centered on one section of scripture such as, the Book of Mormon, the Old Testament,  the New Testament,  Pearl of Great Price, or cetain topics such as, Marriage and Family and Mission Prep. These classes typically have mostly college age students attending, however, anyone is welcome to come. 

These classes are great and so wonderful. The opportunity to learn and to discuss scripture is just what I need at the very least once a week. It allows me to make new friends, but most importantly to feel the Spirit and ponder on His words. It allows me to slow down and in a sense escape the world for a little while. 

When I lived in San Luis Obispo and first started attending institue classes,  just walking in the building gave me a feeling of home and safety, like all my worries where left outside the door. There I knew I was loved and welcomed by everyone. It was filled with happiness and laughter. The institute in bakersfield is alot like that as well. 

I think that in these areas where there are less mormons there is a greater feel or sense of belonging because everybody knows everybody. I loved institute in Arizona, but in the mesa area there were three different institute buildings to choose from in the area. And so many new faces all the time! Which is fun and exciting, but not always familiar.

The biggest thing about institutes are the lessons though. It truly uplifts me and gives me strenghth. I have learned countless things from the lesson that are not always what the teacher says,  but lessons communicated to me from the still smal voice of the Holy Ghost, who can dwell with me in a place as the institute because of the enviroment cultivated there.

I am grateful for institute!

What are you especially grateful for today?

29 Days of GRATITUDE

Day One:

So I have been thinking a lot about gratitude lately and how much I lack in expressing my gratitude.

I truly have been given much and yet I often seem like I am on this ridiculous never ending downward spiral of everything not being enough... when in fact I have all I need and much much more. All this craze of wanting more and more and more will never bring me peace or joy.

In fact, this last general conference had several talks based on gratitude so this must be quite important. 

I made a challenge for me to write in my blog each day about something that day in particular that I am grateful for.

So here goes day one...

I am so extremely grateful that I have the opportunity to be with horses whenever I want. 

In fact, today after I cleaned out a rather large stall after work I went bareback on this magnificent horse named Gunner.

Gunner is such a calm boy and to be quite honest it is almost like he is part dog or something. He is just so friendly and loves as much attention as he can get!

Getting to go barebacking on that beaut was just what I needed today! For some dang reason today was just one of those days where it is hard to pick yourself out of the dumps. 

Horses have this way of calming me. I feel free. I feel peace inside and all I have to think about is how the horse and I are interacting with each other. Riding is the bee's knees no matter what, but there is this unique serenity riding bareback. You feel the strong movements of this powerful and graceful creature beneath you and you feel like you are one. And it presents a slight challenge with balancing. 

So I am so very grateful that I have 24/7 access to horses. And not just any old horse but athletic champion cutting horses who each have the cutest and darndest personalities you ever did see.

What were you grateful for today?