reflection then redirection

Since I'm currently serving in the Primary in our ward this gives me the opportunity to do sharing time every couple months.
I'll admit this was one of the things i was most terrified to do when i received my calling.  I have never been fan of public speaking, big group or small group it doesn't matter. I hated the idea of getting up in front of the entire primary and winging it. I'm the type that when I give a talk {or make a phone call} I write down absolutely every word that I'm going to say and under no circumstance do I change the plan.
HOWEVER
Through this calling I can almost say that I have conquered my fear of public speaking- at least in this situation. I have started looking forward to the months that I get to prepare a sharing time.
I know that I am learning WAY more then what I am ever teaching the kids, but that ok because I probably need to hear everything way more then they need to.
while preparing sharing time for next week I came across this quote:

I remember hearing this talk and thinking what a great message that was, but soon I forgot and I haven't thought of this particular talk since. I know that as I am able to try to keep in tune with the spirit I can receive these special messages that are just for me. 

It's hard for me to always feel grateful. When things aren't going exactly how I've planned or I feel frustrated or like I'm the only one who feel this way its too easy to focus on all the bad. 

I know there are always going to be things in my life that aren't going perfectly- but as I am able to take a step back I can recognize all the things that are right in my life.

Rope and I were married in the temple and can be together forever.

Even though we live far away from family we are so blessed to have some family living right in Saskatoon with us.

I have a job and can provide for our family. Looking back I can recognize so many ways we have been blessed because I have this particular job.

Rope will graduate with a Degree from University this year.

We were able to house sit a beautiful home for the last 7 months. We were so fortunate that we were in a place in our lives that we could take this opportunity.

I have a body that works and can be active and I am learning to not take this simple fact for granted

I have a wonderful calling that gives me these opportunities for reflection and then redirection.

As I look at the bigger picture of our lives, and not focus on little things, I can more easily see that we are so blessed.

Shall I falter or shall I finish

The last couple weeks I have been so thankful for a loving Heavenly Father and the knowledge that I have that he hears and answers prayers. I am also so grateful that he is aware of our needs even before we know what those needs might be.
Looking back at this past conference I can now see how many of the messages are just what I need to hear now and I am so thankful for that.

The last couple days have been tough for our family as we lost my cousin Brynn and then Ropes Grandma Dixie a few days later, both after battling cancer.
Brynn was the sweetest person I have ever known, and will probably ever know. For the past couple days I have been able to reflect on my memories with brynny. She was the best at putting a smile on your face and gave the most sincere compliments. I am so grateful for the opportunity I had to be there as their family was sealed in the temple last year, I will always remember how beautiful and pure Brynn looked all dressed in white. I am grateful for Brynns example of bravery and faith no matter what you are up against. I always loved to see her sweet smile and hear her infectious laugh. I am so thankful I get to have her, her parents and her siblings a part of our family forever. Love you Brynn.

I am so grateful that I got to have Dixie as a grandma for the past 2 years. I am especially grateful for the time we got to spend with her while we were home for thanksgiving. Grandma Dixie shared her testimony at ropes nephews baptism we attended while we were home. It was such a sweet and simple testimony of the things that she knew to be true. I'm so thankful we were there to hear it, it strengthened my own so much and helped me to remember those things that matter most. I am grateful for her example of courage and hard work. I feel so lucky to be married to Rope and that I get to be a part of her posterity.

One of the things that most recently stuck out to me from conference came from President Monson's talk during the Sunday morning session, while talking about adversity in our lives her said,
"The difficulties which come to us present us with the real test of our ability to endure, A fundamental question remains to be answered by each of us: Shall I falter, or shall I finish? Some do falter as they find themselves unable to rise above their challenges. To finish involves enduring to the very end of life itself."

I feel lucky to have known two amazing ladies who didn't falter and did endure to the end regardless of the difficult things they faced each day. 

In the same talk from President Monson he also says,

"We know that there are times when we will experience heartbreaking sorrow, when we will grieve and when we may be tested to our limits. However, such difficulties allow us to change for the better, to rebuild our lives in the way our Heavenly Father teaches us, and to become something different from what we were; better than what we were, more understanding than what we were, more empathetic than what we were, with stronger testimonies than we had before."

I hope that through these sorrows I will become better then I was before, and that I might be more able to help those around me who experience trials. I am grateful for the many experiences I have gained in this life so far and how they help me become more compassionate and Christlike. I am also grateful for my testimony and the peace and comfort it brings me to know I can be with my family forever if I live worthy. 

thanks

It's Thanksgiving weekend and I have A LOT to be thankful for!

I'm thankful that we got to come back to Alberta this weekend.
I'm thankful that we could have thanksgiving dinner with both of our families.. We are so lucky!

I'm thankful that we were able to finally get to meet little Lane and also thankful for how healthy he is.

I'm thankful that I have a job.. even when I don't love every minute of it.

I'm thankful for my religion and the happiness it brings me.

I'm thankful that we could watch conference this weekend.
I'm thankful for Rope and that we have been married for 1 year! Time has flown by but at the same time I can hardly remember my life without Rope. We have both learned a lot this year about each other and about ourselves. He is so good to me and I appreciate all the little things he does. I'm also thankful for how motivated he is in school and that he sets his goals high. I'm excited to start year 2 and see what it has in store for us :)

This is one of my favorite quotes from conference this weekend

I love how motivated and uplifted I feel after listening :)