365. Today I am grateful for this project

Being that it was a leap year this year, I end this project two days before my birthday. I am also grateful for an extra day for this year and an extra day of being 29. I am grateful that I was able to complete this project. There were many wonderful things that happened in the past year but also some trials to deal with. I was able to go to Scotland in September to celebrate my Grandma’s 90^th birthday with her and attend my cousins wedding, I moved to a new place, I went home to BC three times and Utah twice, I was in Utah when my nephew was born and got to meet him when he was just a few hours old, and I have now been working at a job I enjoy for just over a year with people that I love.  I was also sick for longer than I have ever been which was frustrating because I didn’t know why and my Grandma passed away which brought feelings of grief, regret and loneliness. It’s ok to feel sad; it’s part of the grieving process and important to acknowledge those feelings. As I have relied on Heavenly father through prayer I have been able to find peace and strength.

I have also found strength in writing in this blog and recognizing the blessings I have in the midst of trials. Although, I will admit there were times I got behind and thought that maybe it would be easier to give up. I am glad I didn’t. I feel like I am a positive and optimistic person by nature, it’s just been a bit more difficult lately. I still need to take the time to remind myself of the many wonderful things and people in my life and take time to acknowledge them. I also like to accomplish the things I set out to do so I am glad that I was able to write 365 entries ... and I bet I could write 365 more.   

364. Today I am grateful for “Thank You’s”

I love the story in the book of Luke where Jesus healed ten lepers and only one returned to thank him. Sometimes it seems that it is only about one in ten people who will say thank you. I can buy wedding gifts for ten people and probably expect one person to send a thank you card. I can give ten people a ride somewhere and probably expect one person to say thank you. I would hope it would be more though. I hope that I am always quick to thank those who help me in any way. I am grateful for the word “thank you” and for those who show their appreciation and for the opportunity I have to show my appreciation.   

363. Today I am grateful for Goals

I am a goal-oriented person and love accomplishing goals I have set. I am grateful for the goals that I have accomplished the ones I am working on and the ones I hope will be fulfilled.

362. Today I am grateful for lotion

I am grateful for foot, hand and body lotion to help keep my skin moisturized. It really helps to get through the Alberta dryness.

361. Today I am grateful for grocery stores

I am grateful for grocery stores so I can get my groceries and household supplies in one convenient location.

360. Today I am grateful that I don’t have any grey hairs

I know a lot of girls who are my age have grey hairs and I am grateful that I don’t. I don’t want to dye my hair until it starts turning grey. I like my hair colour so I am glad that I can keep it.

359. Today I am grateful for church buildings

Throughout the past year I have written posts on various gospel topics but I was sitting in church today I was thinking about how blessed we are to have buildings to worship in. I am also grateful that other religions have buildings to worship freely.

358. Today I am grateful for News Sources

I am grateful for news sources to help me connect with what is happening in my own community and the rest of the world.

357. Today I am grateful for ERSA & Smores

I am grateful for the opportunity I had this evening to spend with other girls from the ward, have a bonfire and eat smores. I am also grateful that I didn’t get lost going to a park I had never been to before.  Sometimes those River Valley roads can be confusing.

356. Today I am grateful for straight hair

When I was in BC I got my hair permanently straightened. I had it done once before over a year and a half ago and really liked it so I decided to do it again. I love that I can wash my hair and it will dry in straight and frizz-free and being summer I don’t even need to blow dry it. Being straight makes it so much easier to manage.  

355. Today I am grateful for the Ocean

One of the things I love most about living on the Coast is the Ocean, which is one thing I miss being here in Alberta.   

354. Today I am grateful for a Nap

I don’t often go for naps but I am grateful for the nap I took after work today to reenergize.  

353. Today I am grateful that I am sensitive

I have had people tell me that I am sensitive but I don’t think I’m too sensitive and I don’t think it’s a bad thing either. Sure, I might take things too personally or get my feelings hurt but I think that being sensitive also helps me to be more caring and understanding towards others.

352. Today I am grateful for virtue

I am grateful for the choices that I have made to live a virtuous life and that in a world where virtue is seen by many as “outdated”, I am grateful that there are many others who believe in virtue as well.

351. Today I am grateful for a day at the beach with my family

We got back home late last night and this morning my parents asked me what I wanted to do for my last day home (I fly back to Edmonton tonight). My answer was going to the beach so we spent the day at Crescent Beach in Surrey. It was such a nice day and the weekend so the beach was pretty busy. It was lots of fun though walking along the beach, eating gelato and drinking lemonade that two little girls were selling to raise money for the SPCA. We also took a tour of a hovercraft which was really neat. The Canadian Coast Guard had docked at Crescent Beach for a couple of hours or so and gave tours and answered questions that people had. It was a great day for the beach with my family!

350. Today I am grateful for road trip games

Last night we drove from Provo to Boise and had a lot of fun playing road trip games. My family likes to play the alphabet type of games ... “I went on a vacation and brought with me” ... and where you pick a category, for example animals, and then everyone takes turns saying an animal that starts with the next letter of the alphabet. It was pretty fun!     

349. Today I am grateful for Mountains

As we leave Utah and head back to BC I am reminded of my love for mountains. Utah and BC both have pretty amazing mountains!

348. Today I am grateful for Salt Lake City

We spent most of the day in Salt Lake City today and it was lots of fun. I especially love temple square, the visitors centre and the church history museum, not only are they awesome but there free.  I also love the Family History Library but didn't go there this time. I am grateful that the Mormon Pioneers did settle the Salt Lake Valley and that their history has been preserved.

347. Today I am grateful for hugs

I like hugs and I am grateful for its expression of love, friendship and caring. I have gotten lots of hugs these past few days from my nieces which are the best kind of hugs!

346. Today I am grateful for Ice Cream

I love ice cream and enjoy trying different flavours. So smooth and creamy ... what’s not to like? I have heard a lot about the BYU Creamery and so I decided I needed to go and try their ice cream. I went with my brother, my sister and her husband and children. I got the Strawberry Sundae ice cream with a brownie and it was really good, it lived up to its expectations! J

345. Today I am grateful for Monopoly Deal

Every family has “their game”, ours used to be Pictionary but now it’s Monopoly Deal. My sister gave me this game for Christmas 3 years ago and then soon after my brother, my Dad and my sister (who got me the game) all bought one for themselves. Now no matter whether we are in Edmonton, Surrey or Provo someone has the game and were bound to spend a couple of hours playing.

344. Today I am grateful for swimming pools

I enjoy swimming and especially on really hot days ... I am grateful for swimming pools.

343. Today I am grateful for Highways

I am grateful for Highways that stretch throughout the continent to help make travelling more efficient and get you where you want to go faster.

That is if you’re on the right highway, we actually ended up staying the night in Montana instead of Oregon because we made a wrong turn. It will prob. Add a few more hours onto our trip but we will in Utah today!  

342. Today I am grateful for longest undefended border

As we get ready to leave to head down to Utah I am grateful that the border between Canada and the USA is undefended. This international border is known as the world’s longest undefended border which I believe just means that the two countries are not at war. However, there is still a lot of security and many people have difficulty getting over the border. Here is an interesting Canadian Geographic article about its creation.   

341. Today I am grateful for the Olympics

The London 2012 Olympics started on Friday and I have been watching the opening ceremonies and events over that past few days that have been PVRd. I love the Olympics! I love cheering for Canada, other countries and athletes.  I love the display of perseverance, sportsmanship, citizenship and believing in your dreams. I also love that people are gathering from all over the world to participate.