337. Today I am grateful to spend time with siblings in Vancouver

I spent the afternoon and evening with my brother and little sister in Vancouver today where we hung out until the Celebration of lights firework show. It was fun spending some time with them!   

336. Today I am grateful for a Vacation!

I don’t think I have ever needed a vacation more than I do now. I am grateful to be able to take 2 weeks off to spend with my family in BC and Utah.

335. Today I am grateful for an invitation to see George Canyon

Each evening during Capital Ex there is a free outdoor concert, well you pay the gate admission to get in to the fair. The only concert I was interested in seeing was George Canyon but everyone I had talked to about seeing it either already had plans or weren’t interested in seeing it so I figured I probably wouldn’t end up going because I didn’t want to go on my own. Then a few days ago someone was like, “hey, you like country music right? ... Do you want to see George Canyon with me?” Yeah! I was happy that I had someone to go with and it was a great concert!

334. Today I am grateful for the opportunity I had to be an EFY counselor

As I hear of people going off to EFY as a participant or counselor it brings back fond memories I have as both a participant and a counselor. However, I would say that being a counselor was one of the best things I have experienced. EFY is a BYU run summer camp that holds week-long sessions during the summer throughout North America and in a few other countries. They are mainly held at university campuses, with overnight sessions the youth and counselors stay in dorms. The program focuses on spiritual learning and growth but also encourages having fun and making new friends. As a counselor I felt privileged to be a part of that process and still keep in touch with several of the youth I had in my group. Some are married now, some have returned from missions or are currently on missions and some are in university. It is wonderful to see the progress each has made!

333. Today I am grateful for the Mormon pioneers

Today is a day recognized by Utahan’s and Mormons as Pioneer Day; a day to recognize the journey the Mormon pioneers made across the plains until they settled in the Salt Lake Valley. It`s a day to recognize Freedom and the opportunity for them to practice their religion in peace. I have met many people who are descended from these pioneers and it`s wonderful to hear them share family stories of sacrifice and perseverance. Although, I am not a descendent of these pioneers I do honour them and am grateful for the sacrifices they made so that I can practice the religion I love.

As a youth I had the opportunity to participate in a pioneer trek and it was a wonderful experience to get a small taste of what it was like to be a pioneer and pull or push a cart with all of our stuff in it. We dressed in pioneer clothing and slept under tarps. It was a cool experience but I am glad I am living at tis time in history.

I should add that my ancestors were pretty awesome people too and overcame other challenges of their time and also made sacrifices so that I can be where I am today.

 

332. Today I am grateful for the calm after the storm

Part of Edmonton and are was under a tornado warning today while most of Edmonton (including where I live) was under a tornado watch but we just ended up with a crazy storm instead. It was kind of scary, especially because of the emergency warnings on the radio. Before today, the only warnings I heard where tests. However, almost as soon as the storm ended, the sun came out and the sky was clear. I likened it to trials in our life, sometimes it can be hard to see that things will work out but eventually we will experience the calm after the storm. 

331. Today I am grateful for an opportunity to analyze my faith

This past weekend I had a conversation with someone about the gospel and what we believe as Latter-day Saints. This person had some negative things to say, not in a demeaning way but in a questioning way, which is ok. Everyone is to choose for themselves what they believe and the sources to which they want to receive that information. I am happy to be friends with people who don’t share my beliefs as long as they are respectful of it. However, I am grateful for the conversation I had and the opportunity to analyze my faith ... why do I believe the things that I believe?

We are not expected to be ‘blind’ followers, our Heavenly Father has given us resources, both tangible and divine to guide us to receive answers to questions we have. In the Book of Mormon, there is a well known scripture (to those familiar with the book) that invites all who read it to decide for themselves if what they have read is true.

Moroni 10:3-5:

Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts.

And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.

And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.

This scripture can also be applied to other scriptures read and anything that is said by church leaders or others we look up to.