July 4th

We sure do love America!

On the 3rd, we had cub scouts. To go with the theme of the week, we decided to teach the boys about why America is special. There were several thing they needed to do to pass off this badge. They had to tell what made America special to them, they had to draw and color a flag of their state, and answer some questions about important heros.
This got me thinking a lot about why I am grateful for America. I may not absolutely love some of the rulers of the country, but that doesn't change how much I love America and everything it stands for. There are plenty of reasons, but I'll stick with the top 3:
1. I love that we have the ability to practice whichever religion we choose to. Which happens to be the biggest blessing. I love being able to worship as I please, and making it a part of me.
2. I love all of the rights that women have who are a part of this great nation. Working wherever they choose, wearing whatever they choose, and being whatever they decide.
3. I just love FREEDOM! It's such a wonderful blessing. Freedom in living.

We went up to Idaho Falls for the 4th, and once again, the time wasn't long enough. We were able to spend time with family, attend a chukars game, and watch the fireworks!

Lucky

I am such a lucky girl. I've got so many people who love me and who help me out constantly. I don't know what I would do or where I would be without any of them. Also, I love my job at domino's. For the most part. It is
I started this post on Sunday July 1st. And then fell asleep with my laptop open, so there were about a trillion f's across the screen. I think I wanted to finish that sentence with fantastic? Who knows.

All I know is, on Sunday I didn't really know how incredibly lucky/blessed I really am. I could only fathom a very small portion. I have so much to be grateful for, and instead of telling you all about my past week, I am just going to make a list of things that I am SO INCREDIBLY GRATEFUL FOR:

1. My life. I am so blessed to be here today. It is amazing

 how one experience can change your outlook on

 even the simple things like having more time here.

2. My family. I am so grateful that families can be forever,

 and that my family will be together forever. With that, I am 

grateful for the temple and my ability to go there often.

3. Isaac DeMar Wood. I can't even explain this one. 

The impact he has had on my life is not even explainable. Even though

 I haven't seen him in 18 months, the impact he has on me continues to 

grow. I am a better person because this man loves me.

4. Miracles.

5. The Gospel of Jesus Christ. I have no idea

 where I would be without it. It means the world to me.

6. My jobs. In this economy, there are so many that don't

 even have one job, and I am lucky enough to have two. To help me

 pay for college, and also all of the things along the way that come up.

7. My loving Father in Heaven. Who knows me, loves me

 unconditionally, and is always watching out for me.

8. My parents. My dad is the most incredible man ever.

 He would do absolutely anything for me, and he loves 

me so much. My mom is amazing, and does 

a lot for me. I love them both so much.

9. America. Not only am I grateful for it, but I am grateful to live here. 

There are so many freedoms that I have that I have taken for granted in the

 past, that so many men and women have fought to protect. I am also

 grateful for the founding fathers, and that they were led and 

guided to write an amazing document such as the Constitution.

10. The power of prayer. Not only am I grateful that I can pray 

to my Heavenly Father, I am also grateful that He answers 

our prayers with so much power behind them.

 

Truth

Truth is. I'm going to miss Pocatello. Every single thing about it.
My friends that are here.
The incredible times I've had this first year of college.
The times I've struggled on my own, and somehow found my way.
All of the crazy one way streets.
My tiny cardboard box of a room.
Living on my own.
Living within 2 minutes to all of my best friends.
My singles ward.
All of the people that I have met.
The freedom that I have grown to love.
California boy.
Not knowing when I had mail, so seriously checking every single day, only to be disappointed.
Everything. I could list about a billion other things. But there is no point. I will miss this place.
Only three months until I am coming back!!

Gratitude

Wow. It has been a very long, yet fast as I look back, week. Lately days take forever to go by, but weeks, just fly right on by. 7 weeks from now, I'll be officially in college. Weird. Anyways.

This week was filled with some of the biggest struggles in all my 18 years. I hadn't received a letter in 5 weeks, almost 6. Which, for those of you that don't have a missionary, is a big deal. And downright hard. All week I was thinking about how selfish the Canadian postal workers were when they went on strike. But, how selfish was I to want a letter so badly. But enough about that, its over ;)

1. One thing I'm not grateful for, is Satan. But at the same time, I am. He makes me realize the good things, by throwing bad things at me. It has never been truer that you can't have good without bad. Which leads me to the second one.
2. I'm so extremely grateful for all the hard things that I've been through. Each one has taught me a valuable life lesson, through my Heavenly Father. It may not seem hard to you, but it has been for me. Being away from my best friend for these 6 months, has been one of the hardest challenges of my little life. But, we'll get to him in a different post, yes, he gets his own.
3. My Heavenly Father. (ps, this list is in no particular order, cuz otherwise He would be at the top) I was talking to a great friend this past week, and she said a few things that really hit me. One thing she always asks when I'm having a hard time, is if I have prayed recently. And it was then that I had remembered I had been praying way more than the usual twice a day. I didn't realize that I had been. And then she went on to tell me that I just needed to continue doing all the right things and that everything would be alright, in his time. She told me that I needed to continue to trust in Him. To REALLY trust in Him. I hadn't quite thought about it. She said, "But sometimes, doing all the right things can help but it won't fix everything. Unless you let the Atonement do it's work and help you get through.... The Atonement's not just for sinners anymore. It's for pains and infirmities and sickness and exhaustion." I've always been taught this, and knew to some extent that it was true. But not until this week. This past week, I discovered just how real it is and how it truly works. I prayed harder, longer, and more thoughtfully than I ever have. I communicated better than ever before with my Father in Heaven. I learned that My Heavenly Father loves me, and is mindful of me. He wants me, and you, to be happy. That is what the Plan of Salvation is all about. I am grateful that I was sent to this Earth to go through these trials so that I can become like Him. He is the most amazing Father to all of us, and wants everything for us.
4. I am so grateful for the Atonement, and for The Savior for being willing to atone for my sins and sorrows. I cannot even express with words how this makes me feel. He knows how I feel when I am at my deepest despair, and my greatest joy. He is my elder brother, and absolute best friend.
5. I am grateful for the most amazing family I could ever ask for. They are absolutely, totally, and completely perfect for me. I couldn't ask for greater parents. They are so understanding, and so willing to help me out when I need it. My mom is amazing. She is everything I want to be in a mother, and I hope I can be as great as her.
6. I am so grateful for the best friends a girl could ask for. They listen to me complain and they still love me. They try to make me happy, and are successful for the most part. They give me the best advice, and are willing to help me out. And. They are always there for me.
7. I am grateful for the freedom I have in this beautiful country. It means the world to me. I am grateful for all the brave soldiers who have given their lives so that I can live mine the way that I want. With religious freedom. And so many other things I take for granted daily.
8. I am grateful for missionaries. Who are willing to give up two years of their life, for other people to be able to have the faith and religion that I have. So that they can find and have the true happiness that I have found.
9. And finally. I am grateful for a special boy who is serving a mission, but, he will come in a later post. Shorter, but all about him :)

Sorry for this stinkin long post. It just had to be said :)