Finding Blessings

This past week my family left on Trek. This means they left behind their cell phones, beds, normal clothes, showers, and everything comfy to go walk miles and miles through Wyoming and experience a little of what the pioneers did. I seriously was nervous for them and so glad that I got to stay home and be the cheerleader and shower every day. But really I was nervous and prayed for them every single day hoping they were healthy and strong.

It was a neat experience to listen to the experiences they had this week. Is it easy for a 16 year old to leave behind her snapchat for a week? Or a 13 year old to not have any way to find out about the basketball updates on his ipod? No but I think it helped them realize just how blessed they really are. Think of how hard life would be back then?! Have you ever thought of what your ancestors went through because of how much they loved the Lord and did what He told them to do? How amazing. Just think someday maybe someone will think that about you and the hard things you went through will be such amazing stories for your future family and friends to hear. 

Sometimes I think that we are so used to having everything instantly. We can find ourselves in a crappy mood when things are not going exactly how we want. It is so easy to count and see everything we are missing in our lives. But how nasty will our lives be if we only see what we don't have instead of opening our eyes to what we do have?

My advice to myself for today and hopefully someone who reads this today is to not live in the past and not pray for the future to come faster or life is going to zip by way to fast. I challenge myself and you to look at the blessings you have in your life because if you look for them you will find them. 

I am incredibly grateful for my family. Each member of my family helps me in a different way. This doesn't mean we are perfect at all. I am grateful for my friends new ones and old ones that give me advice and help me through hard days or even just hard hours when I need someone to talk to about life. I am grateful for Jesus Christ. I know He lives. He knows me by name and has suffered every pain so that I don't have to ever suffer alone. I promise you that He is there and loves you.

I looked up the word 'blessing' on my scripture app and it showed up with 2,213 references. Even back in the days of prophets they were finding blessings. Here is one of my favorite hymns that keeps me going when I am being selfish or find myself in a pity party. The Lord loves you and blessings will come when you are ready for them! His timing is perfect.

When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings; name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.

Count your blessings;
Name them one by one.
Count your blessings;
See what God hath done.
Count your blessings;
Name them one by one.
Count your many blessings;
See what God hath done.

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings; ev’ry doubt will fly,
And you will be singing as the days go by.

Count your blessings;
Name them one by one.
Count your blessings;
See what God hath done.
Count your blessings;
Name them one by one.
Count your many blessings;
See what God hath done.

When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you his wealth untold.
Count your many blessings; money cannot buy
Your reward in heaven nor your home on high.

Count your blessings;
Name them one by one.
Count your blessings;
See what God hath done.
Count your blessings;
Name them one by one.
Count your many blessings;
See what God hath done.

So amid the conflict, whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged; God is over all.
Count your many blessings; angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.

Count your blessings;
Name them one by one.
Count your blessings;
See what God hath done.
Count your blessings;
Name them one by one.
Count your many blessings;
See what God hath done.

Other Blessings:

Costa Vida chicken saladsssss

Breakfast burritos

mouthwash

nature

cars

the sun

dogs

Mission Comps
Rice Cookers
Drives through Provo Canyon with the coolest future parents (Jared & Avarie Olsen) (PS Thanks for the pesto pasta)

Italian food (22 more daysssss!)

Cute sis! Can't wait for Baby O!

My precious bestie. You may not recognize us without our double chins