More Pictures of the Wedding

I didn't take many pictures at the wedding because my three brother-in-laws and my older brother were doing a great job. I know many of you who follow my blog also know my sister so I thought I would upload a couple of pictures from the wedding. These two came from Lucille's blog.

Gratitude Day 27

1- Eternal Marriage. Today my sister and her fiance were married in the temple for all eternity. The sealing powers we have on this earth create a bright future of hope which promises that if we are true and faithful, we can live with our spouse, children, and families for all eternity. What an amazing blessing from the Lord!

2- Relationships with others. At the reception this evening, I was reminded of how important kindness towards others is in building friendships with everyone. My great-aunt and my dad's cousin both made comments about how much they value the efforts I give in visiting with them. Most people do not know their extended family beyond first cousins and aunts and uncles, but I have had the unique chance to get to know these relatives because I grew up in the same town as them. Having these extended, extended relatives in my life has been a great blessing to me.

3- Angelic ministers. With today being such a busy day and my mind being elsewhere most of the time, I am grateful the Lord is able to speak to others to help me. My aunt related an experience that happened to her during the ceremony that related to me. Her impression lifted my spirits and renewed my hope.

Gratitude Day 26

1- Siblings who recognize what I need especially when I don't want to burden them or when I am purposefully avoiding/hiding what I know I need. I truly have generous and kind siblings (and in-laws).

2- Nieces and Nephews. Many years ago, one of my nephews asked with concern in his voice why I didn't have kids. I told him that I needed to be married first and jokingly asked him if he knew of anyone. His four-year-old mind raced and replied with a sad voice that he couldn't think of anyone. He was quiet for a few more moments, then said to me with a wisdom beyond his years that he and his siblings would be my kids until I had my own. I have enjoyed playing with all eighteen of my "kids" this week. They have been a joy and a blessing to me. I am also grateful that they all seem to get along with one another. Every one of them has a cousin they consider a friend.

3- Having fun. I love the variety of interests in my family. If you were a fly on the wall in my house this week, you would have seen people playing video games, chess, card games, board games, watching and playing football and basketball, singing around the piano, playing the piano/guitar/trumpet, talking about a wide variety of topics including politics, religion, medicine, business, sports, etc., and loving every minute of it. I am grateful for a family that enjoys being together.

Gratitude Day 25

1- Sleeping in. Usually we go to my aunt's house for Thanksgiving. This year all of my siblings were in town and we had Thanksgiving at my parents' house. Joyous day because I was able to sleep in! I really enjoyed not having to travel back and forth this year.

2- Financial security. Even though I do not have a full time job yet, it is comforting to know I am financially secure. I followed the philosophy of "live like a student while you are student" the past few years. Even though I was used to a steady income before graduate school, cutting back while in school has saved me from many headaches.

3- Comfort of family. We all have our family stories and mine is not immune. Despite this, they are a comfort to me. I appreciate their counsel, their perspective, and their love. My life has never been "normal". For some reason the most random or unexpected experiences happen to me. Because of this, they have never failed to support me in my decisions. I truly am blessed to be part of my family.

Gratitude Day 24

1- Artwork. Today I enjoyed the works of a great painter with my family. I thoroughly enjoyed the exhibit and hope to go back. Though I'm not the most knowledgeable about art history, I am grateful my parents taught me to appreciate and enjoy the talents of painters and other artists.

2- Pampering. Few things in this world relax me like a foot massage. Today I indulged and got a pedicure at my favorite place. Some may scoff asking, "Why would you pay money to have someone paint your toenails?" For those of you who have had a pedicure, you know it has nothing to do with the toe paint. It is all about the massage. Very, very nice!

3- Shopping with a friend. A friend of mine invited me to go shoe shopping with her today. Though I'm not a big shopper, I enjoyed my time being out of the house and talking with a friend. I did make a purchase: jewelry for my sister's wedding. As a previous post attests, I already found a pair of shoes. :)

Gratitude Day 23

1- O Holy Night. Whenever I hear this song, my mind recalls sitting by the Christmas tree wrapped in a blanket, watching the twinkling Christmas lights, and listening to this song. For me that was Christmas. The peace and stillness that seemed lost at other times of the year. Many versions of this song exist but I discovered my favorite two years ago. A good friend of mine introduced me to this version as we were decorating the Christmas tree. The spirit that accompanied the song as it filled the room was unmatched and I fell in love with it all over again. Hauntingly beautiful rendition. The King's Singers have forever solidified this as my favorite Christmas song.



2- Clean apartment. My morning appointment was canceled so I spent the time deep cleaning my bathroom and bedroom.

3- Freshly washed sheets. Not only did I get my apartment cleaned but I also finished my laundry. Another great feeling. I had to do something today. My afternoon plans were foiled by this weak "blizzard" that everyone got hyped up about.

Gratitude Day 22

1- My dry cleaning place. When I taught at Bingham High, I found this great little dry cleaning shop. Each article is only $2.50 and they do a fantastic job! Living thirty minutes away does not make it convenient to take advantage of these great prices so I have to be strategic in my dry cleaning planning. Today I had to pick up a friend at the airport and Saturday I'm in Salt Lake for my sister's wedding reception which made it a perfect opportunity to drop off my increasing pile of dry cleaning.

2- Broadway music. I absolutely love Broadway music. Ironically, I have never been to New York but I hope to remedy that one day. Some of my favorite music comes from Ragtime, Wicked, The Scarlet Pimpernel, and The Secret Garden. Of course, I have other musicals I enjoy too, but specific favorite songs come from the aforementioned list. Uplifting music is hard to find these days but my Broadway playlist never disappoints me.

3- My older brother. As a child, Rich and I didn't have that much in common, but now that we have both grown up, we get along very well. Last night we talked about different sports teams, teased one another, and laughed about some things online. He really is a great brother who always supports me.

Rest of the story

I thought I would expound on the post from yesterday. The sister who spoke on trusting in the Lord related her difficulties in getting pregnant. She and her husband have spent years trying to have a family and she had even received a blessing promising her that she would have children. Even though my topic was tithing, I felt impressed to talk about faith in the Lord and His promised blessings; essentially, obeying the law of tithing helps us qualify for those blessings. I did not end my talk with a story about the miracle that happened to someone for paying tithing, but with the story of Rachel from the Old Testament which Elder Condie related in General Conference a few years ago and that I have referenced before in this blog:

With ever-increasing envy and mounting desperation, one day Rachel explosively demanded of Jacob, “Give me children, or else I die” (Genesis 30:1). Leah subsequently bore two more sons and a daughter.

In this age of one-hour dry cleaning and one-minute fast-food franchises, it may at times seem to us as though a loving Heavenly Father has misplaced our precious promises or He has put them on hold or filed them under the wrong name. Such were the feelings of Rachel.

But with the passage of time, we encounter four of the most beautiful words in holy writ: “And God remembered Rachel” (Genesis 30:22). And she was blessed with the birth of Joseph and later the birth of Benjamin. There are millions on earth today who are descendants of Joseph who have embraced the Abrahamic promise that through their efforts “shall all the families of the earth be blessed, even with the blessings of the Gospel, which are the blessings of salvation, even of life eternal” (Abraham 2:11).

When heaven’s promises sometimes seem afar off, I pray that each of us will embrace these exceeding great and precious promises and never let go. And just as God remembered Rachel, God will remember you.

I felt the Lord's hand in helping me prepare this talk. On the surface, this story has nothing to do with tithing, but it does have everything to do with the Lord fulfilling His promises to those who are faithful. I could not have known the speaker before me would speak about her struggles with getting pregnant or the promises she had received in priesthood blessings. It was a tender mercy in my life to realize I had been instrument in the hands of the Lord that day.

Gratitude Day 21

1- Friendly faces. I was hoping my brother and sister-in-law would make it to my ward for church. I needed to see a friendly face in the audience. They basically drove all night to make it to church on time but how grateful I am they did that for me. I needed it more than they will ever know.

2- Validation. I felt my talk went well and the audience was listening. However, I really appreciated the comments I received afterward from ward members about their reaction to the message. I was nervous but the kind comments alleviated that fear.

3- Inspiration. The sister before me talked about trusting in the Lord. Her message resonated with me in many ways and even made me cry. When I was finished with mine, she expressed the same thoughts and emotions. We both needed to hear the other speak and only the Lord would have known how to prompt each of us to say what we did.

Gratitude Day 20

1- Faith. As I've been reading and preparing my talk on tithing, I've realized how important faith is to all our decisions. Obedience to the commandments of the Lord rests on our faith in His promises and His timing. Ultimately, our faith resides in the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ and His power to save us in whatever earthly circumstance we may find ourselves.

2- Costco. Do I really need to explain this one? Anything worthwhile can be found at Costco. 'Nuff said.

3- Musical talent. I am grateful for my mom who pushed me and pestered me and persisted to help me develop my piano talent. Tonight the ward choir director asked me about my sight reading skills. Because of a fabulous piano teacher and a diligent mom, I knew I would have no trouble learning the music. I love playing the piano now. It brings joy to my soul.

Gratitude Day 19

1- Beautiful Utah Sunsets. If you haven't taken a step outside recently, you have been missing the wonders of God's creation. As the sun sets, the skies fill with a rainbow of pinks and oranges mixed with blues. The light then shines brightly on the snow-capped mountains creating a magnificent sight. Amazingly beautiful!

2- My car. My Honda Accord is almost eleven years old and she still treats me well. I haven't had any major catastrophes with her. She has driven from Phoenix to Utah and back. Also on the list are Las Vegas, Southern California, Northern California, commuting for five years, and all sorts of back road adventures. Today I calculated and discovered I was getting 33-34 miles per gallon! Wahoo! I really do have a great car.

3- The Unexpected. The subtitle on my blog reads "The unexpected changes our lives." I am amazed at how my best laid plans fall apart. Seriously?! I can be so careful and meticulous and life intervenes to create a wonderful chaotic uncertainty. That happened tonight. Without going into details, I'll just say that my plan was perfect but fate intervened. At least I am sitting here smiling and laughing because only something like that would happen to me. Oh Unexpected. How grateful I am that you are part of my life. You keep me laughing and keep stretching me to help me become better than I currently am now.

Quote of the Day

We're surrounded by people who are busy getting their ducks in a row, waiting for just the right moment...

Getting your ducks in a row is a fine thing to do. But deciding what you are you going to do with that duck is a far more important issue.

--Seth Godin (Marketing guru)

Gratitude Day 18

1- Twins. I love my sister's twins! They are adorable and vivacious and passionate and social and...well you get the idea. I had to drop some keys off at my sister's place today. When the twins saw me they got huge smiles, shouted my name, and gave me huge two-year-old hugs. Those two cuties brightened my day today.

2- Bed, Bath, and Beyond coupons. I've been buying a few things there recently (my sister is getting married in a week and is registered there) and having a 20% off coupon for each item saves me lots of money.

3- Random encounters. I swapped shifts with a sister at the temple. Tonight I ran into an MBA friend, my cousin Tim and his wife, and friends from my singles ward. Always good to meet up with people.

Gratitude Day 17

I realize many of my gratitude posts have been more somber and serious. Though it has been a couple of tough weeks, I don't want any of you to think I have lost my optimism or hope. I'm still me. Just taking steps into the darkness and waiting for the light to guide my way.

1- My aunt's laugh. Tonight my aunt invited my sister and I to her house to have dinner with her family. My cousin is in town and getting ready to move to London (again) so this was a way to see him before he left town. As we sat and talked and laughed I couldn't help but admire my aunt's happiness and joy for life. The icing on the cake though is her laugh. Anytime she is laughing, you are laughing with her. It was great to be with the Perry family tonight.

2- Scotcharoos. For those of you who have never had this dessert, you are missing out. Delicious! I love them! They have incredibly addictive substances in them called chocolate and peanut butter and butterscotch. Oh how life seems better when you have had a scotcharoo.

3- Informational interviews that turn into full time offers. Though nothing has been officially signed, hope exists. The CEO that I spoke with last week may have a position for me at the beginning of the new year. Many changes are happening in life and switching jobs seems to be in the mix.

Gratitude Day 16

1- Making it through the day. Sometimes I wake up in the morning and wonder how am I going to survive today? But somehow, after pushing the covers aside, I find a way. Today was one of those days. I made it! Now I just need to get through tomorrow...

2- Speaking in church. I enjoy speaking in church. I just have an incredible fear because I always seem to be tested or tried with the very topic I had to prepare. I was asked to speak in church on Sunday. The topic: tithing. Hopefully I'll be okay on this one as I can't afford any other major setbacks this week.

3- Agency. This may seem like an odd one but I am realizing more and more how precious this gift is in our lives. We fought for it in the pre-existence and though we may find it burdensome in this life, especially when others' choices impact us, I am grateful for the opportunity to choose. I have a choice in life. I can choose to be depressed or happy. I can choose to be bitter or hopeful. I can choose loneliness or sociality. I can choose despair or faith. Most importantly, I can choose to follow my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and allow His love to fill my soul and direct me in His paths. What a blessing choice is in our lives.

Gratitude Day 15

1- Driving. I really do enjoy driving. It gives me a chance to ponder on decisions, to make sense of the craziness that seems to be my life, and to listen to the voice of the Lord. These reasons are probably why I didn't mind having a forty minute commute for four years.

2- Having most of my Christmas shopping done. Before you think I'm just that organized, realize that my family will all be here for Thanksgiving for my sister's wedding. Instead of sending gifts via the postal service, I plan on using the Christensen family mail system and take advantage of everyone being here. I just have one more set of gifts to buy and I already know I can get those at Costco which we all know is a place of many good things.

3- Patience. One attribute of Christ that is difficult for me is patience. Though it has been suggested that I am patient to a fault, I find it a precious gift right now in my life. Elder Neal A. Maxwell talks about the patience in a BYU devotional back in 1979. The whole talk resonates with me but I wanted to share a few specific quotes.

Patience is not indifference. Actually, it means caring very much but being willing, nevertheless, to submit to the Lord and to what the scriptures call the "process of time."

Patience is tied very closely to faith in our Heavenly Father...We read in Mosiah about how the Lord simultaneously tries the patience of His people even as He tries their faith (Mosiah 23:21). One is not only to endure, but to endure well and gracefully those things which the Lord "seeth fit to inflict upon [us]" (Mosiah 3:19), just as did a group of ancient American saints who were bearing unusual burdens but who submitted "cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord" (Mosiah 24:15).

Patience is, therefore, clearly not fatalistic, shoulder-shrugging resignation. It is the acceptance of a divine rhythm to life; it is obedience prolonged. Patience stoutly resists pulling up the daisies to see how the roots are doing. Patience is never condescending or exclusive--it is never glad when others are left out. Patience never preens itself; it prefers keeping the window of the soul open.

Gratitude Day 14

1- Christmas music. Though you may scoff, it really brings peace to the soul. I love wrapping myself in a blanket, drinking hot chocolate, and listening to the sounds of Christmas.

2- Silent Night. I've always enjoyed this song. However, when I went to the Mormon Tabernacle Christmas Concert with Lucy and Scott a few years ago, I gained a new appreciation. It speaks to me in a way that only "O Holy Night" by the King Singers can rival. But that song will be for another day. Enjoy!


3- I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day. I never really was a fan of this song. Once again, the Mormon Tabernacle Christmas Concert changed all of that. Ed Herrman's monologue about Henry Wordsworth Longfellow captures the spirit of the song and most importantly, the spirit of Christmas. How I love Christmas!

Gratitude Day 13

1- Other people shopping for me. I've needed brown shoes for my sister's wedding. I had looked but hadn't found anything that really worked for me. My friend Kate and my sister both researched and shopped for me. I now have shoes. So glad I had other people's help on this one.

2- Indian food. How can lamb, naan, and curry be wrong? Love it!

3- Cheesecake Factory cheesecake. My sister was on a business trip this past week. On her way home she stopped at the Cheesecake Factory and bought me a slice of my favorite kind. The best part about this little gift is the cheesecake is so rich it lasts more than one sitting. Thanks Nettie!

Gratitude Day 12

1- Opportunities. I am grateful for the opportunities I have received in life.

2- Adversity and opposition are the true tests of righteousness. Without them we could not really know the state of our hearts. Nor could we truly understand God's existence and love, and His power to guide, comfort, strengthen, and save.

3- There have been, and will be times in each of your lives when such faith must be the bottom line. You don't know what is happening to you or around you, but you know that God loves you, and knowing that, for the moment, is enough.

Gratitude Day 11

1- Another networking lead. Because I was helping a professor with the EMBA course, I ran across a company name that interested me. The professor introduced me to the CEO who was in his EMBA class and today set up an informational interview. That combined with the conference tomorrow, I'm hoping for a positive full-time job lead.

2- Fantastic Family. I have an amazing family! They are loving, kind, funny, supportive, and make my life easier. My nieces and nephews crack me up! They are always doing something that makes me smile.

3- Love for the gospel. This truly is my foundation in life. Hopefully all you who read my blog know that I have a testimony and that my life is founded on the principles of the gospel specifically the atonement of Jesus Christ. What a blessing to understand the mysteries of the Lord.

4- As it is Veterans Day I should also mention my gratitude for those who have fought for our country both past and present. My grandpa served in World War II. He experienced many horrific events and I am grateful for his dedication to serve and all those that continue to serve.