I'm sitting here on my last night of Thanksgiving vacation enjoying the BYU basketball game online and the Stanford v. Notre Dame football game on the TV. No, I'm not a big Stanford or Notre Dame fan. But I do like a good football game and it's halftime at the basketball game. While enjoying the two games, I wanted to record some reflections I have been having.

The past few days have been really nice. I haven't had to worry about planning and preparing dinner (Thanks Mom!) or wake up to an alarm clock. I would wake up when I wanted to. Work out when I wanted to. And eat when I wanted to. It's been so nice compared to the daily grind I usually face. Christmas lights have been put up at my parents' house and my favorite time of year has started.

I'll be honest, I'm nervous. I'm making a move from a place that is comfortable and predictable to a place where I have no guarantees. I wonder if I should have waited until after Christmas to move but then remind myself that I couldn't stay where I was any longer. Too anxious feeling like I was sitting still. I needed to feel like I was moving forward and doing all without really knowing what all was or is.

I am grateful for the need to press forward with faith and this past year has been the epitome of moving forward into the darkness while seeking the light and the path the Lord needs me to follow. At times I have been downtrodden and worn out both physically and emotionally, and then the light would appear. The Lord strengthened me to keep going. Going where, I wasn't quite sure. But He has fulfilled His promise to me that He would lead be my by the hand. Many times I have felt carried.

Corrie ten Boom tells the story of learning the importance of gratitude from her sister Betsy during their imprisonment at Ravensbruck Concentration Camp. Betsy reminded Corrie that they needed to express their gratitude in all things including the fleas. Corrie could not even to begin to fathom being grateful for the fleas. Yet she expressed gratitude for the fleas. Every day they were able to hold Bible study and teach those around them. They couldn't figure out why the guards never interrupted their study. Then one day Betsy figured it out. The guards did not enter the barracks because of the fleas. The very things that agitated the girls and made their bodies itch were the very things that protected their Bible study.

So this day, I am grateful for the "fleas" in my life. Those things that agitate me. That get under my skin. That somehow compel me to keep trying, to look for the positive, and to teach me how to be a better disciple of Christ.

I am grateful that this is how I feel about life:



I am grateful for a CEO who shares his extra tickets with employees. My nephew and I were able to partake of my CEO's generosity and enjoy a BYU basketball game on the 2nd row. Have I told you that I love my job?


I am grateful for the good friends I was able to see tonight. It has been since March since we saw one another and it was good to catch up tonight. And we made plans to hang out after I get back from my December travels. Love my friends and the positive influence they have on me.

Congratulations BYU and the Sweet Sixteen!

We are BYU - Basketball 2011

Jimmer Fredette Feature

A feel good story about BYU All-American Jimmer Fredette. This is for all of you who need a little Jimmer education. :)

Jimmered

I really like basketball!

AOG - Day 28

1- I am grateful for BYU's win over Utah tonight! Though I was freezing cold by the end of the game, I couldn't help rushing towards the field after that amazing overtime win!

2- I am grateful I know the backroads of Provo so I could avoid most of the traffic to the freeway. I made it to Salt Lake with plenty of time to spare.

3- I am grateful for internet shopping. One of my favorite stores is only in Salt Lake. When I lived in Arizona, I would stop at Ann Taylor Loft at least every other week; now I visit online to watch for sales and such. I love that I can buy clothes online and then return them at my convenience.

AOG - Day 21

1- I am grateful for ten hours of sleep! Blessed, blessed day!

2- I am grateful for fun times at the BYU football game but even more grateful for the warmth of my apartment after the game.

3- I am grateful for the beautiful music. I love the symphony and had the chance to hear Mahler's 2nd Symphony in the Tabernacle on Temple Square. Amazing!

So Excited!

I've been a fan of BYU Football for as long as I can remember. I still remember my dad and brother going to the BYU vs. Miami football game and I was stuck at home watching it on TV. What an exciting game!

No matter how the seasons ends, I always look forward to another year hoping the next year is even better. Last year I watched two former students play and felt like a proud parent sitting on the sidelines. It made the games that much more exciting. What can I say...I love BYU football!

Spinning Out of Control

This weekend I went to Moab with BYU's MBA Marketing crowd. This was my first Moab trip and though I wanted to stay home and sleep, I was excited to go on a Hummer ride and a rafting trip. The Hummer ride was amazing! However, that was not the most exciting part of the adventure. Our rafting trip provided the highlight and the setting for the story. The group split between ten two-people kayaks and three rafts. I spent the first part in the raft having a good time through simple rapids and water fights. The group pulled off for lunch and some time out of the sun. After lunch, my friend Chloe and I took over a kayak. We just got started when we hit some of the roughest rapids of the trip. We took the first set with no problem, and me being over confident pointed out another set that would be amazing to hit. However, this set was a class above what we were doing. We hit the rapid, went over a drop, and immediately crashed. I was sucked under the water without a clue where I was going or how long I would be under the water. I never thought I was going to die, but started panicking for air. I finally came up but got quickly pulled under again, continuing the cycle. When I got pulled under again, I knew I was in trouble. I came up a third time and saw the kayak. The kayak and I were caught in a hole (where the river flows back on itself--perhaps back under the drop--often with fearful results for those caught in its grasp--wikipedia's explanation). I had the distinct impression that if I held onto the kayak not only could I breathe but eventually someone would help me. Many of our group were behind us so I thought a river guide would see me. I was also very concerned for Chloe. I hadn't seen her and was afraid she was caught underneath the kayak. It felt like forever as I was churned in the waters, and people kept going by without stopping because the waters were so swift. I about gave up but funny enough the water started pulling at my board shorts. I was not going to lose those! I had already lost my sunglasses. I shifted my weight to try and protect my shorts, and that affected the way the current was hitting me and the kayak. We came out of the hole and sped down the other currents. I river guide threw me a rope and pulled me into shore to let me rest. Some guys were watching and were stunned at the situation. Chloe had popped out immediately and they kept waiting for me. I never came and when they finally saw me stuck in the hole holding onto the kayak, they began paddling to shore getting ready to run and help me. Interestingly enough, I never felt like I was going to die but was completely scared and panicked. I did get back in the kayak after that adventure but had one of the guys trying to help me get in with me and the other with Chloe. I finished the river and had a great time! My muscles are quite sore now and I have a few bruises on my arms, hip, and back. But I am alive and would still do it again. After the experience the guy in my kayak taught me how to get out of a hole and even showed me some tips to kayaking through them. I definitely will go again, just grateful for divine help.