One weekend in November...

I've been blogging non-stop for the gratitude challenge that I forgot to post about LAST weekend (November 5-7). We had Heidi and Carson (Logan's siblings) come visit us. It was a packed house, but it was a ton of fun!

We did so much in the short time we had--Thai food for dinner, BYU football, played Lost Cities (best game ever), went to a dance show, CES Fireside, celebrated Heidi's 22nd birthday/Carson's (mission) going away, church, played outside, etc. We absolutely LOVE having family in town! Family-filled weekends are the BEST! Enjoy the pictures...because they are so so awesome!!

 BYU vs. UNLV game

Logan's frisbee intramural team bought 5XL shirts for their game. Heidi and I played dress up and were able to fit into it! Awesome!

 this is right outside our apartment...fall leaves everywhere

 silly brothers

Yes, he gives me this "what are you doing" look all the time and I secretly love it because he looks so darn cute!

 we are awesome

this picture makes me laugh so hard

Gratitude Challenge: Day 6-8

Gratitude Challenge: Day 6

Sports

On Wednesday, I was grateful for sports. I'm grateful that I grew up with a family that loved to watch and play sports. I love SPORTS! I'm grateful that the Lord has given us recreational activities for our enjoyment. It's been a great experience to be in Provo; we've had the opportunity to attend many, many BYU sporting events.

Gratitude Challenge: Day 7

United States

Yesterday, Thursday, I was grateful for living in the United States. I'm grateful for this country and for the opportunities that I've been blessed with, just because of living here. I also kept thinking about how to celebrate Veteran's Day (in Virginia all the kids get out of school). This was my first time having to work for Veteran's Day. It was a humbling experience to reflect about all the individuals who have died for our country and those who continue to defend our country today. How grateful I am for their courage, loyalty, and pride in serving this country! I am so thankful that we have able men and women who make it a priority to serve their nation. Thank you for your service!    

Gratitude Challenge: Day 8

Technology 

(One day, we're going to own this baby! For now, our little Macbook will suffice)

Today, I am grateful for technology. I'm grateful for this modern convenience. It's been a blessing to have a laptop where I can type, review, and send my assignments into class. I'm also grateful for all the information that is available with just the click of a button. I'm grateful for g-mail blogger, facebook, and Skype so that I can keep in touch with family and friends. I applied for a job yesterday to work part-time as an ESL instructor to students overseas, but all within the comfort of my own home! The company uses Skype and other programs to initiate web-based learning to students in various Asian countries. Check out the website here. How grateful I am for technology and the resources it provides!

Note: I applied for the teaching job, but the company is on a hiring freeze until January. Bummer!    

Gratitude Challenge: Day 5

Today, I am grateful for womanhood. I am thankful that the Lord has placed women on this earth with divine responsibilities and characteristics. I will be eternally grateful for the amazing, talented, charitable, and strong women that the Lord has placed in my life. I am incredibly blessed to know so many wonderful women who amaze me every single day through their kindness, patience, and overwhelming love for me.

I am also very grateful to be a woman and to have a divine purpose. I know that as I come to understand my characteristics as a woman, I will be better equipped to use my talents and capabilities to bless the lives of those close to me.

One of the greatest examples to me of womanhood is my Grandma Sangbouasy. I really could go on and on about this amazing woman, but I will spare you:) She raised four children (including my father) on her own (my grandpa passed away early in life). She came to the United States with four young children, not knowing any English, and went straight to work. I have never met a stronger woman of diligence, sacrifice, faith, and patience. Her service, tenderness, and unconditional love for her family and friends encompass her whole being. She marvels at the opportunity to serve those around her. She is, without a doubt, one of the most selfless individuals I know. I love my grandmom. I am grateful for the woman she is and grateful for her example of what a true woman should be.

If you have a chance, take the time to read these amazing talks (given specifically to woman) about womanhood:

• "To Young Women" by Elder Jeffery R. Holland
• "Womanhood: The Highest Place of Honor" by President James E. Faust 
• "The Influence of Righteous Women" by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf 
• "The Spirit of Relief Society" by President Thomas S. Monson 
• "The Joy of Womanhood" by Sister Margaret D. Nadauld

"Women of God can never be like women of the world. The world has enough women who are tough; we need women who are tender. There are enough women who are coarse; we need women who are kind. There are enough women who are rude; we need women who are refined. We have enough women of fame and fortune; we need more women of faith. We have enough greed; we need more goodness. We have enough vanity; we need more virtue. We have enough popularity; we need more purity." -Margaret D. Nadauld

Gratitude Challenge: Day 3 & 4

I missed posting yesterday about what I am grateful for, so I am just going to combine yesterday and today's gratitude challenge. I have so much to be grateful for!

Gratitude Challenge: Day 3

Music

Yesterday, Sunday, I was grateful for music. I'm grateful for the ability to hear and listen to music. I think President David O. McKay said it best: "Music is truly the universal language, and when it is excellently expressed how deeply it moves our souls." How true! I love how music can touch my life. I love the peace and joy it brings. I love going to church and singing the hymns--I feel so much closer to my Heavenly Father when I am able to sing and rejoice of him. I got this overwhelming feeling as I was sitting in sacrament meeting yesterday; I stopped singing for a minute and just listened to the congregation. I was struck by the spirit that was present in the chapel, in that moment. After the hymns and hearing a few wonderful testimonies from the congregation, I just started crying. I was so touched and moved by everything--the music, the speakers,  and the overall spirit that was felt. Amazing!

Later that night, we attended a CES Fireside at the Marriott Center. It was wonderful; we also got to hear Heidi (Logan's sister) sing in the choir. They did an amazing job. It sounded great! Lastly, that night, Carson (Logan's brother) shared a song that he had written. Of course, he didn't sing it because there was no piano around...so we (Logan, Heidi, Parker--friend from AZ, and I) sang it to him a capella style. It wasn't exactly how it should be sung, but we did the best we could and gave it a different variation:) It made me really appreciate composers and musicians who can write, play instruments, and sing well--thanks for sharing your talents with me. How grateful I am for music in my life!

Gratitude Challenge: Day 4

Education

"It is so important that you young men and you young women get all of the education that you can. The Lord has said very plainly that His people are to gain knowledge of countries and kingdoms and of things of the world through the process of education, even by study and by faith." -President Gordon B. Hinckley
 

Today, Monday, I am grateful for education. I am so lucky to have been given the many opportunities I have, especially in regard to my education. I'm grateful to my parents, teachers, husband, and others who have encouraged my educational growth and development. I absolutely love learning and I am so thankful for the knowledge that I have obtained in just 23 years. I can only imagine how much more I will learn in the years to come. I am also grateful for good teachers--I have had amazing teachers! I cannot list all of them but I would like to identify/highlight just a few teachers who have impacted my education and learning experience:

Mrs. Pearson: She was my Journalism teacher in high school. She was amazing. I loved the way she trusted her students; we were responsible for creating a monthly publication. She gave us room to grow and learn, but also served as a guide. Lastly, she was so good about making time for her class by talking and getting to know her students which I appreciated.

Mr. O'Day: He was my History teacher in high school. I loved the way he conducted his class. It was a difficult class, but he made it fun and engaging by holding each student accountable to their education. His class definitely changed my study habits and learning experience. 

Brother Toma: He was my Institute teacher while I was in college. He's a spiritual giant. He always came to class prepared and excited to be teaching. I always left his class feeling spiritually uplifted and motivated to be more like my savior, Jesus Christ. 

Professor Reid: She was one of my English core professors at GMU. I thoroughly enjoyed her class. She was very eccentric which I absolutely loved about her. She asked a lot out of us, but only because she wanted to see us improve and reach our writing potential. I can't tell you how many times I got a paper back from her that said: "revise, revise, revise" (it was a lot). She expected the best out of her students which inevitably helped me to become a more creative, focused writer.

Those are just a few of many, many teachers who have impacted my life. I know that education is important and I am so grateful that I've had the opportunity to gain an education. Although there are days when I just want to quit, I'm grateful for the chance to study and obtain a Master's degree at this time so that I can become a qualified educator. I hope that as I continue to study in faith and diligence, I can also be an instrument in helping individuals understand and appreciate the joy of learning (just like my teachers have done for me).