I'm going to say it- TGIF!

Day 17
Today I am thankful for the tender mercies of the Lord in everything that we do. Lately I've been keeping a really close eye on what I eat (school lunch=no bueno! I put on an absurd amount of weight in 3 weeks by adding 2-3 days of school lunch per week!) and trying to get to my goal weight. When I got home my Dad asked if I was making dinner, to which I readily agreed. I had been pondering something light when I saw that he had already taken out some meat-hamburger. I asked what he had planned for it, and discovered that it was all up to my imagination. I decided on tacos-sort of healthy, right? A little meat and cheese, lots of veggies and salsa...sounded good to me! As I started to cook the ground meat I noticed something peculiar about it-it was light, and stayed light even after cooked! It was ground turkey! So much better than ground beef! I smiled as I cooked, knowing that my Heavenly Father is mindful of all that I do, and that my prayers to help me take control of my weight again were not going unanswered! *Note* I'm not sure how the ground turkey came to be-it's not a staple in our house, but I'm not complaining!

Day 18
Today I have so many things that I am thankful for, it's hard to chose just one! This might be another cliche thought, but I am honestly thankful that it is Friday. Monday and Tuesday were two very difficult days to get through, Wednesday was full of trepidation and homework, Thursday still found me on pins and needles, and finally today it's Friday and the start of the weekend. My week has gotten progressively better, but the relief of being able to take a break from work is like having a huge weight taken off of me. It was funny to note at work today that everyone was ready for it to be Friday-we had all fought through the week! I know that my battles this week have left me ready for a mini-vacation and some much needed rest. Not having to worry about what tomorrow will bring at work because there is no work tomorrow is wonderful. Plus, it's snowing and looking like a winter wonderland. Life is good!

Lessons from the King

Day 16
Today I am thankful for Elvis. Yes, I really did just write that I am thankful for Elvis! Here is why: today I was driving home from work and listening to the radio (my Christmas music stations, of course!) when Elvis started singing "Here Comes Santa Claus." Lately I've noticed in the older versions of classic Christmas songs that God is mentioned a lot. This song is no exception "Santa Claus knows we're all God's children and that makes everything right...Peace on earth will come to all if we just follow the light, so let's give thanks to the Lord above..." Sounds a little out of place in a song about Santa Claus, but somehow it works!
Listening to Elvis sing about us all being God's children took me back to Tupelo, MS, and the awesome P-day when I got to visit the Elvis Presley birthplace. They have Elvis' home and church where he first sang. When you take the tour you get to watch a video in the church that portrays how Elvis started out singing gospel music. This set me off to thinking about how Elvis was from the South, and in the South God IS life. He is not a part of your life, literally He is your Life. That was one of the things that I loved about the South-how abundant God was, and how no one was afraid to talk about Him, and most especially-that people actually knew God like He was their friend. They shared a close, personal bond with the Lord, and knew that everyday came from Him.
Thinking about this I came to the conclusion that I want to be more like that in my life. Coming home from the South had me in that mindset, but having lived in the West for almost two years now I have lost sight of that. I live in a predominantly LDS (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints) culture, but it's not the same as the South. God is reverenced and worshiped in a completely different way, and that experience has added to my life greatly. I have caught sight of that vision again. The King of Rock and Roll has helped me to turn my sights to the King of Kings and Lord of Hosts. So thank you Elvis, for reminding me what is most important in life, and helping me to remember my Friend.

C*R*A*Z*Y!

Day 15
Today I am so thankful for all of the support staff at work. Hooray for them! Today I had a situation where I realized that I no longer had control, and it was a relief to know that I was not in it alone. Thanks to the fantastic help of the support staff we got things back under control and rolling smoothly. Life can get really crazy, really fast, and it's nice to know that there are always people around to help ease the crazy. I am so blessed to know that this is true, not matter what and no matter where. Crazy seems to follow me like a shadow (hence the title of this blog!) and can strike at any moment. Sometimes it's funny crazy, sometimes sad crazy, sometimes out-of-this-world crazy, and even just crazy-crazy. When crazy does happen I know that it will all turn out, just like it always does! So here's to the craziness of life, and all of the crazies who help me with my own crazy!

Made it Monday

Day 14
Today I am thankful for fresh starts. Finding something to write about today has been a little hard. Today wasn't a horrible day, it just wasn't a fantastic day either. Thus, I am thankful for a fresh start tomorrow. Tomorrow doesn't have to be like today, and I've learned things today that will help me be better tomorrow. The lessons of the past prepare us for the future. I'm looking forward to a Terrific Tuesday!

Things that give me the warm fuzzies!

Day 12
I am thankful for my Abbey! She is A*MAZ*ING! For those of you who don't know, Abbey was one of my mission companions. I love that girl to death! She called me today and we got to have a nice chat. Abbey and I are so much alike, and we really understand one another. It's the best to be able to share your crazy feelings and have someone who understands and doesn't think that you are cray! I am so thankful for the ways in which Abbey encourages and uplifts me! My days are always brighter when I get to talk to her!

Day 13
I am so thankful for the young men in my home ward who bless the sacrament each week for our congregation. They are so thoughtful as they say the words of the prayers, and they aren't afraid to take their time. I was in a sacrament meeting last week where the young men were rushed, and I don't get the same feeling then as I did today as I really got a chance to feel the spirit of the sacramental prayers as they were said. I am so thankful for the time that they give me to feel the spirit and take part of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Thank you so much to those young men!

The Waitress and the Military-man

Day 11
Today is Veteran's Day, and a HUGE thanks goes out to all those who have served, currently serve, and will serve our great country. " Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13) So many have given so much, including their lives, so that we might live and enjoy our life and our liberty. I am so grateful for the wonderful Veterans in my life, from my Dad, to uncles, cousins, and Grandpa. I am so grateful for the rich legacy of service to one's country that they set for me.
A special day like this calls for more than one thanks. Thanks to our Veterans was offered in so many ways today, one of which was Applebees. They offered a free meal to Veterans, so that's where we went for dinner tonight. As I was sitting at the table with my parents I looked around at all of the men and women who have served our country I was silently thankful. I must admit though, my mood wasn't where it should have been, so I did not properly take in the scene for what it truly was. I noticed a waitress stop to talk to the older gentleman behind me, and she asked him which branch of the military he had served in. Then I noticed her sit down across from him and talk to him about his experiences. Listening to that conversation brought tears to my eyes. Here I had been caught up in my own little world and thought that I was paying tribute to Veterans with my happy thoughts their way, but here was a girl who was actually putting her thanks into play and talking to a man who had come to dinner all by himself. I got teary eyed and silently kicked myself for being so caught up in myself and not noticing this man. It is men and women like him who quietly do their thing and don't ask for recognition that we are honoring this day. This is my thank you to the waitress at Applebees for teaching me about love, honor, respect, and saying thank you, and for teaching me to look beyond myself.

Ice Away!

Day 10
Today I am thankful for defroster systems in cars, and that mine actually works. I love being able to start up my car and less then five minutes later have the front and back windshields defrosted! How blessed and lucky I am!