Gratitude Challenge

Lately, I keep finding myself complaining. Not about anything actually important, but just stupid little stuff. We moved out of house I love into one that I really don't, but we're making it work. However, every single day I find myself either thinking or saying, "I hate this freaking setup!"(doing laundry- the washer is shoved in a tiny closet under the stairs and the dryer is out in a storage shed that I'm fairly positive has been used in a few horror movies), or "What kind of a house doesn't even have a dishwasher?" and so on. Dumb, superficial complaints. Yes, of course I miss my old house (with the perfect washer/dryer hookups and the shiny new dishwasher... *sigh*), but this is our home now and I need to just learn to focus on the positives. At least we have a home, I don't have to go to a laundromat, doing dishes together is a great time to catch up on each others' days, and if someone really did shoot a horror movie in our storage shed then I guess we have a famous shed, and that's pretty cool.

While reminding myself for the umpteenth time today that it's not that bad, I remembered a gratitude challenge from a while back that my dear friend Tami posted on her blog (read her blog, she's AMAZING!). The challenge was to write 100 things you are grateful for (no complaining, Abi.), and to make it a little easier they had it broken down into 10 categories. I think it's a great way to remind ourselves of all the blessings in our everyday lives, and it'll hopefully get my head in a better place. 

Here goes:

1. Write 10 physical abilities you are grateful for.

- Walking/running, grabbing (with my fabulously helpful thumbs), talking, hugging, writing, smiling, typing, bending/kneeling, climbing (especially stairs!), and all of my fine motor skills for the small stuff

2. Write 10 material possessions you are grateful for.

- Our house, our cars, my kitty (is he considered a material possession?? Sure.), my washer and dryer, our phones, computers, comfy bed, longboards and bikes (hello money savers!), all my books, and our TV

3. Write 10 living people you are grateful for.

Just 10? Okay:

- TY. I don't even have the space to explain. He's amazing, I love him with everything I have, I can't even imagine my life without him.

- My mom and dad: they gave me life, so...

- Kellie and Bill: Ty's amazing parents, they have completely crushed all the stories you hear about horrible in-laws, they're the best I could have asked for 

- Titus: Oh Titus. My dear brother. Crazy Titus. Of all people though, I know he'd be the first to help me in any situation, no questions asked.

- Our grandparents: Yes, I'm lumping them all into one so I have more room. SO WHAT.

- Megan: That crazy girl has been by my side since I moved to Lava in the third grade, I don't know what I would have done in so many different situations if I hadn't had her. Sure, in some of those situations I probably would have gotten in a lot less trouble, but that's beside the point. 

- Tami: My dearest Tamira! She helps me more than she knows. I don't talk to her nearly as much as I'd like, but she's just one of those friends that inspires me to be the best person I can be. How often do you find someone like that?? 

- Cass: Crazy Cassidy. I love him for being such an amazing friend to Ty, and for being that person that is constantly reminding me to not take myself so seriously, everything always works out the way it's supposed to anyway, so what's the point in worrying about it?

- Alora: One of the closest friends I've made here in Boise, someone was truly on my side the day I was assigned to the same dorm room as her almost 3 years ago.

And SO MANY others!! I've really been blessed with some amazing people in my life.

4. Write 10 deceased people you are grateful for.

- My Bucia: She was the epitome of endless love, especially to her grandbabies. I miss her every single day, but I know that every time I think about her she's right here next to me. It's been years, and I still honestly cannot believe that she's gone. Some days I still get horribly sad about it (those days that I really just need a Bucia hug), but I have an amazing family, and we all kind of keep each other strong. 

- Mrs. Avery: Trish, although I can't think of one single time I actually called her that. It was always Mrs. Avery. I honestly think she may have taught me more about what kind of a mother I want to be than my mom did. I know that sounds horrible, but truths are truths. She was so incredible, so devoted to her family and her faith, I hope I can turn out to be at least half the woman she was.

- Grandma Gerrie: Ty's grandmother. Although she was already pretty taken by the Alzheimer's the only time I got to meet her, the family she left behind is one of the best I've ever met. I'm lucky enough to have been welcomed into that family, and I know I have her to thank for a lot of that.

- Jesus: It's His salvation that is exactly what I need right now, and I'm so grateful to be finding it again.

- All the apostles and saints: I know this throws my list way over 10, but they're the true workings of God

5. Write 10 things about nature you are grateful for.

- That wonderful after-rain smell, springtime, flowers, animals, SHARKS (I love them. Love them.), summer nights, living somewhere with seasons (even though I do complain constantly about the cold, at least I can tell it's not summer), oceans, sunshine, and those wonderful breezes on hot summer days

   

6. Write 10 things about today you are grateful for.

- I got to spend almost the entire day with my amazing fiance, we played Life (one of the best board games ever), we watched a great movie, I got to talk to my mom for a little bit, my cat loves to snuggle and is doing so right now, it was gorgeous outside, we enjoyed the beautiful spring air with an evening longboard ride, Ty is a very patient person, our house is mostly unpacked, and I get to spend the evening with the love of my life.

7. Write 10 places on earth you are grateful for.

- My parents' house, our house (despite all my complaining! I really am thankful for it), the cottage (the most wonderful place on earth), St. John's Cathedral (have I mentioned I CAN'T WAIT to be married there??), the ocean, inside Ty's hug :), that perfect quiet spot on the river outside of Lava where I used to take Bob swimming, my work, Ty's work, and (weirdly) airports. Don't ask why, I just love them for some reason.

8. Write 10 modern inventions you are grateful for.

- Washers, dryers (even when they're shoved in tiny closets and creepy sheds), phones, cars, the internet, computers, microwaves, electricity, TVs, and indoor plumbing.

  

9. Write 10 foods you are grateful for.

- Rice, pancake mix, milk, strawberries, grapefruit, bagels, bread, cheese, chocolate, and yogurt. 

10. Write 10 things about the gospel you are grateful for.

- Ok, this one is actually near impossible for me. I honestly don't know if I can name 10 things about it. It's not that I'm not grateful, it's just that I either haven't learned (yet!) or I don't remember from my childhood. Seriously, one of my friends (who is now on an LDS mission) made a joke once about "Kevin and the Lions," and I completely bought it. Not a proud day for me.But, I promise to keep you updated as I learn and relearn all the great teachings of the gospel!

Fresh Start

Why is this so hard to get started?

I'm not sure what it is lately, but I just feel... incomplete, I guess. Like I need to be going somewhere, or doing something. It doesn't really make any sense, because Ty and I just moved (fresh new place, where do I need to be going??), and I'm right in the middle of a 15-credit semester while working full time (I have plenty to be doing!). So what is missing?

Ok, it sounds terrible that this is what I turned to, but... I consulted my dear friend Pinterest. Oh yes. Sounds crazy, but just bear with me here. While clicking around aimlessly on Pinterest (is there really any other way?), I felt that empty, needy, pulling feeling inside of my chest again. I think I was in the "Humor" category, but I found myself staring at this picture of Pope John Paul II, with the quote, “People are made for happiness. Rightly, then, you thirst for happiness. Christ has the answer to this desire of yours. But he asks you to trust him. True joy is a victory, something which cannot be obtained without a long and difficult struggle. Christ holds the secret of this victory.” I honestly started weeping. It was like the floodgates had opened, whatever that thing was inside my chest broke, and I knew what was wrong, what had been missing. 

I tried to remember the last time I was in church. I think the last time I attended church was 2 Christmases ago, Christmas 2011. My mother undoubtedly guilted me into going. However, I couldn't honestly remember the last time I was really there, felt the spirit, really listened to the readings and the priest's homily, thought about what the sacraments meant, all of it. I felt so sad and so guilty all at once, I didn't even know where to begin. So, I did what made the most sense to me right then: I continued on Pinterest.

This time, however, it wasn't aimless at all. I found as many websites as I could, and read some of the most inspiring articles and blogs. The next day, when Ty told me his mom had invited us out for an Easter/birthday dinner that Sunday; I told him I would absolutely love to go, but I was also going to church.

I'll never forget his reaction: he simply looked at me and said, "Okay, what time are we going?"

WE.

I know it won't seem like a big deal to some people, but it really was to me. Ty was raised LDS while I was raised Catholic, but neither of us had ever felt very connected to our church. We'd had a lot of conversations on the ways that the self-righteous churchgoers, the corruption that unfortunately takes place, and the importance of money in the eyes of some churches had eventually just outweighed all the good that came from attending. As soon as both of us were old enough, we just simply stopped going. So, his quick, unquestioning agreement to go with me (even though I never even asked him, I just told him I was going) meant the world to me, and really reminded me how lucky I really am to have him.

I know this post is really starting to drag on, but I need to get this all out there.

Easter Mass was amazing. The Mass itself really wasn't much different from all the others I've been to in my lifetime, but at the same time it was entirely new to me. The amazing feeling of peace I had being there, praying together with my fiance, I knew that I had found my answer. I knew this is where I needed to be, this is what's been missing in my life.

Before Mass started, Ty and I were just sitting there taking in the beauty of this incredible cathedral (St. John's Cathedral in Boise, visit it if you ever have the chance! It's truly breathtaking). I just had this feeling all of a sudden, "What if we got married here?" I turned to Ty, and all he said was "Would it be big enough?"

(The Cathedral seats almost 1,000 people all together. We should be fine.)

That night, I was like an internet madwoman. I knew there were certain restrictions on who could get married in the Catholic Church, and what we would have to do to prepare for it, and I wanted as much information as possible before we got our hearts set on a wedding there. 

As it turns out, the church was all sorts of prepared for us already! I found so much helpful information on the Cathedral's website. The guidelines were mostly that at least one of us needs to be a practicing Catholic (which, 2 weeks ago, I would have absolutely not considered myself to be. However, thanks to whatever grace led me to that Pinterest page, I am now on the right path back!), and we will need to complete our marriage preparation process. Basically, the church offers classes (and a weekend retreat!) designed to bring us closer as a couple, and to encourage and enable us to build a strong foundation for a beautiful marriage, not just a beautiful wedding.

I simply cannot wait to share the whole wonderful experience!!

I'm not sure what it is lately, but I just feel... incomplete, I guess. Like I need to be going somewhere, or doing something. It doesn't really make any sense, because Ty and I just moved (fresh new place, where do I need to be going??), and I'm right in the middle of a 15-credit semester while working full time (I have plenty to be doing!). So what is missing?

Ok, it sounds terrible that this is what I turned to, but... I consulted my dear friend Pinterest. Oh yes. Sounds crazy, but just bear with me here. While clicking around aimlessly on Pinterest (is there really any other way?), I felt that empty, needy, pulling feeling inside of my chest again. I think I was in the "Humor" category, but I found myself staring at this picture of Pope John Paul II, with the quote, “People are made for happiness. Rightly, then, you thirst for happiness. Christ has the answer to this desire of yours. But he asks you to trust him. True joy is a victory, something which cannot be obtained without a long and difficult struggle. Christ holds the secret of this victory.” I honestly started weeping. It was like the floodgates had opened, whatever that thing was inside my chest broke, and I knew what was wrong, what had been missing. 
I tried to remember the last time I was in church. I think the last time I attended church was 2 Christmases ago, Christmas 2011. My mother undoubtedly guilted me into going. However, I couldn't honestly remember the last time I was really there, felt the spirit, really listened to the readings and the priest's homily, thought about what the sacraments meant, all of it. I felt so sad and so guilty all at once, I didn't even know where to begin. So, I did what made the most sense to me right then: I continued on Pinterest.

This time, however, it wasn't aimless at all. I found as many websites as I could, and read some of the most inspiring articles and blogs. The next day, when Ty told me his mom had invited us out for an Easter/birthday dinner that Sunday; I told him I would absolutely love to go, but I was also going to church.

I'll never forget his reaction: he simply looked at me and said, "Okay, what time are we going?"

WE.

I know it won't seem like a big deal to some people, but it really was to me. Ty was raised LDS while I was raised Catholic, but neither of us had ever felt very connected to our church. We'd had a lot of conversations on the ways that the self-righteous churchgoers, the corruption that unfortunately takes place, and the importance of money in the eyes of some churches had eventually just outweighed all the good that came from attending. As soon as both of us were old enough, we just simply stopped going. So, his quick, unquestioning agreement to go with me (even though I never even asked him, I just told him I was going) meant the world to me, and really reminded me how lucky I really am to have him.

I know this post is really starting to drag on, but I need to get this all out there.

Easter Mass was amazing. The Mass itself really wasn't much different from all the others I've been to in my lifetime, but at the same time it was entirely new to me. The amazing feeling of peace I had being there, praying together with my fiance, I knew that I had found my answer. I knew this is where I needed to be, this is what's been missing in my life.
Before Mass started, Ty and I were just sitting there taking in the beauty of this incredible cathedral (St. John's Cathedral in Boise, visit it if you ever have the chance! It's truly breathtaking). I just had this feeling all of a sudden, "What if we got married here?" I turned to Ty, and all he said was "Would it be big enough?"
(The Cathedral seats almost 1,000 people all together. We should be fine.)

That night, I was like an internet madwoman. I knew there were certain restrictions on who could get married in the Catholic Church, and what we would have to do to prepare for it, and I wanted as much information as possible before we got our hearts set on a wedding there. 

As it turns out, the church was all sorts of prepared for us already! I found so much helpful information on the Cathedral's website. The guidelines were mostly that at least one of us needs to be a practicing Catholic (which, 2 weeks ago, I would have absolutely not considered myself to be. However, thanks to whatever grace led me to that Pinterest page, I am now on the right path back!), and we will need to complete our marriage preparation process. Basically, the church offers classes (and a weekend retreat!) designed to bring us closer as a couple, and to encourage and enable us to build a strong foundation for a beautiful marriage, not just a beautiful wedding.

I simply cannot wait to share the whole wonderful experience!!