The Scriptures and The Savior

These are two HUGE lifesavers for me.

Everyday I am gaining a greater appreciation of what Christ really did for me.
I am so blessed.

Angels

I'm grateful for people who make me better everyday. For people who lift and inspire me, who make me set goals and expect me to stick to them. I'm grateful for people who are incredible exemplars of Christlike love. I can be like them.

Simplicity

"The simple secret is this: put your trust in the Lord, do your best, then leave the rest to Him."
--Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin

What I'd Like to Be Remembered By

This is a conversation I had with a kid at work:

Kid: "Do they bite?"
Me: "No, they're nice animals."
Kid: "Is that why they're always smiling?"
Me: "Haha, sure."
Kid: "Like you!!"

First things First

As fate would have it, both of my Grandparent's 50th wedding anniversary's were this summer. That meant that my family and I got to spend two weeks in Idaho and Utah with our extended Davis and Mickelsen relatives. This could not have been more perfect for me.

You see, when your family is all together, undisturbed by anything or anyone else, you realize how important they are. Sure, you're all quirky or loud or clumsy or opinionated, but in the end, you're all family. And when you're part of a family, you're part of something much bigger. Even with zero emotional attachment, you're part of someone else. And in the case of my big families, you're part of several someone else's. It's beautiful really. God knew that sometimes we would get lonely in this life, so he gave us an immediate safety net, an unwavering support group. And because of that, we must always remember, that Family comes first. Always. I believe it was Elder Nelson who said that Salvation is an individual matter, but Exaltation is a family matter.

Congratulations Grandma and Grandpa Mickelsen and Davis. It's really incredible what you've started.

Mountains

The mountains in Provo are beautiful. For the last eight months of my life they were the constant I needed. In a time of new experiences and great learning they served as a symbol of the steadfast nature of God. They reminded me that while the world around me was changing by the second, God is always there.

As I drove out of Provo, I looked again to the mountains and realized that from my home in California, I would no longer be able to see them. That physical symbol, that had comforted my heart for so long, would not be in plain sight.

Still, God is there. His power and influence is real. He loves us.
"And whoso receiveth you, there I will be also, for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up." --Doctrine and Covenants 84:88

One Day Without Shoes

What an incredible experience!

It was really fun to see the surprised looks on the faces of everyone else on campus staring at my barefeet. There may have been a total of 10 people on campus who took part in the movement, but I'm grateful that I did.


This little girl was the inspiration for my taking part in it. Coco and I decided to make shirts that helped describe our actions. She was on the front and on the back was the well-known Gandhi quote: "Be the change you want to see in the world."

My feet were pretty sore by the end of the day and pretty dirty too. I can't imagine going every single day barefoot. It's funny how easily we take little things like shoes for granted.

Today's challenge: Donate a pair of shoes, a shirt, jeans that you don't wear very often, whatever it is to a D.I. or a Salvation Army.
We really have SO very much and there are millions of people out there who would die to have what we do. And who may die without it.