A Beautiful, Simple System

Today I feel once again the Lord's kindness in my life through His beautiful creations that surround us. I am so grateful to be living in the Northwest and to feel so close to many of His finest handiwork. Today as we were going on our family hike, I just couldn't get enough of it. It is truly amazing how everything can work together so well, in such simple, law-abiding ways. The systems that can seem so overwhelmingly complicated to us are truly so pure and perfect, and it is wonderful to think of how we too fit into this holistic plan.

God Bless the USA

Today I finally got to speak to my brother, Josh, on skype. I've been watching for him for weeks as he's been at sea, and it was so great to talk to him again- even if for but a few minutes. He serves in the United States Navy, and earlier this week (on his birthday actually) he, and brave men like him, came to my mind as I was singing America the Beautiful.

I feel such gratitude to live in this country, where we have so many freedoms and privileges to really pursue happiness in the way that we choose. I know that this freedom is being defending daily, and I am so grateful for it- for our freedoms, for the brave men and women who preserve it, and for the men and women years ago who dedicated their lives to establishing it.

I really believe that it was God's plan to create a place of freedom and democracy where His gospel could be restored and spread throughout the rest of the world. I see His hand in history and I see it in my life day by day. I am so blessed to live in this country and I am blessed to know and love those who defend her freedoms. I love you, Josh!

My Book

I have rededicated myself to working on writing my book. It has been great, and I find myself longing for time to work on it and to discover new ideas and new questions and new insights. It has really become a blessing to me, and a time when I can be alone with my thoughts and dive into knowledge that I love. I am blessed to feel more motivated, and I am blessed to be finding more inquiry and insight into subjects that I love.

Combined Sunday School

Today's Sunday School class was probably my best yet. I am learning to rely more and more on the Lord for help with my lessons. I prepared a little earlier in the week and felt prompted to get some outside participation from a recently returned missionary in our ward and his presence really added to the spirit of the class. I was a little extra nervous when the younger class came in to be added to our existing class- my Dad, who is sick, usually teaches them and I know they can be quite a challenge. But they were so great. Having Ty there and just diving into the scriptures really kept them all busy and I am so grateful for the spirit which was present, (and hopefully they felt,) and for the small lessons that they always teach me in return.