Taking time to appreciate the little & big things

Something I think a lot about is how I grew up in love.

Not in love in the romantic sense.

But in the sense that no matter where I went, no matter what stage of life I was in, I felt love from the people around me.

My parents, siblings, teachers, coaches, church leaders and friends have always been my biggest fans.

I think about how the vast majority of people in the world don’t feel that way. Which makes me sad.

But it also makes me want to cry tears of gratitude for how blessed I am.

I realize I probably don’t comprehend or appreciate all God has given me. I wish I was better at it. But that is why I try to document the miracles I see.

The more I pay attention to the miracles, the more grateful I feel. I want to do all I can to live with an endlessly thankful heart towards God for the love and blessings I receive.

So here are some miracles I have experienced recently. Hopefully they’ll help you remember & express gratitude for the miracles that are occurring in your life.

Miracle #1

Elyce Gamble. My roommate and best friend since my freshman year at BYU. Today is my birthday and it’s been a little hectic because my family drove three hours and back to watch my brother play basketball. On our way home, she called me just to talk. This made my entire day.

Elyce has been with me through everything in college. She takes care of me 24/7.

A couple weeks ago when I was sick and home alone, I was craving applesauce. Except I had no energy to go to the store to buy it. Twenty minutes after I have that craving, Elyce walks into the room and says, “Hey I bought you some apple sauce and Gatorade. Do you want it right now or should I put it in the fridge?” MIRACLES.

Miracle #2

On Wednesday, I was driving back home from doing last minute Christmas shopping. There was a beautiful sunset so I decided to find a place to stop and take a picture of it.

I pulled over next to an empty lot near the desert. There was another lady who was admiring the sunset as well. She came up to me and started crying and asked if she could vent to me. There are two people in her life who are trying to take advantage of her and she needed advice about what to do.

We talked about being compassionate like the Savior but also setting boundaries. I read her a scripture out of the Book of Mormon. Turns out she had met with missionaries before.

She started to tell me a story about how she wanted to pray for her neighbor and when she was talking to him at his house, the missionaries knocked on the door and prayed for them.

As she was finishing the story, she looked at me and said, “Ohmygosh. Every time I ask God for help, He sends the Mormons! Oh my gosh. I was praying and asking Him for help before you came. And you came!”

I asked her if she’d be interested in reading the Book of Mormon again and she said “after this experience, how could I not?” :)

Miracle #3

My dad. The fact that for the past 15 years, he has attended all of our games and dance performances. The fact that my brother had a basketball game 3.5 hours away from Page today and he drove our family there and back in one day. The fact that happens not just once but sometimes twice on a weekly basis.

The fact that he took us to a restaurant I wanted to go to and even though it was out of the way and expensive, he was happy to do it. The fact that he 100% supports me in everything I do. The fact that whenever I am with him, I feel like the most special and loved daughter in the world. The fact that his whole life purpose is to work diligently for the happiness of our family.

Are these not miracles?

Is there a greater miracle than to love and be loved in return?

I could continue the list. But then I wouldn't have anymore blog posts to write! I know as we exercise faith in Christ, He will help us recognize and be grateful for the miracles all around us. I encourage you to pray to see God's hand more in your life & write down when you see it. We will blessed as we do this.

“By every word which proceeded forth out of the mouth of God, men began to exercise faith in Christ; and thus by faith, they did lay hold upon every good thing; and thus it was until the coming of Christ.”

Moroni 7:25