Bounteous Blessings- Too Many to Count!

Well, my dearest friend Lynae Lewis has got me thinking about my blessings lately. She is so darling and is always writing what she is thankful for on her blog or she even has a white board in her room for what she is thankful for each day. Such a good example, she is so amazing. So, I realized I don't often express what I am grateful for so today is the start of something new! (no that was not supposed to be a quote from HSM although I did start singing the song in my head ;)) anywho, I am so extremely blessed I feel so spoiled sometimes. I am so grateful for the most supportive, amazing family that is so strong in the gospel and loves me no matter what. Along with that I am so grateful for my relationship with each of my siblings and my parents. I am very thankful for the most fabulous friends in the world who make me laugh and are always there to listen to me vent. We have so many fantastic memories and make more daily. I am blessed with a healthy body, for the most part, that lets me participate in sports and live life to the fullest. I'm extremely grateful for a testimony of the Gospel and of my Savior Jesus Christ, it honestly gets me through each and every day and continues to make me the person I am today. I am also thankful for my material blessings like a house, Rhonda, food, clothes, technology.... I'm so grateful for the opportunity to get an eductaion, although at sometimes like monday mornings I don't always appreciate it... I am so Blessed. It's kind of crazy. Now it is just my personal challenge to realize something new each day. Oh also I am so thankful for Lynae who got me thinking about it in the first place :)

So Long Sweet Summer....

Well it's official. I'm all registered and ready to be a Senior at Cedar High school. Well, I don't know if I'm ready but I guess it's coming no matter what! Thursday is going to come waaaay to soon, but if my senior year goes by as fast as my junior then it will be over before I know it! I'm kinda nervous... I have some big decisions coming up pretty soon but at least I have one more precious year of high school. I'm really sad to say good bye to summer... it has been the BEST! S'more nights, Lagoon trip, sleepovers, fro cho runs, letter parties, luaus... wow SO FUN!!!! Things have definitely changed over the summer but hey what's life without a little change? And I know that, that change is not over... which leaves me on my toes but I guess as long as I keep a smile on my face life will continue to be great, right? Well, here come more memories just waiting to be made. Bring 'em on!!!

Martin's Cove Handcart Trek

Well I just returned from the trek to Martin's Cove, Wyoming! It was such an amazing experience! I made me so grateful for the blessing I have and even for my trials, they seem so small in comparison to what the pioneers had to go through. I'm not sure I would have been able to do it, it took an imense amount of faith. I often have wondered why Heavenly Father didn't spare them a little more and make it a little easier, but I came to the realization that he did. No normal human being could have made it to the Salt Lake Valley alive if it wasn't for a higher power looking over them. I was able to trek for Elisabeth Whitear Sermon who is my great great great aunt. She was simply amazing. Her husband died during their journey and she had five kids to take care of and make sure arrived to the Valley alive. They lived off of 4 ounces of flour a day. I literally can't even imagine. She cut parts of her childrens feet off because they were so frozen, her strength was incredible. We walked a total of about 27 miles in three days while pulling handcarts. I was able to go into Martin's Cove, cross the Sweetwater River, and pull a handcart without and boys and only my sisters and ma, which was called the Women's Pull. It was so awesome and made me appreciate my ancestors so much more. Without their faith and perserverence I wouldn't be where I am today... They made this life possible for me and I am so blessed.

All of my "brothers" pulling us the last little way :)

Me and Ethan in Martin's Cove- our ancestors were there together

Me and Tanisha made a mean pulling team during the Women's Pull

Me and Ethan crossing the Sweetwater. Originally his great great great grandpa carried my aunt across the river- literally saving her life.