ABCs of Gratitude

Inspired by the too-often overshadowed holiday of Thanksgiving, the Daily U's list of things to be grateful for, and, for some reason, the thing that I am grateful for that is associated with the letter K, I decided we need to make a similar list. A new letter every day. If we actually post one every day, that would put us at Z right around Christmas. I make no guarantees.

Some of the things will be serious, some probably trite, and some just plain ridiculous (because remember how I am ridiculous? And so is Janna? And that is why we are friends?).

I'll start with a serious one for A.

I'm grateful for...

the Atonement.

It is the greatest gift that ever has been or could be given. And Jesus Christ suffered so that each one of us may benefit from it. We can be forgiven of our sins, we will be resurrected, and we have the opportunity to gain eternal life with our Father in Heaven. I cannot imagine the suffering Christ endured. I cannot comprehend the love He has for us that would motivate Him to willingly endure such suffering. But I know that it is real and such a powerful blessing in my life. And I am grateful for it.

Words of Wisdom

[I told myself I have time to blog this today because I FINALLY figured out a way to listen to class recordings at increased speed. Holla. A huge victory. Income tax at 186% speed, here I come!]

I was chatting with a dear friend today when for some reason I remembered a humorous incident from our freshman year. But I only remembered the first half. She was there to inspire me with a reminder of the rest of the story. It went a little something like this...

One cold winter night, Rachel and I had nothing to do. Our roommates must have had dates or mono or something and we were trying to find friends to hang out with. But for some reason or another, it seemed like no one was around the dorms that evening. Even our old reliables, the Taylor club, did not come to their window when beckoned. There were several inches of fresh snow, so we stomped out our loneliness in the snow on the bball court outside their window... in the shape of a broken heart, naturally.

~~Before I continue, here's something you should know: we are ridiculous. And overdramatic. Especially when feeding off one another. Sometimes people take us serious when they shouldn't.~~

Enter returned missionary, living in the dorms.

RMLITD: Is that a Pacman?

R: It's a broken heart. No one wants to hang out with us.

J: The boys in our ward think we're ugly!!! (translation: we're bored)

RMLITD (waxing wise*): Someday they'll grow up and realize you're really what they want.

R and J (trying very hard to suppress our "WT?" faces): Um, thanks.

Well, that's more or less how it went.

His kind words of encouragement, however, did not help us find anyone to play with.

And the next morning, our friends also thought it was a Pacman outside their window.

Epic failure.

Yet classic memory.

*His wisdom is in question, because he did, in fact, return to live in the dorms post-mission. Maybe he was an RA. That would be more acceptable.

"cute companion and it'll protect my house"

Logan gchatted me this today:

Logan: I spent all morning on The Ultimate Goat Fansite. i hope you appreciate the kind of restraint I have shown today by not emailing you every five seconds

I realize some people might tire of goat pictures

One of the favorites he did send me...Enjoy. (thank goodness youtube is allowed on campus now.)

And that is why we are friends.

I guess this means I'll never be on her "Favorite Things" episode...

I don't even watch Oprah and I feel a little empty inside at this news.

That's how big of a deal this is.

It's over.

She's been on the air longer than I've been on the earth.

I don't believe she'll really be gone though. People like her never really leave us.

I just got weirdly sentimental and wanted to read all the books on her Book Club list...but maybe that's just because I'd love to read anything besides Fundamental Principles of Family Law in Utah (smelly, smelly book) and Secured Transactions (boring book)