24 Days of Thanksgiving - Day Ten

THANK GOODNESS for modern medicine!

Seriously, being sick/injured/pregnant is hard enough as it is, and we're blessed to live in a time where there are all kinds of medicines and treatments to help with all kinds of problems. How did people manage before??

I'm sick at the moment, and generally miserable. I didn't sleep at all last night, and I haven't been able to nap today. My throat is sore and dry, and wakes me up a minute or two after I drift off with the urgent need to cough. My nose is simultaneously leaking and clogging up every inch of my sinuses. It's terrible.

The great thing is, I can take cold medicine tonight and knock myself right out. I try to avoid taking drugs when I can, so my body doesn't build up a tolerance, but I figure it's time. I'm exhausted, and it's hard to get better when you're unable to sleep.

Seriously - how did people survive before cold medicine???

And that's just one of the simplest miracles that modern medicine has to offer. What about x-rays, and anesthesia, and chemotherapy, and MRI machines, and all the other things that make it possible for doctors to diagnose and treat people?

Plus, we've managed to wipe out several diseases - at least, in this part of the world - thanks to vaccinations. When's the last time you heard about someone dying from smallpox? It's certainly been a while! Vaccinations are such a valuable tool.

One of the greatest inventions in the medical field, to me, is a little something I like to call "God's gift to women." No, it's not men. Please. Be serious.

It's the epidural!

Now, I know a lot of women prefer to have natural births. Why, I don't know. Maybe they're petrified of needles. Maybe their babies tend to be so small that it doesn't bother them much to deliver them. Maybe they're doing it just to prove they can.

I have no such desire to prove anything. I have no problem with needles. And the fact that I was over ten pounds when I was born, and my own child was over nine, tells me that genetics are not going to bless me with any dainty newborns.

I had an epidural with Evie, and I've never regretted it. I slept through the bulk of my labor. And, in fact, it was the last good sleep I had for a month or two after that, so I was incredibly grateful for it. I fully intend to have an epidural with every one of my children. It made an otherwise excruciating experience... fairly easy. And because of that, I was able to focus more on the excitement of it all, rather than the pain.

Technology is wonderful. The advances in science and medicine are nothing short of miraculous. I know we still have a long way to go before we rid the world of disease, but we've certainly come a long way! People are healthier. They're living longer. They're able to recover from illness and injury so much more easily.

Modern medicine is a marvel! And I'm grateful for it!

24 Days of Thanksgiving - Day Nine

I've got a killer sore throat today. As usual, whenever I'm feeling sick, it makes me grateful for the good health I usually enjoy.

Isn't it amazing how we take things for granted? Then, when we don't have them anymore, we finally see their true worth?

It happens to me every time I get sick, even just with a cold. Those are the times when I remember to thank God for my usual health. Maybe if I remembered to thank Him when I'm actually well, instead of just taking my health for granted, I wouldn't get sick quite so often. 

On the other hand, though, probably not. 

24 Days of Thanksgiving - Day Eight

I read an article last week that talked about a mysterious force that encourages people to make decisions contrary to what they would normally do. Obeying the mystery force often meant that the person was kept out of a dangerous situation, were able to help themselves or someone else, or had some strangely good fortune.

The author had no idea what to call this force. I found it kind of amusing, myself, because of course I already knew exactly what she was talking about. To my delight, many people in the comments section knew the answer, too.

"It's called 'the holy spirit'," they said.

I'm grateful for the Spirit. I can't recall any time when I had any life-changing, mind-blowing experience where the Spirit kept me or my loved ones safe from danger or anything like that. But I've definitely felt the Spirit, and seen firsthand results of following its promptings.

The Spirit is how God communicates with us. We pray to God, and the Spirit guides us to the answer with quiet, gentle promptings. We may feel joy or peace when we're on the right track. Guilt or dread may set in when we're making poor choices. And every once in a while, we may have a thought - seemingly out of nowhere - that changes our course.

I always pray before making any major life decisions. I want the path of my life to be one that God wants for me. He has a plan for me. There's a purpose to my existence. And I want to live my life in complete accordance with His will. Obviously, this means I consult Him on every important decision.

When I was a senior in high school, I had to choose what university I wanted to attend the next year. One of my choices was a fine arts college in my home state of Virginia, with a hugely successful musical theater department. It was close to home, had a 90% Broadway success rate for its graduates, and had offered me a scholarship.

Then, there was BYU. It was far from home, but close to extended family. The people there were of my same faith. But they hadn't even accepted me into the musical theater program, much less offered me any kind of scholarship. I would have to pay my own way completely, and fight for a spot in my program.

I prayed a lot about my decision. I had always wanted to go to BYU, but I also wanted to be a musical theater performer and teacher. The school in Virginia was a straight shot to that goal. So I was a little bit torn.

In the end, I settled on BYU. It felt right. I knew that was the Spirit's way of telling me where I belonged.

I'd like to say that I got into the musical theater program, graduated with honors, married a handsome man and was successful in every way. But the truth is, I was never accepted into the program. The competition was so stiff that basically the only people accepted were those with an "in" on the committee making the cuts. I didn't know anyone in the musical theater program faculty. I was never accepted.

My efforts to get into my program consumed my first three or four years of college. I studied dance, acting, and voice. I got several GE credits out of the way, too, but my main focus was on getting into my program. So, when I wasn't accepted (and was no longer able to audition anymore, because I had too many credits), I had four years of college under my belt and nothing to show for it. I would have to start over somewhere else.

My roommate, Layne, and I;
freshman year of college.

The criteria that prevented me from auditioning further in the musical theater program also prevented me from pursuing an acting or vocal performance major. Everything I was interested in, and talented in, was closed to me.

I was at a complete loss. I halfheartedly attempted a History major, but with little love or enthusiasm for it.

Then, I started dating Ben. We got engaged, got married, and got pregnant within a year and a half.

I quit school in order to work full time so that Ben could finish school. We had our daughter, struggled for a year or two while Ben got his degree (and commissioned in the Air Force), then left the state for pilot training.

I never got into my program. I never finished college. My prayers from senior year hadn't led where I thought they would. But I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that the Spirit was guiding my decision, and that I made the right choice.

On BYU campus

Had I attended the school in Virginia, I may have become a successful Broadway performer. But I never would have met my gorgeous husband. I might have had a career I loved, but I wouldn't have my beautiful little girl. Maybe I would have become famous - who knows? But I wouldn't have ended up living in Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Texas. I wouldn't have developed any of the friendships I made in those places. My life would be completely different, and probably nowhere near as happy. Applause is nice, but love and family are better.

As far as I'm concerned, my life is a success story.

We can't always understand why we're on the path we're on. But when we've got the Spirit guiding us, we can feel confident that we are, in fact, where we're supposed to be.

Life frequently doesn't make sense from our limited perspectives. We don't have the ability to see the big picture. But God does. He knows exactly what He's doing. He knows where He's leading us. And He knows how to shape us into the people He intends for us to be.

By following the guidance of the Spirit, we're able to move forward along life's path with confidence. No matter how difficult a decision or situation may be, we can listen to the still, small voice speaking to us in our hearts. It will help us know what to do. And by obeying that voice, our lives are blessed with incredible joy.

Ben is currently thinking about becoming a doctor (on top of being a pilot!). It's a big decision. It would mean taking four years out of his career progression, and going from a Captain back to a 2nd Lieutenant. It would mean another seven years of service committed to the Air Force. It would mean having Ben's salary frozen where it is, with none of the usual pay raises to help us as our family grows.

Ben is taking all of that into account. But more importantly, he's praying about it, and letting the Spirit help him make his decision. Despite the inconveniences involved, Ben is determined to go where God wants him to go. And because I know he's letting the Spirit guide his decisions, I will support whatever choice he makes one hundred percent.

The Spirit truly is God's way of speaking to us, and I'm grateful to be able to lead my life the way He wants me to. I know that by following His guidance, I'll have more joy in my life than I could ever find on my own.

I'm grateful to have a husband who works to live his life according to God's will.

And I'll forever be grateful that the Spirit led me to BYU; so I could meet Ben, fall in love with him, and be sealed to him for eternity.

The Idaho Falls temple, on the day
Ben and I were married.

24 Days of Thanksgiving - Day Seven

I'm grateful for my talents.

Everyone has talents, of course, but some are more obvious than others. I've known several people who insisted that they didn't have any talents, when in fact they were incredibly talented. Their talents just tended to be less flashy than those one typically thinks of when hearing the word "talent."

My sister, for example, has always had a huge talent for empathy. In a world where people are frequently indifferent to the plights of those around them, she's had an amazing ability to understand exactly how people are feeling. Along with that, she has a talent for compassion, which drives her to reach out and try to help those who are hurting.

That is an impressive talent.

My talents, for the most part, are the more obvious kind. I don't have such a strong gift for empathy as my sister, or the kind of talent for patience that my incredible mother has. Mine are more trite and cliche, but I'm grateful for them all the same.

Backstage during The Scarlet Pimpernel. I'm rocking the
powdered wig on the far right.

The most obvious one, I think, is that I have a gift for music. It doesn't go as deep as it might for some people - like my husband, who can play about ten different musical instruments, composes music, has perfect pitch and sings beautifully to top it off - but I'm pretty good with a piano, and I definitely have some singing ability. I've won a singing competition or two in my day, played many parts in stage musicals, and I sing special musical numbers frequently in church. I've even been paid to sing a few times, so I suppose that technically makes me a "professional" singer.

I love singing, and I'm grateful that I can play the piano well enough to accompany myself. It makes things a lot easier, that's for sure! And my musicality makes me useful at church, too. I'm happy that I can use my talent to benefit others.

Hair and makeup by Cassie! ;)

Another gift I have is with hair and makeup. I'm not a professional in that field by any means, but I've always been a bit experimental with hairstyles and makeup. It's been going on since I was a child. Over the years, I've learned lots of tricks and techniques that work well. Combine that with my flair for theatrics (musical theater, remember?), and I've come up with some pretty dramatic looks.

My theory is that some people are born naturally pretty, and others are born with the gift to make themselves appear pretty in spite of their flaws. ;) Obviously, I think I'm in the latter category. I'm able to trick people into thinking I'm prettier than I am because I know how to wield a curling iron and mascara brush.

Me during my blonde phase. I kind of like it!

For those who don't have a talent for makeup and hair, and don't think they're pretty, I assure you that you're wrong. Everyone is beautiful. And if you feel that you need makeup and hair abilities to bring out your own natural beauty, there's no reason you can't learn it! The trick is to put focus on your most flattering features. And to remember that God created you, He loves you, and He made you the way you are because He thinks you're gorgeous that way! Confidence is the most important key to looking beautiful. If you feel that you're beautiful, and love yourself, others will too.

I'm also grateful for new talents that I'm developing now.

When I was in high school, I took a photography class. The cameras were old and mostly broken, and I had a heck of a time getting any decent pictures. That class is the class that kept me off of the honor roll that year, because I couldn't manage more than a C-.

Since then, though, I've learned a lot more about photography. I think I've always had an eye for what would look good - maybe it's an aesthetic thing that ties in with my hair/makeup talent? - but never had a camera that could deliver it well.

A photo shoot with my hubby and brother-in-law.  They
were having some fun with the fact that Ben outranks Michael.

Now, though, we have digital cameras that take fabulous pictures with very little effort! I've also gotten a little better at photography in general, but let's face it, the digital cameras make a huge difference.

My talents in photography have developed to the point where over the years I've taken family pictures, bridals, wedding reception photos, graduation pictures, and yearly pictures of children for friends and family. I even worked as a photographer at Sears portrait studio for a while when I was first married!

I'm at the point where I feel confident enough in my abilities to offer my services to the public. I especially hope to be able to take Christmas card photos for people this year, and maybe earn a little extra money for Christmas. I'm not charging much, because let's be honest, I'm not a professional photographer. But I do a pretty good job, and I have some Photoshop ability as well. People can come to me and get really nice pictures for very cheap.

I'm excited to be starting a new venture, and further developing a talent that I wasn't really born with.

I wonder how many more talents I'll unearth over the years?

From my daughter's 5-year-old birthday pictures.

Thank you, Heavenly Father, for giving us talents. I hope that I can use my talents to bless and uplift others!

What are your talents? I'd love to hear about them! And don't tell me you don't have any, because I know for a fact that everyone does! :)

24 Days of Thanksgiving - Day Six

Today in church we discussed Dieter F. Uchtdorf's talk from this past Relief Society general broadcast. His talk was called "Forget Me Not," and for those who haven't heard or read the talk already, you can read it here.

This talk touched me when I first heard it, and if anything, it's become more powerful the more I've pondered what President Uchtdorf said.

There's one quote from the talk in particular that sums up today's Thanksgiving topic pretty perfectly. It says, "No matter how dark your days may seem, no matter how insignificant you may feel, no matter how overshadowed you think you may be, your Heavenly Father has not forgotten you. In fact, He loves you with an infinite love.

"Just think of it: You are known and remembered by the most majestic, powerful, and glorious Being in the universe! You are loved by the King of infinite space and everlasting time!

"He who created and knows the stars, knows you and your name!"

I'm so incredibly grateful for God's love. I can only comprehend a fraction of it, yet I know the reality of it.

He blesses me every day in dozens of unseen, frequently unnoticed ways. I take most of those blessings for granted, not because I don't appreciate them, but because He blesses me on such a constant basis that I don't always realize that it's happening!

Do I deserve His love? Probably not. I'm such an imperfect, insignificant creature that there's no conceivable reason for God to even notice me, much less feel any kind of affection for me. But the thing is, God isn't just an uncaring being with unlimited power. He's also my creator. He's the father of my spirit. And therefore, to Him, I not only matter, but I'm loved beyond comprehension.

This is true for each and every one of us. I weep for people who curse God, blame Him for their misfortunes, or accuse Him of being indifferent or cruel. These people don't really understand who God is, and the nature of His relationship with them. They don't realize that He loves them, and is often pouring out blessings on their heads that they're not even noticing.

Why are people so quick to blame God for the bad things in life, yet slow to give Him any credit for the good?

God loves me. I don't deserve it, but I know that it's true all the same. I'm so grateful for that love, and I hope to live my life in such a way that He will not only love me, but be proud of me as well.

Another father who loves his daughter more than she comprehends. :)

24 Days of Thanksgiving - Day Five

Sometimes, I think, we forget how blissfully happy "normal" life can be. I know I do. We may even feel bored, or frustrated that our lives aren't more exciting. The everyday pleasures we experience on a regular basis begin to feel repetitive, tedious.

Then, something will happen! We'll get wrapped up in a project, or some unexpected happenstance will throw us off of our usual schedule, or life will just get kooky for some reason.

Sometimes such things are a welcome diversion. But, the longer they go on, the more we'll find ourselves wishing life would just go back to "normal."

At least, that's what my experiences have taught me.

As I mentioned in my last post, my friend Juleigh and I have been working on a charity garage sale. I've been helping with the planning, advertising, and all the other minor details for the past couple of weeks. This week, the week of the garage sale, Juleigh's grandfather-in-law died and the majority of the responsibility got shifted to me. And it's been tough. Worthwhile, yes, but also tough.

As each day passed, and I spent my time baking treats, organizing donations, making posters, harassing people about helping out, putting ads for the sale on Craigslist, and doing everything else involved in putting together a garage sale, I found myself looking forward to the whole thing being done with. My laundry has been piling up, my dishes are mostly unwashed, my house is a wreck, and I've barely had a minute to rest. More and more I've been longing to get back to my usual routine.

Let's be honest - normal life is the best! There's something comforting about the familiar. Life is just less stressful when you have a routine. Even the sometimes-tedious chores and errands that come with everyday life can be relaxing.

In my opinion, there's something soothing about strolling through a grocery store, hunting down the items on your list. There's something satisfying about rinsing dishes and sticking them in a dishwasher. There's something about folding laundry into neat little piles that just kind of makes you feel good. And then, of course, let's not forget the time we spend with our families every day: reading stories, playing games, sharing meals together.

I've really missed all of that this past week.

I'm grateful for my life. I'm grateful for the little things. I'm grateful that I don't lead a life of chaos and constant surprises. My life is a good one, and even though I may complain about it from time to time, I find a massive amount of satisfaction in it. And I know that, whatever happens, I'll always be happy to go back to that blissfully slow-paced life after each unexpected adventure ends.

To sum up: I'm grateful that my garage sale adventure is over, and my normal life can resume.

Hello, life! I've missed you! :)

24 Days of Thanksgiving - Day Four

I'm grateful for all of the opportunities I have had to serve others. I'm especially grateful for the project I'm working on now. And, in conjunction with that, I'm thankful to have such a great support system in my husband and daughter.

I've been working this week on putting together a garage sale. There's a family from our church whose house (and all their belongings) burned down in a fire a couple of weeks ago. My friend Juleigh and I had been planning to have a garage sale anyway, but when we heard about this family's plight, we decided to give all of the money we earned in the garage sale to the family, so they could replace some of what they lost in the fire.

Then, we opened it up to everyone at church. It gave everyone an opportunity to serve! We got lots of donations to the sale, and several helpful suggestions as well. Due to one suggestion, we decided to add a bake sale to the event. The whole thing just kept on growing! We were very excited about being able to help the family.

Then, Juleigh's husband lost his grandfather, and their whole family had to fly to Utah for the funeral. It was really too late to change the date of the garage sale, so I told her to go to Utah, spend time with family, and not worry about it. I'd take over the organizational responsibilities, and we would get it done!

And, for the most part, we've been fine.

It's been pretty stressful at times, though, I won't lie about that. I spent the whole day in the kitchen yesterday making goodies for the bake sale. I was exhausted by the end of the day. Then, I got up before the sun this morning, in 35-degree weather, to help set everything up. And, since it's more or less "my" sale, I had to be there for pretty much the whole thing today (all but the last hour or two), and will repeat it all again tomorrow.

Fortunately, I've had some wonderful people helping me. It hasn't been entirely on my shoulders. I can't even begin to tell you how grateful I am for the help I've had. The ladies at my church are truly Christlike individuals, and I'm so thankful not only for their help, but for their friendship.

Along with the actual, physical help with the garage sale, I've had a deeper kind of support from my husband. He's seen how worn out I've been this week, trying to get things ready. He's been with me during all the times I was so stressed out that I wanted to scream. He's been a listening ear and a shoulder to cry on when I felt overwhelmed. He has been a pillar of support, and I really couldn't have done it without him.

My daughter, Evie, has been fantastic, too. She put up with being dragged out of bed at 5 AM today (and put back to bed in a new location). She played quietly in the house once she was up, so that I could focus on the sale outside. And eventually she came outside with me and sat at the treat table, luring in customers with her adorableness. Her cooperation was also a huge help.

The garage sale isn't over. I have to go back tomorrow and do it all over again. But I know that this is for a good cause, and I know that it will bless the lives of the family who lost their home. We may not make a ton of money, but every little bit can help. And we'll have the joy and satisfaction that comes with serving another of God's children.

Serving certainly isn't always easy. But it's worthwhile all the same. It brings joy and peace to one's heart like nothing else can! And I'm grateful to have had the opportunity. :)