I delight in laughter.

There were a lot of funny moments in my day today...

-driving back to Salt Lake after few hours of sleep

-trying to read when my eyes were closed

-waiting for a really late bus

-being terrified of the dog that was roaming around the bus stop

-having a library orientation by a man with major ute pride...i'm not sure i'll ever get used to it

-learning about 'the arc'

-riding home on the bus (public transportation= entertaining. always.)

-spending more hours at the hospital than anticipated and seeing WAY too many people i know.

-laughing at all the places i made wrong turns when i drove anywhere yesterday

-realizing that everything i learned in an entire semester back in 06 could be summarized in a 60 page chapter in my current textbook

The key to life at the moment: "if you don't laugh...you'll cry...so laugh and delight always."

Now for a message concerning my last post.

The question asked was concerning my last post on 'living in the now.' Let me clarify. I am in no way advocating the idea of "eat drink and be merry for tomorrow we die (2 Nephi 28) by saying that we ought to live our best life now." All I'm trying to say is what President Monson once said (and of course, he said it better than I ever could

," The past is behind, learn from it. The future is ahead, prepare for it. The present is here, live it."

I delight in the being.

What a week it has been. No words could ever describe it.

I have learned a lot. And for that...I am grateful.

Even though life is hard, I think I forget it's not necessarily a bad thing.

Hard does not equal bad.

It equals learning.

When the path is one least resistance, do you even think twice about it?

Do you remember it? Not as well as you should

Are you grateful for it?

Not typically in the moment, usually not till later, when things get hard again and you think back and say to yourself...Oh, remember how one time life wasn't this difficult...that was nice.

With school starting, it seems there are more things that must be decided, more choices to be made, more forks in the road when you have to decide...right or left?

I am once again surrounded by the world and yet find myself alone.

Its the first time I've been alone in about 2 years...between the mission and living with my family...I haven't really had the chance to be alone.

Suddenly I am. And I have mixed emotions about it.

I have always enjoyed being by myself and I still treasure time alone, however; now more than ever I realize how grateful I am for people. I am grateful for good, genuine friends.

People make such a difference in our lives.

They're in our lives for a reason bringing something we must learn

(a little Wicked there for ya!).

Something else I have learned and thought about recently is time.

This week I've spent a lot of 'dead' time. Time standing waiting for the bus, time sitting on the bus, time walking to class, time waiting for my panini maker to heat up, just time to think. And all this thinking has helped me realize...how we have to make every moment count by living in that particular moment.

Life can change so quickly. There will always be things going on in life that aren't in our control. Things don't work out the way we want sometimes. People are there, and then they're gone. We move, change, and carry on through it all. It is imperative to find joy in our present circumstances, not just wishing away today for tomorrows ideal. Enjoy life. Take time to smell the roses, take a picture, read the sign, walk a little out of your way to pick up litter, say hello, talk to the sad looking person on the bus, make the phone call, leave a note letting someone know you thought about them.

Its the little things that make the difference in life. I truly don't think we know the potential impact we can have on another persons life. Be who you want to be. And find joy in the journey of life.

I delight in what I cannot see.

Imagine with me for a moment if we could see everything.

If we knew what tomorrow held.

Next week.

Next month.

10 years.

What if we knew it all before it ever happened.

Would it change how you lived your life?

Would you cherish someone a little more?

Would you be a little more kind, patient, forgiving or understanding?

Would you love a little deeper and live a little better?

Its hard to say right?

I don't know what I would be like. Would I be different? I can't honestly say.

But I will say that today I decided that I'm okay not knowing all the details of life.

I'm glad there is such a thing as faith...things which are not seen but which are true.

Heavenly Father really does know best.

I delight in direction.

as one of my favorite songs says:

"what direction? what direction? what direction? what direction? what direction?"

"life begins at the intersection"

and so its true. we have to pick a direction. chart a course and then go, follow, and DO.

faith is action.

i'm grateful to have a direction. to have chosen, pursued and been able to continue pursuing the course which i believe my father in heaven wants me to be on.

sometimes there are red lights, sometimes there are green lights, sometimes we are to proceed with caution at yellow lights. we don't always know what the intersection holds for us. maybe we are to turn on green and the choice is clearly defined. maybe there is a detour or a stop sign. maybe there is rough road ahead. whatever the way, however its marked, whatever the sign...know that our father in heaven is aware of you and that he will help you know but sometimes it takes us first making the choice and pursuing the course before the confirmation comes.

green is for go. if you feel good about it...do it!

red is for stop. obviously don't proceed.

yellow is for caution. proceed with caution.

sister jacobsen taught it to us in terms of dating on the night i got into the mission (because they wouldn't be our mission president when we would go home so we got the opening and closing fireside simultaneously). but i think the principle applies with anything in our life.

test it. try it. pray about it.

I delight in personal ministry.

"We often speak about the Savior's ministry. But have you ever wondered if you have a personal ministry? I have. What is a personal ministry? Each of us has a personal ministry. I believe we received our personal ministry in the premortal world. It was divinely given and lasts a lifetime."

"It's so important to realize that every interaction we have is an opportunity to minister, to nurture. You can minister to someone right now. Tell the person sitting next to you "Thank you for sitting by me." And if no one's sitting next to you, pop over to someone and tell them thanks. "To minister" is defined as attending to the needs and wants of others."

"Most ministering opportunities are spontaneous, not planned in advance. Much of the Savior's ministering seemed almost incidental, happening while He was on His way to somewhere else-while He was doing something else. Chapter 9 of the Gospel of Matthew is an amazing illustration of that."

Quoting President Hinckley:

"Believe in yourselves. Believe in your capacity to do some good in this world. God sent us here for a purpose, and that was to improve the world in which we live The wonderful thing is that we can do it."

"What I know is that personal ministry must begin in our homes--and apartments."

Quoting President Hinckley:

"Our mission in life, as followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, must be a mission of saving...

If we are to build that Zion of which the prophets have spoken and of which the Lord has given mighty promise, we must set aside our consuming selfishness. We must rise above our love for comfort and ease, and in the very process of effort and struggle, even in our extremity, we shall become better acquainted with our God."

Never suppress a generous thought.

*Favorite parts from this talk*

I delight in choosing to delight.

Today, its hard to delight.

My neighbor has peach trees. To keep the birds from eating his peaches he shoots this ridiculously loud blank gunshot about every 45 minutes. BUT TODAY...its every 12 minutes! And it started at 7:00 this morning and I'm about to go insane!!! I jump every time and if I am anywhere remotely close to Christin...she really jumps and says, "Ooo...that scaried me Sis!"

But alas, the delights find their way into my mind...eventually.

I'm moving today. Far far away...okay not far far away but far enough away that I won't have to hear the stupid gunshots ANYMORE (until I come home to visit...blast!!!) :).

Its definitely a bitter sweet experience but I am going to make it more sweet than bitter! :)

I delight in covenants.

In times of distress, let your covenants be paramount and let your obedience be exact.

Then you can ask in faith, nothing wavering, according to your need, and God will answer.

He will sustain you as you work and watch. In His own time and way He will stretch forth his hand to you, saying, “Here am I.”

D. Todd Christofferson, “The Power of Covenants,” Ensign, May 2009, 19–23

I delight in determination.

the most awesome place ever!

Today I had the opportunity to shadow a speech pathologist here in Ogden.

I can tell already...I am going to love what I do.

To be able to have a personal impact on the life of another is such an opportunity.

The patients I will work with will bless my life and teach me in the process of me teaching them.

I love that our Heavenly Father has the infinite ability to outgive.

I delight in the worth of souls.

"Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God.

For, behold, the Lord your Redeemer suffered death in the flesh; wherefore he suffered the pain of all men, that all men might repent and come unto him."

-Doctrine and Covenants 18:10-

I am grateful that God makes it clear how he feels about his children (that means all of us.)

We are of infinite worth to him.

And because of our infinite worth, he sent his son, Jesus Christ to redeem us.

The world would so easily have us believe that we are not all of equal value.

If you're exceedingly beautiful or successful, the greater your worth.

If you've written a book or if people like to watch you on the television or if you're the President...again...you're of greater worth.

But that is a lie.

Yes, more people might know your name and what your favorite food is but in God's eyes, you're just as valuable to him as the most average everyday "normal" person.

Tall or short, smart or not so much, world renowned or bedridden, disabled or well abled, whoever you are, whatever your circumstance...he knows and he cares, he loves you and cares about you.

Not you in comparison to anyone else...just you.

Delight in the worth of each soul.

I delight in treasured times.

Since I was in Junior High my Dad and I have gone on walks. We have our typical walk, it takes about an hour to go up, over, and back down again. Since this tradition has been going on for 10+ years now I can't help but look back and contemplate the impact our walks have had on me throughout the years.

There is often a debate about quality verses quantity time. Some believe you can make up for lack of quanity with more quality. Some thing that quality outweighs quantity anyway. I believe in both and that's exactly what our walks are.

Sometimes we talk non stop, other times we've been known to walk in silence--typically during my moody Junior High days (thank goodness those are over!). Sometimes Dad does more talking, although most of the time I do more talking. I tell him all about life, my questions, comments, concerns. He listens, doesn't usually interrupt and comes up with some sort of an answer or a relational story for me. He doesn't take me too seriously and seeing as I don't take myself too seriously, its a good thing. My favorite part though is that I have his undivided attention. I'm a lover of quality time...what more can I say?

Tonight as we walked and I discussed my latest thoughts, he listened and so wisely gave me his two cents. It is truly something special when you can really treasure some ones advice and when you can feel their love and respect for you through their words. I truly delight in this time treasured tradition!

I delight in those who are wise.

Sometimes, I think I can do anything. I think anything is possible.

Some might say...that's good...way to shoot for the stars.

Well yes...and thank you.

HOWEVER...

Sometimes...there's just limits. An 8 foot box will not fit in my car...that's a fact.

And no matter how much I desire or wish or work...it still just won't fit.

Thanks Mom.

I prefer optimism. I try to see the best that could come out of any situation.

I like to imagine at times that things will work out...even when its grim.

Then I begin to stress...its just what I do.

Thankfully I have LB to say...'Wo-Lax Sis.'

She's wise.

There are many others who keep me in check.

Whom I respect.

They remind me when something is not in my control.

They remind me of who I am and what I know.

They make me want to be a better person.

They are those

whose opinion really matters as opposed to whatever is said going in one ear...

and out the other.

I'm grateful for people like that in my life.

They make me delight.

I don't thank them like I should.

I don't recognize it like I should.

But today...I'm trying.

I delight in memories.

Today I finished a DVD of pictures of my Mom and I's trip back to visit my mission we took back in July. It was a wonderful experience, one I will treasure forever. Being able to share with her some of the people, places, and experiences that mean so much to me was very special. Also being able to be with the people who have become like family to me was so good. Home is truly where your heart is...I'm grateful I can feel at home so many places!

I delight in 2 years.

Today is the 2 year anniversary of when I entered the MTC.

to celebrate...I want to share my very favorite quote:

"You are good. But it is not enough just to be good. You must be good for something. You must contribute good to the world. The world must be a better place for your presence. And the good that is in you must be spread to others."

President Gordon B. Hinckley

I delight in sharing.

Someone shared this scripture with me a couple days ago and now I want to share it with you:

"Ye endeavored to believe that ye should receive the blessing which was offered unto you; but behold, verily I say unto you there were fears in your hearts, and verily this is the reason that ye did not receive. " [Doctrine and Covenants 67:3]

I hope you can learn something from it too.