Gratitude

~Tell a man there are 300 billion stars in the universe and he'll believe you. Tell him a bench has wet paint on it and he'll have to touch it to be sure.
~Murphy's Law

It's going to be a stressful next two weeks...oh, and then finals' week. First off, I have to say I love Sundays-especially Fast Sundays. I love the break from homework, the change in pace, feeling the spirit, feeling hope and happiness... And I hate how it fades so quickly.

Yesterday we were singing "Count Your Many Blessings" in Relief Society and it really made me think. A year ago January we had a family home evening during which my mom gave us all a notebook and challenged us to write five things we were grateful for each day. It was really fun and enlightening. I couldn't repeat anything and I learned how to turn my bad days around and see blessings-no matter how small.

I did this for several weeks and quit after the week we spent in the hospital. I felt that I had too much to catch up on, too many blessings to list. I kind of regret stopping, my days were a little happier when I did it. But singing that song yesterday made me think of the good things right now. Yes, I have so much homework, tests, and papers that it makes me want to curl up in pajamas and eat chocolate and watch a movie when I think about it all. But here are a few blessings, things I am grateful for right now :)

-My family-all they do for me and how much I know they care about me-even if I'm not around a lot. I love them so much!

-My friends-haha, I don't see them much but when I do it's like it was when we saw each other every day.

-The Gospel-I don't know what I would do without it. I know everyone says that, but it's true. It's what gets me through all my trials and helps me know it'll all be okay.

-The weather lately! Yesterday I went out and sat in the grass with my roommates and read. It felt so nice outside-it feels and smells like spring! But also, I love the rain, so it's okay that it's not all hot yet :)

-All the credits I have behind me-I am glad I finished my Associates Degree already because looking at another two years of college with what I already have would be discouraging.

-The opportunity to go to France-I am super scared and often don't think I can do it, but I am excited at the same time and know it's a chance to learn a lot and grow.

-BYU!!! I love the environment here :) Yes, there are interesting comments and jokes and cliches about dating and everything else. "Overheard @BYU" on Facebook is an excellent example of how strange BYU students can be-but I love it!

-Going home for summer-I can't wait to be around my family more and be able to relax. I've never been so excited about summer-the shorts, popsicles, reading for fun, naps, the trampoline, going on walks, even the swimming pool-not generally my favorite thing.

-General Conference-I am so excited to listen to Conference!

-I'm even grateful BYU doesn't have Spring Break-it means I get out earlier than most other schools and sometimes it's easier to continue when you don't have a break. Like how it's harder to start hiking again after you've taken a break.

I could list tons of things-but I need to get back to that homework that will hopefully, someday, become the belssing of a degree (haha, if I pass!)