Just a Thank You

In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints we are taught to liken the Scriptures to ourselves. That being said I'd like to share the following:

"I, Nephi, having been born of goodly parents, therefore I was taught somewhat in all the learning of my father; and having seen many afflictions in the course of my days, nevertheless, having been highly favored of the Lord in all my days..."
-1Nephi 1:1-



These are my "Goodly Parents" (I love this picture) & during this week of Thanksgiving I have been increasingly grateful for the wonderful family that I have. Particularly my parents. We recently celebrated my Grandma Reids 80th Birthday & on that day my dad took the opportunity to thank his parents for their example. He pointed out that his parents never expected him to do anything that they had not already done themselves. At the time I don't think I understood the power in that statement.

This week I had the opportunity to receive some sweet counsel from my parents because I have been overwhelmed with the everyday challenges of my life. They shared experiences that helped them to overcome the same trials that Travis & I face now. And I realize that they do not expect any more from me than they have done themselves. There are 2 things I learned during our visit. The first I already knew, it is that my sweetheart, Travis, is an awesome blessing I have from my Heavenly Father. The Second thing they told me, they have taught us before (my brothers, sister & I), is that as long as we have the Gospel of Jesus Christ in our lives we will be blessed. I am so thankful that I have also been "taught somewhat in all the learning of my father [& mother]." I am thankful that they were able to remind me that I have many gifts in addition to my inadequacies, because that is how Heavenly Father intended it to be. I have always known I have a Father in Heaven who loves me, because they taught me by sharing testimony of him & of Jesus Christ.

In the Gospel we are taught about the example Jesus gave us during his ministry & we learn that He also does not expect any more from us than He has done. I think it would be appropriate here to quote 1 John 4:19, " We love him, because he first loved us." This is what I am most thankful for this year, & every year, while we celebrate this Holiday Season.

T'n'T

So I pulled out some of Trav's pictures today & I wanted to share some of the cuteness. Travis has a twin brother, Tyler. I love looking at pictures of them growing up, mostly because it's fun to see if you can tell them apart. It will test just how well you know them, because if you know them it's not that hard to tell.



I'm not sure I know which is which... I don't think you can see, but if you look close you can see those beautiful eye-lashes.



I love the blonde "fly-a-way" hair.



Lorie wrote on the back of this one "one day they insisted they didn't need a nap."



Travis says that they each had a color they preferred to wear, I can never remember who was which. But this picture is super easy to tell without the hint.



Cool Shades.



I wonder what's in those presents...



Travis has wanted to go to Lagoon the last 2 summers... We haven't made it yet.



He-Man & Skeletor!!!!!



Just in case you're wondering, they still do just about everything together.



Taken just before they left on their missions to Argentina.

3 Years Ago Today...

I'm not normally a Sentimental Person but for whatever reason today I pulled out my journal to read some of the entries & came across this one. I thought my family & a couple of good friends would find it interesting so I decided to share.

November 7, 2006

I'm not sure why I allow myself to go so long without writing in my journal, I know it's a commandment to keep a record of my life but the truth is my life is Boring! Well... Kinda... I had a date last Saturday (Nov 4) with Travis Butterworth from the Branch. He learned the hard way that I am one of the hardest people to get ahold of (on the phone). He called Monday & Tuesday & Wednesday & Thursday, Mom even gave him my cell phone number & it still didn't help. Wednesday he left a message on my voicemail so I knew it was ok for me to call him (I'm kinda old fashioned).
Anyway we went Ice Skating. I don't really like Ice Skating but he said he had never been, so we HAD to go. Everyone needs to do it at least once. It was more fun than I thought it would be. Travis was really shaky the whole time but he improved & neither one of us fell down (that is a BIG Deal).
We went to Village Inn for Pie after, which was great. We doubled with Travis' friend form work & his wife. The funny thing is no one told me that they were married. Travis said they wanted to act like it was their 1st date. I kinda wondered & just thought they had been dating for a while, She wasn't wearing a ring. He told me on the way home. I thought it was funny.
I was actually surprised that he would plan a date for that weekend because his family was in town from Idaho. I hope I wasn't pushy when I called him back. Oh well it's over now. We talked for a long time in his car when he brought me home. I think that's when I blew it. Talking too much & I'm sure I said some dumb things. He's a nice guy, I asked him how to tell the difference between him & his brother & he said Tyler has a spot on this chin & one has a squarer face & one has ears that stick out more. (By the way none of these things help unless they are both standing in front of me)...
... Oh & just for the record I think Travis & I will just be friends. I don't know but I don't think he's super interested & that's ok.
I went to lunch with Jamie & Grandma Jan today. Keith Urban's new CD came out today & I LOVE it! "Love, Pain & the Whole Crazy Thing"



The rest is History I guess. I hate to imagine life without Travis Butterworth.