The Start of Something New

My 

20 days of gratefulness

has been a super experience.

20 days I was able to really take a look at my many

blessings and express my thanks through writing.

It's been uplifitng in my head lately, and I like the way it feels.

So clearly, I'll just have to keep going. 

But it's time for something new.

I've decided to stick to the same idea with a variation. I'm going to (try to) choose 

20 People 

(or groups of people) who inspire me and fill me with gratitude. I want to try to stick with people who are personal loved ones of myself and gideon, but I know it's going to be difficult not to just fill my posts with general authorities and (lets be honest) disney characters.

I like to pretend that hundreds of people are interested in my thoughts and eagerly read my blog everytime I update it, but I know there are actually very few. I feel that those who take the time to read my words are in some ways very dear friends. I already have a little list of those who I know I'll be writing about, but if for some reason, you have a difficult time seeing the ways you yourself impress and inspire, I'd be delighted to add you to my list of little inspirations.

*Simply leave a comment, or write me an email.

I love trying new things. It's like taking a fresh sip of juice on a hot day.

My, I can't wait to begin.

alfresco

definition: out-of-doors; in the open air.

What is it about eating alfresco that is so appealing?

 Is it the bird's happy chirping?

Or is it the ants who all of a 

sudden become your best friends?

The thrill of everyday outdoor beauty?

Is it perhaps the sun gently beaming down on you and softly kissing your skin?

...the breeze that serves as a free and natural conditioner?

Or is it just the word: that sweet word "alfresco" 
You know, I could certainly see myself naming a puppy "alfresco"...
(we would call him alfie)

When I am alfresco, I think I appreciate things that normally I might take for granted.

It must be something to do with the fresh air.

Or maybe it could be the company...

Yes. 
It's   definitely the company.

...a    lovely   day to all of you.

aesthetics

As I'm coming up on my last few posts on things that I'm grateful for, 

I've been wanting to make sure that I don't forget some of the 

huge things in my life that I'm so blessed for. 

I wrote earlier about the beauty of the earth. 

Now I want to write about a different kind of beauty.

art.

Brigham Young said, 

“Every accomplishment, every refined talent every useful attainment in mathematics,

music, and in all sciences and

art

belong to the Saints.”

I come from a family of smarties. 


My dad likes to joke around that I'm the 'artist' of the family, but he's totally right. I'm so much

more attracted to the arts than I am to any other form of education.

I feel strongly that many artists are deeply inspired men and women. 

I love that art can be created by child and adult alike. And I feel that it's a tremendous blessing for us as artists, to have the ability to create and inspire each other. 

The word artist is not included in scriptures, but the presence and importance of artists are

unmistakable.

The scriptures include myriad references to

“all manner of workmanship”

described as

“exceedingly fine” and “curious.”

The creative process is rooted and revered in heaven is evident in the Lord’s use of the word workmanship to define not only the artistic accomplishments of his children but the results of his own creation.

"The Light of Christ", wrote Elder Bruce R. McConkie

of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “is the means by which the Lord invites and entices all men to improve their lot and to come unto him and receive his gospel. It is the agency through which the Lord strives with men, through which he encourages them to forsake the world and come unto Christ, through which good desires and feelings are planted in the hearts of decent people. 

It is the medium of intelligence that guides inventors, scientists, artists, composers, poets, authors, statesmen, philosophers, generals, leaders, and influential men in general, when they set their hands to do that which is for the benefit and blessing of their fellowmen” 

I find so much beauty in the written arts.

literature has always been one of my favorite

art forms. Right now I'm reading different works by C.S. Lewis, and I'm blown away by his inspired stories, metaphors, and theories. But Lewis is only one of many authors who I am astounded by.

       I love theatre arts. 

During my time at byui, I was blessed to

have all sorts of different plays available to enjoy.
Some of my best friends are incredibly talented thespians (love that word). When I was a kid, I always loved doing the school plays, and one of my biggest regrets actually is not doing more throughout growing up, and even in college. Sometimes I think it would have been a good idea to pursue a theatre major (since while I was at school the dance major wasn't available).

Music is another incredible art

medium. My sister is an accomplished violinist, and
my father plays the piano, the guitar. My best friend has a gorgeous voice, and plays the flute

beautifully. I've been around music alot in my life, and I have such a love for it. Something about me: I've always wanted to learn to play the cello. And someday I'm going to. For sure. I love music so much.

I'm into photography.



I love capturing moments in a format that I can keep forever. It's an artform, and I love being able to create through this medium. Photography is a huge blessing in my life.

I took a few art classes at school, and my favorite was a Russian culture class. There were several


experiences that I had in that class that made my love for the Russian language, the culture and the art in particular grow exponentially. 

There was actually only one thing that I loved more than my experiences in the Russian department.



And I'm sure 100% of everyone who reads this knows exactly what that thing was.

dance is the most influential, defining thing I've been able to have in my life. It's the truest, most

four dimensional art form I've been able to experience to date, and I know I'm not through with it in my life.

Dance has been everything for me, and its definitely my favorite art form.

Basically, art is beauty. In all mediums.

It surrounds me every day.

And I'm so grateful for it.

The Blessings of Tithing

When we first moved to Boise, Gideon and I were both jobless, connectionless, had been married for about a week, and were just returning from our honeymoon.

So.

A LOT of changes:

-Getting Married (obviously)

-Moving to a city where neither of us had lived before

-Changing schedules from full time students to full time job seekers

-less money in the bank...

-living with each other in a tiny one bedroom apartment

(ahem, sharing a bathroom)

Like I said. A lot of changes.

Initially we were deciding between moving to Provo, and coming to Boise. We felt better about Boise, so we took a deep breath, closed our eyes and jumped into the pool. As soon as we moved, we were blessed almost immediately, confirming our prompting to come to the

CITY OF TREES.

I found a job as the director of dance at a gymnastics academy the 2nd day we were in Boise, and Gideon found a seasonal job selling board games at the mall (which, if you were wondering, he was awesome at). So it was basically incredible; that we, not having any connections were able to find more than decent jobs. Money was coming into the bank, we got to see eachother often.

Life was good.

Gid kept his eyes open for other job opportunities and found an opening for a non paid internship with the governors office. I was with him when he was looking at the application, and I remember thinking that it was in-tense. But Gid just smiled, got the paperwork together, and sent it in.

About a month later he was asked to come in for an interview. I remember dropping him off at the Capitol, and being a little intimidated and nervous for him.

When I picked him up, he was cheerful, but felt a little less than confident about how the interview went. They asked stupid questions like,

'if you were stranded on an island, what is the 1 thing you'd want with you?'

(*gideon's answer: his scriptures)

There were also several other interviewees who looked pret-ty qualified.

In a situation like this, I would probably bury myself in rice cakes and 'So You Think You Can Dance' reruns, then get back on craigslist, and search for job openings in nearby food services. (we live pretty close to a taco bell...)

Not Gideon. He kept his head up high and continued looking for job opportunities.Christmas Eve, while we were waiting at the airport for our flight to board, Gideon got a call. He took his phone, and as his eyes widened, he whispered, "it's the governor's office!" Then he answered the phone in his cheerful 'I'm pretending I don't know who this is' voice. Within the first 2 seconds I knew that he had landed the internship. I was so proud of him, and surprised to discover that I wasn't surprised at all. They would've been sheer idiots to not take my Gideon.

Throughout the next several months, Gideon attended Graduate School, and interned full time. During this time, we were living off of my dance teaching paychecks, (which weren't by any means impressive) and I was nervous money would get too tight. I remember one Sunday feeling a little anxious as I wrote out my tithing slip. We weren't even close to any kind of trouble, but I felt like we were living from paycheck to paycheck. Additionally, I was feeling like it was time for me to seek a different job that would work better for me and my life. However, we were in no financial position for me to just sever the only source of money we had only to go job hunting yet again. As I gave the bishop the tithing, I felt a silent confirmation that we were doing the right thing by paying a full tithe.

The next morning, as I was getting ready to go to work Gideon called me. He asked if I could talk for a few minutes. I thought he wanted me to drop him off something to eat, or maybe bring something he forgot at home, but it wasn't that. He informed me that he had been offered a full time job with full benefits working for the State of Idaho in the division of financial management. The first thing that came to mind was a flashback of myself- anxiously paying tithing only a few hours earlier.

I'm not saying that Gideon wouldn't have received the job offer if I hadn't paid on Sunday.

But I'm not saying he would have if I didn't pay our tithing either.

I'm just sayin'. The blessings of tithing are real.

And we have been heavily blessed by them.

His schedule didn't change at all which was awesome. Gideon just started getting paid for his full time work. Meanwhile, I was feeling more intensely now that I needed to switch jobs and one day I decided to send my resume out to five different wanted ads, just to see if I got any bites. I got five. I was offered a full time position at a Chiropractic Clinic, and took it immediately (ecstatic with the offer). Within the next week, I was called by each of the other interviewers with offers of their own; but looking back, I'm pretty sure I got the best one I could have asked for. The people I work for are so fantastic that I will have to save the details for a later time. I know that it was through the blessing of tithing that I was able to land a better paying job with more hours and benefits. On those days when I'm writing my tithing out, and a feel a twinge of anxiousness, all I have to do is remember how the Lord has taken care of us in the past when we've obeyed His laws, and know that He will continue to care for me and my husband as we honor Him. Period.

Gideon called me a few hours ago to let me know something: he's been offered a promotion.

Blessings, blessings galore.

So much more than we could ever deserve.

I don't know much, but I know this: tithing is real.

And I'm so grateful for it.

"agualicious"

...this weekend my mother, my father, my sister and her husband came to visit.

The last time I saw them was Christmas. It was basically a

nice tall glass of ice water

after a dry and hot drought of family togetherness.

I just love my family.

I love how my dad always holds my mother's hand. Always.

I love that when my family is together,

it is an understood rule that when we go out to eat,

we all order different dishes, and pass them around to be shared.

I love that.

I love that we had a tour of the Capitol (by my sweet Gid), went on a lengthy walk through downtown boise,took a nice dip in the hotel pool (handstand contest & Marco Polo included),

and then went to watch The Karate Kid.

(which, by the way, changed my life. Kung Fu is in everything.)

I love how when my family is in the living room,

we're like koala bears with everyone hanging all over each other.

I love how the outdoors and water are essential ingredients in my family's life.

...as are afternoon naps.

I'm so in love with how Gideon fits in.

After everyone left, and I finished crying like a baby,

I asked Gid how he would describe our weekend in one word.

His answer: agualicious.

We laughed, because every time gideon has been

around my family we've done a lot of water based activities.

I guess my family likes water. But to me, they are water.

A tall glass of water on a hot dry day.

And I just love that.

The Greatest Birthday Present of All

It would not be an exaggeration to say that this birthday was the best one of my life.

Thank you, GIDEON.

For waking me up with a kiss and giving me a lovely card to start my day off.

Thank you for the flowers, the 2nd card, and the b-a-n-n-e-r that you had up for me when I got home.

Thank you for taking my hand, and walking with me to the nearest restaurant to have

burgers and floats.

Thank you for the lovely walk down the greenbelt to work off a little of the

intense goodness that we had just partaken of.

Thanks for not getting annoyed with me when I

wanted to stop to try to get pictures of everything.

Thank you for inviting friends over and surprising me with a little party.

And thank you for being the best husband a girl could ask for.

because that's the most wonderful birthday present I could ever dream of.