Reasons to celebrate:

I have been alive for seventeen years and counting. I was privileged to spend time with the people I care about most. My Laurel leaders came over bearing gifts in the morning, I had lunch with my parents, and my two best friends took me for manicures and made breakfast for dinner. We celebrated and laughed and did what teenage girls do...talk about boys, of course. I also got to talk on the phone to some of my closest friends and my grandparents, who are serving a mission in Australia! My grandma has been keeping an eye out on missionaries because she wants to set me up with all them. She advised me to keep out of trouble with boys, but I don't think that will be much of an issue, considering I have survived seventeen years without kissing one. That is quite an accomplishment if you ask me.

I swear, I will be ready for Christmas by Thanksgiving next year...Max and I did all of our gift shopping in one day, but came out successful, so it wasn't all bad. I continued my tradition of attending Christmas Eve Mass, this year with my dad, Grace, and the lovely Cutler family. It is always an awesome experience; I love seeing how other people worship. We stand together and sing about the Savior, not to mention, everything is more fun at midnight!

Christmas was different this year. I didn't really want anything, besides the usual socks and underwear, so opening gifts was nothing special. Or so I thought... 

My parents made a shocking discovery last October when the mission age change was announced. Us four oldest kids are very close in age and thus have overlapping mission dates. And honestly, as soon as Max leaves, it's a domino effect. We will never be around at the same time, ever. So in light of this news, we are going on a cruise! I cannot wait, I tell you. Other highlights of Christmas Day include grapefruit for breakfast, scones at Nana and Papa's, a long nap, and just spending time with family. My nana put together Journal Jars for all the older grandkids so we can start recording our life history. I love how invested she is in genealogy and family history, and hope to continue that. I think I will use her prompts on this blog occasionally. Merry Christmas!

A Classy Christmas

Hello, Holidays

Christmastime truly is the most wonderful time of the year and I had an amazing opportunities this weekend to kick December off with a bang. 

Sunday was the annual First Presidency Christmas Devotional. Spencer invited me to come with his family! We were able to ride the carts in underground tunnels beneath the temple and Conference Center. I saw Elder Scott and Elder Christofferson and Spencer shook hands with Elder Perry. The devotional was beautiful. I especially liked President Uchtdorf's talk about graciously receiving, but they were all excellent. The choir and orchestra performed an incredible rendition of What Child is This that I can't stop listening to. I cannot think of a better way to get into the Christmas spirit than listening to inspired music and messages about our Savior, and it was a once in a lifetime experience to attend at the Conference Center.

Afterwards, Spencer's sweet mom introduced me to Sister Elaine S. Dalton. What an amazing woman. In two minutes, she made me feel like the most special girl on the planet. An elite daughter of God. I fell in love with the atmosphere of all these incredibly accomplished, righteous, and humble brothers and sisters of mine. I hope to be like them one day as I strive to emulate the example of the Savior. I'm thankful that I was able to spend a day of worship listening to the messages given by our prophets with some of the greatest people I know!

It's a Beautiful Day

The sun is shining, birds are chirping, and little ones are laughing.

This Thanksgiving is different than past years. The saying "home for the holidays" actually means something to me now. This is the first time that a holiday reunites us. Even though we visited Max at Utah State only a couple weeks ago, it is always special to have our entire family together again.

And on this beautiful Thanksgiving day, 

I am thankful for autumn colors and pleasant weather. 

I am thankful for my dear friends who make me laugh everyday. 

I am thankful for the seminary program and the lessons I learn each day. 

I am thankful for my family and all that they do for me. 

I am thankful for the people who, through their examples, unknowingly encourage me to be better.

I am thankful for the authorities of our church, both local and general. 

I am thankful for the Priesthood, for the assurance, comfort, and blessings it gives.

And I am thankful for my Savior and His love.

My Beacon

I feel so blessed to live ten minutes away from our beacon on the mountain. In performing baptisms for the dead this morning, I was again reminded why I like to go so much. It was early and it was cold, but I was aware of the warm Spirit inside the temple and felt it witness to me. My testimony is summed up perfectly in my favorite Primary song:

I love to see the temple, I'm going there someday
To feel the Holy Spirit, to listen, and to pray.
For the temple is a house of God
A place of love and beauty.
I'll prepare myself while I am young
This is my sacred duty.
I love to see the temple, I'll go inside someday
To covenant with my Father; I'll promise to obey.
For the temple is a holy place
Where we are sealed together.
As a child of God, I've learned this truth:
A family is forever.

I know that the work performed in the temple is essential to fulfilling the Plan of Salvation and I am strengthened every time I go. I know that I can be with my family forever. I cannot wait for the day when I go through the Lord's house to be sealed with my husband. In the meantime, I will do all that I can to prepare myself for this great blessing, and try to help others along the way.

In the Spirit of Thanksgiving...

...I'd like to give thanks.

Thanks to my teachers who understand that sometimes I have more pressing matters than school, and let me off easy.

Thanks to my best friends who tease me, help me with homework, and are incredible examples.

Thanks to my family. My dad, for singing me songs and supporting my late-night Law and Order addiction. My mom, for being my best friend and listening to me everyday. Max, for helping me through high school and reminding me of the important things in life. And all the little ones, for making me laugh.

Inseparable

I am thankful for Max, my best friend. I was scared for him to go to college. It is a huge change for both of us, but we are taking it in stride. He is having so much fun on his own and I am adjusting to being the oldest. Thankfully the late night conversations continue. This is just a warm-up round before he leaves as a missionary. 

Max and I have an incredible relationship that I wouldn't trade for the world. I love him despite the incessant tickling and requests to trim his Gary hair. I'm relieved he went through high school before me. I'm secretly glad when he interrogates my date and threatens to come home with a crowbar. I'm thankful for his insight and advice. 

Max is one of my greatest examples. I couldn't dream of a better big brother because he emulates my elder brother Jesus Christ. He gives me advice and help, he is supportive and cheers me up, he protects me and loves me...the same as my Savior. I'm thankful for the knowledge that my family is sealed together for eternity and Max and I are literally best friends forever.

Australia Bound

I am so thankful for my grandma and grandpa and the legacy they have created. There is not another family like ours! We have so many priceless memories and traditions...fourth Sunday dinner, food shows, car hikes, Easter egg hunts, Mount Olympus, matching pajamas, and countless others. Grandma and Grandpa are super-grandparents. They rarely miss a recital, game, match, or concert and are always brainstorming another adventure. Today our family gathered in their home as they were set apart as Elder and Sister Fillmore to serve in the Melbourne, Australia mission for eighteen months.

It's going to be hard. Really hard. But I know our entire family will be blessed. As my brother pointed out today, Elder Holland said, 

What greater gift could grandparents give their posterity than to say by deed as well as word, "In this family we serve missions!"

I am thankful for their example to me, my brothers, and every person they come in contact with. I know that the people of Australia need them and that they will provide such great service. I know that they are going away from our family for a short time so that others can be with their families for eternity. I love them and I'll miss them, but those Australians are lucky to have Max and Sharla.

Count Your Many Blessings

I go through phases when I am consistent in journal writing, but more often, when I am not. My excuse usually is something to the effect of "My life is so boring" and "What future generation will want to read this anyway?"

However, recently my journal has regular entries and I realize that I am recording small everyday things that I normally overlook. During the day I find myself anxiously thinking about what I will write in my journal that night, and it gives me incentive to do something worthwhile and make the little things count. I feel so happy when I can see my blessings right in front of me.

One of my favorite talks is An Attitude of Gratitude, first given by Thomas S. Monson in April 1992 Conference. Part of it reads, 

This is a wonderful time to be living here on earth. Our opportunities are limitless. While there are some things wrong in the world today, there are many things right, such as teachers who teach, ministers who minister, marriages that make it, parents who sacrifice, and friends who help.  We can lift ourselves, and others as well, when we refuse to remain in the realm of negative thought and cultivate within our hearts an attitude of gratitude. If ingratitude be numbered among the serious sins, then gratitude takes its place among the noblest of virtues.

Our opportunities are limitless. My opportunities are limitless. I feel happy when I recognize the things I am grateful for; sometimes in prayer, sometimes in person, sometimes in my heart, and sometimes in writing.