It's always the little things...

Today I was assigned to speak in church on the topic of the pioneer spirit. I'm also in charge of preparing and printing the program so I knew this morning would be quite a balancing act. Finally my talk was finished and I was all dressed. I had about 20 minutes before church started which is not enough time for me to get the program printed and passed out before the meeting starts. I knew I needed to take a cab to the church to help with the process. But the closest cab stand is a 10 minute walk and I really didn't want to have to get all hot and disheveled in my church clothes when I would have to get up in front of everyone.

As I walked to the end of my street I could hear a car coming. I picked up my pace and peaked around the corner. An empty cab was headed right towards me, less than 50 feet out of my front door. I jumped in and directed him toward Longfellow Park. I knew I was low on cash and checking in my wallet confirmed I had only $8 to spare. As we pulled up in front of the church building the meter read $7.95. Furthermore,I still had 10 minutes before the meeting started.

Originally I was scheduled to speak last in the meeting but as the bishop got up to announce the program he said I would be the first speaker. (I guess one guy didn't show up so I got pushed up). I didn't have a chance to completely polish my talk or fully calm my nerves before I had to deliver my message but I think it all went alright.

All of this reminds me how completely blessed I am. It's amazing to see His hand in the smallest details of our lives. I can't explain it but even as I was headed out the door I KNEW I would be able to find a cab. I know it may sound trivial and silly to some but that's what makes it that much more amazing. Helping me get to church smoothly IS a trivial matter when you consider all the world's problems. And yet it was significant enough to get attention from my Heavenly Father. I was significant enough to get His attention.

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As I've considered whether or not I should start blogging again, I've struggled to figure out what the style of my blog should be. My sister's recently started blog focuses on her family and kids and the funny daily happenings in their life. It really helps to stay connected. But (in case anyone has forgotten ;-) ) I don't have kids or a family of my own at this point so that's not really an option for me.

What I do need is an organized way to focus my thoughts more on gratitude. I remember when I was blogging while in Paris, I would keep my eyes open each day for something that I could include in my post. I looked at things through a different lens and probably took more pictures than I would've if I weren't thinking about sharing my thoughts with my family. I know being grateful for my blessings is important and we are told to write these things down so we can reflect on them at other times. We are promised if we write down and recognize the things we are given, we are blessed with more.

The Christmas before last I was in Germany visiting my parents with Christine, Steve & IeLi. I noticed a notebook sitting around and opened to the middle to identify its owner and purpose. It only took a second to realize it was IeLi's gratitude journal. I was actually almost moved to tears, although I can't really explain why. I knew I needed something like that in my life. I bought a pack of tiny notebooks from The Flower Basket and have carried one with me ever since. I sometimes refer to it as my Dr. Laura notebook because I record quotes and ideas that strike me (often resulting from things shared on her show) as well as things I am grateful for. I've almost filled up my last of the notebooks. Instead of buying a new little gratitude journal, I've decided I can use this blog for that purpose.
We'll see how it goes!!