"Each of us faces the time when the powers of reason come in direct conflict with faith. All the logic, all the understanding of men may swell in unison, and there alone, in opposition, stands faith--unalterable, unassailable, immovable--the anchor to our souls. The tides of trial can come, the ocean waves of worldly reason pound against our souls, the current and popular trends tug with all their mighty sway, but there unmoved, unfazed, unharmed is the soul that is anchored by faith." --Elder Tad R. Callister, The Infinite Atonement, pg. 110

1. Stuart Edge videos...so great. Seriously, he is great! I just love to watch how he interacts with people! It gives me better insight into how the Savior treats people. Yaaay good guys, we love you :D

2. I went to Mama's book show tonight and it was all really interesting! It emphasized to me how important it will be to read to my children. It makes such a huge difference!

3. I feel like I'm starting to get into the nitty-gritty with my classes more now. I like to really feel like I'm learning something new!

4. I'm grateful to know that Heavenly Father knows exactly what I need to do next. I don't have to frantically try to do everything or guess what is best--He can give me a non-overwhelming step-by-step tutorial, if I'll listen.

5. Speaking of listening, on my uber-long walk a few days ago, I was thinking of when I feel closest to Heavenly Father, and I realized that it's when I feel like my prayers are a conversation, not just leaving a message. I've been trying to do that more lately.

6. I'm grateful that Neil and I have become workout buddies, because it's good bonding time! He protested when I had to go to the book show instead of the gym with him today. haha. I've realized lately how important it is to bond with people through shared activities or hobbies. Insights are my tender mercies so much of the time! I am so grateful for them--they excite me!

"Elder Neal A. Maxwell helped us better understand a cause of murmuring: “In a happy day ahead, ‘They that murmured shall learn doctrine’ (Isaiah 29:24; 2 Nephi 27:35). This suggests that doctrinal illiteracy is a significant cause of murmuring among Church members” (“A Choice Seer,” in Brigham Young University 1985–86 Devotional and Fireside Speeches [1986], 115)." -Book of Mormon Institute Manual, pg. 258

"Elder Neal A. Maxwell (1926–2004) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explained that parents can only give what they themselves already have: 'When a parent’s teaching and helping job is done well and when there are receptive children to receive the message, then we encounter those marvelous situations such as the one involving young men in the Book of Mormon who had been taught so well by their mothers [Alma 56:47–48]. . . .The reliance, of course, by these young men on their mothers is touching and profound, but the mothers first had to know ‘it’ in such a way that the young men, observing them closely and hearing them (as is always the case with children observing parents), did ‘not doubt’ that their mothers knew that ‘it’ was true' (That My Family Should Partake [1974], 58–59)." -Book of Mormon Institute Manual

“That word true implies commitment, integrity, endurance, and courage. It reminds us of the Book of Mormon’s description of the 2,000 young warriors: [Alma 53:20–21.] In the spirit of that description I say to our returned missionaries—men and women who have made covenants to serve the Lord and who have already served Him in the great work of proclaiming the gospel and perfecting the Saints—are you being true to the faith? Do you have the faith and continuing commitment to demonstrate the principles of the gospel in your own lives, consistently? You have served well, but do you, like the pioneers, have the courage and the consistency to be true to the faith and to endure to the end?” (Elder Dallin H. Oaks, in Conference Report, Oct. 1997, 101–2; or Ensign, Nov. 1997, 73; italics added) -Book of Mormon Institute Manual

1. I got all my homework done today! :D Tender mercy! I tried to adopt the mindset that I was choosing to do the assignment instead of HAVING to do it, and that made things go by a lot more easily.

2. I did an occupational therapy job shadow today and my mentor was super nice and gracious. BLESS HER. Also, big relief to have that done long before it's due.

3. I bought chickpeas today! I love chickpeas! (Also, I realized that they kind of look the head of a chick...which makes me feel bad when I eat them) #IStillEatThem

4. Mama and I had fun today. :D We went through the self-checkout and the system didn't like that the lemon we put in the bagging area changed the weight of everything. We had to wait almost five minutes before the attendant was available to help us. We laughed. We cried. (not true) We vowed to let someone else ring up our groceries from now on. Also, we danced in the car to a fun song! (literally...it was by FUN) And we loved it. :D And it reminded us of Parker...

5. ...who is getting to the airport tonight! And we're going to hang out! And I'll still be in his friend zone! And he'll still be in mine. And we'll still be friends...forever. :D (Friends who shove cake into each other's faces and then SOMEONE wipes his off while the OTHER person sits there with cake on her face long after, looking a fool...I won't name names...you know who you are)

6. They have jump ropes at the gym! I jumped rope...at the gym! I became a (humble) jump rope pro on my mission, so it was good to get back into it! Definitely a good workout. PLUS, Neil's friend mentioned eccentric weight-training...which is a whole new ball game. It's where you basically slowly lower (instead of raise) the weights against gravity, and then have your partner raise it for you. It's hard stuff!

Today was great. :D

1. I had a good run today! I had the thought the other day that I should challenge myself in running more, and in every area! (18 July 2015 update: It has been one of the most important, progressive insights I've had in my life. I still do it, six weeks later, and I have seen more progress in my life than I ever have before.) So I've been pushing myself and it's been exciting to push my comfort zone further! Also, *several* bugs flew in my mouth on my run AND I fell down...which means I am now an official runner #nobodysaw #right? #totally

2. I went to my ward's FHE tonight and met some great people! It was a tender mercy because it can be awkward not knowing anyone. Luckily Heavenly Father led me right to a table with nice people. They didn't even call me names or stop me from playing reindeer games!

3. I dressed up like I was from the fifties today...it's fun :D

4. I had some inspiration about how I can be better today--it kind of went along with #1, about pushing my limits. For example, I can try to go a whole conversation and try to not talk about myself once, or I can try to say hello to everyone person I pass on my run, etc. I love it!

5. Tomorrow is Baby Boo's due date! I don't think she'll be ready to come tomorrow, but...it's still exciting that it's here!!

6. This gratitude journal is my tender mercy--I realized it gives me a place to express myself. I love that :)