Nate

It's not very often that we come across friends who care about your happiness more than their own. I am oh so very blessed to have Nate in my life. He's been such a constant in my life and I'm so grateful for him! He's actually the one who had me start this "Thankful Journal". He helps me see things in a way I never would have thought. Gives me courage to be brave. And just plain makes me laugh all the time. I love him for always looking out for me and always being there with his ping pong paddle in hand when I need to talk. I'm grateful for many things about my byu-idaho experience, but Nate is probably greatest.

Get Connected

My heart is so full! This past week was Get Connected. The new student orientation at BYU-Idaho. It was so wonderful! It exceeded my expectation by a thousand fold! Spirit Conference was amazing! I'm not supposed to say exactly what happened, but let me tell you what, it was amazing! Every thing that has been going on in my life that has been bothering me was answered. I've been feeling so down lately. But during the spirit conference, I was so uplifted! It was incredible. The Lord is truly wonderful! He knows us and loves us SO MUCH!
I was a little nervous to be a mentor to the new students. I am an outgoing person and very loud when I'm around people I know, but when it comes to people I don't know, I am very shy and nervous. But it was so wonderful! My group was just so fantastic! Their smiles just made my whole week! I didn't sleep very much the whole week, but it was so worth it! Everyone just made my life! I know they'll grow apart from me but it was so great getting to know these strong people. I didn't feel like I was their "leader", I felt like we all were learning from each other. Sunday I had them all over to my apartment for dinner (close to 30 people in my small apartment got interesting) and then we all talked after wards. You know me, I cried. We had a student that was supposed to be in our group pass away right before the school started and I have just been thinking about all the people in my group now. I can't imagine the world not having any of them in it. They really do make the world better. I am SO grateful for this experience. I'm for sure going to do it again! I've grown so much in the last week it's amazing!

What I learned today

I am a beautiful daughter of God
I can do hard things
I am not worthless
I AM WORTH IT
I just need to keep going down the path
I will not listen to those bad voices anymore

Longevity

Last night I went and visited two friends that I've knows since the Second and Third grade. We haven't really seen each other that much the last few years because they work and I'm always in Idaho. Well last night we finally got together and visited for a good 4 hours. The whole time was nothing but laughing! I think it's great that I've had these friends for so long. I don't think that happens very often. Most of my friends now are the ones I've met within the last year at college. But the longevity of some of my friends makes me smile. How many people can say that they have known people since the second grade and still communicate with them? How many people can say that the woman who was like their mother growing up, is still like very much in their lives when they were an adult (yes, I'm talking about you Nancy :D). Not a lot of people can be a brides maid to a child hood friend because people loose touch. I feel so blessed to have the friends I do. I know that there's hard times. But a truly good friend is the one that is still there after the storm. I love my friends.

Small and Simple things

Tuesday 5/3/11
I am so so so grateful for the power of the priesthood! It is truly the most amazing thing ever on the face of the planet! Yesterday I was so so sooooooooooo sick! I though I was going to pass out and throw up (all at the same time) and it was terrible. But I got a blessing from Danny Steenhoek and Jeff Hansen. I was extremely grateful that they were willing to come over and preform that ordinance for me. And that they were worthy to. Aren't we so blessed?

Has a week really gone by??

Wow, I guess works got me off a little.
Saturday 3/19/11

• All my coworkers have been very helpful with helping me get to know the register. They are ready and willing to help and share tips. It's great!
• I finally realized something last night. I deserve better.
• I was crying and just pretty upset. So I went over to 103 and I was better. Who wouldn't be with 5 guys giving you hugs and making you laugh and just being wonderful?? They are great and I'm so so SO grateful for them. They even txted me after I left making sure I was ok. They are FANTASTIC!
  

Friday 3/11/11

• My roommate Holly and I stayed up till 3:30 am talking about a lot of things. It was really fun being able to just talk about what's going on in our lives and for her to just listen and NOT give advice unless I asked for it. She seems to always know what to say, or not to say.
• I felt good about the whole Jon situation for the first time since about the second week of January. Whether or not me and him will continue to be friends is up to Jon, but I know I did the right thing by talking to him. That's the funny thing about taking advice from friends or from the Lord. One will give you comfort if it's right, but the other one wont always give you comfort. I'm grateful for comfort.
• Nate, Nicole, Holly, Elizabeth and I all went to IHOP tonight! It was so so sooo much fun! Filled with me driving on the wrong side of the road, spilling water all over my roommate and just laughing so so so much! Best.Friday.Ever!
  

Thuresday 3/10/11

• My roommate Holly gave me courage to do something I've been scared to do. Her prayer along with Nate's advice gave me hope and peace. They are fantastic.
• I was able to speak my mind, mostly, to someone who has brought me a lot of heartache the past few months. I was able to confront a big fear, talking to him. The Lord was with me those few brief moments.
• Going to Twizzelberry with my roommates ALWAYS makes my day better :)
  

Wednesday 3/9/11

I got The Home Depot job! That's all that really mattered to me today :)
Just kidding

• Nate came over and we played cards and we talked about what's been bothering me lately. He gave me some advice COMPLETELY contrary to what most of my friends have been saying. But his advice felt right. So I thought long and hard about it.
• Like I said, I got the Home Depot job!!! It was tremendously important to me
• I GOT A JOB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  

Tuesday 3/8/11

• Sarah came to this i-team party with me. I'm so so SO glad she came because I only knew Danny and he was one of the leader things. It was fun :)
• The Lord works in mysterious ways... Making me think my friend is dead (Yes I'm a little over dramatic) and then making me call him (because I was worried) when I'm mad at him is just plain mean. But humbling.
• Holly and I for the last couple of nights have been listening to songs every night that remind us of situations we are in. We laugh, we cry, we vow never to like dumb boys. It's great!
  

Monday 3/7/11

• The handsome boys of Nauvoo 103 gave me some advice and let me "cry" (I didn't cry but I voiced my concerns) on their shoulder and it was just really nice to know that they are there for me.
• Michelle was there for me when I needed her. She let me cry, made me laugh, then we did a little destruction and everything was good again.
  
• The Lord is letting me make my decision on this certain thing... I don't like it. But with the advice of above said group of boys, I know what to do... I think.
• I went to twizzle berry with Holly, Nicole, Sarah and Nate. It was FANTASTIC!!! Poor Nate probably thinks we're all freaks. But I'm sure he loves it!
  

• Jenna invited me over to her apartment to watch Les Miserables the 25th concert in London. It was so wonderful and made my life! So much fun!
• During fast and testimony meeting my fhe bro Ryan said "I am a son of God, I have great worth and potential". It was exactly what I needed to hear. I just changed it to "I am a daughter of God, I have great worth and potential" and it was perfect.
• Eating after church was pretty wonderful... and the fact that I woke up at 11:45 am.
  

*Saturday 3/5/11

• I got invited to Play walley ball with Nate, Elizabeth, Sterling and John. It was so so so much fun! Also Elizabeth, Josh, Lisa, Christine, Jason, Laurence and some other people went to a swimming pool and a hot tub place. It was amazing and so relaxing!!
  
• I got through my first day of work. Enough said.
  
• We were in the car and Laurence was singing along to a song and the lyrics were "Everybody getting crunk, boys trying to touch my junk." then he realized what he was singing and was like "OH MY GOSH I'M NEVER SINGING THAT PART AGAIN!!!!!!" it was so so so funny!
  
• A moment that was purely amazing: So I went to a basketball game with Lisa and Josh. I got there late and decided to walk up behind them instead of in front of them. Well I decided to sit next to Lisa instead of Josh and I was about to sit down when two players from the team tackled the guy I would have been sitting next to and literally knocked him out of his chair! It was truly the most amazing think I've ever seen! So so SOOO funny!
  

*Friday 3/4/11

• This is possibly going to start sounding redundant, BUT Sister Berteaux made us the BEST pancakes for breakfast and pizza for lunch! It was wonderful :)
• I finally got a job! Hopefully it's the right thing to do... The Lord works in mysterious ways.
• My roommate Holly's feet were tingling and she said it was cus her pants were too tight. I went out into the kitchen and I hear her yell "SHELBY COME HERE!!" and I go into the hall and she said "Shut the door" and then she comes charging at me, with her pants down yelling. It was possibly the FUNNIEST thing I've ever seen! I love my roommates!
  

Full Bellies and job interviews.

*Thuresday 3/3/11

• First off, I just gotta say, Sister Berteaux is AWESOME!!!!!!! She made us ham, egg and cheese bagel sandwiches! It was so so soooo yummy. THEN, she made us home made calzones, and it was just so yummy! She can stay as long as she wants!!!!
• I've been worrying about money a lot lately. Especially how the heck I'm going to pay my tithing and whether to pay it or not because I don't know if I'll be able to pay and eat... but I got paid JUST enough to pay my tithing and have some extra money for food. It was a true blessing!
• I was randomly looking at pictures on facebook and went to my friend Evan's profile. I missed him so much that I sat down and wrote him a letter. That guy is the GREATEST!
  

Wedding dresses and soul sisters

*Wednesday 2/2/11

• Nicole's (my new roommate) mom made us dinner! They were yummmy enchiladas and I was in heaven! They were fantastic!
• The Lord helped me be motivated to clean my side of the room... It needed it.
• Visiting with Sterling at 103. That apartment seriously brings me JOY. They are fantastic men and it makes me feel better knowing that there are decent wonderful men out there like Sterling, Danny and Nate.
  

home cookin and laughter

*Tuesday 3/1/11 Sorry, I've been slacking!

• I had friends over for dinner and they helped me clean up, even my roommates helped, and they didn't have to. I made the mess. But it was LOVELY of them to help. They are all pretty darn fantastic!
• Yesterday felt like SPRING! It was wonderful and beautiful. Yesterday was perfect :)
• I had Elizabeth Sheldon, Michelle Evans, Danny Steenhoek, Sterling Caruthers and Lance Rubio over for dinner. It was so so SO much fun! I love those people and it was such a great point of the day!
• ALSO Me and my roommates Holly and Nicole went to Danny's basketball game! It was fantastic and was so so fun!
  

Job interviews and wendy's

*Wednesday 2/23/11

• I was home alone when I was getting ready for my interview and my dress has a zipper up the side. It is an awkward angle and I couldn't zip it up. I was a little distressed, so I went to my neighbor (who I've never met) and asked her to zip up my dress. She was a little surprised but did it for me. It was very kind of her.
• He gave me an opportunity to serve, and I took it.
  
• When I got back from my interview all my roommates asked how it went. It was cool to know they not only remembered but wanted to know. :)
  

Old friends and new faces

*Tuesday 2/22/11

• Danny helped me with me resume. He literally would think about certain words to see if they sounded the best possible. It was such a big help and I was so so sooo grateful!!!!! He also let me use their iron for my dress and gave me interview tips.
  
• I was told a story that really affected me. It taught me to NEVER ignore the promptings of the spirit.
• I FINALLY got to see Josh Corry! It was stupendous and made my day! I missed that guy!
  

Presidents day

*Monday 2/21/11

• Gerri invited me to go see I Am Number Four with her and her roommates. It was SUCH an amazing movie! I want to go see it again!!!!! It was wonderful!
• I only cried a few times that day. The Lord was able to help me keep my mind off of things.
• Eating home made jalapeno poppers that Terry made. Yummmmmmmm
  

43rd ward and lots of hugs

*Sunday 2/20/11

• Danny invited me to sit with him and his roommates in church. It's a very small and insignificant thing, but it meant a lot. Being the visitor in a ward is hard, even if you know most of the people in the ward. It was a great comfort.
• When I was listening to the Sacrament Meeting talks there was one about roommates. I felt like that one was pertinent to me because I just moved in with roommates I know nothing about, which has never happened before. It talked about service and how that is a good way to break the ice with roommates. I needed to hear that.
• Getting a hug from Drew! I missed seeing my home teacher!
  

p90x and Idaho Falls

*Saturday 2/19/11

• Michelle kept me motivated throughout our first P90X workout. It was hard but it'll be so worth it!
• The snow was beautiful, very calming.
• I got to see Daniel! I missed him so much! It was a great day :)
  

Long roads and bowling

*Friday 2/18/11

• Connie Dunford made me some no-bake cookies for the trip :) It was marvelous.
• When I got to Rexburg, Sterling and Danny were the first people I hung out with. It was lovely, we (+ michelle) went Bowling, it was a lot of fun. After bowling I headed alone to my apartment and was locked out, and started to just get stressed. I headed to 103 (Sterling, Danny and Nate's apartment) and Sterling helped by coming to my apartment and helping me unload my car. It was such a blessing because I was just really beat down. Then we went to Wendy's and back to his apartment to watch Lord of the Rings. It was a great first night back!
• The Lord helped me drive 11 hours by myself, straight. I couldn't have done it without him
• The first moment I saw the Temple on the Hill when I was still a few miles away from Rexburg. It was a beacon for me. I got so excited and wanted to get there RIGHT THEN. It brought me comfort and was like a sigh of relief.
  

crooked laughter

Thursday 2/17/11

• Brother Ward aligned my back. Yes, I had to pay him to do this, but it was still wonderful!
• A good friend of mine told me a story that made me laugh sooooo hard! I can't tell you guys though.... They'd kill me if I wrote it. Lets just say, I will be telling my kids that one someday :D
• The Lord gave me enough energy to pack and do all the things I had to. I was able to fit a whole lot of things in a very short time.
• Going to Burgerville with Brianna was a highlight. It was fun and exactly what I needed on my last day.
  

Snooze alarms and work

*Wednesday 2/16/11*

• I know this is going to sound so lame, but when I walked into the 5:30 seminary class and everyone was happy to see me. That always makes me feel better when people scream "SHELBY!!!!!!!" and tackle me with a big hug :)
• I was able to survive two shifts at work (adding up to almost 24 hrs) when waking up at 4:20 AM!!!! I could never of done that without the Lord.
• Just feeling the spirit in that little Seminary Class. They all bring me joy
  

Packing and Ihop

• I got to go to Ihop with Lisa! It was so much fun and I just loved spending time with her! I also got to see momma Hokanson. Which was lovely. She just makes me smile. In fact, that whole family is wonderful.
• Staci Firl made me caramel popcorn for my trip on Friday. It was wonderful.
• I got my great great aunts scriptures today. I think I'll take them with me, for good luck. I can't wait to dig into them and see what she loved about them. It'll be a good connection and I'm very excited about it!
• I got a letter from Elder Evan Johnson today! He gave me some comfort on an issue I've been worried about. He is fantastic and a wonderful missionary! I miss him a lot! It made my day :)
  

Roses and Dr. Pepper

• Grandpa took me out to lunch and we talked about adult stuff. It was yummy and fun, surprisingly because usually we fight when we talk about that kind of stuff. Also we started looking at old family photo's. It was good to look and laugh and see how things have changed. He also got me a cute little swan rose thing and a giraffe so I won't forget him when I go to Rexburg. I love him :)
  
• I didn't smell like Pee this morning when I got off of work.... That was a HUGE blessing that doesn't happen that often. I was grateful!
• I got to witness Sam Henrikson drink a Dr. Pepper!!! Don't worry, it was caffeine free so it was ok! It was a marvelous moment

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY to all you lovers, as well as the single ones. You are loved :)

Rain drops and lobster tails

• Brother Stever got me a Krispy Kream doughnut and watched Garritt's Rugby games with me. It was so much fun!

• It didn't rain on us at the Rugby tournament! That was a blessing from the Lord!
• My grandparents and I went to Red Lobster. I had to wait in the cold, but got to talk to Michelle. It was a yummy dinner and the rain just made me smile :)
  

Stop and smell the roses

*Friday 2/11/11

• Grandpa came home and brought me flowers. Doesn't he know he's supposed to GET gifts not GIVE gifts when he's been gone for so long? Him just coming home was good enough for me. But the pretty flowers aren't bad. I won't complain :)
• My co-worker bought me ice cream. My waistline should probably be a little peeved, but ME, I'm happy as a clam. He didn't even have to. It was a sweet little surprise that brightened up my work day!
• The Lord blessed my Grandpa to get home safely. He even said it wasn't a good drive. It doesn't have to be a good drive, as long as he gets home safely. The Lord did that.
• I got to hang out with Hannah and Sam! It wasn't for a long time, but it was long enough to lift my spirits. I love them!
  

How it got started

So a few months ago my friend Nate and I were walking and talking about lots of stuff. He gave me three assignments, three goals. One of them was to write down three good things:

• Something someone else did for you
• Something the Lord did for you
• A moment that brought you Joy (I added this one ;)

Well I kind of gave up on the other goals, partly because they were semester oriented and partly because... I got lazy. But I think this goal is a good one to keep and what better way than to do it in a blog??
The point of this is so that even on the very worst days, there is always something good that happened, we just have to look for it.