Appreciation

I have been working part time at Kohls for the past few months. I have really enjoyed working there. I feel appreciated for the work I do and I enjoy being there. In the last week I have had most of my managers express how good a job I do and how they know I'll get things done. One was folding some toddler clothes the other day and I walked by and he said, "are we doing it to your standards". :) That made me laugh. I feel so appreciated there and it really lifts me up, especially now. It's about the only place I feel appreciated. I had to tell them last night that I was going to have to leave and I thought manager L was going to cry. She's so sweet and said they're really going to miss me. I'm going to miss working there too. The atmosphere was really great and I enjoyed interacting with people. It has also given me more confidence and that is a great thing.

Dove Promises

This may sound completely ridiculous but nonetheless it's true. There are things I'm struggling with every day and realizing the direction my life has quickly turned is very difficult. Now, if you're like me, you absolutely love chocolate... and the better the chocolate, well... the BETTER. Anyway. I had a friend buy me some Dove chocolates a few weeks ago. Two bags. I was lucky. So I've been slowing eating them trying not to devour the deliciousness too quickly. In the past two weeks I've gotten some "messages" from them that have real meaning in my life right now. So I'm going to share a few of them with you. It just goes to show you.... the smallest things can make your day a little bit brighter.

"Open your eyes to the love around you."

"Love cures people, both the ones who give and the ones who receive."

"Keep believing in yourself and your special dreams."

"Believe the best in yourself."

"Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die tomorrow."

"In chaos there lies opportunity."

"Smile when you want to, cry when you need to, laugh whenever possible!"

Those who love me....

I am so grateful at this particular time in my life for those people who love me. I am going through some things now that I never ever thought I would have to face. I really don't know what will happen. Whether it's good or bad I know that I have wonderful friends, wonderful family, and even random strangers that care for me. They are my comfort and my strength. I know I can tell them pretty much anything and they will be there for me. I am in a lot of emotional pain right now and sometimes I have no idea how I will keep going, how I will face what is in front of me. When I feel so alone it brings comfort to know I can talk to someone.

I am also so eternally grateful for the gospel, for my Savior who suffered and who understands my pain better than anyone else ever could. It is through faith and many prayers and pleading with the Lord that I feel I can keep fighting, keep trying, do whatever it takes to get through this in one piece. Very few people know exactly what I am going through because it is extremely personal. I just keep hoping and praying that everything will turn out as it should. I pray for comfort, peace, and strength.

If anyone reads my blog if you could pray for me also at this time. I know it can't hurt.

Answers to prayers

The last few days have been really hard to get through. I prayed many many times for comfort and strength and to not feel alone. I was able to chat with two good friends online through most of the day yesterday and that helped me to not feel alone. I got an email from friend giving me ideas for fun things to do and telling me that I am special and that Heavenly Father loves me. I also got a phone call out of the blue from a friend. And although I didn't dare answer when I saw her name because I knew I wouldn't be able to speak, I know she was inspired to call me when she did. Just seeing her name on the caller id and hearing her message made me feel so loved and cared about. I am so grateful for the gospel, for prayer, for the Atonement of Jesus Christ, and for such wonderful, caring friends that I can turn to when I need them.

A good review

I had a 90-day "touch base" and a "review" at work tonight. Both were just great. I learned that the supervisors do realize the work I am doing and that they consider me a self-starter, and a hard worker. I felt so great to know that my work is appreciated and that they really notice what I am doing. It made me more confident and made the night go better. I love meeting expectations and making things better for other people even if I don't know it. And to top it off I get a few more cents per hour on my check starting in a couple weeks. Every little bit helps and I count it as a great blessing.

Music

I am grateful for music. So many times I can turn on some music and it lifts my mood. I especially love turning it up and singing at the top of my lungs (this is also helpful to drown out whining chilren). I accomplish more and have a better day if I play music in the morning. It truly affects me for the good and for that I am thankful.

Counting Blessings

Feeling the way I have been feeling lately causes me to not think about my blessings often enough. I have been dwelling on the negative things and worrying about things I don't have and stuff like that. So today's post is a list of my blessings that I can think of. Make your own list. I'm sure you'll feel better once you're done.

April's Blessings
June 3, 2008

~ The gospel of Jesus Christ
~ Jesus Christ, our Savior
~ The Atonement
~ Scriptures
~ The Temple
~ Journals
~ A strong body
~ A mind able to think
~ A family
~ A wonderful husband
~ sweet and beautiful children
~ A roof over my head (it's raining today)
~ Always having food to eat
~ The beautiful earth
~ All the colors I can see
~ My eyes - so that I can see the colors
~ My nose - I can smell so many wonderful things
~ Hugs
~ Kisses
~ Awesome friends
~ good books
~ Cartoons - a distraction for the kids and fun to watch too
~ Technology - so I can be close to friends and family even though they're really far away
~ Fuzzy slippers
~ chocolate :)
~ frogs that croak outside my house
~ birds
~ flowering trees
~ springtime
~ warm weather
~ visiting family
~ Prophets
~ Music
~ sleep
~ The Holy Ghost
~ choices
~ chances to do better
~ cameras - to catch special moments
~ a warm, soft bed to sleep in
~ good afternoon naps
~ shoes
~ peaceful moments
~ patience when I have some
~ forgiveness
~ tithing

My mind is now blank. I'm sure there are some things that I forgot or overlooked. But those are my blessings for today :)