Growth

So it turns out the hardest thing about blogging is...um writing posts.  Weird.  Also being away for so long has not helped me get back into the grove either. 

Life the past year has been challenging.  But a good challenging for the most part.  I have learned so much and find myself happier now than I thought possible a year ago.  I find myself learning and growing daily and that keeps me going to a new day every day.  My friend sent me a quote today that I have thought about constantly since I've read it. 

“Happiness is neither virtue nor pleasure nor this thing nor that but simply growth. We are happy when we are growing."  --William Butler Yeats

I love it!  I have been growing and stretching out of my comfort zone constantly for the past year.  At times I didn't think I would make it another day but I have.  All the tears and the anger have been completely worth it for the growth and happiness that I feel now.  Life is still hard, but you know what I am blessed.  Blessed more than I can comprehend.  The Lord is so good to me!  There are many new goals and challenges that I have set for myself over the next year.  I am looking forward to taking you on the journey with me.  Don't give up on my blogging skills yet! :)  Cause we are going to have some fun and there will be laughing along the way!

A Temple in Star Valley

My friend Natalie told me I better find something to smile about and blog about it...well Natalie, I found it. :) 

The announcement of the Star Valley, Wyoming LDS Temple was a great cause for me to smile today.  I was so excited when the announcement was made that I may have forgot that I had a cup of flour in my hand.  Let's just say that the jumping in the kitchen with said cup of flour resulted in an empty cup and a flour covered Carolynn.  But it didn't matter.  Within seconds my phone lit up with text messages and a phone call from a tearful, grateful mother.  I'll be honest, I don't remember anything else from that session of conference.  I'm glad I have it on DVR to go back and watch.  The announcement caused me to think a great deal about the blessing of a temple to the wonderful valley that I call home.  I thought about the wonderful ancestors that I have, that settled in the valley.  Who sacrificed so much to stay in that paradise and help to set up the church there to thrive.  I can only imagine how much they rejoiced when the announcement was made.  I also thought of all the wonderful Saints that live there now, who drive to participate in temple ordinances now.  I thought of my own wonderful parents who keep me on my toes with their temple attendance.  They often go many times a month, most times leaving after a work day and drive the 2 1/2 hours to Idaho Falls, completing a session and then driving home to arrive early in the morning hours.  I think of what a blessing this will be to my sisters who have small families and have a hard time leaving children for that long of a time.  What a blessing it will be for them.  I also thought of my nieces and nephews that will be able to participate in baptisms more often because of the close proximity of the temple.  I have cried many tears of joy today because of this announcement.  The Lord knows and blesses his people.