Life's Simple Pleasures

Today I reflected on the small things in life that bring me so much pleasure!
I will list them in no particular order:
1: walking outside after a big rainstorm
2: reading a murder mystery on a stormy night
3: walking along the beach wearing a flowing sundress
4: watching an Alfred Hitchcock on Halloween
5: having a BBQ on the Fourth of July
6: drinking hot chocolate in the morning
7: taking a nap on a bench under a blue sky and the shade of a palm tree
8: going to Wendy's with friends after a performance
9: eating movie popcorn with a sprite
10:taking a hot shower after skiing all day
11:doing well on a test
12:writing in a blog
13:getting off an airplane and seeing the people you love after a long time
14:singing around the piano
15:going on a Summer picnic
16:playing golf
17:waking up to the sound of birds
18:exercising
19:a drive in the country
20:smiling for no reason at all

There is my list for now. Of course there is so much more I could have put but I better to homework instead!

Joseph taught me

One of my very favorite stories from the Bible is the story of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. It has been my favorite for about twenty-four hours. Most likely because I read a quote about it in my Old Testament manual it talked about how Joseph is a great example of turning a terrible experience into a positive experience. He was sold into Egypt by his own brothers, BUT he turned that around and became the best slave of Potipher. Unfortunately, he was cast into prison. Once again Joseph found a way to come out on top!!!! What a great example of a good attitude and faith in the Lord. He did have the Lord to aid him just as we need the Lord's guidance when we are having tough times (and all the time) I was having a really hard time the past couple days because I recently became and ASL interpreter for a deaf boy in my ward. Don't get me wrong, I love this calling! BUT, it really stressed me out at first! I had no idea how I would accomplish this. The first time I interpreted for him I realized I was being somebody's ears. Have you ever tried to be someone's ears? It is...hard. I was so scared because I had to take what people were saying and tell him. I also realized that people talk really FAST! Slow down Joes for those talking with their hands...please!!! And I am sure that everyone would appreciate it too!!!!!!!!! I learned from Joseph that I can take a bad and scary situation and turn it into something wonderful. I am blessed to be an interpreter because it is a growing experience and a lot of fun! I just need to keep at it!

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I write today concerning nothing of importance. I have had some great experiences here. Most recently I went snorkeling and found it very exciting. The coral was very beautiful but I hate to touch it. The fish were scarce and the water was rough. I loved the thrill of being underwater and being able to breathe. I also really like palm trees. They tower over everything and yet they are so skinny. They are not like the oak or pine trees. They are the female of towering trees. Elegant and they flow in the wind. I love just looking at them especially when they are set against a perfectly blue sky!I know that living in Hawaii is supposed to be paradise and it is, just not how most people view paradise. Hawaii is very small and simple. For a tourist this is the ideal vacation. For a local or a resident this place is just a place. I know I should be excited beyond all belief to live here, and I am but I feel that paradise is not paradise unless you make it paradise for yourself.I have had to remember that attitude is more important than location. Hawaii is wonderful because people make it wonderful. I must make it wonderful.