Conference

Dear Colin, 

Don't you love General Conference weekend?  I do.  It made me just think of all the things I am grateful for, like:

- You
- Our nearly perfect marriage
- This chance to spend so much time with family
- The easy access we have to scriptures and the words of living prophets
- Books to read and movies to watch
- Photos to take and paintings to make

I think most of all I learned that I am grateful for the trials of the last couple of years.  I have learned to slow down.  To focus on the things that matter most.  No, I was not able to get a job, to clean the house, to work on crafty projects, to cook dinners, to run around DC with you. I wasn't able to exercise at all, I slept anywhere from 11-13 hours at night, and needed an hour or more nap in the middle of the day usually. I was only able to really do one thing a day.  But I was able to work on a Masters degree and spend time with you, even if it was doing nothing.

I am grateful for people who understand that sleep can be a trial. That low thyroid can cause major issues.  That less severe physical trials are still hard.

I'm also grateful that I have never felt like a second rate citizen in the kingdom of God because I am a woman.  I have a testimony of the Gospel even though there are things that I don't fully understand yet.

I am grateful that you understand me better than I do sometimes.  And I'm grateful you love me, despite my flaws and trials.  

Love you.