what a wonderful life

So just to warn any of you that are not mormon or religious at all this blog is pretty much going to be churchy lol so read it if you want or not I dont care..

Tonight I heard that President Gordon B. Hinckley had passed away. I ended up having lots of different emotions about it, mostly a happy/sad emotion if that makes any sense. Probably even more happy than sad. It makes me happy to know that he is in a wonderful place right now, a place he very much deserves and a place he has worked so hard for. He was more than ready to leave. His work does not stop at 97 years...its really only "a blink of an eye" and he has greater things still to do. He is also with his wife again, I just feel really happy for him.

I immediately started thinking about my memories of him. I loved his sense of humor. I loved his compassion. He was so tireless and so dedicated. He was 97 years old and still traveling the world. He was so loving and so gentle. He worked so hard, I feel like I am so endebted to him, as if the whole world is somehow indebted to his work. He was so easy to connect with and he was so personable everyone could feel a connection with him. He made an effort to teach the youth of the church, and he expanded the church throughout the world. I have never ever heard one bad thing said about him, including those of different faiths or viewpoints. How could you ever say something bad about him?

There is a picture of him that I really love. I tried to find it so I could put it in here but I haven't been able to. It's just a personal picture of him during the winter or sometime cold he has a big coat on and a cool looking felt hat or something like that and the expression on his face is just of pure joy. He just looks like some ordinary old man probably sitting on his porch enjoying the sunrise. Its a wonderful picture and it just captures the moment of what he is truly like. If anyone knows what I'm talking about they should give me a copy or something.

He is the only prophet I've ever really known but he has got to be one of my favorites forever.

It may be a little weird to write in a blog but I feel like I should bear my testimony, or at least some of it...
I feel so reassured by the gospel and the church. It is SO wonderful to know that life isn't just the 80 or 90 or however many years you spend on Earth. I know that life doesn't end when you die a physical death and that there are better things to come. It is amazing to know that you can be with your family forever, that you can have relationships with your friends forever. It is humbling to experience life through our own actions and mistakes. I know that I am so lucky to be here and to be alive and to be able to know for myself what is actually true. I know I have been given much and that much is expected in return. Without the church there is hardly a purpose to life. I am grateful to have knowledge of the purpose and the plan. I am grateful to know of the sacrifices made by millions or billions of people for these things to be set in place. I am grateful for heroes and examples such as the prophet. I just feel lucky and forever indebted for these oppurtunities.

I dont think I am good enough with words to be able to fully express these things. But maybe you get an idea.

Now I have a list! Yay!
These are things that I honestly have never gone a full day without thanking God for. They are not really in order.

1. For everyday that I am alive to experience life
2. To have a family and friends that care
3. To be so fortunate as to be born in America so free, and born into the church at a time when it is here on the Earth.
4. The sacrifices that others have made for my benefit
5. To have the knowledge of the truth
6. My mistakes and the trials that I must overcome(yes I did say mistakes and trials, they make me who I am)
7. For blessings I never even recognize
8. For the patience and mercy he must have for me
9. For my free agency
10. Knowing that at the end of the day I can only do so much, then I have to trust myself to him. And I am thankful that I can do that.

Thats all really. Thats not exactly what I planned to talk about but what else better to talk about anyways? Wow that was either really cheesy, or you probably didn't care and stopped reading it after I said it would be a churchy blog. Thats okay it was good to write this down.

ps. my favorite subway sandwhich right now is the oven roasted chicken breast with american cheese, bacon, tomatoes, lettuce, olives, and salt and pepper with a little ranch all toasted on a twelve inch italian herbs and cheese bread. With chips and a drink of course...although their cookies are suprisingly good I must say...