T.G.I.F.* may be a trite phrase, but I say it with fervor on three-day weekends. After school last Friday, a bunch of us girls bundled into an Oldsmobile for a mental vacation/spiritual rejuvenation. Our little Relief Society retreat was perfect. Brad Wilcox, professor and author, spoke to us about Christ's grace in our daily life. It was a much-needed, very moving reminder of His love for us. I am so grateful for others' faithful lives. And, Relief Society wouldn't be Relief Society unless gluttony was involved. I am so grateful for all the hosts, cooks, planners, speakers and testimonies that went into it.
A half hour after getting back from the retreat, our little bundle settled into yet another car and shipped out to Las Vegas for the rest of the weekend. Our friend's parents live in a resort-like home where I proceeded to eat my body's weight in Reese's Easter Eggs. I did not stray from my perfect vacation agenda: eat, sleep, breath. I am so grateful for the Wise family's hospitality and even more grateful no one made me go to The Strip.
How blessed I am to be surrounded by good people and to make such wonderful memories.
*T. G(oodness).I. F.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Thursday, February 17, 2011
[Grammar] Check Please.
Being an English major is tough. Too many times have I been wrongly accused of being a grammar-Nazi by association.
"Don't say that around her. She's an English major," people say, as if I'll use the yard stick on them for a grammar mistake. When in reality, I take pride in my laissez-faire attitude toward others' grammar. Live and let live.
And let us be frank, I make English mistakes. Being an English major only means I will be momentarily disabled when I reread a paper, a blog post (or several), an email where an error has cropped up.
"Oh dang. I'll hear about this one. Check Please."
That is why I am grateful for spelling and grammar checks and dictionary.com--they are true and constant friends.
"Don't say that around her. She's an English major," people say, as if I'll use the yard stick on them for a grammar mistake. When in reality, I take pride in my laissez-faire attitude toward others' grammar. Live and let live.
And let us be frank, I make English mistakes. Being an English major only means I will be momentarily disabled when I reread a paper, a blog post (or several), an email where an error has cropped up.
"Oh dang. I'll hear about this one. Check Please."
That is why I am grateful for spelling and grammar checks and dictionary.com--they are true and constant friends.
My Dear Mother Called
I am so incredibly grateful that my mother called today. She has impeccable timing. This week has been full of student-teaching, parent/teacher conferences, especially sassy students (who are normally really good) and a list of other things. I felt stressed and weighed down. Lately I have felt the burden of being grown up. But whenever my mom calls I feel taken care of again; today was no exception.
If my feelings were an equation it would be as follows: Mom=Home.
By that I mean if my mother is around, I feel at home. When I hear her voice on the phone, I feel at home. Her laugh and her advice are healing. I am so grateful Denise Cordon Cooke is my mother. She truly is the most familiar and wonderful thing I have on this earth.
If my feelings were an equation it would be as follows: Mom=Home.
By that I mean if my mother is around, I feel at home. When I hear her voice on the phone, I feel at home. Her laugh and her advice are healing. I am so grateful Denise Cordon Cooke is my mother. She truly is the most familiar and wonderful thing I have on this earth.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
My Dad Texts Now
I am grateful that my dad uses text messaging now. For a long time a beep on my phone would have never meant a text from "Daddy O," as he is affectionately labeled in my phone. In the beginning, my dad's messages were simple, direct, pager-like encryptions,
"CALL ME ASAP."
Recently, however they have been conversational.
Last week's experience: Beep."R U STAYING UP ON BYU STAR JIMMER FREDETTE?"
I love that he's keeping up on my school and thinking of me.
But, best of all was this week's experience: Beep. "I will be flying over your head in about one hour for a SLC turn."
My father, my commercial-airline-pilot father even thinks of his kids when he's at work, flying over head.
Yep. I am grateful that my father uses text messaging now.
"CALL ME ASAP."
Recently, however they have been conversational.
Last week's experience: Beep."R U STAYING UP ON BYU STAR JIMMER FREDETTE?"
I love that he's keeping up on my school and thinking of me.
But, best of all was this week's experience: Beep. "I will be flying over your head in about one hour for a SLC turn."
My father, my commercial-airline-pilot father even thinks of his kids when he's at work, flying over head.
Yep. I am grateful that my father uses text messaging now.
"But Where Are the Nine?"
Jesus healed ten lepers. Miraculously, all were made whole; astoundingly, nine forgot to say "thank you."
Christ said to the grateful Samaritan, "Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?"
It is easy to hear this story, to shake my head at those who never returned thanks to their Lord and move on. Still, too often I can forget to express gratitude for the blessings and miracles God has given me.
This blog is for me to share my gratitude. Remember that not all things worthy of gratitude are powerfully spiritual or obvious. Many times the things I'm grateful for are funny, simple or commonplace. My hope is that this blog will move me out from the silent grateful, out of the group that I have long been apart of.
Christ said to the grateful Samaritan, "Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?"
It is easy to hear this story, to shake my head at those who never returned thanks to their Lord and move on. Still, too often I can forget to express gratitude for the blessings and miracles God has given me.
This blog is for me to share my gratitude. Remember that not all things worthy of gratitude are powerfully spiritual or obvious. Many times the things I'm grateful for are funny, simple or commonplace. My hope is that this blog will move me out from the silent grateful, out of the group that I have long been apart of.
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