I've been thinking a lot lately about what it means to be truly humble by recognizing our nothingness compared to God. Just when you feel you finally "get" something about life, or that you just "get" life, you learn something else that makes you "get it" again. Translation: We as human beings aren't even beginning to scratch the surface of God's knowledge and marvels.
When I think I've seen the most beautiful sunset and that I'll never experience anything to top it in this life, when I feel depressed because that moment is gone, another moment occurs and I see a more beautiful one. When I've had an experience that's amazing and think life can't get any better, the Lord proves me wrong by showing and blessing me or those around me with an even more amazing experience.

There will always be more. More sunsets, more calm spring nights, more crisp mountain mornings, more enchanting holiday seasons with snow and lights all aglow. There's more revelations, more inspiring words, more moving music, more touching portraits and photos, more scriptures that speak to you in a new way. God always has more. There is never an end to His glory, His works, and His love.
I have sooooo much to learn here and I want to ask, seek and open myself up to all that He has to offer.

Look for the sunlight in the sunsets Y'all!

Here's a post from my personal blog that I wanted to share on Look Up! I originally posted it on February 24, 2012.

My souvenirs from the E.R. (Har, har, har.)

What a week! Some of you know that I began experiencing severe-and I'm talkin' E.X.T.R.E.M.E!!!-abdominal pain last Wednesday afternoon that sent me to the Emergency Room.  This was a complication of some problems I've had for the last month.  After a few tests, several vials of blood, and a bunch of poking and prodding from a very ornery nurse, I was sent home with no conclusive answers as to what was wrong.  I had hope that the worst was over only to get home and become violently ill.  No need to paint you all a picture of what happened but it was wicked.  I hadn't been sick like that since I had an intestinal infection six years ago.
After 24 more hours and 45 trips to the bathroom, I was back in the ER because I couldn't keep anything down and was dehydrated.  They released me just after midnight and I went home to get 5 hours of unsettled sleep before it was time to be up and back to IMC for an abdominal MRI.  Man, was I tired. And not only me, my dear mother, who was sick with a nasty cold herself, was exhausted.
Thankfully my MRI came back normal, but I still don't know what's wrong with me.  Since last week the possibilities have been narrowed down to a few options. It will take a few weeks to talk to doctors, get tests scheduled and completed, and get results.
Through the first few days of this latest trial, I was very scared.  I was feeling pain I'd never felt before, sickness that I hadn't had in years, and my thoughts couldn't get off all the bad that was happening to me in that moment.  My mind zoomed in on the past, where my illness had lasted 3 months, to the future, where I thought I was never going to get better, where nothing would ever change.  I was anxious, and I struggled with the fact that I couldn't feel the spirit and felt like God had once again abandoned me.  How can you let this happen?!? I cried.  Please don't make me go through this again!  Why, with everything else that's happened to me in my life and with how little I have right now, would you do this to me?
You see, I believe everything happens for a reason, probably a little (or maybe a lot) more than I should.  I don't believe in coincidence or luck.  I don't believe bad things happen without a real purpose behind them either.  And at this particular time I prayed aloud, "What is the purpose of this?!? What good is supposed to come from this?!"  I couldn't help it; I was too distraught.  At this point I awful because I wasn't, "enduring well", or, "cheerfully" my adversity. I  felt like a spoiled child, whining, complaining, kicking and screaming my whole way through.
Looking back, I can now see that my initial response and emotions weren't because I was an unfaithful person, they were because I was a human being experiencing opposition.  God doesn't expect us to always immediately submit cheerfully to our problems.  Some people may be able to do that, and all power to 'em, but if God expected that we all do that all the time in order to be saved, then none of us would be making it to the Celestial Kingdom.
What I'm saying is that it's okay to have hard times, and to let ourselves feel our true emotions, while at the same time trusting that our Savior is walking with us, helping us all the way through, even when we may not feel Him, even when we aren't happy with our own performance. We can be scared and trust in Him at the same time. And it's going through the fear and doubt and sorrow and coming out on the other side of them; seeing that God has been there all along, and feeling the love and joy from getting to that place, that is the real lesson and gift here.
I don't know yet what the ultimate cause of my problems are, but I believe that the answer is out there.  It may come after a lot of trial and error tests, tears and smiles, disappointments and hopes.  It may be needed that I spend a certain amount of time, money and energy in order to find the answers.  In the end, I have faith that none of that will be wasted.  This will turn out.  Answers will be found, treatment set forth and, I do believe, some sort of restoration of health given.  I give this all to Him, who knows and has all the answers. He'll give them, in His time.
I hope we can all have the courage to do the same.

What great challenge caused you a lot of fear and doubt, and what did you ultimately learn from it?

No matter the challenges in our lives, we can always choose our attitude. Some days it's easier to choose to be cheerful and go with the flow, and some days things go so badly you literally couldn't paste on a fake smile if you tried. The darker days can be clouded with the failures of the past, the harsh reality of the present, and the fear of the future.  But the way we choose to see and respond to things makes all the difference. I gained some good insight from Charles Swindoll, who said: 

At times in our life, things can become so hectic and chaotic that we forget to see the tiny miracles and blessings in our life. Our Heavenly Father is so aware of us and what we are dealing with day to day. He wants us to be happy and he wants the best for us. As we make our journey through life, we will have bad days. We will have disappointments and frustrations. There will be times we may want to give up. Stop! Look around and try to see the positive. Try to look at a horrible situation in a positive light. I promise, you will find good in every situation. Sometimes it may take a bit of deeper digging to see and understand. But our Heavenly Father will never leave us alone.

There are so many little things in which He blesses our life with. Sometimes, we don't take the time to realize how blessed we are. Life is not easy. We will be asked to do many things and endure many trials. But as long as we keep believing in faith, knowing he will provide a way, we will be blessed. Open your eyes and see your own blessings in your life. 
“[The Lord] will not permit us to fail if we do our part. He will magnify us even beyond our own talents and abilities. … It is one of the sweetest experiences that can come to a human being” Ezra Taft Benson 

Have you ever had a dream taken away from you, one which you worked your whole life to get? Even when you try your hardest to rise above what may seem the impossible? Then, when you think you have given it all you've got, a small glimpse of hope enters your life and it makes you realize that this dream, this goal you have always wanted to achieve may still be a possibility.


In my own life, I have always had goals and dreams based on gymnastics. Many things in my life have happened, making it seem impossible to accomplish what I think the Lord wants me to accomplish. In the past month, since the Olympic games, when the Woman's US Gymnastics team earned gold, I have had many thoughts racing through my head. If they can do it, why can't I? If a 37 year old German women can be incredible on vault, why not me @ 30? If the USA can win gold in Woman's Gymnastics, only the second time in history and Gabbi can be the first African American to win the individual Gold all around, why can't I do something extraordinary? Something that others may think completely impossible and ridiculously insane? I CAN!

My body is falling apart and is exhausted from the stresses placed on it. But I feel strongly that He still has a mission for me in this sport. Through Him, nothing is impossible. You must have determination and faith that He will strengthen you as long as you come to Him for help. I am so grateful for my Heavenly Father and His guiding hand, leading me the way to success and living my life in line with his will. I know I will be happiest when I do this and

"Do you look forward with an eye of faith?" Alma 5:15

"Whatsoever thing ye shall ask in faith, believing that ye shall receive it in the name of Christ, ye shall receive it." Enos 1:15
"I will grant unto thee according to thy desires, because of thy faith." Enos 1:12

These are just a few verses I came across when I was searching my scriptures. The scriptures can be so powerful and so many answers can be found just by reading its words and pondering. Then, with faith and prayer, you will find answers! 

This past weekend, our dog went missing. Rex is part of our family and we all love him so very much. I will admit, he can be a big pain and is the world's greatest trouble maker, but has become apart of our family. At the beginning of October, 6 years ago, I bought him as a puppy. He quickly stole our hearts and brings us joy to have have around. Then, Friday night, he went missing. Rex is like Houdini - he can find his way out of anywhere! At first, I didn't think much of it because he is always getting out and then easily finds his way home. But when I found out he still hadn't returned by nightfall (I was out on a date and then with friends) I became more worried. It didn't fully hit me until I climbed into bed, then the tears began streaming down my face. I kneeled before my Heavenly Father, pleading to bring him home. Praying for his safety and given direction as to where we should look.