March 20, 2011

Yesterday I had the awesome opportunity to go to Stake Conference. I love Stake Conference. I am always able to get so much out of it...well, sometimes with the kids it is a little hard...but for the most part I am always able to enjoy it. I want to say thank to my husband for REALLY letting me enjoy yesterday's conference. I was in the choir, so I had to be there early and stay up in the stands. Flavio got the girls ready, and took them to a totally separate building, which allowed me to completely concentrate on the meeting. I was thrilled to be able to fully enjoy the meeting, especially when our main speaker was Elder Yoshihiko Kikuchi. I served my mission in Japan, so my heart has been very tender towards the Japanese people for the last couple of weeks. He was so fun to listen to and I felt the Spirit so strongly as he bore his testimony. I really needed that time yesterday. I am grateful, not only for the ability to go and listen to men called of God, but also for my husband who let me for this week, really be able to listen. Usually I am with the girls while Flavio sits up on the stand with his bishopric calling. So yesterday was a GREAT break and I am truly grateful for it :)

lol

niki

March 19, 2011

Wow. I am so BAD! I really wanted to keep this an everyday thing! For those of you who do look at this blog, please forgive me :/ I am not sure what happened to those few days...truly, they are a blur.

But, I want to go ahead and write what I am thankful for today. I am thankful for good friends. I know that in our lives we will make very few "best" friends. I am lucky enough to say that I have found a few best friends in my life. One, who I have known since 7th grade, is still my best friend: Rachelle. She and I have been through everything: Junior High, High School, rooming in college, and now married and parent life. We know everything about each other. She is really my shoulder to cry when I need her. She is so strong, stronger than she knows. I am so grateful she is in my life and I hope we can be "best friends" the rest of our lives.

lol

Niki

March 15 and 16, 2011

Today (and yesterday) I wanted to express how grateful I am for this:

I have two, almost three, beautiful little girls and for that I will be forever grateful!

lol

niki

March 14, 2011

Today's post is one of mixed emotion. Today I am grateful that I am safe. With all the events happening around the world, I am grateful for my safety and the safety of my family. This weekend has been difficult in the fact that many of my friends who live in or are from Japan have been affected by what has happened. I can't imagine the fear and devastation these wonderful people are feeling. I served an LDS mission in Japan and so I can honestly say I love the Japanese people. It has been hard for me to see so many suffer. However, I do have the hope that through this horrible tragedy good will come from it. I pray that many will find God and that many hearts will be open to the truth of The Gospel.

I am grateful that I had the opportunity to share my love and testimony with the people of Japan and now my prayers are once again with them as they get through this horrific disaster.

lol

niki

March 13, 2011

Today I am grateful for music. I love music. I love all kinds of music. I am sure if anyone were to look at my playlist, they would just laugh because it has almost everything. Today, however, I am grateful for spiritual music. I am singing with a choir for our Stake Conference and we are singing, "This is the Christ" for one of the pieces. I love this song. It is so personal and meaningful. I feel a true connection with my Savior when I sing or hear it. Music is a big part of my life...mostly because of my dad (which I forgot to mention in his birthday post). My dad is an amazing musician. Music is a gift and I am truly grateful for it.

lol

niki

March 12, 2011

Today I am grateful for the Temple. Flavio and I were able to go last night. I really needed it, it filled me up with the love you can only feel at the Temple. I am grateful that I know The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the true church on the earth. I know the Temple is a place of God and I know that when I go, I am able to receive the strength and hope I need in my life. I love the Temple and I will be forever grateful for the ability to go.

lol

Niki

March 11, 2011

Okay, I am cheating a little as I am doing this a day late, but I wanted to tell you how grateful I am for my dad. His birthday is March 11, and so I thought it would be appropriate to say a few words about him. I will admit that I am a Daddy's girl. I know he loves me and is very interested in my life. He is fun and outgoing and we always have fun together. He loves hiking and photography and he is wonderful at both. My dad has taught me how to work hard and to love nature. He has always been a wonderful father and I am truly grateful for him. I love you dad! Happy Birthday!

Love,

Niki