Favourite Scriptures, Cookies, and Gratitude

Today, I thought I'd play a little catch up along with a really neat recipe, some favourite scriptures, and things I'm grateful for. 

We've had a couple dog shows this past weekend, and all agility (I'll be posting pics soon on my Instagram account DogShowAddict ) I've been working lots, and I have a competition coming up in March. Fun stuff, haha! 

For the recipe, I'll include it at the bottom of this post, but it's a really good recipe we call "one one ones" but some people just call them Easy Peanut Butter Cookies, so it really depends. I can't remember when we found this recipe, I've known this recipe for... more years than I can count. It's super easy and super yummy! (And there are many variations to go with it)

For my Favourite scriptures, I must say I really love several scriptures, but I keep thinking of three specifically when asked to say my favourite scripture: 

Proverbs 3:5-6 

     "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths." 

D&C 6:8 

     "Verily, verily, I say unto you, even as you desire of me so it shall be unto you; and if you desire, you shall be the means of doing much good in this generation."

D&C 6:36 

     "Look unto me in every thought; Doubt not, fear not." 

Those have helped me many times when I get discouraged or frightened at a task because I know that with God, all things are possible. Always have been, always will be. 

So, I recently watched The Piano Guys' version of "What Are Words" by Chris Mendina and also Chris Medina's original and I just wanna say...WOW. It's amazing what true love can do. When someone truly loves you, they'll really stick with you through better or worse, sickness and health, and never will they leave your side.  This part has to do with the gratitude side. I can really tell my parents and grandparents really love each other.No matter what has happened, surgeries, disabilities, (My grandpa had several strokes, including four major, and my grandma has always stuck by his side even if she couldn't do much) and it really amazes me the power of true love. True love everywhere. Some people may not believe love exists because they've never seen it, but seeing those times when people don't have to stay, it's harder on them. I really really think that it's a true love relationship when they make promises and keep them forever and mean everything they say. 

Okay, speaking of promises, I promised I'd give you the recipe: 

 Easy Peanut Butter Cookies

Ingredients:

*1 medium/large raw egg

*1 cup of peanut butter (doesn't matter the kind, I use crunchy one time, smooth the next, your choice)

*1 cup sugar (here, I've used brown and white sugar together or separately, just make sure the total sugar comes to 1 cup. 

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit

2. In a medium sized bowl, Mix together all the ingredients (Variation: Add 1/2 cup more or less to this mix for a chocolatey flavor) 

3. On a greased/nonstick cookie sheet, round the dough into small balls (I usually will use something like a watermelon baller if not just round it with my hands)

4. Cook cookies in preheated oven for 10-15 minutes. Let cool till firm

Variation: Add chocolate chips/Hersey Kisses on top.

Christmas

Everyday, I wonder what I should write on here, but I've kind of wondered if I should just post the little bits of light in my day and an update on my day!

However, I do have one small challenge for you:

During this Christmas season, find at least one person to serve. Even if it's a sibling and you do something simple like make them a card or make their bed, but I want you to serve. Afterall, Charity is the pure love of Christ and Christ is who this season really is about. Can you fulfill that challenge? Oh believe me, I'm doing it with you, but I want you to be committed :) You don't need to tell anyone about it, this can be just between you and God even, I just want you to find someone to serve to help bring you into the Christmas spirit. 

Update on my week?

Well I've been doing good, I have a few new challenges to tackle, but all's been going well so far! God has definitely blessed me with much needed pace and comfort this week. I don't know how to explain it except seeing others that you've really learned to care for hurts you as if the thing that hurt them happened to you. I try my best to care for them and I pray for them. God can do more than I could ever dream of doing on my own. Two strengths is better than one :)

Have a good week y'all! :)

God Bless! 

-Shri A.

Changes and Hopes

This week really has been one for changes and hopes.
*Michelle is doing much much better and is walking, alive, and now back to posting on her blog.
*I have been a member of the GSDOC for one year now
*Christmas is coming
*I feel that since I've turned sixteen,  I've learned more of (not all of, just more of) what it means to be a teacher people can love, what it means to be a friend and a guardian, what I means to be a warrior, and who my true friends are. Also, that I can never give up on people. Ever.
God Bless you all!! :)

Michelle is okay!!!

Hey, everyone! So, yesterday, Michelle's surgery went well! The tumor removal and excess fluid draining went really well and Michelle is now in the ICU still under, but still alive!! Prayers have worked and done much to help her! My hope is they still will!! :)

Not Going To Forget!!

So thanksgiving is come and gone, now we await Christmas! 
And no lol I am not going to forget to post !
Finding joy in little things:
* I didn't have to wear my wrist brace today as my wrist is doing much better!  I can play my instruments again with only a slight,  tolerable cramp. Yay!
*I am getting really close to completing my goal of finishing my Personal Progress before New Years 2016!
*Things are going pretty well :)
*Sister DuBois is doing well as well, as far as I know, and Sister Simmons' daughter came home from her mission last Monday.
Have a great Sabbath everyone and for extra spiritual boost, read "An High Priest of Good Things to Come." By Elder Holland (november 1999 ensign)

Find Joy in Little Things

I realized something some people do and some people don't.  Find Joy in the little things! I try to do this and it makes me feel kinda dorky,  but it makes me happy! I feel sad or down,  I think of the little things.  It reminds me of a story I heard and probably most of you have Heard it.  The story of the forget me not flowers. 
When God named all the flowers,  He gave them beautiful names,  setting them in beautiful places where they could grow.  There was one little flower still there when God was finishing up. 
"Please God! Forget Me Not! " the little flower cried. 
God looked at the little flower and smiled,  "and so your name shall be."
And to this day,  these little flowers are found in beautiful places and named "Forget Me Not".
God doesn't forget to give us little things as well as big things.
Some of the little things im grateful for:
*Love (this can be big or small)
*Ogden cemetery and a little plot with a small grave holding a man who changed my life and the lives of my family.  (My great great grandfather)
*music notes (I've seen them pretty much every day for 11 years)
*Singing (or speaking,  even in sign language) the way we can communicate and understand each other is amazing! 
*understanding (it helps so many people)
*trials (yes...I'll admit I have a hard time with this one sometimes.  But trials, afflictions, and problems have helped me understand people and help them through their problems, trials and afflictions. They're not easy for me, and rarely are for others, so there is room to help out :) )
If I don't post tomorrow,  Happy Thanksgiving! I challenge you to write in a journal,  draw,  text to someone,  or some saved form at least twenty unique things you're grateful for! :)
-Shri

Patience in Suffering

I found an amazing scripture today on Instagram and it hit me pretty hard, I thought I'd share it:
Alma 34:41

But that ye have patience, and bear with those afflictions, with a firm hope that ye shall one day rest from all your afflictions.

This made me think that all the pain we  suffer through everyday, the mental, physical,  emotional,  spiritual pains;  all that will one day be gone if we have patience and have faith.  I love this scripture and I'm going to ponderize it a bit more this week.