"No one gets through life without a fair number of trials. Although we’d all love a trial-free life, in truth, it is through the trials that we experience our greatest growth and learn who we really are. They make the good times better, because we know good times are not promised at all times."
-Thomas S. Monson
"We can always turn to God when we have trials or make mistakes:
There are some who have difficulty forgiving themselves and who dwell on all of their perceived shortcomings. I quite like the account of a religious leader who went to the side of a woman who lay dying, attempting to comfort her—but to no avail. “I am lost,” she said. “I’ve ruined my life and every life around me. There is no hope for me.”
The man noticed a framed picture of a lovely girl on the dresser. “Who is this?” he asked.
The woman brightened. “She is my daughter, the one beautiful thing in my life.”
“And would you help her if she were in trouble or had made a mistake? Would you forgive her? Would you still love her?”
“Of course I would!” cried the woman. “I would do anything for her. Why do you ask such a question?”
“Because I want you to know,” said the man, “that figuratively speaking, Heavenly Father has a picture of you on His dresser. He loves you and will help you. Call upon Him.”
A hidden wedge to her happiness had been removed.
In a day of danger or a time of trial, such knowledge, such hope, such understanding will bring comfort to the troubled mind and grieving heart. The entire message of the New Testament breathes a spirit of awakening to the human soul. Shadows of despair are dispelled by rays of hope, sorrow yields to joy, and the feeling of being lost in the crowd of life vanishes with the certain knowledge that our Heavenly Father is mindful of each of us.
The Savior provided assurance of this truth when He taught that even a sparrow shall not fall to the ground unnoticed by our Father. He then concluded the beautiful thought by saying, “Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows."
-Thomas S. Monson, “The Peril of Hidden Wedges,” Ensign, Jul 2007, 4–9
"We need not say to you that the floodgates of our hearts were lifted and our eyes were a fountain of tears, but those who have not been enclosed in the walls of prison without cause or provocation, can have but little idea how sweet the voice of a friend is; one token of friendship from any source whatever awakens and calls into action every sympathetic feeling . . . until finally all enmity, malice and hatred, and past differences, misunderstandings and mismanagements are slain victorious at the feet of hope; and when the heart is sufficiently contrite, then the voice of inspiration steals along and whispers, 'My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; and then if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes."
-Joseph Smith
“All you have to do is trust your Heavenly Father. Trust Him enough to follow His plan.”
-Dieter F. Uchtdorf
"Each of us will face trials and tests, and . . . it is how we react to those difficulties that will determine our success and happiness. Each of us will face adversity no matter where we are. We are taught in the scriptures that there 'must needs be . . . an opposition in all things' (2 Nephi 2:11). We will each face times of difficulty, and the question is not when we will face them but how we face them."
-James B. Martino
“Everybody in this life has their challenges and difficulties. That is part of our mortal test. The reason for some of these trials cannot be readily understood except on the basis of faith and hope because there is often a larger purpose which we do not always understand. Peace comes through hope.”
-James E. Faust
I found this poem/song last year when I was having a really hard time accepting their deaths. It brought me comfort and hope.
I went to a RS craft night with my wonderful mom-in-law! I made this darling little block thingy. We had a lot of fun! We also worked on a cute birthday board! I can't wait to see how it finally turned out!
My sis, Julie, and I went and got massages last week! I've never had one, they are wonderful! Thanks Ju for inviting me!
Our first anniversary was on October 24, 2010. This year it was a Sunday, so we did most of our celebrating over the weekend. We both were able to get work off on Friday. We had so much fun! We went to the temple and did 
On Saturday we both have a class in the morning so we got all our stuff together and after class we headed up to Park City! We had so much fun, despite the cold rain we encountered. We were able to check into our hotel really early, we stayed at Park City Peaks Hotel. It was pretty nice, we enjoyed it! This is just a picture I got from their website.
After we got all check in we decided to drive around and explore the town. We ended up walking up and down Main Street. It is the cutest street ever we went and looked at tons of the shops and galleries. Luckily for us it had stopped raining for us, but soon as we got in the car to go somewhere else the rain started up again. Here is a picture of Main Street from the car, see how wet and rainy it is! 
We drove around the city looking at all the places to eat and finally decided on a place called Zoom. It was really good and pretty expensive, but hey its our anniversary we can splurge :) It was really yummy! I had a pork tenderloin with a pistachio mole (
After dinner we couldn't think of anything else to do around town so we just went back to the hotel and spent the rest of our evening there.
If any of you didn't know I am back to school this semester. I am only taking 2 classes right now. I still work full time so sometimes its crazy. I'm taking Biology 1010 and Humanies. Can I just say that humanites is retarded! Not the class or the material exactly, but my teacher is so lame and boring! He thinks he's an English teacher, but isn't! He says I use "!" to much when I write about something I'm passionate about. I think for my next paper I will make it as boring as possible to please him. He bothers me!!!!!!! 
Kyle and I got tickets for Lion King back in February. I have been so psyched for this!! It was amazing! One of the best shows I have ever seen! It was so visually exciting to watch. All the actors were exceptional! Not to mention the percussionists, some times you got stuck watching them instead of the show. It was way cool! When I was getting the tickets we were trying to get into the same showing as some of my family. I was able to get the last 2 tickets for the show. Which means we were in the very back row on the end! I am not exaggerating that one bit! We could still see pretty well so it was all good. 
My grandpa is listed on the Wall of Honor for his service to our country!
Keith G. Bradford, my hero! Miss you grandpa, can't wait to be with you again one day!
I love this picture and how the words reflect upon Craig's face.
This wall holds the names of every soldier that died in the Vietnam War.
1959 is the year that the first American casualty occurred and 1975 is at the bottom of the panel because it was the year of the last American causalities.
Dad's reflection on the wall.
Reflection of those that gave their lives.
