Gratitude = Happiness 10

I get to see this amazing elder in real life TOMORROW. I just wanted to share a snippet of his last letter. It touched me, I have loved seeing an amazing change in my brother over the past 2 years. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a gospel of change and joy. 

“Because of this mission I’m somebody new. I’ve come to know what it takes to become a disciple of Christ. It’s been truly amazing and humbling to be an instrument in the lords hands to bring souls to him. There’s been blood, a whole bunch of sweat (shout-out Florida humidity) and many tears, knocking on strangers doors, being despised and rejected time after time in all ways, but it’s all nothing after seeing the fruits of labor. Seeing someone change their life and follow Christ on to the path immortality and eternal life. And any of you thinking about whether or not to serve a mission; if you want to spend 2 years refining yourself, learning the mysteries of god, witnessing miracles, feeling the spirit, and coming to personally know our savior Jesus Christ, then a mission is for you cause that’s exactly what it does. 

I’m thankful for the Atonement of Jesus Christ, without it I would definitely not be here. It’s allowed me to change, he took me exactly where I was, asked me to drop my nets and said “Follow me” he didn’t see me from who I had been, he saw me from what I could become, he knew of my potential even though I didn’t. This process of life is very individual, but so is the Atonement of Christ. Take it, use it. I do everyday. I love each of you, I want you to know that the Book of Mormon is true, Joseph Smith is a prophet, he restored Christ’s Church, and its being led by a prophet today. God is our Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ is his son, he is our savior. When we come to the gates of heaven, we cannot use our names to get in, the only name we can use is Jesus Christ. He has allowed us to take it upon ourselves and become pure. 

I’m thankful to have worn 2 names on my chest for 2 years, my earthly fathers, and my savior and older brother Jesus Christ. I have tried my best to bring honor to those names that mean so much to me, it’s been a privilege. I can hardly think about taking it off without weeping. But now it’s more that that, it’s engraved inside me, it’s who I have become.

I’m so full of emotions right now, I’m so sad to leave behind this place I have come to love so much, and the people I love even more. I’m forever grateful for the Florida, Orlando Mission!! The happiest mission on earth! But I’m so excited to see each of you, and to start this new chapter of my life. Im open to advice, it would be much appreciated! Haha, I love you all! I’m so excited to see you soon!! God be with you till we meet again! -Elder Bret Barben”

him + her update Christmas card edition

him:

officially finished finals today. one more semester, baby (hopefully) until graduation. 

monopoly lover. and ALWAYS wants to play. He is now on the winning streak but the score is still

 10 (me) -6. I dominated for a while there. 

the newest car owner of a {used} Nissan Altima he found for a stealer deal.

he's a miner. he's recently got really into mining cryptocurrency. i love my little techy nerd & how he's always looking for new ways to make a few bucks

her:

officially named the cookie queen by hubby. he said it himself that he loves cookie's cookies ;)

trying to work & get my hours as our pediatric census has been so low, & i've got put on call way too many times. i'm going to eat my words as it gets super busy the next couple of months with respiratory season. 

recently was called as the Relief Society assistant secretary. i'm excited to get to know more of the ladies in my ward. 

excited to go pick up Elder Barben (TOMORROW) in Florida with the whole fam. we both are!! I'm excited for Kendall and Bret to get to know each other. They've only met when we first started dating. crazy!

We are happy and loving life. 2017 was a great year for us as we learned, laughed, cried, loved. We are SO excited for 2018 and the changes that are to come as Kendall graduates and gets a job. 

Merry Christmas ❤️ The Motes Family ❤️
“Let this become our Christmas tradition, no matter where we are--to be a little kinder, more forgiving, less judging, more grateful, and more generous in sharing our abundance with those in need. May the contemplation of the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem inspire us to be more like Him.” -Dieter F. Uchtdorf #lds#lighttheworld #blessedwiththebest

Gratitude = Happiness 9

Gratitude = Happiness... Thanksgiving edition!

First of all, I am so thankful for gratitude. may sound silly, but I really do believe in the power of gratitude. Being thankful and grateful brings joy, hope, & love to others. 

I love the month of November where I can specifically focus on that. 

Thanksgiving was spent with Kendall sitting at home cozied up in our apartment watching movies, buying each other's Christmas gifts online together ha, playing monopoly (which I beat him everytime hahaha), and being on call for work all day.

I would have loved to work since we were stuck at home on call, but I did love spending ALL day with my lover. Once 5pm hit, we ran to McDonalds for our Thanksgiving din din (only place open on Thanksgiving. haha gross.), headed to Kohl's to win Black Friday, and then made the drive to Idaho to spend time with the Mote's fam. We had our Thanksgiving dinner on Friday. I made lots of yummy pies and we spent the evening playing games. We also were able to get some nice family photos taken too (which all the boys loved), and surprisingly didn't freeeeze.

It worked out that Garrison's (2nd to the left) mission farewell talk was the Sunday after Thanksgiving, so we were all able to be there. He is headed to New Zealand Dec 17th. We are so excited for him and he will be a great missionary!

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October was a great month and so for today, Nov, 1st, i'm grateful for the month of October. 

October in Provo is absolutely beautiful with the fall leaves, crisp air, & fun activities, which I think is why i've taken quite a liking to the month. Oh, & pumpkin everything, of course. 

making cookies with Auntie Cookie

trying to brave the cold pumpkin patch with Whitney and Abram. so cold, but sooo cute. 

our spontaneous Halloween costume :) Kendall wanted to be something with his mustache, since that's the only way I would allow the stache for the short time haha so pinata and hispanic mustache man we were!

And I can't leave out the cutest little mouse you ever did see. 

I went trick or treating for a short time with him and whit & conrad before I headed into work on Halloween night. Luckily, nothing too scary happened at work that night!

Now, i'm grateful for the new month of November. Gratitude month!

Gratitude= Happiness 7

 I'm grateful for family and temples. Last weekend my brother in law Garrison went through the temple for the first time as he is preparing to serve a mission in New Zealand in December. It was a lovely morning in the Mt. Timpanogos temple, and a fun weekend spending time with the Mote's family. 

Friday we were excited to be back at the baseball fields to watch the Blue and White scrimmage game. Kendall did great pitching, and I enjoyed eating my ice cream in the sun and watching him. After the game we all went to the BYU Vs. Boise State Football game. We had fun being with each other and cheering, but it was sad to see BYU lose yet another game.  Saturday night we went to the BYU homecoming spectacular show as well, which the boys just loved ;). It was a fun weekend being with family and joining in on all the BYU homecoming activities as an alumnus this year!

And another fun thing about this weekend is that we found out Shane and Kaitlyn are adopting again! My cute sister-in-law and brother-in-law are looking to adopt again! They are the best parents to little Lucy and can't wait to add to their family. Share with your friends and family.

 💛\ Motes Family - Hoping to Adopt

fallin' even more for you

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I'm feeling so grateful after a weekend of LDS General Conference. It was just what this girl needed. It made me the happiest girl snuggling by my husband watching LDS General Conference 💛 I love that no matter where we each are on this journey, we have a chance to come unto Him each day. I can't wait to relisten and study each talk to better myself and come nearer unto Christ, my Savior. He is there with open arms. (watch or read here)

"The 'sublime message' of the Church is that God is a loving Father who prepared a way for His children to return to Him. “No matter your history — if you have faltered, failed, feel brokuen, bitter, betrayed, or beaten — know that you are not alone. God still calls to you,” President Uchtdorf said. “The Savior extends His hand to you.”We might think we have to be ‘more’ of something for God to use us — more intelligent, more wealthy, more charismatic, more talented, more spiritual. Blessings will come not so much because of our abilities but because of our choices...And the God of the Universe will work within and through you, magnifying your humble efforts for His purposes.” -President Dieter F. Uchtdorf 

 In between Conference sessions, Kendall and I went for an absolutely BEAUTIFUL drive through Provo Canyon. I think it was the prettiest I've ever seen it during this time of year. so many colors that just can't be captured by camera. We stopped and tried to take a self-timer photo, gave up, & ended up asking a guy that looked like he knew what he was doing. He ended up being a professional photographer and even took some with his professional camera. That made my day because I've been wanting a new, good quality photo of us. it's the little things. Thankful for kind people. 

 ^^our self-timer on the car photo ^^

I say it every time, but I love this guy. We absolutely don't have things all together, we make mistakes, get too emotional over things (uhh huh mee), and have our disagreements. But at the end of each day we have each other through it all. I love ending the day snuggling up to him, reading scriptures, & praying. Through it all we are grateful for each other and God who allows two imperfect people to work together to learn, grow, and love together. 

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 Grateful when family travels up North and we get to spend time with them & watch Jakey play. Grateful jacob is healthy again and is having such a great season.. he deserves it!

 Grateful for SLEEP. This is a big one at this time of my life of night shifts. I like working nights but I really dislike the recovery haha.

 And I'm grateful for beautiful hikes up the Y mountain with these two. I'm grateful for a healthy body that allows me to do the things I love with the people I love. Abram sure gave me an extra workout on this hike too. I'm excited for fall to be here as the leaves were starting to change on our hike.