I've got something to smile about

So this is my first time posting anything on Court's blog, but I thought it would be fun to sneak in this little post while she is at a Relief Society activity. I'm not nearly as good with words and writing them down like my darling wife, but I'll try anyway. This will be short and sweet (hopefully). I've have just been thinking lately that I have something to smile about and since that is the title of this blog here I go. The thing that makes me smile the most and makes each day here on earth worthwhile is my beautiful, patient, and loving wife, Courtney Chris Drennan. There I said it! You are what makes me smile! I love you my dear.

Sincerely,
Zachary Drennan

This is an example of the type of smile I get because of you ;)

Feasting on the Word~

These pictures make me wanna cry a little bit. Like little baby tears. Number one: because I miss my adorable little brother. Not to worry, he's not far, he's just on a mission. And loving life, I might add! But I still miss him. I miss the things that used to bug the crap outta me. Like how he used to call and want to talk for hours about everything and nothing at the same time. I really miss that. And how he would do silly things like lift up his shirt all the time while we took pictures of him. And now, I miss that too.

Number two: I miss the sun! I think a part of me dies a little inside every winter. It doesn't matter how wonderful life is, when I can't find the sun or wear shorts and flip flops, life gets slightly darker. But I'm trying to be like the great Albus Dumbledore, and find happiness in the darkest of times, by remembering to turn on the light.

Now that I got that off my chest, I can talk about something *awesome*! This weekend, Zach and I had an amazing experience. We went to the Cedar City Married Stake Symposium. What is this, you might ask? Um only like the best/most inspired idea ever! We get fed twice-breakfast and lunch (that's motivation to get us there, I think...and it works haha)- and we get to hear powerful speakers talk about marriage and inspire us to be better spouses (and better people). And I'll admit, I had an emotional day of work after the symposium, and by the end of Saturday, I was worn right through! In a good way though. It was like an emotional roller coaster of awesomeness ;).

For some reason, (maybe it's because the sun isn't shining and it's not 85 degrees outside) I've been kind of mopey lately. And most days I wake up happy, but by the end of the day, I'm thinking to myself, "life is hard." And then I think to myself, "why am I not my happy bubbly self?" And then I'm more mad because I'm unhappy and can't figure out why. It's weird. But anywho, last Saturday was like a wake up call. I felt like I was being drugged around by the Ghost of Christmas Present, (who, because of Zach and his obsession with the Muppet Christmas Carol, I now picture as a large giant muppet with red hair and a green robe and sings songs about Christmas) and shown how all those around me are struggling way more than I am.

In two days of work, I think I talked to more than four people with cancer, and over seven people who had recently lost a spouse. Serious? By the third sweet old lady telling me she just lost her husband, I had to gain control of myself because the tears started trickling. And on top of that, the sweet angel I work with, told me about one of her daughters who has been trying for seven years to have a baby. And after the Ghost of Christmas Present showed me all of this and laughed in my face (just kidding), I thought to myself, I am such a baby! I have nothing to complain about.

And then, while I was admiring the pictures of Christ and organizing them, I felt the distinct impression of a scripture come back to me: "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..." (D&C 121:7-8). And then the light came through, and I found hope. Heavenly Father loves me. And you. And it's a wonderful knowledge that I am lucky to know to be true.

While at the symposium, the famous LDS Marriage Counselor/Author Douglas Brinley came and spoke to us. And let me just say, he was AMAZING! So great. He talked about how understanding the doctrines of the gospel and the nature of the Godhead is key to making a marriage work. My favorite part was how he talked about the Holy Ghost. You know how sometimes people say things that make you go, "I'd never thought about that like that before." Apostraphe! (hehe) This was one of those moments. He said, "What if Elder Uchtdorf hung around you 24/7? He was with you while you got ready for work, while you watched TV, while you did homework, everything? How would that make you act? Would you do things differently? Would you say, 'Oh yeah, Elder Uchtdorf, I don't have time to watch TV because I've got my scriptures to read?' Well that's what it's like to have the Holy Ghost. He is with us all the time, watching us, helping us, and guiding us." (That probably shouldn't be directly quoted because it was what he said from my memory, but you get the jist of it). I guess I had always thought about the Holy Ghost as a something not as a someone. He is just like us, but without a body, He is a spirit, so that he can dwell within us :). Isn't that awesome to think about? I loved it. Like a lot. I hope that makes you think about the way you spend your time, just a little bit. Would you do things differently if a member of the Godhead was hanging out with you all day? Well he is and he's watching, so let's turn over a new leaf. :). (my mom used to always say "we're going to turn over a new leaf" to my family, but finally, she'd said it so many times, and it seemed like we had so many things we needed to change that we started saying, "we need to turn over an entire forest.";))

Brother Brinley talked about a whole bunch of other amazing and wonderful principles of the gospel, and I left feeling rejuvenated, and excited to change some small things in order to be a better wife for my sweet Zachary.

I love you all and I love this gospel. Let's go feast on the word! What do you say?

Love Courtney Chris

Judgment & Perspective (like Pride & Prejudice, but my version)

Before I forget, here is a picture of the banana bread recipe that I recommended last blog post.

Half eaten, I know, but I couldn't help it. It's just that yummy :). (Remember, I used half wheat flour/half white flour, so if you make it and yours doesn't look like mine, don't panic :)).

Anywho....

The other day, I had an epiphany (or an "apostrophe" as Captain Hook calls it in the movie Hook. I love that line, by the way). As I rang up an elderly lady at work, two more elderly ladies walked into the store. They were arm and arm, and both of them looked like they were on their last leg. (that sounds really bad, but for reals. One was on oxygen, and the other looked like she musta been pushin' close to 98 years old...) As the two old ladies walked in, they noticed the other elderly lady who I was ringing up (let's call her Sandra, for stories' sake. And the other two women, let's call them Susan and Lucy- yeah, that fits them pretty well I'd say ;)). Well Lucy and Susan come up to Sandra and are just so excited to see her! "How are ya doin' Sandra?" they ask in their quiet, but confident, voices. And as I watched the three of them, I heard Sandra say, "Oh just great, ya know! Nowadays, as long as you're still up and moving, I'd say you're doin' pretty good!" And then Lucy and Susan agreed and giggled.

As I sat eavesdropping on their joyful reunion, it hit me like a wave of emotion. Look at them, they are so happy. Just so thrilled to be alive, and walking around, even though from the outside it looks like they are falling to pieces. I have nothing to complain about! At least I am up and moving and my body is in prime shape. I also realized that I am so petty and judgmental! Why on earth do I care so much about how I look, how other people look, and what people think of me when we're all just going to turn out old and wrinkly anyhow? And why in the heck did it take me 21 years to figure that out? Maybe to you, this isn't an epiphany at all, and you're thinking, "Duh Courtney, we're all going to get old and die." But for some reason, until that moment, that thought never clicked in my head.

2 things I learned from those cute little old women:

1. Be happy for the little things in life. In order to apply this in my life, I've vowed to start up and keep a blessings journal, in which I will write my blessings each day and the things that I'm grateful for. I hope this helps me keep perspective of all the amazing things that I have access to in my life. "When you are discouraged thinking all is lost, Count your many blessings, name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord hath done." I read a book recently where the girl was depressed and so stuck on her own self and on her own trials. Her dad issued a challenge for her: write at least one thank you note a week for 5 months, and I guarantee you will see a huge difference in your life. (from the amazing novel, Not My Type). Is this not good advice for all of us? I think I will take up that challenge as well, in hopes that I can focus more on the good in my life, and learn to see good days.
2. Care less about what others think of me, and more about what the Lord thinks of me. Why is this such a hard lesson for us to learn? (probably because we are vain human beings ;)) and I know at least for myself, I like to try really really hard to be perfect. Even though that goal is not possible in this life. So I too, will try to be more like my elderly friends, and gain perspective and not judge others based on outward appearances or worldly matters.

Two new favorite quotes that I'd like to share with you:

1. 1. “We must remember that it is often through unexpected and even painful circumstances that we are led to discover the good that we otherwise would never see.”
   Emily Freeman
   (Love Life and See Good Days)
   
   
   2. This next quote is one my sweet mother shared on Facebook, so those of you who are her Facebook friends, might have already seen it. But maybe you need to read it a second time. I know I do :).
   
   
   A quote from Richard G. Scott of the
   Twelve: "May I share some suggestions with you who face... the testing that a
   wise Heavenly Father determines is needed even when you are living a worthy,
   righteous life and are obedient to His commandments. Just when all seems to be
   going right, challenges often come in mulitple doses applied simultaneously.
   When those trials are not consequences of your disobedience, they are evidence
   that the Lord feels you are prepared to grow more (see Proverbs 3: 11-12). He
   therefore gives you experiences that stimulate growth, understanding, and
   compassion which polish you for your everlasting benefit. To get you from where
   you are to where He wants you to be requires a lot of stretching, and that
   generally entails discomfort and pain." Conference
   Report, October 1995, 18: or Ensign November, 1995, 16-17

And now for something delicious. I've made some yummy things lately, and I will share some pictures of them. If you want the recipes, I will share them, or if you follow me on pintrest, I have them posted on my boards :).

Italian Crock Pot Chicken (recipe from my dearest Brynne Lytle and Lynnette Larson)

Baked Parmesan Chicken (from pintrest)

Oreo Truffles (so addicting, and from pintrest)

Love you all. Enjoy! :)

Love Courtney Chris~