And I Think To Myself,

What A Wonderful World.

I am one lucky girl.

I am overwhelmed by the blessing my Heavenly Father has given me.

I have supportive parents who encourage me to try new things,

Who pay when I want to do something ridiculously different and damaging to my hair,

Who say "Glad you're home safe, sweets" when I peek my head in their room at midnight.

I have a stellar brother and sisters who are my greatest examples and heros.

I have a brother who loves his wife and who is going to make the best daddy in 2 months.

And I have little sisters who make me laugh, who make me feel so good about myself.

I have a sweet little nephew on the way who I'm sure is going to look just like Stephen.

He's growing and kicking and giving my sister the cutest baby bump ever.

I wish you all knew how excited I am to meet this little guy.

I have four loving Grandparents who have been through more than I can comprehend,

Which has made them the strongest, most compassionate and loving people I know.

I have dozens of friends who are out in the world worthily serving full time missions.

They are blessing people and changing lives, mine included.

I have girlfriends getting married, being sealed to their best friends for time and all eternity.

They are the best examples of love and happiness and dreams come true.

I have friends who love me unconditionally even knowing my flaws and faults.

They teach me every day and bless my life continuously.

And most importantly, I am a member of the Church.

I have a loving Heavenly Father who lights my path and holds my hand as I walk it.

I have a brother and Savior Jesus Christ who sacrificed it all, just for me.

And I am blessed to have the knowledge that I can one day return to live with them.

And I think to myself, what a wonderful world.

-Abby.

Still Small Voice

I had the most eye opening slash terrifying slash shaking experience on Tuesday.

It was about 5:25 and I was on I-15 northbound for Salt Lake. I had a viola lesson at 6 and I knew I'd make it in plenty of time. I was alone in my little white car with one of Stetson's CD's blaring from my speakers driving in the middle lane. I had just passed the point of the mountain when I spotted one of the new 2011 Jeep Commanders in the carpool lane. If you know me, I have an obsession with Jeeps. My dream car is a black four door Jeep Rubicon. But that's beside the point. I spot this new beautiful black Commander and fix my eyes on it. I'm coming up on it, but still behind as I admire this car. I'm noticing the detail and loving the color when BAM. 

"Abby, move over."

The words were crystal clear, as if there were someone in my passenger seat next to me. It startled me and so without question, I signaled, checked over my right shoulder and moved into the right lane. As I did this, I looked out to my left again at that black car and as I did, I could tell something wrong. The man that was driving had his back to me and his whole body was flailing. Within seconds of my lane change, that black Jeep was drifting into the shoulder. I watched as it hit the barrier and skidded across all 5 lanes of traffic. It slammed into the barrier on the right and again crossed through traffic. I watched as it hit the left barrier again and did a complete 180, skidding through traffic again and finally crashing into and stopping next to the barrier on the right, somehow hitting no one and causing no damage to any other vehicles.

As I watched in horror as this accident unfolded in my rear view mirror, I was instantly sick to my stomach, shaking, and with tears streaming, unable to let go of my steering wheel. For the next half an hour as I finished the drive to Sugarhouse, I replayed the accident over and over in my head as in slow motion I pictured that Jeep flying across lanes of traffic. I remembered that voice, clear as glass, and had to stop myself from wondering. What if I hadn't moved over? Would I have been right in his line of uncontrolled disarray? 

I said a silent prayer and thanked my Heavenly Father for my blessings and for keeping me safe. I can't begin to imagine the damage that could have been done. I had angels watching over me. I'm grateful for the spirit and for the still small voice that rang in my ear. 

God lives. I know that He does.

-Abigail.

Here's to Hawaii.

Meet Court. The best. My best. 

My rock. The one I can count on. Always.

No matter what, I know she'll be here.

Rain or shine, through hell or high water.

She takes me on the days when I'm crying and dramatic.

And loves me for my faults.

She always knows what to say and when to say it.

And makes a sunny day even sunnier.

She lets me be my worst self

And makes me want to be my best.

I love her to death and am grateful every day.

Only heaven knows what I'd do without her.

Here's to Hawaii, Court.

Love you real big.

Abbs.

The Church Is True.

The church is true, folks. That's all there is to it. 

Grandma Richards had heart surgery on Monday. The doctors were hopeful that everything would go smoothly because of the way that she takes care of her body and the good shape that she was in. She had told me that everything was going to be okay, and I couldn't help but believe her. I was worried, surgery is a big deal, but I believed that everything would be okay. 

That is, until everything went wrong. 

No thanks to her heart completely stopping shortly into her surgery, much unexpected bleeding, several extra hours of surgery, and blood that wouldn't clot, I almost lost my sweet Grandmother several times. My parents came home from the hospital very late Monday night expecting a phone call any time. Dad told me he thought she had, at most, a 10% chance of making it. 

There is not a worse feeling in the world than knowing you might lose someone you love, being that close to death and being able to do nothing. I couldn't picture my life without her and couldn't picture my Grandpa without his eternal companion by his side. 

For over 48 hours, her chest was open and she was considered in critical condition. I prayed harder than I ever prayed before and I begged my Heavenly Father not to take her. Not yet. I know that similar prayers were being uttered by everyone in my family, and my some small miracle, our prayers were answered. By Wednesday evening, the doctors were able to control the bleeding and close her up. Her blood is clotting and she has made a complete turn around.

As I stood by her bedside tonight, holding her soft beautiful hands that I love so much, she smiled at me and whispered "I love you, darling girl." I am so grateful for more time, more days, more months, and more years of hearing those words.

The church is true, my friends. There were angels smiling upon the Richards family this week. I know that the Lord steadied that doctors hand and enabled him to stay awake and focused through the many hours of surgery. I know that He strengthened my Grandma to be the tough cookie that she is and pull through. I know that He heard our prayers and He answered them. Not without more than a scare or two, or three or four, but He answered them and for the I am grateful. In my most recent letter from B, he said "God knows all of us and He loves all of us. He is aware of the things going on in our lives and knows exactly how to help." And gosh, that couldn't be more true. I am grateful for eternal families and for the knowledge that we have, but am also grateful for this extra time I get to spend on this earth with my sweet Grandma. I am so blessed.

God loves me! And He loves each of you.
His Gospel is so true.

-Abigail

friday.

"Courage is doing what you're afraid to do.

You can't have courage unless you're afraid."

-Eddie Rickenbacker