The next right thing.

Not only have I had “The Next Right Thing” from Frozen 2 stuck in my head today, but I have been thinking about how grateful I am for the opportunity to partake of the sacrament each week so that I can renew my covenants with God and have the chance to start anew each week as I try to remember each and every day to keep doing the next right thing.

“I won't look too far ahead
It's too much for me to take
But break it down to this next breath, this next step
This next choice is one that I can make
So I'll walk through this night
Stumbling blindly toward the light
And do the next right thing
And, with it done, what comes then?
When it's clear that everything will never be the same again
Then I'll make the choice to hear that voice
And do the next right thing.”

All we can do—all that God asks us to do—is keep trying to do the right thing. Every day, we have choices to make. There are bad choices, okay choices, good choices, better choices, best choices. Sometimes, we don't always make the right choices. 

In his talk entitled "Good, Better, Best", then-Elder Dallin H. Oaks discusses the differences between good, better, and best choices for individuals and families. We need to consider the best ways to spend our time, alone and with our families. We might often feel the need to go above and beyond, but there are days and moments when it is the quiet little things that are the best options. 

While I don't always make the best choices sometimes, I am still learning, growing, and trying. I am grateful for a loving, gracious God who lets me make my own choices, learn from my mistakes, and try again. I am grateful for loving Heavenly Parents who want what is best for me, and who want me to be able to return to live with Them again someday. I am grateful for a loving Savior, who suffered and died for me so that I might repent time and time again as I am learning and growing and trying to become a better person.

I am grateful for the love of my friends and family, as well as of my husband, who is so sweet and thoughtful. I am grateful for loving Heavenly Parents, and for Their examples, encouragement, guidance, and support as I try to do the next right thing each and every day.

I hope you all have had a wonderful Sunday! It was very relaxed and peaceful for us today. I hope you all have a wonderful week! 

Xoxo

Mattie

Remember the reason for the season.

It is December 10, 2013. I honestly cannot believe that 2013 is almost over!! This year has passed by so, so, fast, and I can't believe the school year is almost halfway through, either! It seems like just yesterday I was a sophomore, learning my new school in and out and making new friends. Granted, every year I make new friends, but! the point is still the same. Time is passing me by like no other. In two days Bridger will be 7!! I still remember when we were naming him. Christmas is also soon to be upon us, and this year I am so blessed. I've got lots of friends (old and new) who all love me; I've learned a lot from almost everywhere I've been, everything I've done, and everyone I've interacted with; I have a family who (mostly/usually) loves me; I live in a nice area with nice neighbors; and I have technology to stay in touch with friends and family. This year, I don't want much for Christmas. Maybe a new pair of headphones, or a belt, or some CDs. But all I really want is for my siblings (and my friends and family) to learn/remember/understand (whichever applies to them) the true meaning of Christmas and the true spirit of Christmas. We need to remember the reason for Christmas. Christmas is all about Christ, and I want them to know that. He was born so that He could be our Savior, our Redeemer, our Lord. He was born so that He could be the perfect example of how to live. He was born to suffer for and bear our sins, pains, and afflictions so that He could know EXACTLY how we feel, all the time, 24/7. He was born to be crucified; He was born to die for us. He was born to save us. He was born to save me. He was born to save you. He loves us all very much, and Christmas is a time to remember this. We should always remember it, but Christmas is a time to remember that He was born to die for us so that we can be resurrected and live again someday. We need to remember the reason for the season, and we need to remember it always.