*Happy Thoughts*

Update on the growing Griffiths family:

Since moving to St. George, things have been flying by already! Michael and I finally feel settled into our new little 'abode' and loving not having to shovel snow or wear huge coats outside...I mean, we've even been on three huge bike rides...IN JANUARY!!! We love it. Suprisingly enough, we see family more often since we've been down here and love that. I have two cousins that live in the same apartment complex as we do so that will be great to have some familial support around. I also have started my final externship for graduate school at Dixie Regional Hospital. I actually LOVE it! My supervisor is great, encouraging, tolerant (of her shadow, me!), and is an incredible clinician. I've loved the experience thus far and wish I could stay on after my externship was over!! Michael is turing into the 'handi-man' of the complex since he can pretty much do everything! My uncle and dad have him doing lots of repairs around and he loves it--cause he gets to work with his hands (farm boy to the core!!!). Oh, and baby news....I have my first official doctors appointment tomorrow. Just a check up and maybe an ultrasound but since I'm only 11 weeks, nothing to exciting yet. :D Not going to lie, already super excited for this new little addition to our little family!

Well, being in graduate school has never been a cake walk...um, not even close! This upcoming Saturday is my comprehensive exam which I have been dreading since I started grad school. These past few weeks have been spent working 9-5pm, then studying at least 2 hours a night, and going to bed super early because this baby, and my externship, wipe me out! I've always been a worrier and have begun to 'freak out' about this upcoming horrific experience I'm about to embark. I called my sister, Kiana, in a frantic, "oh no, I don't know anything! What am I going to do?!" attitude and she simple gave me a scripture that has forever impacted my approach to this exam and even school. She quoted Joshua 1:9 which reads, "Be strong and of a good courage; be NOT afraid, neither be thou dismayed: For the Lord thy God is with thee withersoever thou goest." This began my second 'comp study journey'!! I have realized that I have been so extremely blessed since being in graduate school. It was literally the grace of my Savior and Father in Heaven that has helped me make it this far...They will NOT abandon me now. If I pass or don't pass, I know that I am loved. I began studying and searching the scriptures.

D&C 63:47
He that is faithful and edureth shall overcome the world

Ether 12:12
...if there be no faith...God can do no miracle.

D&C 24:8
Be patient in afflictions, for thou shalt have many; but endure them, for, lo I am with thee, even unto the endo of thy days.

2 Nephi 32:9
But behold, I say unto you that ye must apray always, and not faint; that ye must not perform any thing unto the Lord save in the first place ye shall bpray unto the Father in the cname of Christ, that he will dconsecrate thy performance unto thee, that thy performance may be for the welfare of thy soul.

2 Nephi 31:20 (my personal favorite)
Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, AND endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.

Elder Uchtdorf, whom I love, also wrote the first presidency message for January. I happened to read the article again last night and everything in this article touched my soul and made me enlightened with this sense of accomplishment and encouragment. He quotes Harold B. Lee when he stated, "I say, the testimony that we recapture day by day is the thing that saves us from the pitfalls of the adversary. We need to stay close to the Lord EVERY DAY if we are to survive the adversity that we all must face." Elder Uchtdorf goes on to say, "As we seek Him ever more diligently, we will surely find Him. We will see clearly that the Lord does not abandon His Church or His faithful Saints...We will find the spiritual strength to survive even during the darkest night." He then encourages to HOLD ON. "Hold on a little longer. You can do this! You are part of a special generation. You were prepared and preserved to live at this important time in the existence of our beautiful planet earth. You have a celestial pedigree and therefore have ALL the necessary talents to have our life an ETERNAL SUCCESS STORY...Hold on a little longer."

Even though this weekend may be horrific, there is nothing I cannot accomplish without the Lord on my side. It's great to have little refreshers right when you need them the most. I may not pass, I may pass...who knows, but I can rest assure that this is not the end-all-be-all. I am so blessed and truly, I can't say this enough, but "my cup runneth over!"

Say a little prayer for me...or an extra bit of good luck my way would also be greatly welcomed!!