Thankful #9

The other day I was thinking about roommates.  As you can probably guess, I've had many in my day.  Luckily, most of them have been AMAZING.  That, of course, doesn't mean that living with other girls is always perfect. It also don't mean I didn't have to deal with problems sometimes, but I really am grateful for all of the experiences I've had with and because of my roommates.  I'm so grateful for each of them, and for this period in my life.

As a small memorandum, here is a list of all* of my roommates (first names only as to protect identities):
Susannah, Marissa, Maurine, Janeil, Brittany, Candie, Jen, Liz (1), Emily, Liz (2), Ashley, Gretchen, Kari, Heather, Britta, Clairice, Diane, Kat, Megan, Katie, April, Brittney, Summer, Kelly, Sierra.  (Not to mention pseudo roommates over the years like Stephanie, Kali & Bailey)
*As best as I can remember and not including my Mission Companions

Thankful #8

I should have known I'd have a hard time keeping this up, but I still want to fill in all my days appropriately.  Today, and every day, I am thankful for my family.  I have been blessed with the world's best family. I hope that when I have my own someday I can do whatever it is that my parents did to make such a family.  I don't know what I did in the pre-existence, but I will be eternally grateful that I was saved to be a part of this family.  (and I know not everyone was saved for a specific family, but my patriarchal blessing let's me know I was, so don't judge. :) ).

We laugh together (a LOT), we shed tears sometimes, we pray for each other.  My mom texted me on Friday night to let me know that I'd do fine in the race on Saturday b/c Abbie said the family prayer that night and prayed that I would do well and be safe.  I was.  I love that we do that for each other.

Another thing I love about my family is that we don't feel competitive about each other.  Instead of being jealous when one person accomplishes something great (as, sadly, I've seen in other families), we are so happy and excited for each other.

I love them.  More than words can say.
Disclaimer: I couldn't quickly find pictures of everyone in my family.  We are missing some immediate family members that I dearly love: Bohdan, Mignon, Marquan, Sirreon, Monique, Stacy...and extended family as well...just sayin' doesn't mean I love them any less...

My name is Trulie, and I am a Mormon

Today I am grateful to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  It is the most important thing in my life.  It has become a part of who I am to the point that I can't separate the rest of me from it.  I love this gospel, and the Lord.

We had Stake Conference this weekend and I had to miss last night's sessions since we didn't get back from Santa Barbara until late, but I learned that our Mission President's wife, Sister Pendleton, challenged all the members at the Adult Session to introduce themselves by saying, "My name is Trulie and I'm a Mormon".   I am proud to be a part of this great work.

I know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the true Church of Christ.  He is at the head. He loves His children and wants us each to be happy.  He wants to return to Him and our Father in Heaven.  That can happen through this Gospel.  It has the power of Christ, which is the power to save.  As we live the Gospel, we can become perfect in Christ, which will qualify us, through the Atonement, to return to Heavenly Father and have Eternal Life.

Christ lives.  He guides His church.  Through living prophets, He guides us today.  I am so grateful to know all of that.

Thankful #6 and 1/2 Marathon report

I'm really writing this on Sunday, but it's my thankful for yesterday, so I'm changing the post date.  Just deal with it.

So, I ran a 1/2 marathon.  It is true.  It's also true that I walked a little bit along the way, but that's ok with me.  I'm not a hard-core runner.  6 months ago I wasn't any kind of runner.  And on November 6, I became a girl thatsuccessfully finished a 1/2 marathon.  That is amazing to me.

Because of that, today I say I am thankful for my body.  Often when I go on my longer runs, I end up thinking, "I am doing this with just my body.  There are no levers, no gears, no chains involved.  It is 100% my own body power".  And that is amazing for me.  I am so grateful for a body that works.  Sure, it's not perfect.  In fact, I have a knee that likes to act up, just like it did yesterday, but I can still push through it.  I am so grateful that I can do it.

Bright and early at the starting line with Bekah & Rebecca Hanson (they're sister in laws)

We left our hotel at 5:15 am to get to the starting line for the start at 6:30.  We had to get dropped off at a point about a mile from the start line and walk there.  It was a nice warmup...but maybe we should add that to the total covered that day.  So make that 14.1 miles. :)  When we got to the park to wait for the start, it was 6:10 and they let us know that they start was being delayed until 6:50 (and the marathon start delayed to 7).  The idea of waiting for it to start wasn't that exciting b/c I wanted to just get going, but it went by pretty quickly.

I came prepared for my 1/2.  I packed stuff up in my little runner's pack, pinned my number to my favorite running shirt (don't ask me why my Dirty Dancing t-shirt is my favorite running shirt...just go with it...I can't explain it, but somehow it makes sense, right?).  I charged up my i-pod and even loaded a book on tape on it to listen to as I went.  BUT, I never even put my headphones in.  It was nice to just be there, listening to the sounds of my feet hitting the pavement, of the people around, of the environment.  Just to be totally there.

I talked to a few people along the way.  Many people told me they liked my shirt (of course).  I also did a lot of people watching.  There was one girl that ran near me for quite a while, we passed each other back and forth.  She talked to herself pretty much the whole time.  Whatever gets you through, but it was funny.  I saw another lady in front of me rip some leaves off a tree and stick them in her mouth.  NO idea on that one, but I didn't see her slumped on the side of the road later, so I think she must be ok. :)

By the end I was hurting, but I wanted to finish strong.  I wanted to walk quite a bit at that point but I didn't let myself.  I ran, and when I entered the stadium to round the track to the finish I even picked it up a bit.  I finished with a time of 2 hours and 49 minutes.  I estimated I would finish between 2h30m or 3h...and that's just what I did.

We wore chips on our shoes, so right before you cross the finish line, they have a reader (then another at the finish).  As you cross the 1st reader, it let's the announcer know your name and some info about you.  I came in alone and the man said, "And here we have Trulie Cottman.  I love that name!  Everyone, we have Trulie here with us today (everyone cheered).  Come on in Trulie, so glad you're here."  It was a fun way to end.  Plus, then I got my medal, and that is something I'll treasure.

Me, Camie (who finished the full marathon!) & Bekah

I talked to my brother Zack on Monday and he said, "Tru, it's so crazy that you're going to run a 1/2 marathon.  You're probably the first Cottman in history to run one."  I had never thought of that, but I bet he's right.  It's not something we're naturally inclined to do in our family, but it was a great thing for me to do.  I am so glad I felt inspired to do it.

Will I do another one?  Maybe.  But, not anytime soon.  I'm looking forward to putting in a little bit of variety into my workouts instead of being dominated by running.  Then...we'll see.  I have a feeling I'll want to do it again sometime...and next time I will work harder to not walk at all...sometime. :)


Will I ever do a marathon?  Probably not.  13.1 is good for me.  I really don't feel a desire for more.

It may sound silly...

...but I am thankful for a washing machine.  I mean, we could also include in this all the other amenities we (pretty much all) enjoy in a 1st world country: dryers, dishwashers, microwaves, stoves, ovens, fresh water we don't have to buy, cars, vaccuums, air conditioning, heating...it really does go on and on.

Last night I really needed to do some laundry before our trip today...and I just stuck it in the washer with some soap, etc and let it do it's thing.  Then, when it was done, I stuck it in the dryer before I went to bed.  Now, it is all ready to go.  No scrubbing by hand, no soaking, no hanging to dry (and waiting).  It's almost magical really.  Thankful.  That is how I feel about it.

Thankful...

I am thankful for Relief Society.  Does that sound like a cop-out?  It's not.  I really am thankful for it.

Some may be thinking I have to say that.  And it's true, I have spent the last few (5) years serving in Relief Society, but I really do love it.  I might love it more than ever because of all the time I've spent serving.  I know it's an inspired program.  I am so glad I am a part of it.

Today...

I am grateful for Modern Medicine.  We had quite the scare last night with my Grandpa Blaine.  He had a seizure because his medication was off.  I am so grateful that he quickly received help and that he is doing ok.

I've seen medicine heal many people.  It is truly a miracle.  I don't understand all the ins and outs, but somehow it helps us and makes our lives easier...and often saves our lives.

I believe the Lord has blessed us with medical knowledge for our benefit and that we should use it as often as necessary to live the lives we are meant to live.

I'm proud to be an American

Today I am grateful to live in a free country where my opinion counts.  I'm thankful to know that I have a responsibility to choose the best leaders we have available and then pray they will make the correct decisions.

I VOTED, and I hope you did too.

I am thankful

Well, it's been a while and I have a lot to post about I suppose, but I'm going to pull back a bit and try to do one entry every day of something I am grateful for.  Maybe it'll inspire me to do some extra catch-up posts here and there.

But for today, I am thankful for...

My Job


Especially at a time when so many people are looking for work, I am so grateful that the Lord has led me to not only have a job, but to have one that is enjoyable and teaches me new skills almost daily.