Journal writing

A while ago I picked up a book that was put together by somebody in my extended family. It contained a compilation of my Grandma's journal entries. I loved reading her journal and learning more about the details of her daily life. She died when I was 14, and her death was a huge shock to me. My biggest regret after her death was that I did not get to know her better. She was always over for Sunday dinner and special occasions, but I rarely sat down just to have a talk with her. I am so grateful that she had taken the time to record her thoughts and feelings about her life, so that I could really have a chance to get to know her a little better. She was one of the most Christlike people I have ever known, and I hope to be more like her.

Thanks to my Grandma, I picked up my journal again after a long hiatus. Lately, I have been motivated to write because I love writing about the things my kids do and say. I also want to record the fun and simple things we do as a family in order to preserve the memories as best as I can. I love journal writing because it helps me realize the hand that the Lord has in my life every single day. I am more aware of my blessings when I write them down. And I discover the daily miracles that would have otherwise gone unnoticed.

"What could you do better for your children and your children's children than to record the story of your life, your triumphs over adversity, your recovery after a fall, your progress when all seemed black, your rejoicing when you had finally achieved? Some of what you write may be humdrum dates and places, but there will also be rich passages that will be quoted by your posterity." -President Spencer W. Kimball

"Some people say, 'I don't have anything to record. Nothing spiritual happens to me.' I say, 'start recording, and spiritual things will happen. They are there all the time, but we become more sensitive to them as we write.' " -Elder John H. Groberg