Things for Which I'm Thankful

The Gospel of Jesus Christ: the teachings, the way of life, the security that comes from following God's commandments, the promises, the covenants I've made all have given me the greatest joy and peace.

Travis: his love, support, humor, intelligence. When I was considering a husband, the top three things on my list were 1)He has to has a testimony of Jesus Christ. 2) He has to treat me like a Queen, and 3) He has to play with me.

My Daughters: Each one is special and different. I am grateful for Zoë's zest for life, her sweet and empathetic nature, her enjoyment of play and reading. I am thankful for Megan's mischievousness and silliness, her love of beauty and discovery, her kindness in sharing and helping others. I am also thankful for Miranda's comic relief, her easy-going nature, her enjoyment of figuring out puzzles, and her love of being with people.

Family: In addition to my immediate family, I cannot say enough about how grateful I am for my parents, my siblings, and my in-laws. ALL of them have touched my life in such wonderful ways and have helped me grow so much!

Friends: Especially my Twin Cousin, who really fits in the "Extended Family" category. But also for other friends with whom I can play with, learn from, and enjoy their company.

The Simple Things in Life: Food, Shelter, Clothing and Energy. Elder Perry gave an amazing talk that reminded me how little we truly need in life. It makes me recognize I need to take better care of what I do have, but also to remember how much more than my needs are being met. I not only have shelter, but a beautiful house. I not only have food, but healthy food in a wide variety. I not only have clothing, but fun clothes, and more than one or two outfits. I not only have fuel, but enough that I can keep my thermostat at 68 +/- and can bake/cook, and I can drive my vehicle to various places. I'm grateful that my husband is able to provide for these items, and that we have enough left over for a rainy day, and enough for many of our wants as well.

Chocolate

New Running Shoes- I got new ones and I actually almost feel like running when I put them on!

Sunshine: winter or summer, it always seems my mood improves dramatically when the sun is shinning.


Snow- so I can drink Hot Chocolate and not feel as guilty. Note, I didn't say I was thankful for COLD, just for snow.

Herbal Infusions- so I can drink something warm without calories

My Computer with Internet- so I can be distracted from what I should really be doing. No, it's more that I'm grateful that I can record the events in my life (with my digital camera), scrapbook them, and immediately share them with family that is scattered all over. I'm so glad that I have this tool and treasure in my life.

Wikipedia- for answering those trivial questions we used to just "shrug" off and go on with life. Most recently, "Where did the name Blackberry come from?" But also for providing valuable information about anything I want to look up (Do giraffes talk?)

YouTube- for resurrecting those songs from my high school days that were obscure even in the height of fashion. Some of my (albeit weird) favorites include: Undone- the Sweater Song (Weezer), The Sweater, Ponderous, The Garden Song (Arlo Guthrie), and others. They also have videos from my childhood, that my daughters have now come to love, too. (Donald Duck's "Trick-or-Treat") And, I've just discovered they have pluralists. Yay!


Of course, there are many, many other things for which I'm very grateful. I won't list them, but I do want to mention one thing. When listening to the broadcast of the re-dedication of the Mexico Temple, I realized the word thankful" is said in Spanish, "accion de gracias". It is an action of thanks. I will remember this as I move into Christmas. I want my focus to be on Jesus Christ, on the service He gave, and what I can do to serve others as He did.