Happy New Year!

Now that we are a few weeks into the new year (its gone by so quickly already) I thought I would take this time to share a few things I am thankful for:

First and for most the gospel of Jesus Christ that has been restored through the prophet Joseph Smith Jr. and the knowledge of the plan of salvation and the gift of the atonement. Without it I would be a lost and miserable person.

I am thankful for my home and the blessing of warmth (mostly air conditioning in Savannah) and the roominess it gives my family so we can participate in homeschool without crowding each other. And to finally have enough room to have company over for some fun entertainment.

I am thankful for my health. I may not be the skinniest (nor the fattest) but I can still run and not be weary, walk and not faint, I can care for myself and my family.

I am thankful for my talents. I love to sing. If I could grow up and be anything I would want to be a performer. I would step out of my shell and sing on stage. But I chose a higher calling. I am more thankful to be a mother who can sing anytime and to anyone who will listen (usually outside the bathroom door as I sing in the shower).

I am thankful for the small stuff....toilet paper, hair gel, etc.

I am thankful for knowledge. Even though I am not in school, I continue to love learning.

I am thankful for my friends. They lift me up and brighten my day.

I am thankful for my family. I have a hard working husband who loves me and 4 great kids who know how to push my buttons, but also know how to melt my heart with their love.

I am thankful for the world and the beauty it brings to my eyes.

I am sure I could go on and on. I made a list a few years ago from a lesson in RS. I found it the other day and have pondered over what I was thankful for then. I look at my life now and there are a few changes, but mostly I see that there is more to be thankful for now than there was before.

So I challenge you to make a list of all the things you are thankful for and keep it. Read it when you are having a bad day. It will help you to cherish what is good in your life. It will help to push the troubles of today into the past and remember what really matters.

This year is going to be a challenging year for our family. Robert is almost done with school. Which means projects, finals, and more reviews. Then graduation, job hunting, hopefully a job, and then moving. I don't look at this time as dreadful, although I know these things will not be easy. But I do look at them as a time to grow and rely on the Lord for guidance. He hasn't let me down yet. He will be there for me now and always.


I know this to be true.