#GiveThanks

On Friday, President Nelson asked us all to post daily on social media the things that we are grateful for.  My gut reaction was, No, I hate posting on Facebook!  But I do believe he's a prophet.  And even as he said it, I began thinking about all the things I was grateful for and I DID immediately feel better about life.  So I decided to do it.  And I'd like to copy those all to this blog, too, since I'm much more likely to re-read things here than on FB.

But before I do that, I have to point out that not only have I enjoyed getting to do this, I have also loved seeing what everyone else has posted.  Even when most people are posting the same things, it doesn't feel repetitive or boring, it feels NICE.  It's SO NICE to scroll through Facebook and see positive messages about how much everyone loves their family or their spouse.  What's not to love about this challenge?

Day #1:  I'm always and forever grateful for my little family! I never could have foreseen being a mama to five with the best husband ever, but if 14-year-old me could have glimpsed her future, she would have been blown away by how happy she would be.

Yup, that's our newest family portrait!

Day #2: This will sound silly, but I am truly grateful for indoor plumbing!!!! Any time I feel anxious about the state of our world, I think about how lucky I am to be living in an age of toilets and hot showers and I immediately feel better! (And camping with my besties is a GREAT way to remember this!!!).

From August's camping excursion

Day #3:  I'm normally very shy about sharing my religious beliefs on Facebook, but I would be remiss if I didn't express the eternal gratitude I feel for my Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ. I love studying His life in the New Testament and in The Book of Mormon. And I love the peace and safety He has brought into my own life.

John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Isaiah 49:15-16 Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.

One of my favorite paintings of Jesus

Day #4: Today I am focusing on how grateful I am for SCIENCE. I think we're all particularly grateful for medical science right now (come on, vaccine-makers! You can do it! and huzzah for all the strides doctors and nurses and researchers have made in learning how to treat Covid!), but also for technology that lets me talk/text/video chat with loved ones who live far away (AND also makes it possible for me to fly to them in just a matter of hours if needed!), and helps me understand the natural world better. It seems there are people out there who don't think science and religion are compatible, but I am HERE for BOTH. I'm grateful for ALL of it!

Day #5: I'm thankful that my daughters and I are living in a time and place where women are free to do whatever they want with their lives! We can get an education, vote, own land, and be successful in any career we pursue! And I realize this may sound funny, coming from a stay-at-home mom, but I absolutely love knowing that it was MY CHOICE to stay home with my kiddos. In the history of the world, has there ever been a better time to be female?

Day #6: I watched a great speaker one time point out that the perfect body is the One You Have. Because you don't get another one! So today, I'm thankful for my body. It's got one huge c-section scar, plenty of stretch marks, and maybe even some of that Covid-19 extra poundage, but by golly, it's gotten me this far in life and I expect it will see me through to the end. 😆 But seriously, it's worked very well, whatever I put it through, wether it's growing and feeding babies or forcing it to run and exercise.

And I am thankful.

P.S. If I get sick and die next week, promise me that you will read this at my funeral and laugh and laugh at my hubris!

Day #7: I doubt I appreciated it growing up, but I am so thankful for my family. Two awesome parents, and four sisters who have been my best friends for my entire life-- how lucky am I?

I haven't had nearly enough time to post about the many many other things I am grateful for, so here's a quick list of other things that bring joy to me every day: my fabulous in-laws (I hit the jackpot with them!); the good ol' US of A (I love my country so much); so many wonderful friends in my life (if you're reading this, you're definitely one of them!); chocolate; library books; the ability to travel and see amazing places (that will be a thing again some day, right?); my home; the gospel; nature (shout out to my hiking club!!!); cute pets... And the list goes on and on. So much to be grateful for!

I ended up LOVING this challenge from Pres. Nelson-- it was definitely precisely what I needed.

Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving break-- lots of pictures of mine to follow!