I am Grateful for.... A Living Prophet

Heavenly Father has blessed me by providing a prophet for me to follow. Two weeks ago we had a lesson in Sunday School on living prophets. My testimony of Thomas S. Monson as a prophet gives me assurance of Heavenly Father's love for me and for all of His children. I know that all is well when my family follows the teachings of the prophet and I feel peace in knowing that he guides and directs Jesus Christ's church on this earth.

I am Grateful for... My Children

I cannot think of a greater blessing that I have been given than that of being a co-creator with God, in bringing my children to this earth. My children are my biggest challenge and my greatest opportunity. They give more meaning to my life than anything else I've ever done or will do. In this crazy and mixed-up world, I sometimes have to struggle to focus on them and to make each of them my priority. This struggle often brings me closer to my God than any other thing that I do. There is no other responsibility that makes me feel more helpless and humble, than that of being a parent. Nearly every time I pray, I pray for them. Most often my questions for the Lord are about them. My children cause me to stretch and grow and love, like nothing else in this world. And my greatest fears are to lose these blessings which are taken for granted or tossed away by so many in this upside down world. My children are everything to me. I cannot think of a greater blessing or opportunity that I have been given.

Gratitude Journal

Today in Relief Society we learned about gratitude. Gratitude is among the noblest of virtues. President Faust taught that ingratitude is a sin and conversely, gratitude keeps us virtuous. President Monson says that gratitude allows us to lift our selves and others as well. According to President Eyring, it invites the Spirit into our lives. Gratitude allows the Lord to bless us. One study showed it plays a significant role in people's well being (leading to less depression & stress). I believe it was President Monson who also said that gratitude is "a quality found in every happy person I know." In a book titled "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom, Corrie and her sister are in a German concentration camp when her sister thanks God for the fleas they live with. Later, Corrie realizes the fleas kept the guards from searching their area too closely, allowing their Bible to remain hidden in their possession.

President Henry B. Eyring has taught that keeping a record of things we are grateful for will allow us to see the hand of God in our lives. I have done this once before and was able to see this promise and blessing in my life. My friend, Marisa taught the lesson today and challenged each of us to keep a gratitude journal from now till Thanksgiving. I can't wait to get started! I intend to post it here.

Tanner Turns 1!

I am grateful for....

little boys who sing silly songs. This afternoon I was upstairs with the window open and I could hear the boys in the backyard. Dallin was supposed to be watering the garden and I could hear Nash singing "It's raining, it's pouring, the old man is snoring..." Then he started in with "Miss me, miss me, now you gotta kiss me." I'm guessing that when I see him, he's going to be soaking wet. I guess I'm also grateful that I couldn't see what they were doing, so I could enjoy hearing their happy voices.

Tanner's 1st Haircut

Tanner: What are they doing to me!!??!

This was daddy's idea, and he did a great job. Not a single tear, although he does look a little terrified! Here's a little video for Nana and Papa... (or anyone else who doesn't mind listening to my baby talk)

Why Does This Make Me Laugh??!!

If you are not familiar with this phrase or with this "character", you need to see an episode or part of an episode of "Family Matters".

In our family, this is what we often say when something goes very very wrong, like when you should cry but it won't do any good, so you have to laugh instead. It's usually when something you do goes amazingly and unexpectedly wrong. So, when I saw this on GlennBeck.com, I had to laugh, it's the perfect use of the phrase "Did I do that?" and I can just hear Erkel's voice and it's SO hilarious!!

This is what we said when Dallin's "put his kite down" and it blew away, wrapped itself around some electrical wires, blew a transformer and took out all the power in our neighborhood for several hours. When we say this at our house, my boys know that Mommy's not going to freak out and it's probably okay to laugh. Does this mean it's okay to laugh at the current state of the economy? Probably not, but even if it's just for a moment or two, I sure feel better when I do.