Thank You

I have been thinking a lot about gratitude lately. Because I am teaching a YW lesson on it next month. And because Thanksgiving is coming up. And because there were two talks in General Conference on the subject; one by Elder Holland and one by our beloved prophet, President Monson. Both were great reminders to me to say "Thank you" and be grateful. 

Of course, I am so grateful for my family. Sami is so fun. Last night Jonathan called to see how we were doing. Sami wanted to talk to him and when she was done, she handed me the cell phone and said, "Mama, it's Daddy. He's so cute." We got a big kick out of that.

And Janie walks around saying "Oh, man!" in her tiny, cute little voice. Both girls like Dora, and I'm pretty sure that Janie doesn't realize that Swiper is the "bad guy" trying to "swipe" stuff, but she loves it when he says "Oh, man!"  

Jonathan is getting pretty beat up by his residency. But he's doing a good job and learning a lot. One of the key things he's learning is he doesn't like the hospital. He's great in high stress situations, like codes, etc., but he doesn't like the stress. So we're thinking clinic life is the life for us. I am so grateful, because I really want him home for weekends and holidays. He's trying to run again, to help with the stress, & the girls love stretching with him.

And I am so grateful that the weather is finally cooling down.  The girls are loving being outside and I love it too. We all go a little stir-crazy when it's too hot to be outside.

One of my favorite quotes on gratitude comes from Elder Nelson who said: "Gratitude on a daily basis means we express appreciation for what we have now without qualification for what we had in the past or desire in the future." I love that. So many times I think, "It will be so nice when..." we get a minivan, our loans are paid for, when we can buy a house, etc. But really, my life is absolutely wonderful right now! I was giving Jonathan a hug the other day, and Sami ran up and threw her arms around our legs. It was such a wonderful moment for me because I remembered just then how many times I had begged Heavenly Father for such a gift: my own child hugging my legs! And now I have it! Times two. I am amazed that Heavenly Father, the God of the universe, takes time to listen to my prayers. He answers even the seemingly silly prayers, that don't really matter in the long run, but matter to me right then. I feel His tender mercies throughout every area of my life. 

And I am grateful for you, my friends. Thank you for being there for me, even when you see my weaknesses and shortcomings, you love me and care about me still. Thank you so much.