Wonders of the Universe

 

Source: Hubble Space Telescope on Facebook.

I'm grateful for the wonders of the universe.  

 

Nativities #GiveThanks

 

My favorite Christmas decorations are Nativity scenes.   I'm sometimes a bit slow getting things spruced up and decorated for the holidays, but the nativity scenes are almost always among the first things to be put out.  I'm grateful for the birth of and the gift of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and I love having these reminders of the true meaning of Christmas out during the entire month of December, and more!

Courage and Faith of Forefathers #Givethanks

 I'm grateful for the faith and courage of so many of my forefathers who had the strength to leave homes and family in order to embrace the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.  Because of their faith and courage, their families (including me) now have the blessings and freedoms of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the freedom to live and worship as we choose.

Traditions #GiveThanks

 

This is our "grateful tree" for Thanksgiving 2020, one of the traditions that we try to do each year at our house.   Because there are only three of us living her now, and we are all social distancing, we began filling the tree with our gratitude leaves during a family google hang out last Sunday.  We've added a few more leaves since then.  Today we were able to gather as a family via zoom to share Thanksgiving Pie and games on jackbox.tv.  We also count down the days to Christmas with Hershey's kisses and look forward to more gatherings this holiday season.  What a blessed time to live in!

Dear Husband #GiveThanks

I'm grateful for this guy who courted me both before and after my mission, and has been my companion ever since.  For 37 years, in 7 different homes, 6 new born babies, several different jobs, thick and thin, happy times and sad.  He encourages me to do hard things and supports my hopes and dreams.  Thank you for being there and being you!  I love you!  #givethanks.

 

Mission in Colombia # Give Thanks

 

Our travel group on our last day in Colombia

I'm grateful for the opportunity quite a few years ago of serving as a missionary in the beautiful country of Colombia.  I was able to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with many humble and faithful people in this beautiful land, and in turn I learned much from their examples and the experiences that I could never have had anywhere else.

teaching in Florencia

Market in Florencia 

Bogota'

Neiva

Our favorite Senior Couple --Thanksgiving in Ibague

My companion in Bucaramanga

My companion and I near Barranqilla

Water #GiveThanks

I'm grateful for water . . . (about 60% of my body) and for all of the wonderful and amazing things water does in this world, quenching thirst, making things clean, moderating temperatures, providing beauty and recreation, supporting life and creations of all kinds . . . the list is endless!

The Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ #GiveThanks

 

I'm grateful for The Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ.  I try to read every morning for my daily dose of peace and inspiration and preparation for the day.  Even the parts that are hard to read about wars and wickedness adn other trials are reminders of the blessings that can be ours when we do our best to follow our Savior and the teachings of the prophets of God.  #Givethanks

 Watch The Book of Mormon Videos Here

Read The Book of Mormon Here

Learn more about The Book of Mormon or request a free copy here

Parents #GiveThanks

 

One of my favorite photos of my wonderful, goodly parents to add to the others on facebook today.  I'm grateful for their love, examples, careful teachings, watchcare, prayers, and many sacrifices made for me, my siblings, and our families over the years.  We love and miss them both very much!  ♥♥♥

Family #GiveThanks

 I'm grateful for family here, there and everywhere . . . even on the other side of the veil.  These five photos include many of the family members I've been blessed to "grow up" with, but still don't include everyone who is an important part of my family today.  Wouldn't it be awesome to be able to show everyone in one big up-to-date photo?  

Words From a Living Prophet #GiveThanks

 

I'm grateful for a living prophet with inspired messages of hope and comfort.  "I've concluded that counting our blessings is much better than recounting our problems."  #GiveThanks

US Postal Service, UPS< and Fedex

 I'm grateful for the US Postal Service, UPS, and Fedex, and everyone who works to keep these efficient delivery services running.

Toes and Fingers

I'm grateful for ten toes and ten fingers that allow me to balance and walk, feel the sand and the mud, type, play the piano, button buttons, zip zippers, text, and a myriad of other activities every single day.

Atonement of Jesus Christ

 I'm grateful for my Savior, Jesus Christ, for his atonement, his sacrifice, and his resurrection.  I'm grateful for the knowledge that there is life after this mortal life on earth, and that someday we can all see Jesus Christ and our loved ones once again.  Let's find hope and end 2020 by helping others in simple ways.

Video Source

Bedtime

I'm grateful for my bed, my pillow, my blankets, and my stack of books to be read.  I'm grateful for night and time to rest and gear up for another day.  Sleep tight and sweet dreams!

 

Home

 

I'm grateful for a warm, comfortable home where we can live, work, relax and rest, protected form the weather and other negative influences sometimes found in our world today.  Our home isn't extremely large or fancy, is just a bit cluttered and some rooms could definitely use some upgrades, but it keeps us warmer in the winter, cooler in the summer, allows us to sleep, cook, eat, clean ourselves, social distance in this time of covid, and rest and entertain ourselves.  

Our dear children have been a big help the past few months giving much time, physical labor, and other support to help us do some decluttering, furniture moving and a bit of decorating to make our home even more comfortable for us this year.  I know that compared to most people who have lived on this earth, and probably even to the majority of people living today, the modest 5 bedroom home where we have raised our six children is actually quite the grand palace. 

Music

I am so grateful for music!   I'm grateful that I can listen to invigorating and calming classical music on my car radio while traveling.  I'm grateful for hymns and other sacred music that we can use to worship our Heavenly Father and our Savior Jesus Christ, and to remind us of what is truly important in life.  I love many kinds of music, and the way that it can inspire, uplift, calm, and/or energize us depending on the day and the situation.     I'm grateful for Pandora, Youtube, my kindle, my computer, my phone, the radio and so many other devices we have to bring the beauty and blessing of music into our daily lives.

Pandora

The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square 24/7 Music Stream

Challenges and Support

 I'm grateful for challenges that help me to grow, and for family, co-workers and other friends who support and encourage me to keep on going.  Quote shared with our team at work today:

"Plot twist:  2020 has actually been the best year of your life.  You've faced challenge after challenge, you've adapted, and you've overcome.  2020 has forced you to grow exponentially.  Don't take that for granted." 

Sunshine

 I'm grateful today for sunshine, especially after five days of gloomy and stormy weather.  It was a busy day of work, but I was able to get outside in the sunshine for a few minutes.  Maybe I can find some more sunshine tomorrow!

Chocolate

 

I'm grateful for chocolate.  Today I'm especially grateful for this recent gift of Ghiradelli Dark Chocolate  from my DH.

 

And for this Godiva Christmas Advent Calendar from DD2.

Am I spoiled or what?