I'm Grateful For Leftover Halloween Candy . . .

Especially anything with nuts and chocolate!

Nuff said.

I'm Grateful for Hot Soup and Warm Blankets

Image Source: Amazon

I've been working long hours quite a lot for a while now, and there's nothing better than coming home from work in the dark and being able to whip up a quick pot of soup.  I've had a few packages of Bear Creek Soup left over from last winter that have come in handy this past week.  On Halloween night we quickly cooked up a big pot of Creamy Wild Rice Soup before heading out to our neighborhood Trunk or Treat, and tonight we cooked up a big pot of Navy Bean Soup.   We also have a pretty good stock of warm Sherpa fleece blankets from Costco on hand to cuddle up in while checking out the blogs and facebook or watching the latest episodes of our favorite shows on Netflix.

Image Source:  Costco

What are your favorite comforts for chilly November evenings?

Image Source: Amazon

I Am Grateful for Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ

The First Vision, by Del Parson

I have always been blessed to know that I am the daughter of a loving Heavenly Father.  Throughout my life I have been taught to love the Lord and God with all my mind, heart, and strength, and to love my neighbor as myself.   I am far from perfect, and struggle every single day to do better at living up to these expectations, but I am grateful to know that God knows me and has a plan for my life, and that he and my Savior, Jesus Christ are always there to listen to my prayers, guide me through life's challenges, and forgive me for my shortcomings when I am willing change and repent, because of their love and through atonement of Jesus Christ.

Here are a few of my previous thoughts and posts about my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ:

He Knows My Name

Witness of Jesus Christ

Gratitude for a Loving Father in Heaven

Gratitude for Jesus Christ

I Am Grateful For My Body

Marcy at Niagra Falls  July 2019

Yes, I'm well into my fifties (almost to those sixties), and my body doesn't quite do everything I would like it too.  Part of that is my own fault for not caring for it quite like I should (you know all of  that eating right, exercising, getting enough sleep etc), but I am grateful for all that my body is still able to do . . . see, hear, taste, walk, run, work, sing, exercise, travel, garden, read, sew, serve, and  forall of the wonderful senses that I enjoy every single day.  I'm grateful to have a body, even if it isn't perfect!

Source: Facebook--The Fabulous Fifties

I Am Grateful For Family

Just a few of the wonderful people that I am privileged to call family

Today I was able to gather with several of my siblings and their spouses for a family dinner at my brother's new home.  As my dear brother said in the text invite, we are best friends since birth, and it is always wonderful to be able to get together and chat and share memories and catch up on the news and events of each other's family and friends.  We are very blessed to be a family and for the parents and grandparents and the heritage and life that we share.

I'm also very blessed with an excellent, wonderful, kind and loving spouse, to be included as a part of his kind and loving family, and to share six children, two daughters in law, two almost three grandchildren with him . . . and to be able to enjoy their love and talents and be a part of all of their lives. 

Family is truly one of my greatest blessings!

Source:  Facebook Autism Awareness Shop

Witness of Jesus Christ

I have received the challenge this weekend to write down my witness of Jesus Christ.  Although I often address this topic, I will do so once again.

I don't ever remember a time I have not known and felt that I am a child of God, our Heavenly Father, who knows me and loves me, as is every soul who has ever lived on this earth. This is not only what I have been taught all of my life, but what I have always believed and felt in my heart.  I have been taught to pray to God the Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, every day, and I know he hears and answers my prayers with comfort, direction, knowledge, peace, and other blessings that I seek.  

The Bible is the word of God and teaches us about His dealings with his prophets and the people of the world throughout the generations.  Most importantly, the Bible teaches us about our Savior, Jesus Christ, who created this earth under the direction of God the Father, came to this earth as a mortal man with the power of God, son of Mary and God, having the power to not only offer all of us, his brothers and sisters, mercy and forgiveness from our sins and human faults by grace of his infinite atonement.  In addition to this gift of forgiveness, he also gave his life as he was crucified, and being able through the power of God to overcome death through the resurrection, has given the gift of resurrection and future eternal life to all mankind.  

The Savior's work did not end with his death and resurrection.  He is the Savior of all who live on this world, past, present and future.  His work continues to go forth on the earth today, spread throughout the world through his latter day prophets.  Joseph Smith was the first of many modern day prophets to receive the priesthood authority of Jesus Christ to act in His name and direct the work of His church here on the earth in modern times.   We also have access to the witness and testimony of many other prophets, both ancient and modern, who have testified of the divine mission of Jesus Christ and shared the gospel that he has taught throughout the ages in The Book of Mormon, The Doctrine and Covenants, and The Pearl of Great Price.  I have felt the comforting, confirming witness of the Holy Ghost many times throughout my life bear witness to me that the teaching and testimonies found in these scriptures are true.  I know that God lives.  That Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the Messiah, the Savior of the world.  

The Lord is My Light

1. 1. The Lord is my light; then why should I fear?
   By day and by night his presence is near.
   He is my salvation from sorrow and sin;
   This blessed assurance the Spirit doth bring.
2. (Chorus)
   The Lord is my light;
   He is my joy and my song.
   By day and by night he leads,
   He leads me along.
3. 2. The Lord is my light; tho clouds may arise,
   Faith, stronger than sight, looks up thru the skies
   Where Jesus forever in glory doth reign.
   Then how can I ever in darkness remain?
4. 3. The Lord is my light; the Lord is my strength.
   I know in his might I'll conquer at length.
   My weakness in mercy he covers with pow'r,
   And, walking by faith, I am blest ev'ry hour.
5. 4. The Lord is my light, my all and in all.
   There is in his sight no darkness at all.
   He is my Redeemer, my Savior, and King.
   With Saints and with angels his praises I'll sing.
6. Text: James Nicholson, 1828-1876
   Music: John R. Sweney, 1837-1899

Here is a link to a video outlining the story of the first vision of Joseph Smith, the modern day prophet who gave his life as a witness to the divinity of the Savior, Jesus Christ.
https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/what-do-we-know-about-the-nature-of-the-godhead-young-women?lang=eng&_r=1

And here is a shorter version of this story:

Source: https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2017-01-0100-ask-of-god-joseph-smiths-first-vision?lang=eng&_r=1

Making 2019 the Best Year This World Has Ever Seen!

Photo Source:  www.facebook.com

I'm a day late finishing the challenge to read The Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ before the end of 2018, but I did finish reading this again today.  I recommend it to everyone, and I'm ready to start reading it again tomorrow!  

We live in a pretty crazy world today, but if everyone were to make the effort to study from The Book of Mormon on a daily basis this year and try to emulate the life and teachings of our Savior, Jesus Christ, I'm certain that 2019 would be the very best year this world has ever seen!