#givethanks day7

I am grateful for Jesus. It is incredible that a perfect being is so intensely aware of us that he can save us in our misery, fear, and sin. The strength this gives me is unmeasurable. He makes himself available to the great and the small, the confident and the timid, the rich and the poor, the beautiful and the maimed. #givethanks

#givethanks day 6

I am grateful for temples. For the night I didn’t feel alone anymore. For the moment we be came a family. For the times when our family grew after research and time spent. For the watershed moments of our growing family. #givethanks

#givethanks day 5

I am grateful this crazy guy took a chance on me almost 22 years ago. I’m grateful for the laughter he brings to my life. I’m grateful for the places he’s taken me and for the people we have met together. I love him. #givethanks

#givethanks day4

I’m grateful these little kids were gracious enough to teach me lessons I needed and that we were able to grow up together. They made my life joyful. Sometimes as I look at who they are now, I miss who they were. But I would not change any part of them. They are my heart. #givethanks

#givethanks day 3

I am grateful for Aunt Grace. 16 years ago my grandmother died and left us a puzzle. Who were Aunt Grace’s parents. I didn’t know anything about researching family history. But this question lived in my head. Where did Aunt Grace fit on our family tree? And who was she really? So I began to learn how to research. I began to understand the power of computers in doing this work. I began to see there was work for me to do, and no my grandmothers, who were both very active genealogists, did not do everything. Seven years ago, I completed my search and Aunt Grace has her place on my tree. The things I learned as I searched for her continue to give me joy. Now I’m on the hunt for Sarah More, her grandmother. My efforts wax and wane, but I am grateful to be able to learn the stories of where I come from. #givethanks

#givethanks day 2

I am grateful for the small spirit of creation that lives in me. I find joy in my struggle to put colors and patterns together. Joy lives in my heart as I gift my quilts to family members. Most of these quilts are in celebration of new life and growing families. I’m grateful for how these quilts unite my sisters as we collaborate and cheer each other on. #givethanks

#givethanks day 1

I’m grateful for all these people. They know me at my worst and my best, and they still let me hang out with them. #givethanks