Reasons for Thanks

I was in charge of the Relief Society Presidency message for our ward newsletter. This is my thought.

November is the month of gratitude. We gather at the end of the month in families and as friends and feast on a day called Thanksgiving.

Some blessings are easy to recognize. We are grateful for family, for good friends, for a job that supports our families, for the gospel in our lives, for comfortable homes, etc.

Some situations are harder to find gratitude. In illness we remember to be grateful for good health. When someone we love dies we find gratitude for the Plan of Salvation and hold close the comfort that brings. When we loose a job we find gratitude for food storage, bank savings, and habits of living within our income.

Some circumstances are almost impossible to find gratitude. I am reminded of the story of Corrie Ten Boom, The Hiding Place. Corrie’s sister, Besty found gratitude for the fleas in the barracks. Only after Corrie struggled to pray and thank God for the fleas did they understand the blessing. Because of the fleas the soldiers would not go inside and possibly find and confiscate their greatest source of comfort - the New Testament hidden away under blankets.

In the Book of Mormon we read of two possible results of hard trials – in this case the long war described in the war chapters in the Book of Alma. In chapter 62 verse 41 we read, “But behold, because of the exceedingly great length of the war between the Nephites and the Lamanites many had become hardened, because of the exceedingly great length of the war; and many were softened because of their afflictions, insomuch that they did humble themselves before God, even in the depth of humility.”

In our worst moments and circumstances it is possible to pass the test and choose God. We only can do that in humility and gratitude. When trials come let us choose gratitude. When we are encompassed by darkness let us hold fast to the Iron Rod. When we are weighed down by sorrow and sin let us choose God and live.

Friday nights

The boys were playing upstairs and I heard lots of thumping around.

They came down and Josh said that Boaz was playing wack-a-Josh.

Sounds like a fun game. :)

It's not pretty, but it's a job

Craig sent me some pictures of North Dakota on the job. He drives a big truck and hauls water in the oil fields there. The holding tank is massive and he is intrigued by the process.

A good shot of the truck.  I'm not sure if it is his truck, or one that looks like his. You can see there is a bit of a line of trucks by the silo structures.

The dirt road and flat landscape is uninspiring to me.

A crush of truckers with a little spilled water.

We are glad he has this job, but we really miss him.

Let the shenanigans begin

Craig surprised us and drove home for the weekend. My family was gathering to celebrate Nicko and Brittany being sealed in the Idaho Falls Temple on their first anniversary. 

After driving truck for over a week, his facial hair was abundant.  I like it like that. Everybody else gives him a hard time. Probably because he takes such delight in rubbing his grizzled cheeks and chin on other people. (Again, I happen to like it.). 

He also takes delight in shaving silly patterns during the de-pilatory process.

A few pictures:

  

Using the hair clippers to clear his longish whiskers.

He took a poll.  I lost and he went with the 70's style of wide side burners. Think Late Elvis.  I dislike this look - emmensely.

Notice the soul patch.

He still is cute, but this time I was happy to see it go.

Kitties

Thea snapped this picture of Cinco and Mayo on the kitty condo.

Boaz put Zabumafoo on Cinco and he hadn't shrugged him off yet.

I am grateful that I didn't have to take Cinco to the vet today. Last week I found a lump on his belly. I took him in and the vet thought it was just a hematoma. It faded away. No hernia or cancer.

Here are my two beautiful, healthy cars.

Blessings

For the past two nights I have been back at my old school for Parent Teacher Conference interpreting for my kids that I was involved with lfor the last two years.  It's fun see the kids again - to be involved in the Spanish aspects again.

I am grateful for my mission, for the language that I learned and that I have opportunities to use it and improve my skills.

I am grateful for the friendships I have formed and the community I have joined.

I am grateful that my boys are able to spend two evenings alone and be just fine. Last night Josh cooked Poppa Murphies Pizza and tonight he made Mac and cheese. I came home to the dishes in the dish washer and the pan washed and drying on the counter.

I am grateful for my life. It has it's ups and downs, but it is pretty, dang great.

Space case

So today I went to Walmart to pick up some stuff - furnace filters, loose leaf binder, cereal, bagels, cat food, etc.

My cart was full. I had some time so I broused through the different sections. 

I finally made it up to the cash register with my full cart. She was half way through my cart when I realized I didn't have my wallet.

I had over $100.00 worth of stuff and no money.

She was very nice and told me she could suspend the purchase and give me time to go home and get my wallet.

How embarrassing!

I was very glad I wasn't half an hour away and running home for my wallet.

I also realized I had been driving for two days without my license.

I had taken my wallet out and switched purses for church and hadn't switched it back.

Crazy.