Grateful for Daily Blessings

As life moves on and trials come and go, I’ve decided that I need to be more aware of the daily blessings that I have. I feel like I take way too much for granted. My life for the past 2 months has not been what I would have ever asked for, but I still have need to be grateful. I have a loving family, both immediate and extended, that are always there to support me.

I am trying to be more centered in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is such a blessing to me. I have a Heavenly Father that loves me, and I am trying to remember that he loves me as much as his other children. There have been so many times in the past weeks when he has carried me. He has lifted my spirits and supported me on days when I didn’t think I could take another step. I hope I can continue to gain a closer relationship with him and my Savior.

I am grateful for the friends that I have been blessed with. I know Heavenly Father has put them in my life, especially for times of heartache. They are always there when I need a kind word and a smile. I know they love me, even when I feel lost and unloved by everyone else. They are my sisters in everyway, except the sharing of a mother. I am grateful to Heavenly Father for them, for their love and nurturing.

We talked with our missionary on Christmas day. He is such a good example to me. He is sharing the Gospel to everyone he comes in contact with, and he does it so cheerfully. I need to be more like him and try and do daily good works for others. He has been such a blessing in so many ways. He is such an example of how I should be more willing to do service and to share.

I have so many daily blessings that I need to remember. Just the getting up and being able to read scriptures, go to work and then have a home and family to return to. It is much more than so many others have. I am truly blessed!!

Trying a Little Harder . . . .

Last night we attended the RS Enrichment night to finish out the Pursuit of Excellence program that we began in the Summer. I must say, it was a very nice night. It was so relaxed and yet the thoughts that were put across were so appropriate for this time of year. They ladies also did a wonderful job with the dinner. Our Pursuit of Excellence program was based on "Try a little harder to be a little better." I've been trying, but wish I had even tried harder. I guess the whole goal though is to just get going, and that I have accomplished. I am determined to continue to still try to do this more and more this coming year.

Bishop C gave a wonderful talk and spoke of how we should give. He told a story of 2 girls that lived in Canada in a small farming town in the early 1930s. They weren't well off, but they had more than a neighboring family. He told of how these 2 girls invited the other family over for Christmas dinner without letting their own family know. He spoke of how they gave of what they had and how their lives had been blessed by this event. What a wonderful experience this must have been for those 2 women. It did make me want to try a little harder to be a little better. We have been so blessed in our lives, that it would show a lack of gratitued on our part to not do so. I feel blessed that I was there to attend and feel the spirit that was there.

As I contemplate this, I think that I need to look to the Savior and his example even more. If we try to be like him, how can we not be trying a little harder to be a little better. I love the song "If the Savior Stood Beside Me" it helps me to remember the way I should be thinking. I hope I can do more this year to remember him and try to have his companionship so that I can be better and treat others with more kindness and love.

Always Changing

So, I guess I'm not quiting my job at the end of the month. I figure Christmas time is not a good time to make rash decisions. We are still trying to simplify life however.

We got the greatest letter yesterday from our missionary. He will be home Feb. 5th and can I just tell you - I'm so EXCITED!!!! I just can't wait. This two-year business is rather long. I think he'll be glad for the tuition break from my work also. It seems that there are always little blessings that we take for granted. This would be one of them. I am going to take some more classes while I'm here and it's free. It seems crazy not to take advantage of this. So, when you see me with my eyes glazed over you will know that I've been up doing homework. Maybe someday I'll become something brilliant and it will all be worth the hardwork.