Thankful for Gifts

The topic of my Relief Society lesson last week could not have come at a better time.
I needed to be prepared for what is to come.
(A tender mercy from a loving Heavenly Father.)

The topic: Gifts of the Spirit

And again, to some it is given to have faith to be healed;
And to others it is given to have faith to heal.
And again, to some is given the working of miracles;
D&C 46: 19-21

As a mother, I have relied on these gifts (and so many others) as my daughters have struggled with medical uncertainties.
My youngest has also endured (will endure) surgeries and faces a lifetime of pain and discomfort.

I am thankful for the gifts and talents of skilled Doctors.
For their love and concern for others as they do all that they can to help and heal.
I am thankful for Doctors that know their limits and are humble enough to send people to skilled individuals who can help.

I am thankful for the strength and courage of my daughters.
I am thankful for the promise that we will gain strength through our trials.
I am thankful that our Savior has endured ALL and knows our pains and trials intimately.
He knows US intimately.
I am thankful that we can rely on Him to get through the difficult moments in life.

I am thankful that

Happiness comes as a result of our obedience and our courage in always doing the will of God,
even in the most difficult circumstances
Benjamín De Hoyos

I am thankful that I have obedient and faithful daughters that are full of happiness and bring me such great joy.

Thanksgiving

THIS YEAR...

a grand total: 36 hours of cooking and baking
all of the furniture in the house stayed in place
a smaller than usual group around a single table
two new recipes (green beans and sweet potatoes) met Evan's approval
awesome family and friends
so much to be thankful for!!

Quotable

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday....
no costumes, no suitcases, no gifts,
no basket grass and half-eaten marshmallow eggs,
no flags to fly, no pageants to prepare.
Just friends and family
bowed together before Heavenly Father.

Katherine Wirthlin Cannon

I share this sentiment!!
I am looking forward to a great week.

Motherhood, Tug-Of-War & Thanksgiving

As a mother of two beautiful daughters,
I sometimes find myself as a rope
in a game of emotional tug of war.

Today, for example
one daughter is dealing with the obstacles of  growing into adulthood,
while the other is the recipient of  discouraging news from her doctor.

I am standing here,
being pulled to one side
sad and feeling the pain of one
while being pulled to the other side
worried and concerned for the other.

Thank goodness for the mercies of Heaven.
For the Priesthood.
For a husband, worthy to bless his children.
For the gift of healing.
For the gift of faith.

Truly, it is a season of Thanksgiving.

Quotable

‎The greater part of our happiness
or misery depends on our
dispositions
and not on our circumstances.

Martha Washington

Routines and Traditions

It seems, recently, that life’s routine has hit, and hit hard.
Wake up early, go to the gym, go to work, go home, fix dinner, moonlight, sleep.

Things look up, however.
Thanksgiving is next week.
I host, as usual.
It is something I really enjoy doing.
Turkey has been ordered, cleaning chores are next.
Ok, so I don't enjoy the cleaning.

I do, however, enjoy a house full of guests... enjoying a meal that took days to prepare.
(and minutes to devour!)

Thanksgiving Daily . . .

Girls Night

Steak dinner for 3… $
Event tickets for 5… $
another fantastic SYTYCD tour outing with my girls… priceless

(sharing my chair with the hips belonging to the lady next to me - not what I expected)

Quotable

‎"As we express our gratitude,
we must never forget
that the highest appreciation is not to utter words,
but to live by them."

~John F. Kennedy

What is it?

All baptisms into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints are special.
I am always amazed by the faith of the little children as they reach the age of accountability
and make their first great decision and enter the waters of baptism.

Behold I say unto you that this thing shall ye teach—repentance and baptism
unto those who are accountable and capable of committing sin;
yea, teach parents that they must repent and be baptized, and humble themselves as their little children,
and they shall all be saved with their little children.

~Moroni 8:10

But what is it, about convert baptisms? I cannot put my finger on it,
but I do know that they are extraordinarily special.

I joined the Laurels in our Ward last night, as they witnessed the baptism of one of their peers.
The room was filled with members and non-members.
Family, freinds and leaders were there.
There was chaos and commotion.
It was beautiful.

Congratulations to Alex and her life changing decision.
The right path is not always the easy path.
But it is worth it!