Bring On Thanksgiving Day~

Today was our dear sister Marilyn's furneral. Last night her viewing was held. As we mingled among family there was such a sweet spirit in the room. Perhaps Marilyn was there along with others family members who have passed away. It was at least comforting to think about that.  My husband"s brother Bruce and his wife Anita had brought a picture of a bronze statue. It depected a woman bent over with age and walking with a cane going to the veil and as she passed through the veil, her spirit body was as a young woman being welcomed by Christ. This I know in my heart is what happened to Marilyn when she was welcomed into the world of the spirit. I know that her parents and sister were there to greet her.
There's nothing like a death to bring family together and there was pure love in the room last night. Today I am pausing  with a thankful heart for Marilyn, a wonderful sister and friend and for all of our family that were gathered together today and for those who were not present.

I think that Thanksgiving is a great time to reflect on our many blessings. Pres. Thomas S. Monson stated in a conference address in 1992: "This is a wonderful time to be living here on earth. Our opportunities are limitless. While there are some things wrong in the world today, there are many things right, such as teachers who teach, ministers who minister, marriages that make it, parents who sacrifice, and friends who help. We can lift ourselves, and others as well, when we refuse to remain in the realm of negative thought and cultivate within our hearts an attitude of gratitude. If ingratitude be numbered among the serious sins, then gratitude takes it's place among the noblest of virtures." He further stated:
"A popular refrain from the 1940s captured the thought:
Accentuate the positive;
Elimate the negative.
Latch on to the affirmative;
Don't mess with Mr. In-between.
This is good advice then. Good advice now."
Here is his Gratitude list: ( everything is quotations is from his message: "An Attitude of
Gratitude from CR. 1992.)
"First, there is gratitude for our mothers-"
My mother was such an example of service. I look back on all of the things that she did for our family and now feel sad that I didn't appreciate her more for her selfless efforts in my behalf. I miss her and wish I could just pick up the phone and talk with her. Thanks for all our special mothers who sacrifice so much for us all.

"Second,  let us reflect gratitude for our fathers-
Father, like Mother, is ever willing to sacrifice his own comfort for that of his children."
 I had a father who loved me so much. I was his only little girl and he was such a treasure in my life. I have a valiant husband who loves his children and grandchildren and is such a kind and loving Patriarch of our posterity.

"Third, let us have gratitude for our friends-
 "Our most cherished friend is our partner in marriage. This old world would be so much better off today if kindness and deference were daily a reflection of our gratitude for wife, for husband."
I am eternally grateful for the righteous husband and father of my children. My dear husband  is my eternal friend. I also have many dear friendships with family and friends that I treasure. I have had many friends through the years that have had a deep impact on my life.Friends are such a blessing in our lives.

"Fourth, May we acknowledge gratitude of our country the land of our birth."
We are living in the Promised Land.

Fifth, deep gratitude for the scriptures-

The Articles Of Faith of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ~

8 We believe the ^aBible to be the ^bword of God as far as it is translated ^ccorrectly; we also believe the ^dBook of Mormon to be the word of God.

I taught seminary for 4 years and I was very apprehensive about teaching the lessons on the Bible. It just seemed like it was a very large book. I had never read it from front to back; but had read parts of it through the years. I soon fell in love with this wonderful book of scriptures. The stories were exciting to teach and had so much revelance for our day. Who would not love teaching about Adam and Eve, Moses and the ten commandments, David and Goliath, Daniel in the Lions den, the poetry of the Pslams, and the wisdom of Proverbs. We do believe in the Bible as far as it is translated correctly. 

I also had the opportunity to teach the Book of Mormon in seminary. There is a spirit about that book that is so sweet. Reading of the coming of the Savior to the America's is such a profound additional testament of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

 One can not read the pages of 3 Nephi without sheding tears and feeling the testimony and love that the Savior had for these ancient people and for us today. This Book  is a record of the people who lived in the promised land of America in 600 BC through 421 AD.

It was written for us today. I have found countless answers to many questions through the writings of these ancient prophets. I know this book to be true.

"Sixth, and finally - even supremely -let us reflect gratitude for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. His glorious gospel provides answers to life's greatest questions: Where did we come from? Why ar we here? Where does my spirit go when I die? His called misionaries bring to those who live in darkness the light of divine truth. He taught us how to pray. He taughts us how to live. He taught us how to die. His life is a legacy of love. The sick he healed; the downtrodden He lifted; the sinner He Saved.....Let us follow Him, Let us emulate His example. Let us obey His word. By so doing, we give to Him the divine gift of gratitude."

I have such a grateful heart  for the testimony that I have that we have a Living Prophet today, Pres. Thomas S. Monson. We have the scriptures to learn of our Savior,Jesus Christ. How I love the Savior and am so grateful for his atoning sacrifice for us all. I know that the Book of Mormon is true. I am thankful for temples that dot the earth. I know that my husband and I are eternal companions. We have made a covenant and have been sealed together forever in the temple. I know that if we keep those covenants we can have an eternal marriage. I know that we can be a forever family.
I count my blessings everyday. I recognize the tender mercies of the Lord in my life.

Wishing all of my dear family and friends a Happy Thanksgiving day of joy and rejoicing in the many blessings that abound.