A Grateful Heart!

Wishing all of my dear friends and family a very Happy Thanksgiving Day and Weekend.

In my heart, I have a deep love for people, and I have loved getting to know many of you through blogging and other media. You have blessed my life in many ways. I have enjoyed your posts on various subjects, beautiful photos of activities and treasured family times. There have been occasions when I have been reading posts that one of you have mentioned something that I needed to read or see that day. My heart has been lifted from sad moments. I have learned how to cook better, be more organized, enjoy simple things of life, be more observant of our Heavenly Father's creations. My faith has been strengthened by your kindness and service to others. I have loved reading your testimonies of your own religion, inner peace found and inner struggles lightened.  I love humanity. I love all of you. 

On this Thanksgiving Day, I want to share with you a short gratitude list. These are some of the things that I am deeply thankful for. 

1. I am intensely grateful for my Heavenly Father. I know He loves me and all of you. We are His children. He continues in multiples ways to bless us all. As you draw near unto Him; He will draw near unto you. I believe our Father is in the details of our lives. He wants us to return again to live with Him someday. 

2. I have a deep love for my Savior, Jesus Christ. I know that He suffered and died for me and all of you. Somehow through His Atoning sacrifice, He has felt all of our pains from sin, physical, emotional, and spiritual struggles. He alone knows how we feel. He loves us and is continuing to reach out to us. He is our advocate with the Father. He knows us and has already paid the price for our sins and painful life experiences. All we have to do is repent, be baptized, receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, follow Him and endure to the end. He is our example, and through Him, we can live more Christ-like lives. 

3. I am profoundly thankful that I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I love the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and the infinite Plan of Happiness found within. I love to serve and have had many opportunities through the years. It has increased my love for others tenfold. I know that my beliefs are true because the Spirit of the Holy Ghost has testified to me of its truthfulness. 
I am thankful for our Prophet, President Thomas S. Monson and all of the Apostles. They are true Disciples of Christ and are there for us all.  They travel throughout the world to strengthen our growing church. Our church does so much for the world through its humanitarian efforts; it's incredible!

4. I am grateful for the best husband in the entire world. Now I know there are many that feel the same but I do know I am seriously blessed with a very great Man. He serves me, loves me, cares for me, and teaches me daily what a true Disciple of Christ is. Of course, along with this cherished man; I love our dog named Sammy. He brings lots of joy into my life.

5. Ok, I have the best posterity.My grateful heart loves each of the individuals in our posterity.  I have a total of 6 children and spouses, 32 precious Grandchildren, and 5 beautiful Great Grandchildren. They bless my life in countless ways. 

6. I am thankful for books; I have learned so much from reading.I do love a good novel.
However, I am passionately thankful for my most favorite book; The Book of Mormon. It is a compelling book of scripture. It is a book that speaks to me with answers to prayers and has helped me as an individual, companion to my husband and a parent. I invite all to read this valuable book. I do love the other scriptures, the Holy Bible, Doctrine, and Covenants and
 Pearl of Great Price.They are very powerful books, also. 

7. I am appreciative of great music. I love listening to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Oldies, classical and country. I find music to be mood building and can be very stirring. I also believe that music calms the heart, brings the spirit and can heal my soul.

8. I am thankful for this lovely world we live in. I have three blogging friends that post spectacular photos of nature, and it profoundly moves my soul. 

photo by Barb@Barb's blog

9. Dearest friends and extended family members such as siblings, cousins, aunts, and uncles. I love you all, and my life is more abundant because of you and your friendship with me. Thank you for being the angels in my life that bare me up when times are hard and lighten my heart in many ways. 

10. Last but not least I love the temples that I have the privilege to serve in. I am grateful for my moments within. Here I find peace in the world and it is to me Heavenly Father's priceless University. I always learn something new within those walls. I have received remarkable revelations for my life while in these marvelous edifices. 

I am grateful for this beautiful world and all of the wonderful brothers and sisters in within it. We are all spectacular creations from a loving Heavenly Father. 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING DAY - LOVE TO YOU ALL~