Being Thankful

I know its a bit early but I want to share my thanks. We should, of course share our thanks all year. I'm thankful for my family and friends, my husband, church, and all the beautiful things in this land. I'm thankful for fruits and vegetables, our herbs, meats, juices and treats as well. In fact, there is not anything I'm not thankful for.

Sometimes, we forget what we have and tend to get frustrated about our lives. We tend to want the wrong things, the worldly things. Money and physical goods that we covet, whether it be from a store because we can't afford it or that awesome car that a neighbor might own. Coveting only brings grief and frustration, jealousy and anger.

As children of our Heavenly Father, we should show a better example for our friends and neighbors. Humble minds and sincere hearts show that we have a good outlook on life and a grateful soul. I know that being sincere is a good thing and I try to show that honesty and sincerity in my daily life. I know the Church is true and that our leaders are called of God. I know the Book of Mormon is true as is the Holy Bible. I'm grateful for the love we all share with each other and the good feeling I get when I'm able to show my love to those around me.

Our Church Leaders

Sometimes, as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints, LDS or Mormons, we tend to forget our leadership are human also. That they are not flawless but human like the rest of us. As members, we need to show our support and activity to them and to respect their leadership over us.

As we are aware of our humanity, we should be aware of theirs. President Thomas S. Monson is a true Prophet of God and leads us through inspiration of our Heavenly Father. He is guided and leads us through prayer and supplication with the Lord. As he goes through the humility and prayer for us, we should also go through the same thing for him and the rest of the leaders of the Church.

Heavenly Father gives us the same opportunity to have prophecy as far as our family is concerned. I woke up this morning with happiness and a prayer on my lips. I prayed that Heavenly Father would bless us all and especially those who are sick and afflicted. Both people and animals. I know to some this seems a bit extreme but I feel the we received our animal friends to comfort and love us in our time of need so I feel they should be blessed also.

Maybe my heart is to sensitive. Maybe my sensitivity is to much for our fellow man. Just maybe that is why I am who I am. I remember as a child, I'd be so into Christ that I'd be at the church alter almost every week when we were members of the Salvation Army Church. I was involved in the band and in sharing the gospel. Little did I know at the time it was preparing me for a larger and better assignment. Because of my sensitivity, I now understand how hard it is to lead and guide even my own family. I miss and love them all dearly. I pray in the name of Jesus that they will be provided for and guided by the power of Jesus Christ to do righteous and helpful things for their own families.  I know that through their own powers of inspiration and prayer that they to can share the Holy Ghost in their lives.

Everyone has the opportunity to provide their families with the power of prayer and supplication with the Lord. I pray in the name of Jesus Christ that we all share our faith and love with those around us. I pray that we be blessed with the spirit to provide whatever assistance is needed to our families and those in need. I also pray that we remember our leaders in and out of the church that they be inspired of the Lord to lead us in righteousness and prayer. I know we are but a small measure in this world of peril and contention but if provided with the right power and authority, we can move mountains. Please remember our leaders in your prayers daily as they are only human as you and I. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ our Savior, Amen.

Humiity

Today,as my husband and I contemplated filing bankruptcy, I overheard a conversation in an adjoining room. The lawyer was verifying information with a couple. A male voice spoke up talking about a house that was purchased. They had apparently used returned taxes to put a down payment on the house and were successfully making the payments. Then I heard a female voice pipe up that the chemotherapy rapidly wiped out the money they had to the point of putting them in the lawyers office; having to agree to filing bankruptcy,  thus losing the house they had just recently purchased. They walked out of the office and it was obvious who was getting the therapy. We then found out that we didn't actually have enough debt to file.

At first I thought of how frustrating it must be for this young couple to have so much on their plate. Also, how hard it had to be make such a decision to lose their home and the security it brings. Then I realized how much less it would be for them stress wise, to know one less problem they would have. I prayed for them as we left the office. He had also mentioned how his work insurance didn't cover the chemo. That frustrated me to think that his job wasn't helping him any and then she had mentioned that she was working two jobs.

I know that there could go I or Gary in that predicament. At this time, neither of us were dealing with a life ending situation, though we have in the past. I am grateful to be reminded of how Heavenly Father works and I pray that this young couple have all the help and support they need. Everyday I am reminded of what I have or don't have in life. Everyday, I am ever grateful for what I do have, a loving and patient husband, his wonderful family who have taken me in and made me a mother and grandmother, and my wonderful brothers and sisters. I marvel at how we continue to communicate with each other.

I'm also grateful for the church and the leadership. I'm always reminded of the beauty this world provides to us. I know the anxiety being faced and the promises of the new and old time Prophets. I know we face harder times ahead but I also know we as a people will be blessed if we continue to do the little things to follow the teachings and promises provided in keeping the promises we made to our Heavenly Father.

Heavenly Father, please bless those who struggle daily. Give them the strength and courage to follow you above. Keep them encouraged and provide them what they at need day to day. Always in the name of your son and our loving Savior, Jesus Christ, amen....