Giving Thanks

Looks like I have some catching up to do, as usual. I always have the best intentions to keep up with my blog, but alas, find that other things get a higher priority and my blog gets neglected. So first, I'll catch up.

The elections are over and Barack Obama won. I have to say I was shocked to say the least. Mitt Romney is such a class act and I think he really could have turned things around in this country. I was stunned that the majority of Americans chose a man who has covered things up, tanked the economy, and put the USA in debt so deeply. However, I am grateful that as Americans we have the freedom to vote and choose our leader and I realize that not everyone sees things the way I do. The thing I have to remember is to strive to live righteously and strengthen my family and that will be the greatest benefit I can provide to our country and the Kingdom of God.

Thanksgiving was just last Thursday. For the past few years I've posted daily on Facebook what I am thankful for. I didn't do that this year, but still pondered the innumerable blessings I enjoy. In fact, when I think about how blessed I am it puts me in a state of awe. I am blessed spiritually and temporally and hope I will never ever take for granted how fortunate I am.

I'm so thankful to live in a free country. We can be and do whatever we want. We can worship however we choose. We have an abundance of opportunity. It's no wonder so many people try to come into this country and I am grateful to live here. I'm thankful for the community I live in. We are surrounded by incredible, choice children of our Father in Heaven and I am so grateful for this Utopia that is my neighborhood. My ward is amazing, my kids go to great schools, our neighbors are thoughtful and kind, and we have natural beauty that astounds me as I walk out my front door. A beautiful mountain range that colorfully follows the four seasons.

I am grateful for the Gospel which ties right into my gratitude for my family. Without the Gospel or my family, I can't imagine life. They are everything! Because of our Savior and my family, I try to be a better person. I have an eternal perspective that really helps me see what is important, which is the Gospel and my family. My greatest blessing is being a wife and mother. When I married Don, I felt like I was on top of the world. Then when Jordan and Jacie joined our family, I was over the moon! I'd do anything for them and it is my greatest desire to teach them the importance of making good choices so I can help return them to our Heavenly Father in mint condition. I realize they are just mine for this earthly sojourn and I thank Heavenly Father every day he entrusted these precious spirits to me and Don and give us the privilege of having this earthly stewardship over them. I say this often, but I think I learn more from them than they do me. How I love them! Sometimes when I think about Don and the Girls I find tears streaming down my face. Tears of love, gratitude, and amazement.

I'm also thankful for incredible Grandparents, Parents, siblings,nieces, nephews, cousins, anuts, uncles, and countless dear friends who are part of our eternal family, but also family by adoption.

I'm thankful for food to eat, clothes to wear, reliable transportation, a warm home, technology, modern medicine, temples nearby and the list could go on and on. In Church a week ago we had a Senior Couple talk. They had returned from serving a mission in France and talked about the sacrifices the Saints in Europe had to make to simply attend the temple.The Elder said he would often think, "forgive us Father, for we know not what we have." Again here is where I hope I never take for granted these abundant blessings.

Christmas is 29 days away. I love the feeling of the Holiday as everyone reflects on Christ and His birth. I love the peace and hope that come with the season and pray that I will strive to focus on going about doing good, just as our Savior taught by example.

Of all the blessings, right up there at the top is the Atonement. I can't really wrap my mind around the magnitude of it, but how I love our Savior and know that He is there for us and truly knows exactly how we feel as He has taken upon Himself our sins, disappointments, sufferings, weaknesses, pain, as well as our joys. I remember a man in Church saying once that he didn't understand the Atonement 100%, but he was 100% grateful for it. I echo that. Now I just need to live so my actions echo that as well.

Election Day

Today is Election Day. I'm sure hoping people come to their senses and vote for Mitt Romney.  Barack Obama has been the President for the last four years and in that time he's apologized for our great nation, tanked our economy and put the country in debt to the tune of about 16 trillion, yes TRILLION dollars! I can't even imagine anyone thinking he deserves more time. UGH! Romney has had great success in business, he has better foreign policy ideas, and I think hands down he's a better leader.

Anyway, Danna said it best back in the summer. She said it's all in the Lord's hands and if Romney needs to be in office, he will. I think Obama can do serious damage to our nation so I'm hoping he gets booted out!

I love our country.  We are so blessed to have the freedoms we enjoy, including voting in our leaders. I love our freedoms - freedoms to worship how, when or what we may, work in whatever job we choose, live where we want to live and travel about freely. We are truly blessed.

Well, soon we will find out if we get a new leader of the free world. Tomorrow is Ben's birthday and I hope for his birthday he gets a new President!