November 15

Today I am thankful for examples. from the scriptures we have Shadrak, Meshack, and Abendigo (sp?). I tried to look them up but couldn't find the reference.

Their example was to stand for what they believed in trusting in God to save them, and if not they would still stand for the right.

I hope that I can always stand for what I believe in. No matter the consequence.

November 14

On my way home tonight, I was thinking that I am nearing 60. I'm not close just nearing it :]. It is really difficult to believe I am not as young as I feel, or as young as my mind tells me I am.

I am thankful for all the good things that have happened in my life and for the knowledge that no matter what happens the things that happen in this life can be for our own good.

I am thankful for the experiences of life. The gifts from God with which I have been richly blessed. And for the knowledge of how much he really Loves us. I had a revelation on that, but that is another story.

November 13

I am thankful for Outlaws (my daughter-in-laws parents). I can never thank them enough for the great job they have done raising such beautiful daughters. They (the outlaws) even love my sons. So today's thanks goes to the outlaws. I get to share their daughters without going through the terrible teenage years.

P.S. I'm sure my girls were the exceptions. :P

November 12

Today I am thankful for friends.

A friend is someone who likes the same things you do. Someone you can laugh and cry with. A friend is someone who cares for your family almost as much as you do. A friend is someone who loves you even if you don't agree with them. A friend is someone who is there for you even when it is inconvenient.

A nice warm Home!

I am thankful for a nice home that is warm at the touch of a switch. I can't imagine what the pioneers had to go through.

I get up in the morning to a warm house. I don't need to stoke the fire to get it that way. Turn the water on and within minutes I have a nice warm shower. No need to boil the water.

I don't need to get a flashlight and take a trip down the path in the middle of the night, to say nothing about the weather outside in winter (by the way I have done that!).

If I am in a hurry I throw something in the microwave. I don't have to chop the wood, stoke the fire in the stove and heat the water for some oatmeal, or I don't have to have a cold biscuit because I don't have time for anything else.

I would love to be snowed in my nice warm house and able to watch the storm from the comfort of my couch.

I am thankful for...

the Ensign. I can never remember all that was said in conference and need the printed word to refresh my memory.

Do you think that is part of the reason King Benjamin had his speech written?

I am going to try and review one talk each week and try to do what it tells me I should. I will probably need more than a week to make it part of my life.

I am thankful for...

the gift of the Holy Ghost. I am thankful that we can be guided in the things we say and do. I am grateful for the knowledge of the love our Heavenly Father has for each of us, and of his desire for us to return to his presence.

I am grateful to know that whatever happens to us can be for our own good and will benefit us. I think about what Joseph Smith went through and know that sometimes we feel despair about the thing we are going through but if we will just turn to the Lord he can heal our heart.

Remember, feelings of discouragement and despair are not from God but from Satan.

I know that despite what we are asked to go through, when we come out the other end of the experience that we will be able to see the reason for all we went through. Maybe not right away but in time. I sometimes feel that we each have our Garden of Gethsemane. That we each have those things we need to experience so that we can be of help to others in their journey here on earth. That is what this whole experience is all about.

What was Joseph told? And if thou shouldst be cast into the "pit, or into the hands of murderers, and the sentence of death passed upon thee; if thou be cast into the deep; if the billowing surge conspire against thee; if fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to hedge up the way; and above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good.

That always puts things in perspective for me, my experience could always be worse. I can't imagine what it would have been like to have been Joseph. (That doesn't mean I am happy about my small trials. It just shows me that we all have things that discourage us and get us down. Even Joseph. And he saw God!)

I am not trying to belittle anything you or I go through because I believe that somethings we go through are difficult. Very difficult. but I am grateful that I have my trials and not someone elses. And if your trials are harder than mine you must be better and have to have a harder trial because what I go through would probably not test you.

I guess what I am saying is a whole lot more than I ment to say but I am grateful for the Holy Ghost and believe if we try to stay in tune we will be guided in all we do. I am still a long way from that but I do keep repenting and trying again.