Many Blessings

At this Thanksgiving time, I am reminded of so many, many blessings that my Heavenly Father has blessed me with.  Let me just name a few.

1.  Knowledge of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ

2.  The power of Christ's Atonement

3.  The Bible, Book of Mormon, Pearl of Great Price and Doctrine and Covenants that testify of Jesus Christ.

4.  A living prophet who receives revelation from the Savior for our needs today

5.  Opportunities to pray to Heavenly Father and receive answers 

6.  Family that makes life so worthwhile

7.  Opportunity to live in a free country and worship as I choose

8.  Free Agency to choose which way I want to go

9.  Opportunities to learn and grow

10. Friendships of good people

11.  Food on my table

12.  A warm home during cold winters

I am so grateful for the bounteous blessings my family receives daily from a loving Heavenly Father.   In gratitude for these blessings, I hope to do everything I can to do His will.

Knowledge of a Loving Heavenly Father

I have often pondered the blessings that come to my life because of the knowledge I have of a loving Heavenly Father who has a body of flesh and bones and whose image I am created in. Yesterday as I was returning from a conference trip, I was reminded again of this great blessing.  As I was driving home, in the dark, the roads started to get snowy, and I started feeling all alone.  I  said a prayer and tried to drive as slow and safely as I could.  I felt peace and love that I wasn't really alone, and that all would be fine.   

Also when I go to these conferences around the state, I meet good people who are trying to make a difference in the lives of kids.   I quite like these people, and I often ponder how much happier their lives would be if they had the full gospel of Jesus Christ, and what part I could play in sharing what I know with them.    Many times except for standing up for what I believe, this doesn't work out.   So it is comforting to know that Heavenly Father is no respecter of persons but loves all of his children the same.  He has provided a way that all will be able to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ in this life or the next, and have free agency to accept or reject it.  I am comforted to know that these good people will have the same opportunity as anyone else to receive all the blessings of the gospel if they so choose.   

So today I am thankful for the knowledge and testimony I have of a kind and loving Heavenly Father, that I get to know personally through prayer and keeping the commandments.  I am so grateful for all of the many blessings my Father in Heaven bestows on me daily.  

Good People Making a Difference

There are so many good people around me and my family that bless my life every day.  This includes extended family, friends, youth, church leaders, and ward members.  From the many kind deeds to setting a Christ-like example, these people make my life so much better from associating with them.    A few of these kind  deeds are listed below.   

1.  Attending children's birthday parties and other family events.

2.  Sending birthday cards, emails, and family newsletters. 

3.  Spending hours  listening to a teenage son.

4.  Encouraging my children to do great things.

5.  Sharing uplifting comments  of gratitude and love.

6.  Bringing cookies by just to say thank you.

7.  Praying for my family.

8.  A smile or a hello.

9.  Holding the door at a store when my hands are full.

I also benefit so much each day by watching good people become better.  Here's a few things that bless my life by watching others.

1.  Seeing good people deal with challenges so valiantly.

2.  When they make mistakes, like all of us do, repenting, moving on and trying again.

3.  Standing up for what is right in difficult situations.

4.  Choosing to be alone instead of following the crowd.

5.  Bearing testimony of truth by how they conduct themselves.

The simple acts of kindness  and Christ-like examples of those around me bless me and my family every day.   This support system is truly empowering.  It helps my children do good things that a mother hoped they would do, but wasn't able to convince them of.  It brings hope, joy and courage to carry on.