The Thanksgiving Spirit

Because of my whole thesis “drama” I had a hard time getting into the Thanksgiving Spirit this year. I was too busy freaking out over other things. But I watched as some friends and family members posted their “thanks” on Facebook this year and I was impressed with what they found to be thankful for. These posts helped me through a stressful fall and reminded me to give thanks.

My former co-worker and friend, Julie Sherwood, posted some amazing patriotic things she was grateful for. I agreed with her and wished I could be as eloquent in my thanks for my country and countrymen who have sacrificed so much for us.

My friend and Chaparral alum, Marcela Kofford, posted her excitement and thanks at seeing her sister again after so many years apart. I admit, I teared up over that one. I imagined myself living far away from my sisters and not being able to see them or my family for years.

My sister-in-law, Carolyn Mohler, gave thanks to an understanding policeman who realized baby Charlie dialing 911 was an accident and didn’t give her grief for it. I chuckled over that one and was grateful for her sense of humor in sharing this incident.

My sister, Terresa Wellborn (the Chocolate Chip Waffle blogger), asked people what they were bringing to the Thanksgiving table this year. The answers ranged from silly to serious, but it was her grateful heart that shown through that question and on her blog.

I have an idea. What if instead of thinking about what we’re thankful for once a year, we think about it once a day? Can you imagine how much happier you’d be if instead of dwelling on what you don’t have, you dwell on what you do? We have an abundance to be thankful for.

I’ll go first.

Here are my top 5:
I’m thankful for my husband and for my boys. They boost me, support me, and love me.

I’m thankful for my family and friends. They accept me with all of my faults and forgive me when I need it.

I’m grateful for my health and my life. Every time I run I think of my friend, Megan Kiehl, who passed away several years ago from ALS. She had been in a wheelchair and then bedridden. I took my body for granted until she was diagnosed.

I’m thankful for my job. I love it and I’m never bored with it or the kids.

I’m grateful for my life experiences---the good and the bad. They have made me who I am today.

What are you thankful for?

Sunday, Steve, the Sacrament

A couple of Sundays ago Steve volunteered to take the sacrament to several elderly people in our ward. They couldn’t get out to church and had requested it brought to them. I love Steve for many reasons, but that Sunday Steve earned even more of my love and respect.

He had worked all night, had little sleep that morning, and had attended church with me for 3 hours. Our boys were with their other parents, so it could’ve been nap time, relaxing time, DVD time, or just plain alone time, but Steve volunteered because no one else would. I had never gone with a priesthood holder to offer the sacrament to others. I went with Steve because I was curious to see Steve in this situation (and it’s always fun to be with him.)

Taking the sacrament to those who can’t get to church is not a glamorous job. It takes patience, kindness, and tact. The people we visited were lonely and sometimes sad. We knew some of them and introduced ourselves to others. We were welcomed into their homes. Steve very solemnly blessed and passed the sacrament to each of the 7 people we visited. I watched him perform this sacred duty and was proud of him. It was another side of him I was able to witness.

Some of the members hadn’t been able to attend church in months. They wanted to chat. We listened, we reminisced about old wards and people we knew, we looked for lost keys, met a cute cat, and even looked for a missing remote control. We learned a little about each elderly brother or sister we visited. These were gifts to me. (I love hearing stories people tell.) I was worried about Steve though. I knew he was tired and needed sleep before going to work that night.

Even though he was exhausted, Steve continued until we had been to each home. My love for Steve grew as I watched his gentle kindness towards these brothers and sisters. I was blessed that day to spend time with my amazing husband while he performed a service for those who needed it.