Thanksgiving- Part 2

So for the past 2 weeks, I've gone along everyday making a mental list of all the things I am grateful for. For blogging purposes and for the fun of it, I'm going to try to make a smaller more condensed version of 10 things I'm thankful for. And it really is the smaller version...

I am most thankful for...

1. Shane- I don't know what I did to deserve him but I'm sure glad I did it!:o) He is more than I could have ever dreamt of in a best friend, eternal companion, and father of my child & future children!

2. Mr. Drake- I am sooo very thankful to have this beautiful, happy, fairly easy, baby boy in my life! He has brought more joy to us in the short 4 months he's been on this earth than we ever imagined...

3. Family- in general. For my parents, especially my amazing Mom who does so much for me & my little family. My siblings who always keep us entertained. For my in-laws who are a great support. For my Mamma, aunts, uncles, cousins... everyone! I love that family bond! And the best part about it is being sealed to them for time and all eternity.

4. Jesus Christ & His Gospel- This one is pretty loaded because there is so much I am grateful for. I am eternally thankful for my Savior; for His example and ultimate sacrifice. I am thankful I have the knowledge that can only be found through His gospel and the benefits of having it in my life. For temples, forever families, the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost, the scriptures... soooo much more!

5. Friends- I am so grateful for the people who I can call my friends, who offer that love and support that can only come from a friend!

6. "For the beauty of the earth..." - I personally believe that the earth's beauty- from the gorgeous mountains & canyons, to turquoise blue water & white sandy beaches, and gorgeous sunsets like the one in the valley today- all testify of God's divinity. "I'm glad that I live in this beautiful world Heavenly Father created for me!":o)

7. My job- It sounds kinda silly but at this time in our economy, it's not something everyone can say, right?

8. To live in this day and time- I'm thankful to live at a time in the world where we have cars that can take us from one state to another in less than half of a day, for computers, for modern medicine, in door plumbing!!!:o) My Mamma told me they didn't have a bath tub in their house until she was 7 or 8 years old! So... You know how older people say this generation is spoiled? Well, in that sense, I agree!

9. My ancestry & heritage- Along with being one of the spoiled generation, I am sooo thankful for those who came before me to make my future. For my pioneer ancestors who had the faith and determination to cross the plains and make a new life in the West. I'm proud of my pioneer heritage. And just as much of my Maori heritage! I'm thankful for my Nani-ma for the many things she sacrificed to be baptized a member of the church...


And lastly, 10. My LIFE- That may seem a bit vague so let me elaborate...

Within the last 2 weeks, 2 amazing woman who were friends to my family and I, passed away after strong fights with cancer...

Susan Mortenson Turley was only 3 years older than I am and had married the first week in January of 2008. Sis. Conway was a mother of 8, with a daughter who is my age. I was not extremely close to them both, but I knew them and they knew me. Sis. Conway was my couselor my last year of girls camp and I learned a lot about how dedicated she was to her calling as well as the Gospel. Susan's family was in my ward growing up and since I was young, I had looked up to Susan as one of "the older girls" that I wanted to be like. Ya know when you were just a little beehive girl, idolizing the Laurels because they were so cool? That what Susan was to me.
Sister Conway passed away the night before Thanksgiving and Susan just this last Friday, Dec. 5th. Since before their passing away, both of their families have been in so much of my thoughts and prayers, and I continue to pray for their peace & comfort. These woman have left behind great legacies and they will not be forgotten...

I am a pretty sensitive person so death is not something that I handle without a lot of emotion. Especially where people I know are concerned. So these past 2 weeks, I have been QUITE emotional! Their passing just got me thinking about a lot of things... Where is the level of my faith in the Lord's plans for each of us. What if this were my mom or sister. What if this were me.
I wondered if I have made an impact on people around me like these 2 have? Would those that I am close to really know how much I love them? Would my son grow up knowing how much I love him and see my life as an example of one worthy to follow so we could be together again after this earthly life? I can honestly say I've tried making some changes...

Since I had Drake, be it because of the hormones or lack of sleep or whatever, but I have been a little cranky and a tad inpatient with people. Especially my siblings & my poor, sweet husband. I would feel so bad and so guilty if the last thing I did was snap at one of them or was mad at them over something so silly and not even worth a second thought! I don't think I could ever forgive myself... So that is an example of one thing I'm trying to change.
I'm trying to show those around me and close to that I am so thankful to have them in my life. To know them and to experience what it is they have to offer me. I am stopping to notice the beautiful sunsets at the end of long days and saying a little prayer of appreciation for it. I'm trying to not "procrastinate the day of my repentance," better know my Savior, and live more righteously so that I may return to live with Him...

All these things I've pondered on and am thankful for have affected my life in one way or another. Which is why I am thankful for my life... The passing of Sis. Conway and Susan have made me realize how fragile life is and that our lives do not belong to us completely-but to our Heavenly Father. And when He says it's time to go, it's time.

To sum it up, I'll share my favorite quote as of recently. Kinda corny but I like it- deep and SO profound. It comes from Kung Fu Panda. The wise old turtle tells Po:
"Yesterday is history. Tomorrow, a mystery. But today is a gift- that is why it is called the present."

I am grateful for every day of that gift that has passed, and even more for every day to come...