Simply Grateful

I have had A LOT of emotions swirling through my brain these past 30 days or so, but I think the most prominent one would be gratitude. It’s funny how after your trial you look back and see all of the blessings in your life, and when you are actually going through them and experiencing them, it is hard to see. I was driving to work, a long commute of 1.3 miles and listening to Christmas music. I looked out the window at all of the trees that were dusted with a light snow, their branches all white and I was grateful for this time of year. Yes I know that a lot of people this time of year go CRAZY with presents and spending and Santa, but at that moment, I was grateful it was Christmas time and I could remember and reflect on the birth of my Savior.
I have looked back and re-lived certain events of the past month and I am simply grateful.

• I am grateful that I have a husband who listens to the Holy Ghost and follows promptings immediately and without question. When he found out he didn’t get the first job (a job he was 100% certain he would get), he didn’t get upset or even discouraged. He turned to the Lord and the Spirit prompted him down a path that led to the job he needed.
• I am grateful for prayer. I know that I am never alone. I know the Jesus Christ suffered in Gethsemane. Because He went through that, He knows perfectly how to comfort me, and He did. All I had to do was ask and it was immediate. 
• I am grateful for President Uchtdorf. I must have read his talk “You Matter to Him” 50 times over this past month. There were so many things that stood out to me and comforted me, which include: “No matter where you live, no matter how humble your circumstances, how meager your employment, how limited your abilities, how ordinary your appearance, or how little your calling in the Church may appear to you, you are not invisible to your Heavenly Father. He loves you. What you see and experience now is not what forever will be. You will not feel loneliness, sorrow, pain, or discouragement forever. We have the faithful promise of God that He will neither forget nor forsake those who incline their hearts to Him.” So very grateful for Apostles of the Lord who know just what to say to help us through hard times.
• I am grateful for my family. They have helped so much. They are there to listen, to comfort, to bless, and to help in every single way imaginable. They love me and my family. They want to see us succeed and they will do everything in their power to help that happen.
• I am grateful for my friends. Like me family, they were right there for us and would do anything we needed. They put our names in the temple, they brought over ice cream, they fasted and prayed for us, they offered words of comfort, and even words of humor. I have awesome friends and I am very grateful for those that I associate with.
• The most important thing I am grateful for is God’s Love.  I couldn’t say it any better than President Uchtdorf once again: “God does not look on the outward appearance. I believe that He doesn’t care one bit if we live in a castle or a cottage, if we are handsome or homely, if we are famous or forgotten. Though we are incomplete, God loves us completely. Though we are imperfect, He loves us perfectly. Though we may feel lost and without compass, God’s love encompasses us completely. No matter our distress, no matter our sorrow, no matter our mistakes, our infinitely compassionate Heavenly Father desires that we draw near to Him so that He can draw near to us.” I have put that statement to the test, and I have felt God’s love and compassion for me individually and for my family.
• I am grateful for the little things. There are so many. I am grateful we got our Christmas shopping done early. I am grateful for healthy kids since it will be a while before we have insurance again. I am grateful for the kindness of strangers and co-workers. I am grateful for food storage. I am grateful for planning ahead. I am grateful for weekday get-togethers. I am grateful to live next door to my parents. I am grateful for inside jokes. I am grateful to serve others. I am grateful that Matt gets free lunch. I am grateful for good co-workers. I am grateful for perspective. I am grateful for every day.

There has been a line from a song that has been running through my head. It is from one of my favorite shows – Forgotten Carols. After Connie Lou’s heart is changed she sings “All I ever wanted, all I ever dreamed of, everything I hoped, and all the things I prayed for couldn't hold a candle to what I've been given - I've been given what I need.” Our family has truly been given what we need. We have been blessed in so many ways this Christmas Season and for that I am SIMPLY GRATEFUL!!