In joy and Thanksgiving

Like many of you I will be celebrating Thanksgiving next week.  SO in honor of thanksgiving.. here goes.

Thanksgiving is an american Holiday celebrating the survival of the early pilgrims and the new friendship they had with the Native Americans. Thanksgiving has come to represent a time of gratitude for our blessings.

I stayed up late last night discussing blessings and trials with my husband. I may have gotten emotional (and when I say maybe it means definitely). 

Life is full of trials. We will all have them. Its a fact. Its also important to understand why we have trials. We came here to be tried and tested, also we live in a fallen world. We may make choices that hurt ourselves or others. Other people may do the same. The Lord will never take our agency or the agency of others. Neil Anderson said in this last General Conference "By definition, trials will be trying. There may be anguish, confusion, sleepless nights, and pillows wet with tears. But our trials need not be spiritually fatal. They need not take us from our covenants or from the household of God....Like the intense fire that transforms iron into steel, as we remain faithful during the fiery trial of our faith, we are spiritually refined and strengthened.."

As I struggle to remain grateful in my own times of trial I find that what is important to remember is that our Savior Jesus Christ has Atoned for the sins and pain of all people. Whatever wounds we have he can heal them, we are not alone in our suffering, he is right there with us. What a tremendous blessing that is. 

"Some blessings come soon, some come late, and some don’t come until heaven; but for those who embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ, they come." - Jeffery R Holland

I am always grateful for the scriptures "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."-John 14:27

So this thanksgiving I am grateful for my healthy family.

I am grateful for the memories we have with those who are passing on.

I am grateful for a large and  loving extended family.

I am grateful for my children.

I am grateful that we have a home, my husband has a job, and we have a car to get us there.

I am grateful for my ancestors.

Above all I am grateful for the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

-Happy Thanksgiving to you all!

Our thankful tree- Eli made sure Santa clause and cars where put on it!