Feeling Grateful

So, in the current month's Ensign (December 2011) the home teaching message, er, actually, it's really the First Presidency's message, talks about the choice to be grateful. Its a great message and I felt the need to be more grateful. So, for Family Home Evening last night James and I took the Youth's Challenge from the article. It challenges the youth to write down 100 things they are grateful for and gave a guideline to help think of things. James and I followed the guideline, each of us writing down our thoughts, then coming together to compare. This is what we came up with:

A. Ten physical abilities you're grateful for:

1. My 5 senses work; I am grateful to see.

2. I can walk; I am grateful to work on the computer.

3. I can read and write; I am grateful to be able to drive.

4. I can run; I am grateful to be able to read.

5. I can hug my husband; I am grateful to be able to sing.

6. I can play with my dog; I am grateful to be able to run.

7. I can swim; I am grateful to be able to hug my wife.

8. My body functions normally; I am grateful to be able to water-ski.

9. I can lift things; I am grateful to be able to throw a ball.

10. I can speak and sing; I am grateful to be able to give my wife kisses. :)

B. Ten material possessions you're grateful for:

1. Computer; Car

2. Books; House

3. Photographs; Clothing

4. Jewelry; TV

5. Clothing; Books

6. Shoes; Boomer

7. Decor; Tools

8. House; Food

9. Bed; Computer

10. Piano; Wedding ring

C. Ten living people you're grateful for:

1. My husband; My dad

2. Parents; My mom

3. Siblings; My wife

4. In-laws; A living Prophet

5. Extended Family; My siblings

6. Friends; In-laws

7. Ward Sisters; My co-workers

8. Grandparents; My college professors

9. Living prophets and apostles; My friends

10. Boomer (he's a person to me); Our ward

D. Ten deceased people you're grateful for:

1. Jared; Grandma and Grandpa Hall

2. Grandparents; The Savior (though, when he really thought about it, it doesn't really count. He Lives)

3. James Godson Bleak; Joseph Smith

4. President Hinckley; Sir Isaac Newton

5. Chase Hunt; George Washington

6. Aunt Louise; Brigham Young

7. Brigham Young; Lord Kelvin

8. Joseph Smith; Walt Disney

9. Passed members of the Quorum of the 12; Bishop Badger

10. Signers of the Declaration of Independence and Constitution; Gordon B. Hinckley

E. Ten things in or about nature you're grateful for:

1. Flowers; Warmth

2. Soft green grass; Mountains

3. Trees; Grass

4. Mountains; Lakes and rivers

5. Seasons; Desert sunsets

6. Oceans; Eclipses

7. Colors; Trees

8. Animals; Colors

9. Beauty; Cacti

10. Calming ability; Javalinas

F. Ten things about today you're grateful for:

1. Coming home to a house; When I'm appreciated at work.

2. Coming home to Christmas lights; I'm grateful that I could play with Boomer.

3. Coming home to my husband; I can snuggle with my wife.

4. Coming home to my puppy; My big TV.

5. Coming home!; A warm delicious meal.

6. Friends at work; Timely use of Christmas lights.

7. Car with a heater; Friends at work.

8. Working windshield wipers; A desert rainstorm.

9. I had a lunch to eat; Sweet kisses.

10. We have jobs; Clean house.

G. Ten places on earth you're grateful for:

1. A home in Mesa; Our house.

2. A home in Elwood; The Draper Temple.

3. Temples; Bear Lake.

4. Oklahoma; BYU campus

5. Venezuela; NYC

6. My home; Venezuela

7. Provo, UT; Bear River High School.

8. Bear Lake; Mt. Lemmon.

9. Disney (Land and World); Disney Land

10. Florida; The beach

The Sealing room we were married in :) (Draper, UT Temple)

H. Ten modern inventions you're grateful for:

1. Airplanes; Internet

2. Dishwashers; TVs

3. AC/Heaters; Rockets

4. Computers; Computers

5. iPods; Cell phones

6. Cars; Jet airplanes

7. Light bulbs; Modern medical technologies

8. Pre-lit Christmas trees; Nuclear power

9. Helicopters; DVDs

10. Shape-Ups; Video Games

I. Ten foods you're grateful for:

1. Bread; Pizza

2. Chocolate; Chinese take-out

3. Peanut butter (especially mixed with chocolate!); Cold cereal

4. Fruit; Ice cream

5. Vegetables; Candy

6. Pasta; Black beans and rice

7. Mexican (some...); Steak

8. Cheeeeeese; Buffalo wings

9. French fries; Pasta

10. Meat; Cox Creamed Honey

J. Ten things about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints you're grateful for:

1. Families are forever; Eternal families

2. Primary; Forgiveness through repentence

3. Relief Society; Volunteer leadership

4. The Priesthood; Fast offerings

5. Temples; Missionary program

6. The Atonement of the Savior; The Book of Mormon

7. Living Prophet; Temples

8. Same church that Christ Himself established; A ward family

9. The Restoration; A living Prophet

10. I am a child of God; The Priesthood

(It was hard to only list 10 for this section!)

We really had a great time doing this. It was fun to see us write the same things down and hear the different ones. All day today I've been thinking how I can add to this list. We are blessed so much by Heavenly Father! I feel like...was it Mormon or Moroni that said something like, "This isn't even a hundredth part"? I feel like this list of 100 things doesn't even scratch the surface of how many blessings I have in my life. I need to do these exercises more often. They're humbling and motivate me to be a better "thanker." Is that even a word? :) I want to be thankful more is what I mean :) So, thank YOU for reading this blog post :)