Gratitude

It’s my turn for the next Relief Society presidency message. I picked the theme a long time ago, then kept it on the back burner for if/when I would be able to use it just pre Thanksgiving. (Which, I might add, in and of itself [the back-burner plan], is totally inappropriate. [Read on and you’ll see why….])

When I was in the Primary years ago I found enough scriptures on gratitude for all the senior Primary kids to come to the podium (had them line up in a circle around the room - maybe 50 of them) and read one. Fifty-ish that they would ‘get’ as they read them. (There are MANY more than that!) Did you know that we are commanded to be grateful? Did you know that we are commanded to express that to our Father in Heaven? Did you know that as with all covenants, it too holds a promise?

D&C 59:21 And in nothing doth man offend God, or against none is his wrath kindled, save those who confess not his hand in all things, and obey not his commandments.

1 Thes. 5: 18
 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Alma 37: 37
 Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day.

I’ve been so buried at work (thoughts far distant from planning a lesson) I decided I’d better ramp up my own obedience and start noting it in writing on a daily basis, or I could hardly presume to give a lesson on it!

So these are my Gratitudes to God of late -

Harvested corn from Uncle Boyd, left Friday 8/29 and again Wednesday 9/3.
Skiff, more than a dusting of snow, on Timp, observed in all its glory, Monday morning 9/1.
Cooler weather so the lawn grows slower, since I don’t have time to mow it! (Turned off the AC on 8/29 with no need since to turn it back on.)
A well insulated house (or I’d have turned on the heat a couple times, like some of my neighbors!).
Salmon-colored raspberries to pick and eat each evening. (And the red ones are almost as tasty.)
Garden produce shared at Enrichment, of which mine to take home and savor was a peach, a small zucchini, and a green pepper.
Humor along the path of life, such as observing the older couple arriving for church, parking near the dumpster and depositing three large bags before going on in.
I’m grateful … for a competent BYU intern!! (Who got me out of the work woods by Friday, 9/5.)
… for a supportive and courageous boss!! (Who has a great work ethic and demands OT pay for me from a government system which would just as soon, and used to, turn a blind eye!)
… for passing a test on Saturday 9/6 based on a 260-page textbook, after working over 200 hours in less than three weeks, with questions like this:
“Foodhandlers can’t work in their operation if they have an illness caused by which pathogen? Vibrio vulnificus, Salmonella Typhi, Clostridium botulinum, or Clostridium perfringens.” (The correct answer is Salmonella Typhi.)
… that when your eyeballs feel like they’ll fall out of your head, they really won’t.
… that when the rest of your tiny family moves over 2,000 miles away, taking the last of your grandchildren with them (how rude!), you are (almost) too busy to cry much.
… for a yummy Sunday morning breakfast consisting of whole wheat pancakes topped with syrup and real blue berries. (But no, lest you think I actually cook - they’re Eggo’s.)
… that my knee is up to walking me down to and back from the stake center (north of the cemetery) for the Saturday and Sunday conference sessions.
… that I was actually glad I went (in lieu of sleeping!).
… for the large length of grass surrounding the junior high to feel between my toes on the way home.
… for a few wild potawatomi plums to gather along the ditch bank above the tennis courts.
… for a daughter who is like a cat (does what it takes to land productively on her feet in difficult times).
… for a daughter-in-law who loves me. (And doesn’t let on if/when I ever bug her.)
… for a son who gets the big picture.
… for a Father in Heaven I know loves me as He loves all of his children, but also lets me know in many comforting ways that He actually cares.

Alma 34: 38 …worship God, in whatsoever place ye may be in, in spirit and in truth; and … live in thanksgiving daily, for the many mercies and blessings which he doth bestow upon you. 


Ps. 63: 3 Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.

Music is Life

The first two songs are among those "we" always sang when Hazel and I were in the car together every Friday, so hopefully that jogs a memory for her (but they're not the same versions - J.J. does get softer in both.)

The Living Years, I'm beyond that "theory" but I think most of us go through it, and for me it was my mom, I came to realize I HAD been and WASN'T, any more, blaming.

The western songs were my Dad's favorites.  He loved LOTS of music but little of it is available on this playlist.  My Dad had few vices and few hobbies, but the latest in sound equipment was one.  It was second to his love of reading/learning.  And because I love and admire him so, I feel the same about his music.

When You Wish and Que Sera were songs he sang to the three of us as children, and Grant remembers him singing When You Wish.  Once I started to sing it after he died and Grant asked me to stop because it made him miss him.  This is the same version (Doris Day) I heard as a preteen, other than my Dad singing it in response to my worries.

I'm Proud my Dad heard for the first time at an early birthday party for Grant at Chucky Cheese - the bear sang it, and he found it so touching tears ran down his cheeks.

Battle Hymn by MoTab was on the national top 20 list when I was in my 20's, living in Michigan.  (It's "broken" and they're fixing it.)

A-Ha, Grant and Jewel's babysitter wanted to go to their concert at Abravanel Hall and her mom said she could go if she could find an adult to take her.  I was worried about hearing loss for several hours after!

Listen to the Rhythm was a favorite the summer I was 15.  Night on Bald Mountain by Massorgsky has been a favorite since college.  The Mariner's Revenge I'll blame on Grant getting me hooked due to our mutual sick humor "appreciation."  Most of those I share it with look at me askance (if they look at all).  MTA I used to sing the Kingston Trio version (which is a tad better than this one) as a teen at the top of my voice (when alone).

Short People - what can I say.

Spirit in the Sky - Grant teases me about my funeral (pine box and the obit will say ONLY "She died."), so I told him this is my requested song (which is a no, of course).

(I love to put Janeil's blog music on, a quiet Sunday evening.  She says mine's more for energizing her while cleaning house!)