I know I have a lot of catching up to do, and hopefully I'll get to that soon, but I didn't want this weekend to go by without expressing some gratitude. In a previous Ensign (December 2011), it gave the challenge to list 100 things you are grateful for. Here is my list:
10- Physical Abilities
1.
The ability to see: sunsets, nature, my
children’s faces.
2.
The ability to taste all my favorite foods
3.
The ability to smell: the air just after it rains, freshly cut wood
4.
The ability to hear: music, birds, waves
crashing, my children’s laughter
5.
The ability to touch: clean sheets, soft
blankets
6.
My hands that allow me to work and to serve
7.
My arms that allow me to carry my children
and give them hugs
8.
My feet that take me everywhere I need to
go
9.
My joints that allow me to move and
flex without pain
10.
My digestive system that gives me the
energy to live my life
10- Material Possessions
1.
Books that let me escape to a different
world
2.
My Bed that lets me rest from my labors and
rejuvenate for the next day.
3.
A Roof over my head to keep out the rain
4.
My college diploma – for the sense of accomplishment
and confidence it gives me to know I can do hard things, and also that I can
support my family if needed.
5.
My Journals – that allow me to sort through
my thoughts and feelings and “remember” my life to pass on to future
generations
6.
My clothes that keep me warm in the winter
and cool in the summer
7.
Food storage that affords a measure of
security in the midst of the storm
8.
My dining room table – where my family
gathers to be fed physically and emotionally
9.
A back porch to read on and listen to the sounds
of nature
10.
My day planner and lists that keep me
organized.
10- Living People
1.
My husband, Chris – my best friend, my
support, the love of my life
2.
My daughter, Alyson – for her love of live,
help to me, and love of her family
3.
My daughter, Analise – for her sweet
spirit, the best hugs, and contagious
giggles
4.
My daughter, Kate – for her spunkiness, her
thirst for knowledge, and the intensity with which she lives her life
5.
My daughter, Kylie – for her happy smile,
loving to go-go-go, and wanting to be just like her sisters
6.
My mom, Marilyn Jackman – my other best
friend who will be wacky with me and take care of me when I’m tired of being an
adult.
7.
My dad, Adrian Jackman – for helping me with
my homework, financial decisions, and always asking me if there’s anything he
can do for me – and meaning it.
8.
My Sisters, Laura and Jessica – who know
all my weaknesses but love me anyway. I
love talking to them, joking with them, and spending time with them.
9.
My Brothers, Matt and Spencer – who make me
laugh and are so fun to hang around
10.
The Savior Jesus Christ – I owe everything
to Him.
10-deceased people
1.
My Grandpa, Dail D. Webb – who taught me
the importance of gratitude and family
2.
My Grandpa, Max F. Jackman – for his
patience and the value he placed on education
3.
My Nephew Calvin – who brought our family
closer together and renewed our resolve to live worthy to live together forever
as a family.
4.
Dixie Cannon – who made every person she
talked to feel like they were the most important person in the world.
5.
Corrie Ten Boom – for her book, The Hiding
Place, that has had a huge impact on my life
6.
The people in the military that give their
lives defending our freedoms
7.
George Washington and our founding fathers –
who stood for what was right and never gave up
8.
Captain Moroni – who was willing to defend
family, freedom, and the right to worship the Almighty God – at all costs
9.
Book of Mormon prophets – who gave of their
time and energy to bear testimony of our Savior so that we can have that record
today.
10.
The Pioneers – who knew it was true and
would stand by their testimony, no matter the sacrifice.
10-things about nature
1.
Waterfalls
2.
The smell of newly cut grass
3.
Flowers
4.
Sunsets
5.
Thunderstorms
6.
Rainbows
7.
Flowers in the Spring
8.
Warm sun in the summer
9.
Leaves changing color in the Fall
10.
Lightly falling snow
10-things about today (Thanksgiving Day)
1.
The blessing of being with family – that they
were willing to drive 8 hours to be with me since Chris is gone.
2.
That I have an awesome Sister-in-law who
would cook for me so that I could take a break from being in charge of
everything.
3.
A scrumptious Turkey Dinner
4.
For an awesome brother-in-law who cleaned
up all the dishes and got the girls to help.
5.
For how excited my
girls are to see their cousins.
6.
That I got to Skype with my husband today
and that he was also served a Turkey dinner.
7.
For beautiful
weather that let the girls go outside and enjoy the sunshine.
8.
For a nap
9.
For games played
while eating pumpkin pie.
10.
For time to sit and chat with my
sister-in-law
10- places on earth
1.
Lake Powell, Utah – beautiful views,
boatrides, swimming
2.
The Wasatch Mountains – hiking, beautiful
forests, the smell of pines
3.
The panhandle of Florida – gorgeous beaches,
beautiful white sand, the sound of the waves
4.
Tennessee - Rolling hills, beautiful
forests, awe inspiring Autumns and Springs
5.
Monterey California – monstrous waves,
fires on the beach, tide pools, marine life
6.
North Carolina - pine forests
7.
New England States - Niagara Falls, the
coast of Main
8.
Hawaii – Palm trees, beaches, snorkeling,
sailing
9.
Guadalajara, Mexico – a different culture,
customs, language
10.
My house – wherever I happen to be living with
my family at the time
10- modern inventions
1.
A minivan that is running properly and
takes us all the many places we need to go
2.
The microwave – that makes leftover nights
easy and convenient
3.
The Dishwasher – another time saver for me
4.
The Washer and Dryer that allow me to keep
my families clothes clean
5.
Refrigerator that keeps food from spoiling
6.
Oven so that I don’t have to cook over an
open fire
7.
Cell phones that allow us to keep in touch
8.
Computers and the internet that gives me
access to unlimited amounts of information from the weather to my bank
accounts. And Skype that allow me to
keep in touch with my husband from around the world
9.
Airplanes that allow me to visit family
even when I live far away.
10.
Indoor plumbing – showers, toilets.
10- Foods (I noticed after making this list
that almost all of my favorite foods include fruits or vegetables in some
way. That is my favorite food group!)
1.
Cowboy Salsa/7 Layer Dip – love those Mexican
side dishes.
2.
Apple Crisp
3.
Flank Steak
4.
Turkey Dinner
5.
Veggies and Dip
6.
Breakfast Burritos
7.
Chicken Salad
8.
Corn on the Cob
9.
Bacon and Tomato Sandwiches
10.
Homemade Ice cream (strawberry/raspberry/sherbet)
10- Things about the gospel
1.
The Temple, that allows me to be together forever
with my family
2.
The Scriptures, that teach me about my
Savior and how to follow his example
3.
The Prophet – the watchman on the tower who
will keep me safe if I heed his counsel
4.
The Priesthood – the power of God on the
earth that blesses my life in so many ways
5.
The Atonement/Repentance/Forgiveness, which
allows me the chance to try again each new day.
6.
Prayer – and knowing that someone who knows
and cares about me personally is listening
7.
Service – my opportunity to show love for
my Heavenly Father by loving his children
8.
Baptism/The Sacrament – sacred promises I
make with my Heavenly Father that I get to renew each week so that I may remain
pure and clean to live with Him someday
9.
Family Home Evening – which gives our
family time to learn and grow together.
10.
Joseph Smith/The Restoration – just to know
that the fullness of the Gospel is on the earth again!
