Giving Thanks

Our Family Home Evening lesson on Gratitude happened a little later in the month than we usually like to do. No excuses, but we could blame it on work if we wanted to :)

It was absolutely perfect (and of course divinely inspired) that our Prophet should speak on Gratitude for one of his talks at this past General Conference - with 'The Divine Gift of Gratitude'. It was a talk I remember hearing a little bit of - the beginning with the little piano 'Here we go to a Birthday Party' I remembered...however, I hadn't remembered many of the particular stories he had shared in the talk so being able to read it and then give a lesson was a treat for me. {the hard part for me with FHE is keeping them short --- there always seems so much that we want to talk about and do as a family...although the minutes don't go by perfectly, we usually find that once we are into a "lesson" we are enjoying our time and we tend to go over the time we had planned!}

The highlights of the talk and our FHE lesson are as follows:

* Bryson Jr. going to the piano and trying out the little diddy on the piano that President Monson had talked about....'Here we go, here we go - to a birthday party!' I wish it would have dawned on me then to grab my camera and record it....it was absolutely precious!

* Talking with the children about having an 'Attitude of Gratitude'. Coming up with ways we can each do this - for myself, it's being grateful we have food and a kitchen to cook in, even if the kitchen is really, really small!

* We watched the clip of President Monson as he told the story from his talk about the family that realized how thankful they were for something as simple as electricity (simple to us in today's realm of what we have) - when everything else they had that year was wiped away. I love watching my children's faces when they are listening to the Prophet...and when they pay attention to what he is saying!

*Finishing with our own 'Attitude of Gratitude' project. We have made different versions of Thankful Trees during previous years - this year, I bought decorative sticks from Michael's and put them in a vase for the holiday season. We cut out leaves and tied them onto the branches after writing down things we were thankful for....which ranged from everything from a Bed and the Holy Ghost (Bryson Sr.), 'this pencil that I can write things with, like what I am writing now!' - Bugaboo, 'my family, my teacher - for the things that they teach me' - Madeleine, and 'I love everyone' - Jacob (with help from Miss M), and from Mommy 'a warm home, my family and our Savior Jesus Christ'.

It was a great reminder for Thanksgiving week and reflecting on how we are blessed.

Now, for a moment to write more about the thoughts I have on all I'm grateful for.... {the list takes on a sort of 'If you give a Mouse a Cookie' theme - one thing makes me think of something else, and then that makes me think of something else and so on and so on....}

*yummy food (this was done after eating a really good meal!)

* a home

* children in our family - namely Madeleine, Bryson Jr {Bugaboo} and Jacob

* clothing to wear

* being happy

* playing outside - good weather

* using our bodies, physical movement

* NYC

* This country -our freedoms, those that have and are protecting our freedoms

* History - places to visit and learn about

* Good examples - family members, scripture heroes, historical figures

* Our senses that we have been given and how rich they make life!

* Heavenly Father

* Our brother Jesus Christ

* His birth and His death

* Sacrament and church

* True friends

* Sharing what is important with others - the gospel and other wonderful truths in life

* Eternal Families

photos: Kennecott Copper Mine visit, August '10

* Bryson - the relationship of being husband & wife, amazing and complicated as it is!

* Watching our children grow - it gives such intense feelings of thankfulness that we have our beautiful children, who are (mostly) trying to do what is right.

* Testimony. At the end of the day...it's what we all KNOW deep down that no one can take away from us.

* Tithing and Fast Offerings. Wonderful experiences have led me to believe whole heartedly in this principle....

* Fast Sunday

* Breaking the fast.....

back to

*Yummy food and being able to cook in my {small!} kitchen :)

It's always wonderful to take moments to reflect on our blessings - to give thanks for all we have, and remember not only in this Thanksgiving season - but always - to have the Attitude of Gratitude.