Thankful Sunday #2

1. A living prophet (see previous post). Yes, I put that last week too.

2. Nice neighbors! We had our very cool neighbors over for dinner tonight and it reminded me how grateful I am to have had so many awesome neighbors, both while we've been here and in Mesa when we were first married. I'm going to try and list them all....
-Cynthia, Risa, Kimberly, Jory,... at the lovely cottage on Mesa Drive
In Rexburg:
-Dan and Katie and their children, Isaac and Audrey
-Aaron and Hillary
-Steve and Debbie and their children, Elizabeth and Henry
In Willard:
-the snake under our steps (I didn't mind that neighbor because he evicted our other neighbor, the mouse in our kitchen. And then the snake moved out too.)
-Barney and Della
Back in Rexburg:
-Jason and Alissa
Not bad for just five years of marriage! And they've all been wonderful too. We truly feel blessed.

3. Good books. A good story always brightens my day. Unless I get stuck in my book and forget to do everything else I'm supposed to do...that doesn't brighten my day. Some of my favorites are:
-Little Women
-Les Miserables
-The LDS Mother's Almanac
-The Chronicles of Narnia
-Anne of Green Gables books (all of them)
-Peter Pan
and the list goes on.

4. Primary programs. Ours was today, and even though Adam got scared and wouldn't sing or speak for the first half, it was still lovely. I love to hear (and watch) little children sing. Especially in this ward where the oldest Primary child is seven years old. Aside from Adam's bashfulness, which he got over when John went up and helped him, the Sunbeams really rose to the occasion and did very well! We were proud of them. Isn't Adam so cute? This was taken last week before church.

5. A reliable car. I think I take this for granted too often, but it really is a blessing to have a car that starts up and gets us where we want to go, every time. And to have a husband who takes good care of our car so it stays reliable. John is great about changing the oil and windshield wipers and making sure there's gas in the car. He takes good care of us.

6. Our small apartment. It isn't that small compared to some, but it is small enough that we can clean it up pretty quickly and make it look like it's been that way all along. (Heehee.) I like that. Not that I'll mind having something bigger when the time comes, but this has been perfect for our family while we've been here.

7. I am grateful for the technology, and the freedom, to express my thoughts and feelings and share them with you from far away, and that you can share yours with me. It helps me to read your stories and be strengthened by your faith and positive attitudes. And it helps to have a link to our far-off families that we miss so much.

8. (bonus) A little boy who loves to sing. He's singing "My Redeemer Lives" right now, and it is beautiful.

I hope I will do better this week at remembering what really matters, and rejoicing in the living beauty that surrounds me every day.

And I'll try to remember these lines from a favorite hymn:
That soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose,
I will not, I cannot desert to his foes!
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I'll never, no, never, no, never forsake!
Even with all the turmoil in the world today, I know we'll be okay, and it will work out. I'm thankful for that.

Love, Anna