I am grateful

I expressed some bitterness today, and my sister said that she wished I would use that energy for something else. I am going to expend some energy listing just a sampling of the things that I am grateful for today.

I am grateful for my friend, Jodilyn. She was on my mind all day since it is (or was since I'm burning the midnight oil) her birthday. I was privileged to get to know her when she was elected president and I was elected vice president of our Elementary Education cohort. I'll admit it. At first I thought she was being ridiculous with all the crazy things she wanted to do for our cohort. Who has time for all that? I sure didn't. Fortunately, we began to balance each other out. I soon learned that she wasn't being ridiculous; she is just so darn compassionate and enthusiastic about serving others. I began turning to her with school related questions and requests for assistance. Soon, we began sharing our lives with one another and became the best of friends. There is much joy and love in my heart every time we do something together. She is a treasured friend and confidant. I am grateful for Jodilyn.

I am grateful for my family. I called the house looking for some love and found my sister and mom available and willing to go for a Sunday evening drive. We picked up my sister's friend and began our adventure. Time spent with my family lately has been amazing. Since my little sister got home from her mission, we've randomly (not scheduled) spent evenings together. It is the most fun I've had in a long time. Being with my family makes me incredibly happy. I am grateful for my family.

I am grateful for this beautiful world. For our Sunday afternoon drive, we went to Snow Canyon State Park. We went on a (Sunday-appropriate) short hike and admired the beautiful world that God has created. It was so very peaceful and absolutely beautiful. I took a lot of pictures (for a gift I'm working on for Jodi's birthday). Taking the photographs made me appreciate more the beauty of that which surrounded me. I could have gone through countless rolls, because everywhere I turned I noticed more and more beauty. I am grateful for the opportunity to appreciate the beauty of the earth.

I am grateful that I solved the mystery of the missing debit card. I have been looking for my debit card all week long. (I didn't realize how few places take checks these days.) I picked up a few papers that were on my bed side table and saw what I thought was my debit card fall to the ground. I searched the floor and only found a cool sticker of the earth from space. I figured that was the blue I had seen fall to the ground. I crawled back up on my bed, and there was my debit card resting on the bed frame. I am grateful that mystery has been solved.

I am grateful for callings at church. I got sustained today as a Sunday School teacher. I am so tickled since this is a dream calling of mine. Hopefully, I'll teach next Sunday. There is another teacher, so I won't get to teach every week. Nonetheless, I am excited. I am grateful for opportunities to serve at church.

I could go on forever. I am so very blessed.