Thanksgiving

thanks•giv•ing   [thangks-giv-ing]
–noun
1.the act of giving thanks; grateful acknowledgment of benefits or favors, esp. to God.
2.an expression of thanks, esp. to God.
3.a public celebration in acknowledgment of divine favor or kindness.
4.a day set apart for giving thanks to God.

Today is Thanksgiving, a national holiday we have all come to associate with the Pilgrims and Indians, family, turkey, football, the Macy's Christmas parade, and newspaper ads to browse through in order to navigate ourselves through the Black Friday mess! Note that in the above definition of Thanksgiving it is really about giving thanks to God, our Heavenly Father.

What are you thankful to God for? Are your blessings as countless/endless as mine are? Do you find that you are grateful for the simple things of life? The blessings we take for granted? Obviously we are grateful for our family, our freedom, our religion, our faith, our surroundings. I find myself being thankful for the following today:
• the air that we breathe
• the trials we are able to endure
• the comforts in life
• my husband's job
• hope in the future
• life itself
• truth
• happy moments
• laughter
• my grandchildren's smiles
• time
• health
• sunrises and sunsets
• sunshine
• rain
• a baby that will soon join our family
• personalities that enrich my life
• service
• the ability to serve
• the ability to love unconditionally
• friends
• relationships that endure
Well, you get the idea. We all have simple things to be grateful for. I hope you make a little list of what those are for you and perhaps take the time to share that list with those you love.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Constants

con·stant [kon-stuhnt] –adjective
1. not changing or varying; uniform; regular; invariable
2. continuing without pause or letup; unceasing
3. regularly recurrent; continual; persistent
4. faithful; unswerving in love, devotion
5. steadfast; firm in mind or purpose; resolute

Yesterday as we drove up to Apple Hill I was struck with the familiarity of it all... the trees turning into their fall colors, not as many as I had hoped to see, but they were there. Then there were the old favorites, High Hill Apple farm, Boa Vista and Abel's Acres. Not only were their settings familiar, but also the sameness of what vendors are there, seeing the wolfs at High Hill and the pond, visiting the fudge shop to purchase their extremely yummy indulgence - a chocolate caramel apple. Yum! Then there were the people and children and dogs everywhere! The cars, the scents of apple baked goods and barbecues wafting through the air like a long lost friend. How I love Apple Hill, not just for the tradition, but for the feeling of rightness in life when we get to go there annually.

Which brings me to my title... constants. There are many constants in my life, some matter more than others. While Apple Hill is a pleasant constant if I were to not have it in my life I would be fine. However, there are others that I would not be fine without, of which I am profoundly grateful for. I will share a few here:

1. The restored gospel of Jesus Christ and all that it entails; the scriptures, temple ordinances and covenants, The Priesthood of God here on earth...

2. My membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and the fullness contained therein.

3. My testimony of God, our Heavenly Father, and His love for each of us individually.

4. My testimony of Jesus Christ and the importance of everything He did for us - His life, His atoning sacrifice, His death and resurrection. Also, the creation of the beautiful earth we have been given to dwell on throughout our mortal probation.

5. My testimony of the Holy Ghost - how he is such a gift! How could I get through life without the reassurance he gives me, or the comfort when needed. What an amazing blessing.

6. My family. First my parents for the love they have for me, their concern for my welfare throughout my life, and the joy I can still receive when I remember times spent with them. I am grateful my mom is still here with us and can honestly say that I miss my dad still.

Then, my husband - for the unwavering love he has for me. I am not the easiest person in the world to live with, sometimes I can be downright ornery, and speak my mind unpleasantly, but he loves me more than I deserve to be loved. I am grateful for his loyalty to our marriage, the gospel and our family. I love him more than I can even begin to express.

Our children - there are times I can remember them as they were when they were children - how they loved us and wanted to spend time with us! I remember their giggles, their silliness, and the fun we had together. Some days I wish I could rewind the clock, by years, and return to those days where life was carefree for them and they didn't worry about jobs, or money, or bills, all they had to do was show up each day and live it to the fullest. I am grateful that Sam, Craig, Amy and Rachel were sent to us. I love them more than life itself.

Our children-in-law: being the mother of four grown children it is natural they grow up and marry, bringing others into our family. I am grateful for our children-in-law, for their loving my child and my grandchildren. I am grateful for their faithfulness, for their dedication to the gospel of Jesus Christ and their strength in living the gospel. I love them each in their own way, for who they are, and appreciate them much more than they know.

Our grandchildren... my heart wants to burst with joy when I write of them and the love I have for them. They are each unique and special and wonderful and magical all the while being themselves but bringing innocence and love and happiness to our lives. My only wish is that we could be closer to them in proximity so that they would really know us well. I would spoil them as much as I possibly could! ;) Oh, how I love each of them and the wonder that they bring to my life.

There are many constants in my life that have shaped me and helped me to become the woman that I am. The ones listed above are the most important to me. I hope you have your constants and that you are aware of what they are and how important they are to you.

Voting

Vote–verb

to express or signify will or choice in a matter, as by casting a ballot: to vote for president.

I am so grateful for the right, privilege and honor that we have in our wonderful country to vote for our leaders. Today is election day and we are at a crossroads in our country. Today the election is not simply about who is popular, or what we want, it is more about what we don't want. We need our voices to be heard, and this is the only way that I know of to make that happen.

Raise your voices America... Let Washington know what is important to you!