Gratitude

I am very blessed. You may skip this post because it will be pretty boring - thin on plot and thick on domestic pleasures. Leading up to Christmas, I am finding myself very grateful.

Heading the list is my Savior. I am grateful for the Atonement. I am grateful for His life, light, love, example, and for the hope I have through Him.

My fabulous husband is just right for me. He is gentle and loving and funny and good. I can't imagine a better man or a better friend. He seems to be infinitely patient. He sees me through rose-colored glasses. Though he is easily satisfied, I hope some day to be good enough for him.

My Daughter is the delight of my life. I love her so much. I love discovering the world through her. She challenges me to be a better person and a better parent. There are few things that raise my spirits better than a snuggly Lizzy hug.

I am grateful to be into the third trimester of a healthy pregnancy. I do not take for granted that it is miraculous. I look forward to my second daughter with excitement and gratitude.
Which reminds me, Good Luck today, Shelly and Josh, and welcome to the world, Millie. Hope all goes well.

I am grateful for the friends we have here. Last week a friend brought us dinner for no good reason. Friday we watched some friends' kids, and then stayed up past midnight talking with them. We went to a great party on Saturday. Other friends dropped by Sunday. We are surrounded by great people who support us.

I am grateful for our families. Though far away, we spend a good deal of time most Sundays connecting with our parents and siblings. I'm grateful to have such a good network of wonderful family members who care about us and who we love.

I'm grateful for good jobs. Clinton has a good stable job that provides him challenges and satisfaction. I've also got a good stable job.

I'm grateful for Samantha who watches Lizzy. I am so grateful to know that Lizzy spends her days with somebody who loves her and cares about her. Samantha has been such a blessing for us as I haven't been able to be a full-time mom.

I'm grateful to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. For revelation, priesthood, the temple, a prophet, my calling, the scriptures, and all the things that come with it. This gives the foundation to my life and the background for my paradigm.

I'm grateful for a host of little things... green traffic arrows, a running car, direct flights, Kelly's pumpkin rolls, the ward choir, polite drivers, canned pineapple, my blender, sunsets, and Lizzy's hand-me-down church dresses. Add to that the big pack of Christmas wrap and scotch tape I bought last year, making this year's wrapping tab come to $3 - $1 for tags and $2 for 16 little boxes. Yay! The little things like music in the car, smiles from strangers, a crisp cold morning, contact lenses, and letters in the mail.

I'm grateful for Christmas time. Music, sweets, decorations, parties, stories, and all of it. Despite it's pagan connections, hectic overscheduling, commercial overtones, mythical characters, sappy sentimentality, obligations, and nuisances, I find it well worth the effort.

I love the magic of Santa Claus, and I love the reality of the Savior.

Nephi spoke with an Angel - and in response to his question saw a vision of the birth of our Savior. Behold the condescension of God. An omnipotent being - a GOD - stepped down to earth, to be a helpless baby, dependant on mortals for his every need. He descended below all that he could overcome all. Death, desease, humiliation, and pain.

Flying reindeer and animated snow sculptures have nothing to do with the reality of the atonement; but I say bring on Rudoph anyway. Deck the halls, ice the gingerbread, mix ginger ale into your eggnog, and enjoy the season.