For the next few weeks leading up to Thanksgiving, I will be blogging a "gratitude list" in an attempt to not completely skip from the celebration of Halloween to Christmas. This has been inspired by my dear Michigan friend Stephanie who blogs gratitude all the time. And I'm predicting that it will be really good for me. I really should be more grateful for all the amazing things that are in my life right now. It's all part of "finding joy in the journey" which has become a new mantra of mine since general conference a few weeks ago. "The world is filled with joy, but we must diligently find it."- My great grandfather said this to me in a blessing and it's been running through my head for the past little while. So here I go, diligently finding joy through gratitude.
I'm really grateful that my parents were able to come visit me in Kalamazoo this weekend. REALLY grateful. I love them both a lot, and being around them makes me see how much I am growing up to be more and more like them. I'm grateful for their hugs and love and support. And their company.
I'm grateful that my mom has finished her chemo therapy and that her tumor that was once the size of a band-aid box is no longer there at all. I wish she believed the doctors when they say she is doing well. I'm grateful she is well enough to travel. And that she is well enough to eat. And walk.
I'm grateful for Professor Uchimura telling me that I'm a lot better of a cellist than I think I am.
I'm grateful for Professor Steel telling me that I'm doing a lot better in my intro to music research class than I think I am.
(Why am I so hard on myself, shesh!)
I'm grateful for Breanna's recommendation of Qudoba's vegetarian gumbo. That stuff is incredible! I could eat it every day.
I am grateful for concerned phone calls from far away friends... and for the messages they leave since I'm retarded at answering my phone. Along this same line, I'm also grateful for new friends here in Michigan who are more of a comfort and support to me than they probably know. I'm grateful for simple smiles and conversations and lunches and orchestra music practice sessions.
I'm ever so grateful for my missionary. My best friend. My biggest fan and support and best advice giver I could ever ask for. I'm grateful for letters and emails and pictures. I'm grateful that our relationship is strong, and even that it has grown in these past 7 months. I'm grateful that he is obedient and doing his best. I'm grateful that he is on a mission, and that he is willing to sacrifice and serve.
I'm grateful for my church. For my branch president and his wife and all the wonderful branch members who make me feel loved and welcome. From the very first sunday there, I've had no doubt it's where I belong. I'm really grateful for the members who came to my first ever branch choir rehearsal... and who sang and helped and had fun. I'm grateful for my callings as choir director and relief society teacher. I am learning and growing and stretching my comfort zone in ways I could have never done otherwise.
I am grateful for my savior Jesus Christ. I am more than grateful for his atonement and that he died for me that through him I can be made whole. I am grateful for his grace that someone as perfect as him can love and forgive someone as imperfect as me... over and over again. I am grateful for the strength and comfort I receive through prayer.
I am grateful for my wonderful house that I live in. In my wonderful neighborhood in cute little Kalamazoo. I'm grateful for my time at WMU and all the opportunities that I have here.
With all these blessings in my life it's hard to not be happy. There is definitely joy in the journey, and I'm grateful for this space of internet with which I have to share it.
"Lord of all to thee I raise, this my hymn of grateful praise!"
