School, Reunion and Gratitude

We have had a great week. Trent started school on Tuesday and seems to really like it. I really like that it is everyday. My mom called to see if I cried when we dropped him off on the first day – oh, don’t worry – I didn’t. I actually just had Ray take him that day (so he could video tape the first day of school) I taped him getting off the bus that first day. He has been riding the bus to and from school; and that has worked out great.

Ray’s parents came this weekend. We went to a family reunion up in Salt Lake. We had a great time eating KFC and just visiting. Ray’s grandpa told some stories about "the farm". It is always fun to hear his funny stories. We also went to several baseball games this week.

I taught in Relief Society today, so I have been spending any free time (when Kara is napping) working on my lesson. My lesson went really well (I think), and I am glad to not have to worry about it anymore. I gave it on Gratitude. The main resource was Sister Parkin’s talk from the May Ensign (April Conference) It was a good talk. I also found some great quotes by a couple of prophets and this story told by Elder Steven E. Snow, of the Seventy, ("Gratitude," Ensign, Nov 2001, 43)

"Growing up in southern Utah, some of us sought employment at the many gasoline service stations that lined old Highway 91 as it made its way through downtown St. George. My younger brother, Paul, then 18, worked at Tom’s Service, a station located about three blocks from our home.
One summer day, a car with New York license plates pulled in the station and asked for a fill-up. (For you brethren under the age of 30, in those days someone actually came out and filled your car with gas, washed your windows, and checked your oil.) While Paul was washing the windshield, the driver asked him how far it was to the Grand Canyon. Paul replied that it was 170 miles.
"I’ve waited all my life to see the Grand Canyon," the man exclaimed. "What’s it like out there?"
"I don’t know," Paul answered. "I’ve never been there."
"You mean to tell me," the man responded, "that you live two and a half hours from one of the seven wonders of the world and you’ve never been there!"
"That’s right," Paul said.
After a moment, the man replied, "Well, I guess I can understand that. My wife and I have lived in Manhattan for over 20 years, and we’ve never visited the Statue of Liberty."
"I’ve been there," Paul said.
Isn’t it ironic, . . ., that we will often travel many miles to see the wonders of nature or the creations of man, but yet ignore the beauty in our own backyard?
It is human nature, I suppose, to seek elsewhere for our happiness. Pursuit of career goals, wealth, and material rewards can cloud our perspective and often leads to a lack of appreciation for the bounteous blessings of our present circumstances.
It is precarious to dwell on why we have not been given more. It is, however, beneficial and humbling to dwell on why we have been given so much."

That’s your spiritual thought for the day! I truly feel like I am SO blessed. The main blessing is having the gospel of Jesus Christ in my life, and all the blessings that flow from that statement. I am going to try to be more grateful – and express my gratitude towards others. It is so simple to say thank you to someone and express sincere appreciation, it can make such a difference in the way people feel.

Here is a statement that I really liked. (from True to the Faith) "Gratitude is an uplifting, exalting attitude. People are generally happier when they have gratitude in their hearts. We cannot be bitter, resentful, or mean-spirited when we are grateful."