Air Conditioning - by Lucy

The other day someone said it was 117 degrees.

Now, I don't know if that is entirely true or not.

But, I do know it is

HOT, HOT, HOT!

From early morning till late at night.

I mean it's too hot to even go outside.

It's sweltering.

So, air conditioning is an absolute MUST.

And, I am grateful.

Food - from Anna

Yesterday, I was pretty tired, so we went to Taco Time...

It was fast, convenient, and tasty.

And, I was grateful.

I was hungry this morning, so I had a snack....just so convenient.

Oh, yes, Anna, I am grateful for food.

Having a Home - from Lucy

I love my home!

It's clean, mostly orderly, adequate.

And, I am beyond grateful for it.

Being Alive - From Anna

Well, what she actually said, was:

"Not being dead!"

Because of this comment, I have learned that God does indeed have a sense of humor.

Too long to go into at this point, but I guess that

I am grateful for

LIFE!

The Sun to Give Us Food - From Hyrum

Well, said to say, the Gees are leaving today...what a bummer.

But, Hyrum wants to remind me that the sun helps the plants grow; without the sun, we would have no food to eat.

And, the trees would have no food.

So, I am very thankful for the SUN!

And, thanks to Hyrum and Haven for their thankful lists the last couple of days.

Life and God - From Haven

Without life or God, there would be nothing at all, not even a piece of matter.

And, I am grateful for God and for life.

Thanks, Haven.

Lights - from Hyrum

Hyrum is visiting for a few days; he said I should be grateful for lights, which I definitely am.

I think of early people having only candle light and it's so bleak to think about.

Lights, oh, I am definitely grateful.

Music!

It's funny because I don't even listen to music every day.

But, when I do, I love it.

I'm grateful I can hear it.

I'm grateful to live with a man who is musical.

I'm grateful for the music in our home growing up.

Of MUSIC, I am very grateful.

Sense of Taste

I love food;

especially -

sweets,

chips,

nuts,

popcorn,

and more sweets.

I'm grateful that I can taste them.

Oh, yes, I am grateful for the sense of taste.

Health Insurance

I'm sort of naive about a lot of things.

Growing up, my dad went off to work, came home, did church and civic responsibilities.

There was always food on the table and for school some new clothes.

He drove mostly old cars and there was nothing fancy about his or my mother's clothes.

When I had to go to the doctor, mom took us.

She also took us to the dentist when needed.

I just took all of that for granted.

Even when Allen got a job, I didn't really understand the true value of HEALTH insurance.

But, NOW I get it.

And, I am so grateful we have it.

It's a HUGE deal in our country right now.

I'll be forever grateful for Allen's job at Ricks College and the health benefits that came with that job.

Oh, YES, I am very grateful indeed.

My Children and Their Jobs

They may not like them.

They may wish they had gone into something else.

They may be discontent.

But, at this moment, they all have jobs.

And, I am grateful.

Fresh fruit from the Tree

I've been eating apricots for a lot of days now.

In fact, I think it has affected my stomach and other areas of my body because I have eaten so much.

But, it's so healthy to have fresh fruit.

And, I am grateful.

Fruit and Vegetable Workers in the Field

I'm so grateful that I am not a field hand.

But, I'm grateful for the people who are.

Monday Mornings

Exercise...check

Pick Apricots....check

Eat breakfast....check

Check email....not yet

Work on bills...not yet,

BUT, It's Monday and I have time.

I am grateful.

Income!

I've been thinking about homeless people this week.

I can't imagine being homeless.

So, while we don't make a ton, and we watch what we spend.

I am so grateful for an income.

A New Day

Sometimes life is such a challenge....

Things happen.

We get worn down.

Sad things occur.

But, there is always the

HOPE

of a new day.

Relief Society Camaderie

Last night the RS sisters came to my home to make jam.

There were 11 of us.

Sadly, I would not have gone if the event had not been held in my home.

But, there was so much laughter, fun, getting acquainted, camaderie.

Sitting around in our kitchen, I felt such LOVE and sister hood.

I would have been sorry to miss it.

And, that would have been foolish.

So, I am very grateful that Jessica asked to have it in our home.

Thank you, Jessica.

I am grateful.

Not Being a Field Laborer

Yesterday I worked out in the yard.

I will do so again today.

I did a lot of bending over, stooping, being on my knees.

It was hard, hard work.

I thought of people picking strawberries, lettuce, carrots, etc.

And, I felt a mound of gratitude for them.

I was only outside for awhile; I'll only be outside today for awhile.

And, it made me grateful for those who do that hard, back-breaking work.

It made me even more grateful that that is not my job.

Oh, I am grateful.

Being Born of Godly Parents

I was so blessed to have the family I did.

I am so very grateful.

They were:

Good,

Kind,

Thoughtful,

Generous,

Happy,

Gospel-Centered.

And, I am very grateful.

The Lesson Given in Relief Society

I was having some semi-bitter feelings over a situation in our family.

It was eating away at me.

The lesson in RS yesterday was all about serving and not giving in to feelings of being tired of serving;  we should serve with all our hearts, bear one another's burdens, help others at whatever the cost in our precious time.

It was like the lesson was directed towards me....and me only.

I had actually driven home, but turned around and went back to RS.

And, then, THAT lesson.  I so needed to hear it...even more importantly, I need to act on it.

Will I still get bitter sometimes.

Of course.

Will I still be upset at this situation.

Yes, unfortunately I will.

BUT, if I can just reflect on the movie clip we saw, remember the scripture reference, it should help me to be more willing to serve in the way I should.

And, I'm grateful for that lesson.

Church Calling

Allen and I are - along with 2 other couples - the Stake Baptism Coordinators.

The title is a big  fancy way of saying that we

Mop up, and do the laundry.

But, I love the people we work with; they are inspiring, and it's always a fun Saturday on the first of each month!

Linda Keller and Joan Sorensen

It's a great blessing to work with these two fun ladies.....

And, I am grateful.

My Brother, Erin Preston

He is the most thoughtful brother on THE planet.

Man, he and his wife are just so great.

He just sent us a box of chocolates as a belated mother's day gift wince we were in Germany on Mother's Day.  He is always doing good stuff like that.

And, I am so grateful.

What in the HECK is WRONG WITH ME!

I just sent out a birthday card for Kristi's birthday and her birthday is tomorrow;

this really bugs me that I would be so stupid.


I've got to get over this.

So to turn this into a thankful post,

I'm grateful I don't do this more often!

Allen Caught a FISH!

He's waited almost a year.

he's been so excited.

Yesterday was a dud and he was pretty disappointed.

But, TODAY, he caught 4 large kokanee salmon and he is one happy camper.

Which means I am also happy.

And, I am grateful.

PHONES!

I just had to make a call about an appointment.

And, as I was hanging up, I thought,

That is just so convenient.

And, I am grateful.

Space to Work

I love this little office...

there's plenty of room for my computer and other necessary "Stuff."

It's bright and cheery when I come in the mornings.

And, I'm very grateful.

Not Having a Drug Addiction

Man, when I hear the stories of some of our friends and their children, it makes me so very grateful for the church and its stance on drugs.

I know that church members take drugs and get addicted, but so far, I haven't had that problem.

I have lots of things to work on, but drug addiction is not one of them.

And, I am grateful.