The Year 2016

For me, this was a good year.

And, I am grateful.

Family

It's so good to have family here for Christmas.

I am so very grateful.

Ability to Type

Sometimes on our mission, we have people who have very few typing skills.

Of course, they are much better than I in other areas, but this is one thing I can do fairly well.

And, I am grateful.

ALlen

He's a hard worker, that one.

He worked all morning on getting the horrendous amounts of leaves cleaned up.

Then worked our internet connection.

He's a worker.

And, I am grateful.

Hot Water!

Water heater went out yesterday.

It looked like we were in for a long weekend.

But, oh, that Allen.

He figured it out.

BINGO!

HOT WATER.

And, I am grateful.

When Things WORK!

Washer timer went out.

Water heater won't work.

So, it makes me grateful for things that work.

Like cars, lights, refrigerator, etc.

But, now, how will I shower for CHURCH!

YIKES.

I am grateful for the things that do work, however.

Money

This morning, Loretta Allam and I wrapped gifts for the underprivileged children in our community.

It's just an amazing project and so many people go to help.

It's so inspiring to me.

And, it makes me grateful for an adequate amount of money each month to live on.

I'm very grateful.

Primary Kids

Today the lesson was on Heavenly Father Loves Animals.

I had Baelie Beatty bring her dog in; the kids LOVED it and the adorable little dog.

It was priceless to hear the kids tell about their pets, dogs, animal stories, etc.

I am so grateful.

The Good Things in My Life Right Now

I am just loving our mission.

It's so wonderful....

the people who serve; the patrons who come.

It's such a great blessing....

And, I am grateful.

The Women in the Mission

Last night there was a great party for all the sister missionaries.

It was a progressive dinner and it was so festive and fun.

The food was good,

The company even better.

We saw three lovely homes decorated to the hilt and it was just inspiring in every way.

I am so very grateful for this mission....


Best one yet!

And, I am grateful.

Friends at the Mission

Man, I say this a lot; but everyone has a story.

Sad, happy, real, etc.

And, I'm so grateful to meet these marvelous people and learn their stories.

Lucy and Anna

I hardly ever get to see them.

But, last night, we had a fun time on google chat.

They taught me a few things and it was fun to interact with them, if only for a moment.

I do love all my dear grandchildren.

And, I am grateful.

Allen

He's a good person and I'm grateful for him.

We don't always agree on things, but I'm so grateful that he is my missionary companion.

For LIFE....

That I Can Still Drive

Often as people get older, they are restricted in driving.

I'm only 72, so it hasn't happened to me yet.

But, I am so very thankful that I can still drive.

It's such a feeling of independence and I would hate to have that taken away.

Oh, gratitude for driving.

Our Family Holding Together

Today I talked with my friend.

It is so very hard.

Her daughter has alienated all three of her children.

One beautiful young daughter just got engaged, but she didn't tell her mother.

The three children will not speak to their mother.

It's all so heartbreaking because the two daughters have temple recommends and will go to the temple.

Anyway, so far, our family still speaks to each other and we enjoy being together.

And, oh, how grateful am I!

So Very Many Things

Life,

Our Home,

The Yard,

Allen's hard work,

An income on a regular basis.

Mobility.

Senses.

Family.

Neighborhood.

Cars.

Gospel.

Atonement.

Books.

Sunshine.

Laughter.

Scriptures.

A Safe Trip

We went.

We came home.

And, I am grateful.

THE RAIN!

Oh my goodness; it is raining here in St George.

And, I am grateful.

Oh, indeed.

Food and Ease of Preparation

I had a bowl of granola....

some banana cut up in it.

Some pecans also cut up in it.

Milk from the fridge.

A piece of toast with butter.

It was easy.

A snap.

And, I am so grateful that I didn't have to do all the work.

I love and am grateful for the ease of getting our food.

Technology

I love listening to books on tape wherever I go.

I'm grateful to be able to listen to Allen's songs whenever I want.

I love the computer and what I can do.

I'm very grateful.

The Scriptures from Sean's App

Oh, he's a good one, that guy.

He developed an app called scripture a day.  I will have read the book of mormon by the end of the year.  Because of his ingenious app.

And, I am grateful.

Our Mission

I love it.

And, I am grateful.

The Armed Forces

Today is Veteran's Day.

I'm very grateful for all the men and women, who over the years, have fought for our freedoms.

I'm grateful.

And, that includes gratitude for our son who has served in the Navy, but will soon get out.

Another Glorious Morning in St George!

Oh, the trees!

The flowers!

The blue sky!

The peaceful neighborhood!

I am so grateful.

Election Day Will Be Over

This has been a terribly rancorous election year.

Terrible candidates;

Awful things being said about each candidate.

So, I'm grateful it will be over today.

Use of My Senses

I see so many people who waddle when they walk, but so far, I can walk normally.

I can see.

I can hear.

I have the use of my hands.

I can feel.

And, I am so grateful.

The Incredible weather

It's just so absolutely perfect right now.

And, I am grateful.

My Life at Present

I'm feeling well.

I'm very happy right at this moment in my time of life.

And, I am grateful.

The People We Meet

...at our new calling as missionaries.

What a blessing they are...

And, I am grateful.

The Sisters in Our Relief Society

I do love the sisters in relief society.

And, I am grateful.

Looking Out My Front Window

I love looking out early in the mornings from my  window.

I am grateful.

Tender Mercies

I gave the thought in prayer meeting today.

Afterwards, one of the sister missionaries reminded me that the experience I told about was definitely a tender mercy.

I hadn't really thought of it like that before, so I was grateful she pointed it out.

I'm grateful for life's tender mercies.

Handy Man Husband

The sprinklers weren't working...

I had noticed the flowers looked like they were dying, so I asked Allen if they had frozen.

He checked and realized that the sprinklers weren't going off.

He investigated.

He fixed it.

And, I am grateful to have him around to help with things.

Calm Weather

Right now, parts of the east coast and Haiti are being battered by a horrible hurricane.

The destruction is just hard to comprehend.

I'm looking out my window on a lovely front porch scene of flowers in pots, a little bench, and it's just so peaceful.  The weather is just perfect.

And, I am grateful.

Ability to Walk

Today at Wal*Mart, I was aware of so many people using carts or limping or waddling.

It made me feel so grateful that at this exact moment in my life, I can walk normally.

I can walk.

And, I am grateful.

Family

I'm grateful for having a few families near by.

Gardner and his wonderful family live close by and we get together occasionally.

And, I am grateful.

Beautiful Days

Right now, the weather could not be more perfect.

And, I am grateful.

Beautiful Days in St George

Oh, man, the days and nights are just perfect.

And, I am so grateful.

Our Ending Church Job

For about two years or so, Allen and I have been serving as Stake Baptism Coordinators; it's really just a glorified name for janitor, launderers, and chair sitter-uppers.

But, I have absolutely loved it.  It's once a month on Saturdays and I have particularly loved serving with the:

Sperrys
Sorensens
Kellers
Tremeyas.

It was a great blessing, but now we will be released.

I am grateful for that past opportunity!

The LDS Church

So much of WHO I am, is rooted in the LDS church.

It's who I am...I can't separate myself from those roots.

I love the Gospel and I am grateful.

My Life

At this point in my mother's life, she was lonely and didn't feel like she fit; in her ward or in her town.

Although she had visitors, she didn't have friends to go do things with after her busy life in Pocatello, Idaho.

I am having an opposite experience, and I am certainly grateful for that.

I am happy and grateful.

Mornings in St George

I really love St Geoerge.

I'm so thankful we live here.

I'm very very very very grateful!

Peace

When I hear all the news about war and death and starving,

I am so grateful to live where we live in a little peaceful valley.

There are problems here,of course, but they are minimal compared to many places in the world.

Today, my heart is filled with gratitude for PEACE!

Mew Mission Opportunities

Okay, here we go; mission #4.

And, I am grateful.

Ward Family

I really love where we live.

The people in our neighborhood and ward are so inspiring.

I am grateful.

St George

Having spent a great deal of the summer away,

I have such an appreciation for this unique place in the desert.

Oh, Yes, it's not pretty, but

I am grateful to live here.  I love it.

Mission #4

We just started serving our 4th part-time mission....

And, I am grateful!  (I'm especially grateful, because it wasn't even MY idea!  Allen said it was time to give back after fishing all summer!)

If you look carefully, you will see the Family Search logo in the background on the building!

Family Time

We don't often get to be with the Fishers all at once....

So, it's just great when they come to play.

And, I am grateful.

HEARING!

My cousin, Margo, and her husband came to spend time with us this summer.

It was great and I love being around Margo; she has the most pleasant disposition ever, so it's a joy to be with her.

Her dear husband has no hearing in one ear, and limited hearing in the other ear.  That makes it very difficult to carry on a conversation.

Also, music in the background totally distracts him.

Being around him totally reminds me of how grateful I am for the sounds of living:

our neighbor's rooster,
the wind,
rain,
water running,
voices,
music,
books on tape,
birds,
children laughing,
and so much more.

I am so grateful for the ability to HEAR!

Bike Rides With Allen

I love riding bikes.

So, I have one....

And, I am grateful.

Life As It Is Now

I'm very grateful for life at this exact moment.

I know things will change,

So, for now, I will enjoy this moment.

And, I am grateful.

My Own Personal Gardener and Handyman

That would be Allen.

He spends a lot of time outdoors working in the yard.

And, I am so grateful.

Plus, he can fix things.

And, I am grateful.

Early Morning Bike Ride with Allen

Allen and I recently bought bikes; his is fancy with lots of gears.

Mine is three-wheeled (for an old lady) with three gears, but it works and it's so fun!

I love the feel of the wind in my hair going downhill.

Going uphill is a challenge, but I'm so grateful.

HEALTH!

I've said it many times before and I will continue to say it.

I hear of friends, family neighbors who struggle with many health issues.

I'm beyond grateful that Allen and I are healthy right now.

Thank you, Heavenly Father.

FAMILY!

We had such a great time with Jeremy and his boys.....

It went by so very fast, but it was just great.

Good food, good fun, good fishing.

Those boys are such GOOD, GOOD boys.

And, I am grateful!

These Three Things

Hearing

Eyesight

Mobility

These Three Things

1.  Grandkids

2.  Siblings

3.  In-law Siblings

These Three Things

1.  Being Out of debt.

2.  Having an Income

3.  Living in St. George

These Three Things - Today

1.  Health

2. Jessica Stout

3.  Allen

I have much to be thankful for, but that's the list for today.

And, I am very grateful.

HEALTH!

I'm so very thankful for my health right now.

It is a great blessing.

And, I am grateful.

TECHNOLOGY

Yesterday was Mother's Day!

That was nice.

But, the best part was last night, we video chatted with all five of our kids.

What a wonderful experience.

I am grateful.

The Rain

Rain is always good in a desert.

And, I am grateful!

Eyesight and Teeth

I'm headed to the dentist; I hat going to him.

Oh, he's a nice enough guy, but, I'm always afraid of what he might find lurking in my mouth.

But, I'm thankful I HAVE teeth and eyesight.

I am most grateful.

Coming From a Loving Home

Yesterday, I visited two women in our neighborhood.

Each had dramatic stories of family life.

I sat and listened and was so very grateful for the marvelous family I was blessed to be raised in.

Thank you, Heavenly Father, for the blessing of a happy, safe, secure home life.

I am so eternally grateful.

Our Home Didn't Burn!!!

Yesterday, Allen was grilling fish outside and the grill caught on fire.

Thankfully, he was right there AND he was able to put it out.

I am so grateful.

Beautiful Flowers Outside My Window

Allen planted a few flowers; they look so springy and full of color.

I am grateful.

A Beautiful Spring Day

The flowers look so fantastic that Allen planted.

And, I am grateful for the beauties of the earth.

Good Friends and Family

Birthday today.

People are kind, thoughtful, generous, and just plain good.

And, I am grateful.

Conveniences

I love having a water and a dryer;

a shower with unending streams of hot water,

A car,

A camera,

A phone,

A computer,

Electricity,

Microwave,

Stove,

The list is endless.

And, I am grateful.

My Back...

Getting gradually better.

That was a rough month.

Not to be critical, but I don't think anyone really understood how difficult it was.

I'm much more appreciative of people who suffer back issues.

And, I'm grateful for a working back.

From ELI - Breakfast

Man, I'm with Eli on this one.

I'm so thankful for BREAKFAST.

Yes, let's EAT!

From Miles - CATS!

We just watched a video about a drug-sniffing cat, which was an April Fools Joke,

so Miles is thankful for cats..


Well, I guess they do catch mice, which we can be thankful for.

A Working Back

Monday's post was just incredibly ironic ...

Because I donated blood and passed out cold on my bedroom floor.

I came  down hard hitting the floor with my bed and back.

Since then, my back constantly aches.....it's very difficult - and painful -to move.

So, it makes me grateful for a back that has worked all these years with no trouble.

Now, I get it when people say, oh my aching back!

Mobliltiy

I'm not really crazy about exercising.

BUT, I'm grateful I have the mobility to be able to do it.

Today, I tried to work VERY hard.

I did arm exercises, walked for 1/2 hour, and tried to exert myself.

One reason I do it, is to stave off dementia and alzheimers.

Hope it works.

But, I'm grateful I can still move around freely.

Donna

She's one of the best there is.

A person with no guile.

Just perfect.

She is always wanting to improve herself.  She studies, she walks, she learns, she is generous, she is a role model for her children...she is perfect in every way.

And, I'm grateful to get to be her sister-in-law.

The Temple

Whenever I go to the temple, I am always amazed at how

HAPPY

everyone is...

The patrons, the workers,

It's just a pleasant place to be.

And, I am grateful.

Allen's Life

Allen had a heart incident in church on Sunday.....

He feels sure it was a heart attack....

Whatever happened, he is doing fine now,

And, I am beyond grateful.

HEALTH!

So many people we know are struggling with ill health.

And, boy, does it make me grateful that I am mobile,

and healthy.

Fantastic Weather

Perfect day today.

We planted our first annuals today...primroses; they are lovely.

Our first little white crocus is out.

And, I am grateful.

St George!

I love living where the sun shines many days of the year.

I love living where there is very little or no snow.

Okay, let's face it; I love living in St. George.

And, I am grateful.

A Walk Out Doors

I usually walk at home or in the gym.

Today, after a two mile walk with my walking DVD, I walked outside;

It was so refreshing,

And, I am grateful for the FRESH AIR, SUNSHINE, and mobility.

Birds SINGING!

This morning is the first time I have heard the birds singing;

it made MY heart sing.

It must mean that spring is getting closer.

And that makes me happy and grateful.

Coming Home

I've been gone for five days....

I was tending 3 little boys in Provo....

And, I'm so grateful I could help.

But, oh, I'm so grateful to be HOME!

Technology

I've been doing some family history....

It's amazing how it has changed since we went on our first family history mission in 2008...

It was a very complicated process to get a name temple ready; in fact, I was nervous about doing it when someone came for help.

Now, the church has made it so easy, and we can print the cards right from our own home.

I'm grateful.

Promises of the Temple

The promises given in the initiatory and so powerful.

I am grateful.

Lunch Out with Allen

I spent a lot of money on food today...

It's so expensive to eat....

So, it was especially fun to eat out with a gift card from our dear daughter.

Thanks, Kristi.

I am grateful.

This Day

Lots to do,

Lovely day in which to do it.

And, I am grateful.

A Little Extra Money Each Month

....to spend at our discretion.

I am going to a girls vacation in May with Jenni, Kristi, and Janessa.

It will cost a little bit of money,

So, I'm glad that I have some to spend on things like this.

I am grateful.

Online Banking

I was never very good at keeping our financial records....

I really didn't know how to budget or keep track of stuff.

But, with online financial record keeping; a handwritten ledger, and a spread sheet with our budget; it's so EASY.

And, I am grateful.

Allen's Constant Help in the Kitchen

How lucky am I?

Allen has taken over doing the dishes entirely?

Now, that is just awesome.

And, I am grateful!

The Sabbaath

Good time to review what is really important.

And, I am grateful.

Warmer Weather

It is so very cold all over the northeast, but

FINALLY, it is warming up a little in SG.

And, I am grateful!

Music - Bring It On!

Last night, Allen and I went to hear an Elvis impersonator.

It exceeded our expectations; he was so good.

And, the amazing thing was that his voice was absolutely FANTASTIC; he totally sounded like Elvis.

Travis Allen as Elvis; he sounded just like him...it was awesome!

Let's face it; it was just a super fun night, and I'm grateful.

People

It's so fun to meet people and to hear their stories.

I'm glad that I have a natural interest in people; Allen does also.

It's been a blessing inner lives because we will listen to their stories while others just talk.

And, I am thankful.

Life!

Several of our friends are facing health issues.

So far, Allen and I don't have tremendous issues that weigh us down.

And, I am grateful.

Saturday

Exercise,

Shop,

Dust,

Vacuum,

Computer chores.

Saturdays are good for these things.

And, I am grateful.

Outings With Allen

We went on a little drive today...

Somewhere Allen hadn't been before.

Just the two of us...

Then for a nice lunch.

And, I'm grateful for these pleasant times at the present moment.

Fresh Fruit

This morning, I've already eaten a:

Clementine,

Banana,

They tasted so good,

And, I am grateful.

Family Home Evenings With New Friends

We met Bob and Janeil in Manila, Utah.

They winter in St George and summer in Manila.

They have belonged to an FHE group for many years and invited us to be a part of it.

I feel a little awkward as no one knows us and they probably wonder why we get to belong, but I've enjoyed it so much the few times we have gone.

Last night's was particularly meaningful and inspiring.  It was presented by a man who worked at church headquarters for many many years.

He told some marvelous stories about the prophets and apostles and I was so grateful I got to hear him speak and share his delightful, inspiring stories.

Oh, I'm grateful for good people and friends.

A List A Mile Long

Food,

easy access to food,

an income,

eyesight,

hearing,

mobility,

health,

a good husband,

children,

memories,

lovely town to live in,

a home,

cars,

sunny skies,

computer,

grandchildren,

fingers,

toes,

gospel,

scriptures,

sunshine,

clean air,

pictures,

LIFE.

Oh, I am grateful.

Sunrise

Oh, it's so beautiful this morning.

I'm grateful.

The Wisdom of My Children

Man, sometimes, well, a lot of times,

It's my kids who teach ME.

And, I am grateful.

Health

I do say it a lot.

But, I am so grateful for our health right now.

Thank you, Heavenly Father.

Eyesight and Hearing

Man, I hope I never take those senses for granted.

I am so grateful for both.

A Sunny Disposition

I don't mean to brag or sound conceited.

But, I'm grateful for a sunny disposition.

Most mornings.....99%....I get up cheery.

Now, that is not to say that I don't get in funks or out of sorts,

But, in general, I'm a pleasant person, not given to deep, dark moods.

And, I am grateful.

Happy New Year! 2016!

I feel so grateful for the year just past.

Here's to another year with lots of adventures, fun, laughter, and family.

And, I am grateful.