Gratitude

~:>Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, <:~

but the parent of all the others.

So I'm learning something about myself this week....I like to be challenged. I think the key is that the challenge must be something that I would want to do anyway...No "Double-Dog Dares" to Kiss a Boy at a party or strip naked and run around the backyard for me. It must serve a greater purpose.

So what is this great challenge? Well, with it being Novemember, Desi has challenged me to write something everyday that I'm grateful for. Well, that SHOULD be easy, I have so many things to be grateful for. The REAL Challenge will come in CHOOSING which ones to spotlight.

This should be no surprise that the very first thing I would choose would be my family. But the thing that I'm so GRATEFUL for is that my family is active in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This is one of my favorite pictures. Not only because it was taken on Carson's baptismal day, but because of the way that Christ is the center focus of our family & it shows in this photo.

We had the most amazing thing happen today in church. We had awaken to a major rainstorm this morning. (one of my absolute favorite thing EVER!) Just as it was time to leave for church the rain stopped and the sun peaked out for a moment in golden beauty. But as we were sitting in Fast & Testimony Meeting we all were startled by these THUNDEROUS sounds of rain & hail POUNDING upon us. It happened just as one of our Stake Leaders got up to speak and it made me really think of this scripture in 3 Nephi 18:

12 And I give unto you a commandment that ye shall do these things. And if ye shall always do these things blessed are ye, for ye are built upon my rock.

13 But whoso among you shall do more or less than these are not built upon my rock, but are built upon a sandy foundation; and when the rain descends, and the floods come, and the winds blow, and beat upon them, they shall fall, and the gates of hell are ready open to receive them.

14 Therefore blessed are ye if ye shall keep my commandments, which the Father hath commanded me that I should give unto you.

So as I sat there in the protected chapel with my family gathered close being taught by the spirit of God and the Holy Priesthood, I felt protected and blessed. It truly was a magnificent meeting and I'm so grateful to be there.

So as I sign off I extend the same challenge to those of you that read my blog to do the same....record something you are grateful for every day this month. Imagine the shift that could happen if we became a more grateful people.

~Melanie