This journey

I have been on a journey for the last four weeks and its been hard. I have lost 11.8 pounds and have been working out. the working out part is the hardest. I do not like working out and this last week I have been working out four times this week. I am going to weight watchers and really working the program. I keep going and lossing weight. This weekend has been horrible and I felt that I had a huge workout on friday then I apparently felt that it was ok to eat anything....

just a thought....

12-13 year old Sunday School

   I am feeling a deep sadness today.  A new teacher took over my  awesome Sunday School class. I have 3 girls and 6 boys in my class. This class is amazing. This 12-13 year old class taught me more than I ever taught them. We have amazing parents who teach and love their children. Some of the things I have been taught: gratitude from one, we were talking about Christ how he might have been alone.  This young man reminded us he could have been alone if not for his dad.This young lady, taught me grace and beauty. She is beautiful outside and inside. This young man has taught me determination. He has simply refused to give up. this young man has taught me "normal" is an amazing thing. Two of the boys, have taught me how fun it is to be 12-13. Another young lady has taught me that sunshine is always behind the dark clouds. It took her a few weeks to let the sunshine from her soul. I would say she is one of my favorites but I know I would say that about each. I have learned how important it is to trust the kids on leadership. They have really enjoyed having a class president and the responsibilities that is with that. This class members can say prayers that make mine look like I am new member. The dedication they feel in serving each other is example to me. I will miss this class. I love each of them and pray for each of them. I am sad today  

Gratitude

  
 Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.” — William Arthur Ward

   Gratitude is amazing thing. Think about it, how a simple thank you can change everything. When a small child tells you thank you, my heart smiles. That small thank you catches you by surprise and you think about for all day. I handed my cute grandson who is 18 months a phone and he says "thank you" and its the simpliest thing I have done for him. I love having him around and having him with us makes both Kevin and I smile.
   For along time I try really hard not to be ungrateful. Ungratefulness is not a pretty thing. If someone is trying to do things my way and they are not. At least they are trying. Right?

Gratitude has been linked to increased levels of happiness and life satisfaction. Giving thanks is one of the most powerful tools that leads to happiness.

. “Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.” — Marcel Proust

 “We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude.” — Cynthia Ozick
Isn't it funny how we take for granted that the people in our lives and the things in our lives will always be there.

Love Me

I know

There are many things I don't know but then again there are things I know for sure.

I know I do not like how other people's decisions can affect our lives.
I know I believe in the power of forgiveness.
I know when you forgive its more for you than the other person.

I know I do not like corn on the cob.
I know I am grateful that i have food to eat everyday.

I know I do not like mice.
I know I am grateful for God's creations, all of them. (I don't understand the reason for mice)

I know that I have a Father in Heaven that knows me by name
I know that I have a Father in Heaven that answers my prayers
I know I in the power of prayer
I know I believe in love
I know I have seen the impossible in my life become possible
I know that I have God on my side when there has been no one else.
I know that I love my family
I know that being a Grandma is the best thing in the world
I know that my family is forever
I know that being a mother is amazing
I know that I am smart and I work hard to be a good student

A new chapter

 Today in my opinion is  a new chapter in my book of my life. I start school for my Masters this week (again) but here in Indianapolis. My life chapters have been so full in the last two years of good, better and best things. With my marriage being the best thing about the last two years. I am grateful for Kevin and what he has added to my life. I am grateful for his support.
  I have decided to do the year program. So one year from now I will be graduating with my Masters. I am scared. I have decided that I will pray and listen better this year. I will scriptures before I ever open my books for school each day. Then I can not lose...we are told if we are doing everything possible to in our lives he will take care of the rest.
Love to all

seeing

  Have you ever thought about how you look at other people? I have and I have made a choice to try and see people like Heavenly Father would see them. Its amazing when you start looking to see a person's soul. I am amazed at how I see people, the person the young man that I have always avoided his eyes because he stays on the corner. I decided to stop and chat with him. His name is Chris, and he is 22. He ran from home a few years ago, and when I asked him about it. He said that even on the coldest nights it was better than at home. My heart hurt for him, and I hurt that he felt the streets were better than at home with his mom. Now I stop and check on him every now and then.

Then another time there is a lady in my church, I have had to really pray about to see her like Heavenly Father would. But I can talk with her and be grateful that i know her. I am grateful for that.

Learning

I have learned more in my calling than my kids do. Today is Sunday and I know that God lives and he knows me by name. I am grateful for my blessings in my life. I am grateful for my husband, who loves me no matter what. I am blessed to have my sons, and I know we chose each other in the pre-existence. I love the scriptures and know that they can apply and do apply to my life. I know when I am praying and doing what the prophet has asked me to do my life is better. I am grateful for the gospel.
In the name of Jesus Christ, amen