Do I show Sufficient Gratitude??

So I just finished a week fr0m_ _ double toothpicks! I think I came out on top! But as I was stressing so much this week, I opened the computer one day and there was Sweet Pres. Monson and a quote from his talk on Gratitude! I felt a compelling feeling of humility as I realized I was only "worrying" this week and not offering enough time to dwell on my blessings.
Often times in our lives, it is the stress or trial we live through which brings us great things. I wondered a few times this week why I felt so directed to go back to school - it seemed as if it was taking away from my opportunity to serve and be with my family - but then I realized how grateful I am for my chance to learn about Heavenly Father's wonderful world. How blessed I am to have this opportunity, which actually came about as a result of a "trial" For those of you who are reading this and don't know, I am going to school with Randy's post 9/11 GI bill. Had he not been mobilized and taken away from our family for two years, this experience would not have availed itself to me. I never thought at the time I would find reasons to appreciate that experience in my life. Had he not been mobilized, we would not be living here in West Point. We really miss our friends in Soda Springs, and what a blessing it was to live there, but Randy and I were talking about the amazing opportunities we have had here in Utah the past five years. We nearly always get a chance to go to a session of conference, we were able to go to President Hinckley's viewing and take our oldest grandson. I have shopped at Costco with President Uckdorf. We have found a noble ancestry on both sides of our family. Last Memorial Day, we had the opportunity to go to the Salt Lake Cemetary and find some fun stories about these family members and while there we took our grandsons on a tour of the Prophets graves there in the cemetary. What a spiritual experience!
Can I just tell you THERE IS A PLAN!!!! We may wonder at times why some have so many difficulties - but we need to train our brains to look for the blessing!
I know there are those of you out there wondering why me - next time ask yourself why not me? Who knows what is waiting around the corner. We may not always find answers to the sad times in our lives, but we can always find peace and comfort!
I feel worry in my heart for my family and friends struggling with cancer, heart disease, loss, or even more those living without the guidance of the Holy Spirit in there life, but I just want to express publicly to all who may read this my gratitude for my station in life, my family, my friends, my trials and most of all, my testimony of my Savior!

Thanksgiving Time Again!

Wow! I think I first started this blog to keep up a gratitude journal. I have been reading a few blogs out there in cyber world, and it's amazing how people's experiences can touch your life! I have a full heart at the blessing My heavenly father has seen fit to bestow upon me! Sometimes we forget to look at our trials as blessings.
Last month brought a significant scare into my life. It was the first time in my life I thought one of my children was going to leave this world before me. For those of you into "numbers", it happened on 10/10/10. Exactly one year after his father had to go to the emergency room. He had a severe gran mal seizure, which caused him to turn grey and quit breathing. I had never experienced anything like this before. I was sure I was losing this beautiful spirit Heavenly Father had entrusted to me.
Without going into unnecessary detail, the month of October has been a very long stressful one for me as I have contemplated my responsibility to this child. The doctor wanted to immediately put him on medication without any guarantee of it helping. As Randy and I thought about it we didn't have a good feeling. I actually felt quite sick as I looked at side effects and contemplated the road we should take. I prayed with a heavy heart that night. Many told me just listen to the Spirit, but I wasn't sure how to interpret what I was being told.
Interestingly enough, I had just finished reading the Book of Mormon. As I was thinking about how to make my scripture study take on more meaning in my life, I decided to look up subjects and find as many scriptures as I could related to the particular topic. I started with the Holy Ghost, gifts of the Spirit, the Spirit, etc.
The first scripture to play in my heart was 1st Nephi 10:17. To sum it up, it said to me if I diligently seek him - He will manifest himself unto me. First key - DILIGENT! Honestly, the first key really is to be believing - have faith! But I think Heavenly Father knew I knew that already and being diligent was the next thing I needed to work on.
As I mulled this over in my mind, not only did I study what Heavenly Father said about receiving the Spirit, but I studied a great deal about doctors, medications and the types of medical tests Jordan would be subjected to. In the meantime, I needed to be studying for my school. I went to bed with a brain on overload! When I woke up the next morning, I felt the Spirit whisper to me in a still small yet pierce to the bone voice that this child was Heavenly Father's before he was mine and He knew what he needed. I was to let it go for the time being and give the worry to Him.
It was amazing to me the calm I felt and the ability to let it go for the moment. Most likely we are not through with doctors and possibly not with the medicine route, but how thankful I am for the Spirit to rest upon my heart and give me the peace I need until we are able to work with the physicians and work through the affliction.
One thing I know - no one gets through this life without trials and affflictions. They make up who we are. It's how we deal with them that determines our character. It is my wish for this first Thanksgiving Post of 2010 to express my humble appreciation for the testimony I have of my Savior, and the gospel here on earth. Without this precious gift of the Holy Spirit, I feel I would be a failure!