GIVE THANKS!

If we are commanded to give thanks and it is a requirement to be made whole then what action do we take? What do we do? In last year’s October Conference, President Eyring said, “I wrote down a few lines every day for years. I never missed a day no matter how tired I was or how early I would have to start the next day. Before I would write, I would ponder this question: “Have I seen the hand of God reaching out to touch us or our children or our family today?” As I kept at it, something began to happen. As I would cast my mind over the day, I would see evidence of what God had done for one of us that I had not recognized in the busy moments of the day. As that happened, and it happened often, I realized that trying to remember had allowed God to show me what He had done.” President Eyring said that this act of daily remembrance, of thanks-giving, builds not only gratitude, but testimony. Gratitude is at the core of testimony. When we stand to bear testimony, we say, “I am thankful for…”

I have been thinking and thinking about something to write about that is worth while here on my blog. As I have been pondering it finally came to me.. write about something I know... Well, those that know me well know how much I LOVE this time of year. With Thanksgiving quickly approaching and Christmas not far behind, I thought it would be good to write tips and ideas down. So, two things; 1- I want to write down 7 things that I am Thankful for.... & 2 I want to write 5 tips for the wk. Each week there will be 5 new tips to help survive the Holiday Season and be happy, healthy, and not stressed out!

I am thankful for:

1-My family, my kids and husband are wonderful, serving them each day helps me love them more.

2-Our jobs, they provide us with enough to provided for our family as well as serve those around us that might be in need.

3- Our second family's: cousins, parents, grandparents and siblings to Aaron and I. They give support and lend a hand when needed.

4-Our friends, those close and far away, the time they spend serving my family is awe inspiring.

5-A home, even though we still have yet to buy a home ( which hopefully will happen soon ) where we are living is good, clean, and nice enough, we definetly don't live in a dump.

6-The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, that provides us with organizations that enrich, uplift, and inspire our lifes to be better each day.

7-Last but certainly not least, my savior and redeemer, the Lord Jesus Christ. Who suffer bled and die for me, so that I can one day return to live with him. The sacrifice he made for me is a gift that I will always treasure.

Ok so on the the holiday help line:

1- Plan ahead. Planning ahead of time is age old, knowing what you will be doing for the holiday's is important. Making a schedual, can help ease the burden especially if you have young children. It will help them being happy instead of non stop crying during the turkey dinner!

2-Plan food ahead of time; this just doesn't include whose bringing what to turkey dinner but it also includes making it to the store long before the night before and doing battle with all the other nuts out there that didn't plan ahead. Trust me when I say, shop at least a wk prior if you can.

3-Plan your time, what time will dinner be at? How long will dinner and festivities last? This is key that you don't wear out your welcome but also that your children (if you have them) can keep to a more normal schedual., and that will make your entire day easier.

4-Plan out a route, if you are traveling, also make a route B in case weather is a factor.

5-Be on time! No body likes late Larry who shows up just in the nik of time to sit down and eat, and has forgotten his dish that he was supposed to bring. Moral of the story, be on time and be prepared and the rest should run fairly smooth.

Hope this is helpful, I have found that in years past when I run around scrambling to get things done that the holiday's are not as much fun! I think after 6 years of mariage that I finally have it down to an art. I hope!