What We're Thankful For

This Thanksgiving was a very special one. It's always wonderful to take the time to count our blessings, visit with family, and eat lots of delicious food. We had a great time visiting Lance's brother's family in Erda this year (which is up by Tooele- I know, I had never heard of it either. In fact, I don't even know if I spelled it right). Unfortunately we forgot our camera, but when we got home we did get a picture of what made this Thanksgiving so special:



I guess the real reason why this year was so great was simply because last year Thanksgiving came at the one of the saddest times of my life- the very week I had found out I had miscarried and the day after I had my surgery. So in way, it's been a bittersweet Thanksgiving- bitter as we remember the hurt we experienced last year, and amazingly sweet as we have seen how greatly the Lord has blessed us since then. My testimony has grown of how the Lord truly knows what is best for us and how much He loves us.

With the official arrival of the Christmas season my heart is especially full. This year, I have a greater appreciation for the love our Heavenly Father has for us. I never knew how much my heart could grow until our precious Andy was placed in my arms. If I cringe when my little boy has to get his blood drawn, or when I worry that he is sick or hurting, I catch a glimpse of the deep pain and amazing restraint it took for our Heavenly Father to let His Only Begotten, His own precious Son, suffer so tremendously to bring about the atonement. How grateful I am for that amazing sacrifice! And how thankful I am for this special time of year, when we celebrate the birth of our Redeemer. As I look into my little boy's eyes, I remember that our own Savior was once a tiny baby, born in humble circumstances but destined to save all of mankind. How wonderful to know that because of Jesus Christ we can each be clean and whole, and together we can be a forever family. And that's what we're thankful for!