The past couple years, I have written daily Thanksgiving posts during the month of November. At other times in my life, I have kept gratitude journals--sometimes in November, sometimes (shockingly!) at various times of the year. I love doing these things. I wanted to do daily Thanksgiving posts again this year. It's incredibly beneficial to me and my state of mind going into the holiday season. However, it didn't get done. Lots isn't getting done in my life. Today, I sat with the kids and made Grateful Lists. My idea was that Beth would come up with six things, since she is 6-years-old; Nathan would have a list of eight things, since he is 8; etc. I think you get the idea. That worked for Nathan and Beth. Sarah and Ammon saw what I was doing--an ABC list--and chose to do it that way. Here are our lists:
Beth:
1. Mommy
2. Daddy
3. Family
4. Sky
5. God
6. Jesus
Nathan:
1. Mom
2. Dad
3. Me
4. T.V.
5. Beth
6. Sarah
7. Ammon
8. My home
Sarah:
Ammon
Beth
Christ
Dad
Eden
Family
God
Hopping
Ice Cream
Jam
Kelani
Love
Mom
Nathan
Orange
Phones
Quimbys (She's enjoying Beverly Cleary right now.)
Rain
Sarah
Time
Umbrellas
Vacations
Woods
X-rays
Yo-yos
Zoos
Ammon:
America
Beauty
Cats
Dad
Elisabeth
Forest
Good food
Health
Ice cream
Jell-o
Kit Kats
Love
Mom
Nathan
October
Priesthood
Quillows
Rocky Road
Sarah
Trees
Umbrellas
Vacations
Water
X-ray
Yummy food
Zoology
Me, Megan:
Ammon (who has a quiet desire to be the best he can possibly be.)
Bible (and other revealed scripture, a peaceful guide to living.)
Chris (I'm grateful for him more and more every day.)
Democracy (Even after a bitter and emotionally painful year when I became exhausted with the election cycle, I am deeply grateful for democracy.)
Elisabeth (who has a gentle nature.)
Family (both immediate and extended. I love every single one.)
God (Who is aware of me and loves me.)
Home (We were without a home for a while this year and the Lord blessed us with a home that is better than we could have imagined. I walk around in it filled with gratitude to be here.)
Illustrations (I love art in general, but I have a special love for children's picture books filled with beautiful illustrations.)
Jesus Christ (my Lord and Savior. I depend on His mercy daily.)
Knowledge (I'm very grateful for my own education and the process of educating my children.)
Love (I am in awe at the love we have been shown the last several months.)
Mountains (I love the beauty of the earth!)
Nathan (who makes me laugh and always looks out for others.)
Oceans (Again--I love the beauty of the earth!)
Parents (I have the very best ones. I'm also grateful for my in-laws.)
Quiet time (Awww . . . . )
Reading (a favorite past time both alone and with the children.)
Sarah (who is creative, giving, and always has a party up her sleeve.)
Trees (Our new home--New York--is breathtaking.)
United States (I believe in America. I believe in the goodness of America.)
Volcanoes (I love the various exciting things found on the earth!)
Water (Oh, I love clean drinking water. I'm so grateful to live where we have easy access to it.)
Xylophone (a bit lame, but you think of something that starts with X! I am grateful for music, in its many forms.)
Yesterday (My yesterdays have shaped who I am. I treasure my memories.)
Zoos (I love animals. I love to see animals. But I don't like to touch animals. Therefore, I love zoos.)
Showing posts with label Thanksgiving. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Thanksgiving. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Giving thanks...
We had a wonderful Thanksgiving day filled with food, family, and relaxing (and entertaining) conversation. I thought that it's time the children go public in expressing thanks.
Ammon (age almost 9): I'm thankful for everything. And video games. I'm thankful for Jesus. I'm thankful for earth. I'm thankful for family. I'm thankful for PUMPKIN PIE!!
Sarah (age 7): I'm thankful for my family, that I can be with them on Thanksgiving. I'm also thankful for the holidays that we get to spend time with our family. I'm thankful for my Savior.
Nathan (age 5): I'm thankful for my blanket, my thumb, my mom and dad and video games. I'm thankful for candy. I'm thankful for the earth.
Beth (age 3) is already asleep, so I can't be certain what she would say. However, today she seemed thankful for Nathan, her cousin Hannah, crackers, cheese, her baby dolls and her pogo-ball.
I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving day.
Ammon (age almost 9): I'm thankful for everything. And video games. I'm thankful for Jesus. I'm thankful for earth. I'm thankful for family. I'm thankful for PUMPKIN PIE!!
Sarah (age 7): I'm thankful for my family, that I can be with them on Thanksgiving. I'm also thankful for the holidays that we get to spend time with our family. I'm thankful for my Savior.
Nathan (age 5): I'm thankful for my blanket, my thumb, my mom and dad and video games. I'm thankful for candy. I'm thankful for the earth.
Beth (age 3) is already asleep, so I can't be certain what she would say. However, today she seemed thankful for Nathan, her cousin Hannah, crackers, cheese, her baby dolls and her pogo-ball.
I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving day.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Giving thanks
George Washington's 1789 Thanksgiving Proclamation
Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me to "recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:"
Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed; for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enable to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and, in general, for all the great and various favors which He has been pleased to confer upon us.
And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions; to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shown kindness to us), and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best.
Given under my hand, at the city of New York, the 3d day of October, A.D. 1789.
G. Washington
Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me to "recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:"
Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed; for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enable to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and, in general, for all the great and various favors which He has been pleased to confer upon us.
And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions; to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shown kindness to us), and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best.
Given under my hand, at the city of New York, the 3d day of October, A.D. 1789.
G. Washington
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Giving thanks...
"It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy name" (Psalm 92:1).
"Behold, my beloved brethren, remember the words of your God; pray unto him continually by day, and give thanks unto his holy name by night. Let your hearts rejoice" (2 Nephi 9:52).
"Let a spirit of thanksgiving guide and bless your days and nights" (President Gordon B. Hinckley).
"Behold, my beloved brethren, remember the words of your God; pray unto him continually by day, and give thanks unto his holy name by night. Let your hearts rejoice" (2 Nephi 9:52).
"Let a spirit of thanksgiving guide and bless your days and nights" (President Gordon B. Hinckley).
Giving thanks
Whenever I hear the song of a bird
Or look at the blue, blue sky,
Whenever I feel the rain on my face
Or the wind as it rushes by,
Whenever I touch a velvet rose
Or walk by our lilac tree,
I’m glad that I live in this beautiful world
Heav’nly Father created for me.
He gave me my eyes that I might see
The color of butterfly wings.
He gave me my ears that I might hear
The magical sound of things.
He gave me my life, my mind, my heart:
I thank him rev’rently
For all his creations, of which I’m a part.
Yes, I know Heav’nly Father loves me.
Clara W. McMaster
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Giving thanks
Today I have been grateful for things that ground me. (And I don't mean my parents who would send me to my room for my excessive naughtiness.) A few years ago, Chris wrote a song called "Gravity" that is about me, Megan. Part of the lyrics say "Like the line that keeps the astronauts from floating out to space, like a heavy anchor wrapped around my feet, mama, you're my gravity."
I think I could take offense at being called an anchor, like I'm holding him back. But in reality gravity is a life-saving part of the physical world. I would like to list ten things that bring me gravity, ten things that ground me. I am grateful for these things because they are life-saving parts of my world.
1. Chris. Chris is my stability. He balances my emotions. He is devoted and loyal and reminds me of the things that matter most.
2. My testimony. I have been blessed to have faith. Faith is a gift from God and I am grateful for mine. My testimony keeps me from making all sorts of stupid choices. Having a perspective of eternity changes my daily outlook. I am so grateful for my testimiony and I guard it carefully and nurture it.
3. My beautiful children. I feel blessed beyond measure that I am allowed to be a mother. When I feel myself floating away emotionally, one look at a little face who needs me can bring me back to my reality.
4. God's beautiful creations. In our homeschool co-op we are learning about the planets and it is humbling. I marvel at God's vast creations. The beauty around me (and far from me) is beyond description.
5. The scriptures. I love the Bible and the Book of Mormon. I feel like I can never read the Gospel and Epistles of John enough. I feel God's love for me, and for everyone, powerfully whenever I open a book that contains His word.
6. America. Why am I so privileged to have been born in this amazing country in this amazing time? I love my freedoms. America, the idea of America as well as the reality, is truly a gift from God.
7. Technology. It sounds pretty stupid, I know. But in the last year or so since I began blogging and got a Facebook account, I have been able to renew and strengthen important friendships. In many cases, these are friends that have deeply affected me and changed my life. But I haven't seen or heard from them in many, many years. Thanks to technology we are able to stay in touch and my friends lift me when I am down.
8. Prayer. Wow. I can talk to God anytime I want. Anytime. About anything. And He answers me.
9. The Holy Ghost. Consistent, quiet promptings to help me choose what is right. Comfort when I'm sad. Guidance when I'm confused. It is stated that the Gift of the Holy Ghost is the greatest gift God can give His children in mortality. I believe that and I experience it.
10. The Atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ. "He is the light and the life of the world; yea, a light that is endless, that can never be darkened; yea, and also a life which is endless, that there can be no more death" (Mosiah 16:9). Jesus Christ has provided me a way, the Way, to overcome my own sins and shortcomings. He lights the way through this life. His Atonement is a gift of safety to me. He provides my ultimate grounding to reality and to eternity.
I could go on and on. I'm so grateful. And I'm excited for the very sacred and religious Thanksgiving holiday this week. Happy Thanksgiving!
I think I could take offense at being called an anchor, like I'm holding him back. But in reality gravity is a life-saving part of the physical world. I would like to list ten things that bring me gravity, ten things that ground me. I am grateful for these things because they are life-saving parts of my world.
1. Chris. Chris is my stability. He balances my emotions. He is devoted and loyal and reminds me of the things that matter most.
2. My testimony. I have been blessed to have faith. Faith is a gift from God and I am grateful for mine. My testimony keeps me from making all sorts of stupid choices. Having a perspective of eternity changes my daily outlook. I am so grateful for my testimiony and I guard it carefully and nurture it.
3. My beautiful children. I feel blessed beyond measure that I am allowed to be a mother. When I feel myself floating away emotionally, one look at a little face who needs me can bring me back to my reality.
4. God's beautiful creations. In our homeschool co-op we are learning about the planets and it is humbling. I marvel at God's vast creations. The beauty around me (and far from me) is beyond description.
5. The scriptures. I love the Bible and the Book of Mormon. I feel like I can never read the Gospel and Epistles of John enough. I feel God's love for me, and for everyone, powerfully whenever I open a book that contains His word.
6. America. Why am I so privileged to have been born in this amazing country in this amazing time? I love my freedoms. America, the idea of America as well as the reality, is truly a gift from God.
7. Technology. It sounds pretty stupid, I know. But in the last year or so since I began blogging and got a Facebook account, I have been able to renew and strengthen important friendships. In many cases, these are friends that have deeply affected me and changed my life. But I haven't seen or heard from them in many, many years. Thanks to technology we are able to stay in touch and my friends lift me when I am down.
8. Prayer. Wow. I can talk to God anytime I want. Anytime. About anything. And He answers me.
9. The Holy Ghost. Consistent, quiet promptings to help me choose what is right. Comfort when I'm sad. Guidance when I'm confused. It is stated that the Gift of the Holy Ghost is the greatest gift God can give His children in mortality. I believe that and I experience it.
10. The Atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ. "He is the light and the life of the world; yea, a light that is endless, that can never be darkened; yea, and also a life which is endless, that there can be no more death" (Mosiah 16:9). Jesus Christ has provided me a way, the Way, to overcome my own sins and shortcomings. He lights the way through this life. His Atonement is a gift of safety to me. He provides my ultimate grounding to reality and to eternity.
I could go on and on. I'm so grateful. And I'm excited for the very sacred and religious Thanksgiving holiday this week. Happy Thanksgiving!
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