thankful…

As I was preparing a message to share with the ladies I am lucky to visit teach each month, I found this great video on the front page of lds.org.  I thought it was definitely worth sharing here today as well.

I loved this quote from Elder Dallin H. Oaks, so I printed it up to tie onto a yummy treat too. :o)

ETA:  After I wrote this blog post, I was getting ready for my day and trying to decide what type of treat to include with my little handout.  I thought about baking bread or cookies, or maybe running to the grocery store for a yummy chocolate treat.  hmmm…as I pondered more on the quote above, along with an address given by President Thomas S. Monson in which he reminded us to “cultivate within our hearts an attitude of gratitude,” I decided to take a different approach.

I thought of all the little things I complain about…dirty socks left lying around, dirty dishes in the sink (apparently some people think if you leave them there long enough, they magically clean themselves), seemingly endless loads of laundry, a messy house to clean, a cluttered car, and so much more.  And then, with the advice given by these two leaders, I decided to change my attitude to one of gratitude.  I am so grateful that my children have multiple pairs of socks so they don’t have to worry about keeping their feet clean and warm and dry.  I am so blessed to have a washing machine in which to wash the dirty socks and other dirty clothes.  I am grateful for a hard-working husband…those dirty boots means he has a job and he is willing to work hard to support our family.  I am grateful for dirty dishes because that means we have plenty of food to prepare meals. I am grateful for a house to pick up and clean…I know not everyone is blessed to own a home.  I am thankful for a vehicle that runs well and fits our family comfortably.  I truly am blessed and I need to remember to let my attitude reflect that fact.

So…instead of getting a sweet or savory treat, this is what I attached to the quote:

Yep, that’s a cleaning rag…because, along with the things I mentioned above, it’s important to remember to be thankful for the opportunities we have to work, to clean, to make our homes beautiful places to live in with our families. 

No matter what, there’s always something to be grateful for…and if my attitude is where it should be, I’ll be able to find gratitude and thankfulness for everything. :o)

I must add that I am thankful for YOU!  Thank you for coming to my blog.  I appreciate the time you take to peek at my projects and read my thoughts (and occasional ramblings).  Thank you for sharing with me, creating with me, and encouraging me.  Thank you for leaving comments or sending e-mails when you like something you see here.

Now, in the spirit of thankfulness…if you’d like to leave a comment on this post telling me one thing you are thankful for, I will randomly choose a winner to receive a fun little scrappy surprise in the mail! 

I’ll choose a winner Friday morning.

So tell me…what are YOU thankful for?