faith. family. friends.

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After the adventures that the last several weeks have brought our way, we couldn't be more grateful for these three things in our lives.  They simply are the best gifts in life, and we would never make it through the challenges we face without all three.  Our friends and neighbors have stood by us and given us strength through inspired words and kindnesses, our families have been right along side us sharing love and support every step of the way, and our faith in a loving Heavenly Father and our Savior Jesus Christ have increased as we have felt comfort and peace and strength through the entire duration.  It has been one of the hardest things our little family has gone through, and I haven't every day carried the roles of mother, housekeeper, caregiver, nurse, nighttime aide and schoolteacher with a smile...and My Angel still has a couple of weeks before she'll be able to head back to school and a couple of months before she feels herself again, but every day we have felt the hand of God, often through family and friends, and we are so grateful.


From Robert D. Hales ( 'Gratitude for the Goodness of God'):

"Gratitude is a state of appreciation, an act of thanksgiving, which causes us to be humble because we recognize an act of kindness, service, or caring from someone else which lifts us and strengthens us.
Ingratitude is the attitude of being unaware or not recognizing when someone has assisted us or helped us or, even worse, when we know we have been helped and have not given thanks privately or publicly.
In some quiet way, the expression and feelings of gratitude have a wonderful cleansing or healing nature. Gratitude brings warmth to the giver and the receiver alike.

Gratitude expressed to our Heavenly Father in prayer for what we have brings a calming peace—a peace which allows us to not canker our souls for what we don’t have. Gratitude brings a peace that helps us overcome the pain of adversity and failure. Gratitude on a daily basis means we express appreciation for what we have now without qualification for what we had in the past or desire in the future. A recognition of and appreciation for our gifts and talents which have been given also allows us to acknowledge the need for help and assistance from the gifts and talents possessed by others.

Gratitude is a divine principle:
“Thou shalt thank the Lord thy God in all things.” (Doc.and Cov. 59:7.)

This scripture means that we express thankfulness for what happens, not only for the good things in life but also for the opposition and challenges of life that add to our experience and faith. We put our lives in His hands, realizing that all that transpires will be for our experience.

When in prayer we say, “Thy will be done,” we are really expressing faith and gratitude and acknowledging that we will accept whatever happens in our lives."

Trust me, we're humbled. :)
Keep Smiling!