Gratitude and such

I had the opportunity to speak in sacrament meeting yesterday.  I was given Elder Russell M. Nelson's talk from April 2012 General Conference "Thanks be to God" to reference my talk on.  As I re-read the words I'd heard him speak in April, my thoughts were steering me to Gratitude. 

As I was sitting up at the pulpit and listening to the two others that spoke with me, their talks were about the Godhead.  We all had the same talk to reference for our speaking engagement.  I'm always amazed in the ways that we are directed by the Spirit in our lives.

Just the evening prior, I had gone to the temple with one of the gal's I visit teach.  I'm always so grateful to her for inviting me to go with her.  My purpose for this session was that one: I needed heavenly help with my talk, and two:  I needed to know that He was aware of me and my struggles and that He truly did love me.  I was greatly rewarded on both counts and am deeply grateful for His tender mercies.

One thing I'm especially grateful for..........my beautiful daughter is pregnant!  She and Nate are so excited to be expanding their little family.  They're really cute to watch as they make their plans and of course, those plans include some babysitting from Grandma!  I wouldn't have it any other way.

My dear son Andrew has been having a rough time.  He has had to move home, as his wife has decided that marriage and family life are not for her.  This means that Makayla is also living with us too at least 50% of the time. It's quite an adjustment for all, but, secretly nothing beats that cute little face in the morning!  She is the happiest person ever the second she wakes up in the morning!

Mark, my youngest, and the resident comedian is doing fantastical.  He's enjoying his summer vacation thus far, procrastinating starting his summer reading assignment "Tess, of the D'Urbervilles".  He's so funny every time I get on him to get started, he says, "Mom!  It's my summer vacation."  Ah, wait til he finds out summer is no different from any other day of the year.  I, as a mother however, have wanted my kids to enjoy their summers by sleeping late and whatnot.  I figure at some future time they will appreciate that I did that for them when they join the "real world".  Mark has gotten his driver's license and his Eagle project is under way.

Have a good day. :)