It was a pretty normal, typical weekend for us. As we all went about our business, doing what we normally do on a weekend, I thought about how really blessed I am, and I am thankful for the good things in my life.
For example, Saturday morning began for us with a trip to the grocery store. We all go to a place similar to this at least once a week, and yet it is actually pretty amazing that we can buy just about any kind of food we want here, whenever we want it. Fruits and vegetables, meats, and all kinds of fresh, frozen, canned, preserved, even cooked and convenient foods are available and affordable to most of us - and usually only a few minutes drive from where we live. When we get the food home, we have refrigerators and freezers to keep the food good and stoves, ovens and microwaves to help us cook it. It is all very ordinary and pretty amazing when you think about it.
Later, we went to the mall to walk. Didn't buy anything, but oh the things we could have purchased if we needed or wanted to - clothing, technology, food - all kinds of things right there at our fingertips. Another amazing thing in our society is that the vast majority of us can afford the stuff there is available to us. It isn't that way everywhere in the world, nor has it always been that way here, but it is right now - at this moment in our history.
We went to get gas at a place that looked a lot like this. Again, fuel for our car was abundant and affordable - although we do sometimes grumble about the price of gas. Same thing when I went to Walmart later in the day. Walmart is NOT my favorite place to go on a Saturday, but I quickly found everything I needed and then some. We live in a land of plenty and for that I am thankful.
Saturday afternoon, I went here to the Draper Temple. I had not been to this temple before. It is a beautiful building set high on a mountainside in a community south of where we live, where there is a beautiful, commanding view of the entire Salt Lake Valley (that I did not get a picture of because I was in my car coming down the hill).
Going to the temple is one of my favorite things and I am happy, and thankful to have several temples literally within a few minutes of my home.
Our Sunday worship services for us now begin at 9 a.m. instead of 11:30 a.m., so its up and at'em early on Sunday mornings. Even though Josh gets up early and is out of the house headed to work by 6:15 every work day, he did not sleep in this morning, but was ready and attended early church with Charly and I. I am thankful that Josh lives his faith and always attends church. I am very proud of him and the choices he is making in life. I am proud of all four of my children. They are are all good human beings, and I only mention Josh by name because he still lives here with us and I see how he lives his life every day.
After church, Charly and Josh both received a little more information about their new callings as Activity Day Leaders for the little boys ages 9 and 10 in our congregation. Charly and Josh will basically be in youth ministry and will be planning and supervising biweekly activities that will take the place of the BSA Cub Scouts activities that our church used to sponsor. I am grateful that both Charly and Josh are willing to serve in this way.
Sunday afternoon, we had some snow. If you look closely in this picture, you can see big white fluffy flakes coming down. Most of our snow this year has been in the mountains and that is my favorite place for it. We need snow in the mountains to keep our water supply up for the coming summer. So far Utah has a heavier than normal snowpack in the mountains, which bodes well for our water needs. I am thankful for that. Later in the evening, the snow stopped and Charly and I were able to take our 2.33 mile walk outside. It was a brisk but pleasant walk. I am thankful for my daily walks that help me stay happy and healthy and connected with my husband.
Dinner tonight was ham, cheese and potato casserole, made with leftovers from our New Year's Ham. Around here, this dish is affectionately known as "Funeral Potatoes" because it is often served at family after-funeral luncheons. It is also one of my favorite comfort foods. I am so thankful for having more than enough good food to eat. I am thankful that I know a little about how to prepare tasty good food for myself and my family.
After dinner, I did some records indexing. Tonight, I was indexing Civil War records. I am thankful for all those throughout history who have put their lives on the line for freedom and liberty here in this land.
That, then, is my weekend from a spin of gratitude. Tomorrow, it's back for another full week of school - the end of first semester. I am thankful that I have a job I enjoy (most of the time) where I am, able (hopefully) to make a positive difference for some teenagers. Last week, I received an email from a mom thanking me for working with her son to help him go from an F to an A- in my class. The young man did all the work. I just encouraged him, showed him it was possible, and told him I was proud of him when he did it. The email from his mom was icing on the cake for me. Knowing that I helped a struggling young man move forward toward high school graduation is really what it is all about.
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