A Heart full of Gratitude....

November is the month of Thanksgiving, and I just had so much going on that I haven't posted about it. I did think about the things I am grateful for quite often, though. Here are 30 things that I am grateful for (one for each day of the month).
  • The Gospel of Jesus Christ
    • I love being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else.
  • My Savior and His Atonement
    • I don't even have enough words to express my gratitude for my Savior, Jesus Christ. He has given us everything! He gave His own life so that we might live and be able to get back to Him and Heavenly Father. He is there for me and I know He loves and hears me.
  • The Book of Mormon
    • I know that every page in this book is true! I find comfort in almost any verse that I read. When I need extra help, I can find it through the voices of the prophets that testify in the Book of Mormon. I am blessed when I read it, and it was written for us in this dispensation as much as it was for them back then.
  • Family
    • I love my family! So much! They mean the world to me. Families are a stability in my life. I know they will always be there, no matter how far away they are, including on the other side of the veil.
  • Temples
    • Families can be together forever through the power of the temple. I know this to be true. I wouldn't make it through this life without the comforting knowledge of the blessings of the temple. I can't wait to go there someday and be forever sealed to my sweetheart.  Every time I go, I am blessed with peace and comfort as I serve His children.
  • Roommates
    • I have learned so much from my roommates, every single semester. It has been an interesting experience getting to know so many different girls. I know I have been each group of girls for a specific reason and I am so grateful for the experiences and fun I have had with them! 
  • Friends
    • What would I do without my friends?! They love and support me in all that I do. We go on crazy adventures together and have a blast! Even when we get together just to talk, I am astounded by the amazing friends I have been blessed with in my life. 

  • Teachers
    • We often take our teachers for granted, but it is a really hard thing to get up in front of other people to teach them something. School, seminary, Institute, and church teachers have taught me so many things over the years, and I am eternally grateful for the knowledge they have brought into my life.
  • Cameras
    • If you couldn't tell, I love taking pictures. I love capturing memories and beautiful things with a camera. I love the process of developing pictures in a dark room and am astounded by the digital process. I probably take way too many pictures for my own good, but with digital cameras, it is so easy. I love pictures. Lots!
  • Writing
    • I have grown to love expressing myself through my words. I have always loved reading quotes, so words have always been a part of how I think and create things. Now I hope to continue to learn to use my words in a positive way to express ideas and feelings into a professional realm as well as in my personal life. 
  • Music
    • I have always been touched by music. I have been singing in a choir since seventh grade and I am now a junior in college. I love the harmonies and everything in choral music. I am learning to appreciate instrumental music. I love hearing new songs and falling in love with them. I love when I hear a song and it helps me through something I am struggling with. Music touches my heart and strengthens me whenever I am going through a rough time. It soothes my soul. When I sit down and play a song on the piano, the world's problems seem to drift away. I don't know if I could live my life without music. 
  • Technology
    • I don't know if I would be able to live my life without a computer, the Internet, or indoor plumbing! Cars, electricity, cell phones, and so much more have been developed for our day in time to use. The key is just to be wise in our use. I am grateful to live in this time period to make good use of the masses of technologies available.
  • College
    • I believe that college is not only a time to expand our knowledge within a certain area of study, but also a time to learn about life. I have grown and learn so much about life in general and everything around me by being in college. It has taught some valuable life skills. Oh, and whoever said that high school was the best time of our lives was completely wrong! College has been the best and worst time of my life. I have had some struggles, as everyone does, but I have also had the most incredible experiences ever because I am a college student.
  • Dating

    • I know what you're thinking. I am grateful for dating just because I have a boyfriend. Yes, this is partially true. But I am grateful for the chance to meet people through dating. Friendships can be developed through dating and we can learn lots of great things through dating people. I have come to see what I really want in someone just by dating around. That is the point of dating. And I am grateful for it.
  • Ability to learn
    • Being here on this earth is a time of learning and growing. Some people have disabilities that make it so they can't learn. I am grateful for the capabilities I have to learn, as well as the opportunity to go to college. Not everyone gets the chance to do that and I am grateful for the chance to be able to.
  • Seasons
    • There is so much beauty in the world around us. The world is so beautiful, and there are many adventures to be had within each season, including holidays. Seasons give us variety and the opportunity to do so many different things in a year. 
  • Freedom
    • We often take our rights as an American for granted. We are truly blessed to be here and have so many liberties and to be free to practice our religion and say things that we want. I am grateful to be an American.
  • Holidays
    • Like I mentioned about seasons, holidays give us the chance to have new adventures. They are a time for a break and a time for reflection. Family, friends, and food are the best part of almost any holiday, too. :)

  • Animals
    • Animals are so smart, and there is a lot to be learned from them. I miss my dog, Freckles, and I just love the curiosity they have as well as the amount of love they have. We can learn a lot from animals.
  • Institute
    • Need I say more? Institute is truly inspired. I love going there and learning so many new things and getting away from school even just for a little bit. They have awesome activities, too, and it is such a haven in our crazy world. I love Institute!
  • Camping 
    • I haven't gone camping a whole lot in my life, but it gives you a chance to get away from the world and connect with our Heavenly Father. Not to mention there are lots of skills to learn from camping and fun to be had from being outdoors and away from everything. It is a great time to ponder and see what He has created for us. 
  • Hair
    • As annoying as it is to sometimes take care of, I am glad that I have it than not. 
  • Showers
    • Clean. Ahh....Indoor plumbing. Showers. Yeah. You get what I mean :)
  • Color
    • How boring would life be without color? Fall leaves, snow, spring flowers, summer oceans are some of my favorite things that have color. We would all be the same without color. I don't think I would like living in a black and white world. I am grateful for color. 

  • Bishops
    • Bishops are so amazing! They love each of the members of their ward so much! They have such a hard job, but everyone in association with them is blessed. I can't even describe how grateful I am for them.
  • Cell phones
    • Texting and calling anyone anywhere is so convenient. Phones are such a great tool. Technology. It helps us keep in contact with people. And they help me not get lost when I am driving somewhere. Yeah.... I like them.
  • Journals
    • I need to write in them more, but we learn so much from people's journals. That is what the scriptures are, essentially. My mom was the best journal writer that I know. I hope to be able to teach my children an example like that...I just need to get better about writing in mine first.
  • Our bodies
    • Our bodies are so complex! They heal themselves and are the most magnificent creation. I also give kudos to people who work with them like doctors and paramedics and specialists of the body. I can't fathom the work Heavenly Father took to create us! We are incredible!
  • Flowers
    • Beautiful plants that smell good and add color to anything. What more can you ask for? They are my favorite part of spring. 

  • Change
    • As hard as change can be sometimes, it is a necessary part of our lives. We learn so many great lessons from making changes. Besides, life would be dull without variety. And we need to have the opportunity to change and get better instead of staying at one point our entire lives. Change is hard, but can make life worthwhile.
This is just a small list of the many things that I am grateful for. Some of them also encompass a lot of ideas under one topic, as you can probably tell. There are just so many things to be grateful for. We are so blessed! We should never forget to take time to show our gratitude, especially to our Heavenly Father. 

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