Counting Our Blessings

First let me express my gratitude to our Heavenly Father for inspiring our Stake Presidency to offer the "Strengthening Marriage and Family Relationships Conference" in October. I am thankful for the speakers and caterer and for all who participated. I was especially grateful when the next day my husband came into the kitchen and offered to help with dinner preparations! And for the discussion and planning that it provoked in our marriage. WE are so blessed as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints!

Each November our hearts turn to counting our blessings. Although this should be a daily habit, we can renew our efforts to offer up to the Lord our gratitude for all with which He has blessed us.

Hear are a couple of exercises that might be fun for individual families.

*Name a blessing for every letter of the word November. Here is my list:

N is for the Nativity, Christ's birth
O is for the Overwhelming love I feel from our Heavenly Father
V is for the Very details of my life, in which He is involved and aware of
E is for the Everlasting truths of the Gospel
M is for the Marvelous creations
B is for my Baptismal covenant that Blesses me and opens the door
E is for the Eternal nature of families
R is for Repentance and the Resurrection

Your lists will be better, I am sure. I kept thinking of more words for each letter but this will suffice.

* Once a week offer a prayer that is solely giving thanks, asking nothing. You'll be amazed at how hard it is to not slip in a request, but also how your appreciation for blessings is increased.

We know the Lord requires a grateful heart.

Let us be more diligent in keeping our gratitude journals, giving prayers of thanks, writing notes of thanks, expressing appreciation and so forth. Of course living more faithfully is a great way of showing our gratitude to our Heavenly Father and His son Jesus Christ. Serving one another is a key exhibition of thanks as well. May we all have an increased Attitude of Gratitude!

Love,
Sister Christine Jackson
1st Counselor Centralia Stake Relief Society

Accepting the Will of God

God uses love inspired correction to guide us to a future we do not or cannot now envision but which He knows is the better way for us.