66. Today I am grateful for my co-workers

On Friday at work we had an all day meeting for those who work in the family support division. I enjoy the team building part of these meetings which sometimes includes baking something. Friday’s meeting, our activity was writing what we appreciate about our co-workers and the reading out what others said about us. It was a nice warm-fuzzy experience. I am really grateful for my co-workers and supervisor who are all great examples of compassion, knowledge and experience. They have been a tremendous help to me and have helped me to feel accepted as part of their team.

65. Today I am grateful to be at church on time

Since moving into my new place I came to the realization that we hadn’t gotten to church before the opening hymn began. I always like to get to places early or at least on time, particularly church on Sunday. One of my roommates and I take turns driving to church and today was my turn so I decided that I needed to let my roommates know that it is important for me to be at church early and gave them a time that we were leaving. It just meant a little more effort in getting ready on time with 3 girls and one shower. We ended up leaving one minute past that time and getting to church before the meeting began. I enjoyed listening to the prelude music before and not being stressed about being late for church. Hopefully this will be a continuing trend. J

64. Today I am grateful for inspiring sports stories

I really do enjoy playing sports, but I am not very athletic when it comes to playing team sports. When I am playing a sport with a group of people I often wish we can break off into two teams: One for the good people and one for the not-so-good people. Then I wouldn’t have to feel bad for helping my team loose. However, I do really enjoy inspiring movies about sports teams or athletes. Maybe I can work towards becoming one of those people. Hahaha.

Here is a real-life example of an inspiring athlete that I found circulating facebook today.

63. Today I am grateful to be a princess

On Monday, I wrote about my sister and how she lives up to her name. Well my name means (Sara) Princess- (Jayne) God is Gracious. I have always loved princesses, fairy tales and “happily ever after” movies. I am sure that I have spent most of my Halloweens dressed up as a princess, which includes tonight at the YSA Halloween dance. I don’t consider myself a “princess” in the way it is referred to describe someone’s personality. However, I do see myself as a princess of God who expects me to do great things. I believe that we can expect to at the end of lives say “... and I lived happily ever after”. I also touched on this idea in this post. I would encourage you to watch the “Happily Ever After” music video. It is so cute and if you didn’t see yourself as a princess before watching this video, I hope you will after.

Because God is gracious, I am his princess.   

62. Today I am grateful for a hug from a child

Today at work the children had their dress up day to celebrate Halloween. Part of the celebration included trick-or-treating around the building. I came out of my office to see the children in their costumes. One of the little girls broke away from the rest of the group and ran up to me to give me a hug. It was so sweet! It is nice to feel loved and hugs are good for helping someone feel loved.

61. Today I am Grateful to be a Visiting Teacher

I love the Visit Teaching program! This is a program that is run through the Relief Society organization (Women’s group) of the church. Each woman is assigned a companion and usually 2 or 3 women to visit with. We are expected to visit with them in their homes once a month whenever possible. During this visit we get to know the girls we are assigned a bit better, find out if there is anything they need help with and share a spiritual message. With recent ward (congregation) boundary changes and lots of new people in the ward there was a major reorganizing of the visit teaching routes. I was excited to get my route and learn who I was assigned to visit with. I know one of the girls pretty well but my companion and another girl we visit I don’t know very well. I am looking forward to getting to know these girls more! This program is a wonderful way to see that the temporal and spiritual needs of the Relief Society members are met.

60. Today I am grateful for the Northern Lights

Last night was the first time I saw the Northern Lights, which I also learned are called Aurora Borealis. It was beautiful and I am grateful to have taken some time to take in the beauty of the Northern Lights. Here is a photo I found on the weather network.

59. Today I am grateful for my sister, Alexandra

I was 11 years old when Alexandra was born and I was really excited to have a new baby in the family. It had just been me, my twin sister and brother for awhile and secretly I really wanted a baby sister. Because her due date was at the end of October I nicknamed my unborn sibling pumpkin, a name I still call her sometimes.  I remember my Dad picking us up from the neighbours and being so excited to find out that I had a baby sister.  Before Alexandra was born, I somehow convinced my mom to let me be the first to hold the baby when we went to the hospital. My mom kept her promise and when my dad took us to the hospital to see our new baby sister for the first time I got to hold her first. For the first few months of her life, Melissa and I would often argue over whose turn it was to hold Alexandra. That is how we showed how much we loved her. J That little baby turned 18 years old today – where does the time go?

The name Alexandra means “Defender of The People” which I think exemplifies my Alexandra pretty well. She strives to look out for people and help those in need. She is a good friend and is passionate about the people (and animals) that she cares about. Close to April I was talking to Alexandra about my grad banquet coming up and suggested that she come out to Edmonton and be my date. Well, she asked our dad if she could go and got a flight out to Edmonton. It was fun even if there was still snow and it was cold.  We have had lots of fun together throughout the years and I look forward to more good times in the future. We don’t always see eye to eye on things but I will always love her for who she is. I want her to know that I am grateful to have her in my life as my sister.  

58.Today I am grateful for Jesus Christ

Today at church, I was overcome for gratitude for Jesus Christ. For his life, example, mission and sacrifice for all mankind. The sacrament meeting talks focused on love and service. The greatest example we have of love and service is the Savior. He not only taught us to love and serve but commanded us to love and serve others. I have come to know that is through having love for others and serving them that we truly become Disciples of Christ. In Sunday school we talked about having faith in Christ. What does it mean to have faith in Christ? For me, it means knowing that he was foreordained to come to earth to live a perfect life and to atone for our sins so that we can have the opportunity to live with our Heavenly Father again. I know that it is through the atonement that I can be forgiven of my sins and that I can receive comfort during times of sadness, fear and loneliness.

My favourite hymn is “I Know That My Redeemer Lives” which exemplifies my love and gratitude for Jesus Christ, my Redeemer and Savior and the world.

57. Today I am grateful for Scrapbooking with a friend

I really enjoy scrapbooking but don’t end up working on my scrapbooks very often. I find, though, that scrapbooking with others gives me more motivation to work. I am grateful today to have an enjoyable time scrapbooking with a friend and finishing a page. I am currently working on a family scrapbook where I am creating a page for each year, including photos and write up of that year. I am working backwards; today I worked on the page for 2008 to add to 2009 and 2010. Hopefully I can get another year done before I jump ahead to work on 2011.

56. Today I am Grateful for Chocolate

Some days you need chocolate and today was one of those days.

55. Today I am grateful for the new ‘Daughters in My Kingdom’ book

On Sunday I received a copy of the new “Daughters in My Kingdom: The History and Work of Relief Society” book. This book has been given to each woman in the church throughout the world. Receiving this book is an example to me of how valued women are in the church and the desire of our leaders for us to recognize the importance of Relief Society and the work we do. I am looking forward to continue reading this book and to receive greater understanding, guidance and inspiration from it.

54. Today I am grateful for the Christmas Bureau

One of the things I love about my job is that I get to learn more about various programs in the city. Today I went to an information session for the Christmas Bureau at City Hall. Although, October seems a bit early to start thinking about Christmas, projects like this are worked on year round.

I am grateful that I have been fortunate enough to never have to worry about there being enough food at Christmas and I know that when I wake up on Christmas morning there will be gifts under the tree. However, there are many people who are struggling to make ends meet. I think it’s wonderful that there are programs like this to ensure that as many people as possible are able to enjoy the Christmas season. One of my Grandma's favourite saying's is "More blessed to give then to receive" which is true. In donating gifts, money and time to projects like this, we too will be able to feel more of the Christmas spirit. At Christmas time, we remember the birth of the Savior and what better way to reflect that then to follow his example in serving others and helping those in need.

Here is one of my favourite Christmas songs and videos that reflect on the true meaning of Christmas. How do you show that you have room for the Savior?

53. Today I am grateful for self defence classes

Tonight, I went to a self defence class for a relief society activity. It was hosted by the ward I was previously in so it was nice to see some of the girls I hadn’t seen in awhile. The class was taught by one of the members of the ward who is a police officer. She was a great instructor! I have been to a few self defence classes over the years but it’s always good to get a refresher and learn more techniques. Hopefully, I won’t ever have to use it and if I do, hopefully I remember what to do. What I found the most helpful was talking about what to do in various situations. After the class, I had to get gas and I was probably more aware of my surroundings than I have ever been.

52. Today I am grateful for the Bishopric

Today for Family Home Evening (FHE) we talked about gratitude. Something I have been hearing about a lot these days, likely because I am also thinking a lot about it. After the lesson we made candy grams for members of the Bishopric. Although, I do not know my new Bishopric that well, I am grateful for them and how they have all helped to make me feel welcome in the ward. They also dedicate a lot of their time to fulfill their church responsibilities and helping members of the ward, on top of their career and family responsibilities. I am also grateful that my membership records are now in the ward so I am now officially a member of the Highlands Ward.  

51. Today I am grateful for walks with my roommates

One of my favourite things to do is go for walks, particularly when the weather is nice. So far this fall, every Sunday has been beautiful so I have taken advantage of the nice weather to go for a walk. I am blessed to live right by a beautiful park and to have roommates who also enjoy going for walks. I am grateful to have wonderful roommates!

Here is a photo of us on our walk today:  

50. Today I am grateful to be involved with the Edmonton Food Bank project

During General Conference in April of this year, Elder Eyring spoke about the Church welfare program. This year, 2011, marks the 75^th anniversary of the Church welfare program. In commemoration, Elder Eyring, on behalf of the first presidency invited members of the church worldwide to engage in a Day of Service; more specifically for wards and stakes to come up with a formal service project to benefit the community.

The Edmonton stakes of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints choose to organize a city wide food drive. Flyers were delivered to every neighbourhood and members were assigned routes to drive through and pick up donations. I arrived at our stake centre with one of my roommates and saw a large empty truck in the parking lot waiting to be filled up with donations. My roommate and I then joined with another member of our ward and drove around a nearby neighbourhood to collect donations. It was wonderful to see so many doorsteps with donations! A few people came out to greet me when I walked up to their doorstep to thank us for collecting donations for the Edmonton Food Bank. I then thanked them for their donation, which is what made the project successful.   

In less than an hour we were back at the stake centre to see the truck filling up quickly and cars, vans, SUV’s and pickup trucks full of donations driving into the parking lot. People of all ages helped pick up donations and load the donations onto the truck. I loved seeing a group of children inside the truck helping to sort the donations. My heart was truly touched to see the community come together in donating much needed donations for the food bank. I only played a very small part in this project but I am grateful that I was a part of it.

The Edmonton Journal reported an early estimate of more than 71,500 pounds of food collected. Thank you Edmonton!

49. Today I am grateful for opportunities to get to know people better

I enjoy being social and talking with others. Today I am grateful for opportunities to get to know people a bit better, Perhaps those who I haven’t had many opportunities to talk with or meeting new people. Everyone you meet has the opportunity to influence your life in some way. Likewise, you also have an opportunity to influence the lives of those you meet.

48. Today I am grateful for religious freedom

Last month, Elder Dallin H. Oaks gave a CES broadcast address titled “Truth and Tolerance”. One of the things he spoke about was religious freedom, a right that is increasingly being threatened. Elder Oaks stated, “Some influential voices even question the extent to which our constitutions should protect the free exercise of religion, including the right to practice and preach religious principles.” He then went on to say, “We must also stand shoulder to shoulder with other believers to preserve and strengthen the freedom to advocate and practice our religious beliefs, whatever they are. “

I strive to understand the religious doctrine and principles of others. I believe that we are all children of God and as such each person deserves to be treated with love and kindness.

In the past couple of days I have seen several postings on facebook linking to a clip of CNN host Anderson Cooper interviewing Robert Jeffress who is known for bashing various religions, most recently calling Mormonism a cult. I wasn’t offended at all by his comments and actually thought the interview was a bit comical. However, I do think it’s sad to see that some people are so misinformed about my religion and also sad that some feel the need to attack other religions. There have also been several follow up articles from non-LDS people supporting the fact that members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are indeed Christians.

Here are two that I enjoyed:

Who says Mormons Aren't Christians - By Dean Obeidallah

Friend of Perry is enemy of almost everyone else - By Daniel Ruth

47. Today I am grateful for toothpaste and toothbrushes

Like most people, I brush my teeth first thing in the morning and at night before going to bed. In fact, I can’t start my day or go to bed without brushing my teeth. Well, there have been a few occasions where I haven’t been able to brush my teeth due to not having one with me and not having access to one. It wasn’t a pleasant experience. While brushing my teeth I sometimes wonder what it would have been like to live without toothpaste and toothbrushes. I am grateful that I don’t have to know.

46. Today I am grateful for the internet

We got the Internet set up in our home yesterday, after a few days without internet service. I will admit that I thought that in some ways it was nice to have a few days away from the internet at my home (I still had it at work). However, I also realized how reliant I have become on the internet: Every day things like communicating with others, banking, paying bills and looking up driving directions on maps. There is a wealth of information that can be found on the internet; of course not all of it is accurate.  I also love researching my family history and the internet is a wonderful tool for helping people find their ancestors.  

45. Today I am grateful for a day of gratitude

Today Canadians celebrated Thanksgiving, a day where we are encouraged to focus on the things that we are grateful for. I am grateful for a day of gratitude. There is power in a nation coming together in thanksgiving for one day. However, we should strive to live each day with a grateful heart. I really like what Elder Quentin L. Cook said during his recent general conference address: “We should be grateful for all the tender mercies that come into our lives. We are unaware of hosts of blessings that we receive from day to day. It is extremely important that we have a spirit of gratitude in our hearts.”

One of my favourite things about Thanksgiving is getting together with family and friends and eating good food. Today, I am grateful for friends who invited me over to have thanksgiving dinner with them. Yesterday a ward member invited my roommate and I over for dinner and today a friend of mine and his wife invited me over. It was neat because tonight half of us were Canadian and the other half were American. Two of those Americans have just recently moved to Canada and celebrated their first Canadian thanksgiving today, one of them being my roommate. I am also looking forward to celebrating American Thanksgiving next month!

Being that I have been writing in this blog for over a month now I thought it would be a good time to reflect on my experience. I was recently talking with my sister who mentioned that she hadn’t seen any posts on my blog lately and asked if I was not grateful for anything anymore. I had just been talking about some things that hadn’t been going well and replied that sometimes I think it would be easier to write about the frustrating thing of the day. However, I do feel that it has made a difference in my life to reflect on the day and the things I am grateful for and choose one to write about. I am trying to focus more on the simple things to be grateful for. It usually seems easier to think of the big and significant things but by August 27, 2012 I would like to see a list of 365 unique things that I am grateful for.

Also, there will be times that it appears I don’t have updated posts. What I do sometimes is save the topics as a draft and then go back to finish writing and posting for that day.

What are you grateful for on this Thanksgiving?

44. Today I am grateful for Sunday’s

Sunday is my favourite day of the week! I love going to church and having a day to focus on the important things in life. This includes my family whom I usually talk to on Sundays, gospel study and visiting with friends. I also enjoy participating in my family history research and going for walks on Sundays. Sunday can be busy but usually it is being busy with church and family stuff which I see as things that have more eternal value than the things we are busy with throughout the week.

43. Today I am grateful for the cute and funny things my nieces say

I not so secretly wish that I lived closer to everyone in my family. This includes my twin sister and adorable nieces. They are so sweet and loving and I wish I could spend more time with them. Little children also often say the cutest things in the most sincere ways which really helps me to appreciate the simple things in life.

I am grateful, though that my sister often calls me to tell me the cute things they do or say. Today was one of those days and she told me about a conversation who two oldest, age 5 and 4 had that I thought was really cute and funny.

 While picking up the 4 year old from Pre-school


4- year old: I Saw snow today!

5-year old: So did I! I almost thought it was December!


Hahaha ...


I am also grateful that it snowed in Provo before it snowed in Edmonton.

42. Today I am grateful for my little sister, Mikayla

Some people say that “love at first sight” doesn’t exist. I know that it does. Twelve years ago today, I was in a hospital room where I saw my mom lying in a bed and next to her was a beautiful tiny baby girl, just a couple of hours old. I was instantly filled with love for this precious baby. It was love at first sight. I loved watching her grow up, say her first word, take her first steps. The first time she laughed, I was holding her while playing ‘Go. Go. Stop!’ With our sister, Alexandra.   

One of the hardest things about moving to Edmonton was leaving my little Mikayla. Even though there is a 17-year age difference between us I have always strived to maintain a close relationship with her. We played together, went to the park, went swimming and ice skating, gave each other makeovers and went to the theatre to watch the latest princess movie. I looked forward to coming back home and seeing her list of things she wanted to do with me. She’s also pretty good about sharing her room with me when I come to visit. J

Mikayla is now 12 years old, just one more year and she will be a teenager. Where does the time go?! Even though she is now more interested in Justin Bieber’s latest song and playing wii games, she will always be my little princess.

41. Today I am grateful for the Young Women’s program

On Saturday evening I went to Generations book store in Edmonton and picked up a couple of things relating to the young women program for my little sister who turns 12 tomorrow. When an LDS girl turns 12 she moves up from the children’s primary program to the young women program. Yesterday evening I made her a card using all the colours associated with the Young Women values.

I have been thinking fondly of my time in the young women program. I love this program! This program teaches young women that they are daughters of God and that he loves them. This in turn fosters positive feelings of self worth. The program also creates an opportunity for girls to build relationships with others in their age group and participate in wholesome activities including service projects and camps.  

The Young Women theme that is recited each week reads:

We are daughters of our Heavenly Father, who loves us, and we love Him. We will “stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places” (Mosiah 18:9) as we strive to live the Young Women values, which are:

Faith • Divine Nature • Individual Worth • Knowledge • Choice and Accountability • Good Works • Integrity • and Virtue

We believe as we come to accept and act upon these values, we will be prepared to strengthen home and family, make and keep sacred covenants, receive the ordinances of the temple, and enjoy the blessings of exaltation.

During my trip to the Generations book store I also bought myself the book, “Your Happily Ever After” which is adapted from a talk given by President Uctdorf at the General Young Women broadcast in March 2010. There are so many things I love about this talk. Fairytales, falling in love, finding happiness, overcoming challenges, our Heavenly Fathers love for us, being Disciples of Christ and the list goes on. My favourite quote is: “It is your reaction to adversity, not the adversity itself, that determines how your life’s story will develop.”  

This past spring I went to a Relief Society conference and went to a class where this video was shown, the song “Happily Ever After” is also based on the talk. Embedding is disabled but I would encourage  you to click on the link. This is such a beautiful video that not only made me wish I had a little girl but also to hope that someday I will have a daughter who I can teach to know that her Heavenly Father also sees her as a princess. To teach her that living the way Christ taught will lead to happiness.

Listen to the full song here:

Watch a recording of Pres. Uctdorf’s talk here:

40. Today I am grateful for a supportive supervisor

One of the things that I love about my job is having a supportive supervisor. She is a great mentor to me and I find it easy to go to her to ask questions or for advice. She also helps me feel confident in my ability to fulfill my duties in the work I do.   

39. Today I am grateful for cultural diversity

At work, Tuesday is parent group day and at today’s parent group we made culture collages. After making the collages each person shared their collage and talked a bit about their culture. It was neat to see what pictures or words people choose to represent their culture or themselves and family. I have always had an interest in learning about different cultures and religions and appreciate diversity. I grew up in the Vancouver area in a very culturally diverse city and had many opportunities to be acquainted with people from all different backgrounds and countries. I loved school, community and church events where people shared ethnic dances and music. I also love various ethnic foods. I especially love it when people from different ethnic backgrounds come together to share their culture with each other.

38. Today I am grateful for running water

On Saturday night our water got shut off and there was a moment of panic when my roommates and I were worried about such things as brushing our teeth and showering the next morning. One person thought it might be because the bills hadn’t been switched over yet. Being that it was the first of the month that would make sense. However, I suggested that it was due to a problem with the sewer seen how it was raining pretty hard and there is a lot of construction happening in the area. We all hoped that is what happened. We woke up in the morning to find out the water was back on and it turns out that it was due to sewer issues. We did have some water in the fridge so I was able to brush my teeth but that water would only have lasted so long. We often realize how dependent we are on something when we don’t have it anymore. I am grateful for the funning water that I often take for granted.

I have a 72 hour kit and 3-month food storage but I do not have water storage. It occurred to me that it is more likely that something will happen to limit or cut off our access to water than to food. I suggested to my roommates that we have a water storage which they agreed to and we cleared a shelf to store water. I found today that someone had started to store water. Now, if our water gets shut off again we will be more prepared.    

37. Today I am grateful for President Thomas S. Monson

President Monson leads and guides the church today and I am grateful for his leadership and guidance. In Matthew 7:15 – 17 we read: “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.” This scripture tells us that we are able to tell the difference between a false prophet and one who is called of God by the things they accomplish.

President Monson is an example of a man of humility and a man who stands accountable to God in all things he does. He is a great example to me of someone who is always looking for opportunities to serve others and encouraging members of the church worldwide to do the same.  In closing the last conference session today, Pres. Monson counselled the members of the church to show an increased love to others and to always be about the work of the Lord. I love that, Jesus commanded us to love one another and it is through showing love to others that we become Disciples of Christ. It is through love that we each will “bring forth good fruit”.   

36. Today I am grateful for the Semi-Annual General Conference

Twice a year the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has a worldwide conference which is broadcasted from the conference centre in Salt Lake City, Utah. The conference can be watched on cable television at home, via the internet, radio or satellite broadcast at church buildings throughout the world. The first weekend of April is the Annual General Conference and the first weekend of October is the Semi-Annual General Conference. I love General conferences because it is an opportunity to hear the things that are leaders are inspired to teach us. Anyone can receive personal revelation or inspiration for themselves and conference is a time where you can be inspired. Inspirations can include something you determine that you need to begin doing, something you need to change or greater clarification of a principle of doctrine. Our church leaders include prophets, who we believe are God’s mouthpiece on the earth today and therefore can receive revelation on behalf of the church. During Conference we can recognize the things we need to focus on, not only on a personal level but as members of Christ’s church.