218. Today I am grateful that there is much good in this world

I feel like there is often great emphasis put on things the bad things happening in the world. However, there is a lot of good in this world as this blog continues to show me. Today also marks the first day of our annual general conference and listening to our church leaders speak also gives me much hope for the future and a positive outlook on life.

217. Today I am grateful for a massage

Back to the complaining blog ... hahaha ... I have been lots of pain from coughing, particularly my back, sides and chest. I am grateful though for a massage that I had today to ease some knots in my back and a benefits plan that covers massages. As well as a friend who gave me a great referral for  a massage therapist.   

216. Today I am grateful to be able to provide for myself

I am grateful that I have a job that allows me to take care of needs, work on paying off my student loan and to grow my savings account. I am also grateful that I live within my means and spend money wisely.

215. Today I am grateful for my legs

I am grateful that I can walk and run because of my legs. I know that not everyone has this privilege and should not be taken for granted as it can change in a blink of eye. A friend of mine was in an accident a year or so ago which has left her paralyzed from the waist down. I have gained so much respect for her in the way she has handled her situation, although I am sure it is not easy. She is such an awesome person that it has made me want to be better friends with her.

214. Today I am grateful for my hands and fingers

I use my hands and fingers many times everyday ... Like right now as I type this entry. I am grateful for all the things that this part of my body allows me to do.   

213. Today I am grateful for opportunities to serve and be served

For FHE today we played a “service exchange” game which is played similar to a White Elephant” gift exchange. Everyone writes down a service they can perform which are all placed in a bowl and then everyone gets a number. Number one picks a service and reads it out, number two can choose to take number ones service or choose another one, etc. It was pretty fun and It seemed that others did as well. The service ideas were pretty simple (for example, cooking dinner, making cookies, etc.), but many times little things can make a huge difference, even if it’s just showing that you care.  It also helped me to reflect on my experiences with service, in being the one to serve and in being served.

212. Today I am grateful for priesthood blessings

I don’t want to turn my gratitude blog into a complaining blog but I have never felt sick for this long before. I feel like I have tried everything ... 3 types of cough syrup, antibiotics, Vicks, hot lemon water. It came to my mind that I should ask for a priesthood blessing so I talked to my Bishop today. Although, I don’t feel any different, I am grateful for the Priesthood authority, for a Bishop who cares about me and a Heavenly Father who is mindful of me and how I am feeling.  

211. Today I am grateful for my lungs

I am trying to remember what it was like when I could breathe properly and without coughing ... hopefully I will feel that way again ... soon. I may not feel grateful for my lungs right now but they are working to fight this bronchitis or whatever it is.

210. Today I am grateful for Sick days ... and supervisor who told me to take it

I started coughing about 2 weeks ago and on Wednesday a Dr. told me that I have bronchitis but that I am most likely not contagious. No one else around me has gotten sick so I took that as a sign that it’s ok to keep working. However, I feel worse and worse and more drained each day. I took the day off work today and I am grateful that I have a job where I can take sick days and a supervisor who encouraged me to take it. Sometimes I need someone to encourage me to slow down and rest when I need it. I hope the weekend will help me

209. Today I am grateful for clocks

I feel like my life is very dependent on times and following a schedule, as I am sure many people do. For that, I am grateful for clocks to help me know what time it is.

208. Today I am grateful for racial freedom and tolerance

I feel privileged to work with an organization that celebrated the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, which is observed annually on 21 March. Although we still have a long way to go I am grateful that there is greater racial freedom and tolerance for people of all ethnicities, cultures and religions than in times past. I love living and working among a diverse group of people and that we can all learn something from each other.  

207. Today I am grateful for spring

Yay, It’s spring! Winter seems to be so long and although we had a better-than-normal winter I am still grateful to see spring come. There is still snow on the ground but I am looking forward to seeing it melt away for good and watching flowers grown and trees bloom. I love how spring symbolizes new life and growth, seems to me to be the perfect season to celebrate Easter.

206. Today I am grateful for my little princess, Sariah

My oldest niece turned 6 years old today! She is the sweetest little girl and definitely lives up to her name which means Princess of the Lord. She loves wearing dresses and princess crowns, playing with ponies and drawing pictures. The kind of little girl I want. I love hearing her call me auntie and the hugs she gives when I visit. I am so grateful to have this little girl in my life, I only wish I could live closer to her.  

205. Today I am grateful for Journals

I am not the best at writing in my journal and I was reminded of that during the Relief Society lesson today; although, this blog is somewhat of a journal. I am grateful for the journal entries I have written, the lessons I have learned and that my journals can be passed on to future generations. I hope they can find strength and enjoyment through reading them and also know I am. My grandma has given me two of her journals which I feel blessed to have. One of her journals also includes on entry from when I was born!

204. Today I am grateful for Relief Society

The Relief Society is the women’s organization for The LDS church which celebrates its 170^th anniversary today – it is actually one of the oldest and largest women’s organizations in the world and I am grateful to be a part of it!  The Relief Society (RS) motto is “Charity Never Faileth” and there is an expectation of members to serve others both inside and outside of the church. Along with giving service, women in the relief society also strive to increase in personal righteousness and faith and to strengthen home and families.

203. Today I am grateful for a brain

Today I am grateful to have a brain to enable me to learn, think, feel and store memories. I would not be able to function without it.  

202. Today I am grateful for setting aside quiet times

I am grateful for the quiet moments I can set aside for myself during the day or the end of the day. It is during these times that I like to study my scriptures and ponder and reflect on the things that are of most importance.

201. Today I am grateful to have a warm home

Along with having a home to live in to provide shelter for me, I am also grateful that it is warm. I am grateful for a heating system that keeps my house warm and for those who are trained to properly build and insulate homes.

200. Today I am grateful for pens and pencils

I either have at least 5 pens in my purse or none. This has made me realize how essential they are. I am also grateful for the advancement of writing utensils which has enabled us to preserve records, stories, information, etc and to increase literacy.  

199. Today I am grateful for this song

I recently wrote a post about my gratitude for good music. Today I listened to a song that I found really touching and was surprised that I hadn’t heard it before. It’s called “I saw God Today” by George Strait. This song is a wonderful reminder that everywhere we look we can find evidence that there is a God.

198. Today I am grateful for the bible

I am grateful to be living in a time where the Holy Bible is accessible to many people across the world. In my association with or observances of people, I have noticed that there are many who will say that they believe that Jesus lived but do not believe in his divinity. I am grateful that the Bible does testify of the divinity of Christ. I am also grateful for its evidence that that God does love his people and that he is a God of miracles.

I also believe that the Bible is the greatest history book we have and a wonderful self-help guide. The Ten Commandments, The beatitudes, and teachings from the greatest teacher are all found in this book.  

197. Today I am grateful for Saturday morning breakfasts

On Saturday morning I like to make myself something for breakfast other than the usual cereal or oatmeal. Usually I’ll make waffles, French toast or an omelet ... yummy!

196. Today I am grateful for good and uplifting music

I enjoy and appreciate good and uplifting music, songs that I can feel good listening to. Two of my favourite artists are Josh Groban and Michael Buble I also really enjoy modern country music as well. There are lots of trashy songs out there but also many great ones and I am grateful for that.  

195. Today I am grateful for my diploma in Marketing Management

Today I am grateful for my marketing diploma, which is the field I first went into after completing high school. Some people ask if I think those first 2 years of post secondary education was a waste of time and the answer is no, I don’t. I don’t think any education is a waste of time and although I am not working in the marketing field I am grateful that I did earn this diploma. I feel that it has helped me increase my skills in organization, time management, “people skills”, planning and promoting; as well as administration skills, although technology has changed quite a bit, even since then. I am sure there will be many times throughout my life whether in my current occupation, church duties or personal activities that I will be grateful what I learned at this time. I also think that having 6 years of university education is also an accomplishment in and of itself.

194. Today I am grateful to have a Cell phone

I got a new cell phone yesterday; an android which I think is pretty cool after having a flip phone for several years. I am grateful to have access to this communication device, in particular to keep in touch with family members. It also helps me to feel safer and a means to contacting someone quickly if I need to.

193. Today I am grateful to have found a new roommate (who is awesome)

After about two months of looking for a new roommate we have someone set to move in for April. I have known her for a couple of years now and she’s super nice so I am excited that she will be moving in.

192. An opportunity to reflect on what it means to be a “Holy Woman”

During the recent RS conference I attended, Sis. Nelson encouraged us to be “Holy Women” and find specific ways and situations we can strive to be holy women by asking ourselves, “What would a holy woman do?” My favourite example she gave was of a mother who made a commitment to read her scriptures everyday but one day when she had sat down to read her scriptures, her young child came wanting her assistance with something. She asked herself, “What would a holy woman do?” At that moment she knew her child needed her and she could return to her scripture reading later that day.

Today, I had an experience where someone called me Sara multiple times although I corrected her (it’s Sara-Jayne); I could feel myself feeling pretty annoyed. I took a step away from the group I was with and actually asked myself, “What would a holy woman do?” I determined that I shouldn’t take it too personally as most people with hyphenated names do go by just the first part of their name. I am going to try not correcting people repeatedly (just smile and nod) and perhaps they will realize on their own that I prefer to be called Sara-Jayne. J  

191. Today I am grateful for the Holy Ghost

For members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Holy Ghost is recognized as the third member of the Godhead, a separate being from God (who we often refer to as Heavenly Father) and Jesus Christ. I am grateful for the role of the Holy Ghost in my life in communicating with Heavenly Father, making decisions and feeling comfort in times of need.

190. Today I am grateful for the stake RS Conference

Today our stake had a Relief Society (RS) conference with Sis. Wendy Watson Nelson as our guest speaker. She is an amazing speaker and someone I really look up to for the work she has done in her field of marriage and family therapy. The whole conference was wonderful and included a variety of service projects to work on. I had a lot of fun making greeting cards that were being given to a women’s shelter for them to write in and send to family and friends.   

189. Today I am grateful for warm showers

I am grateful that I have the means to have a warm shower every day. It truly is a luxury when you think of those in third world countries who have limited access to clean water.  

188. Today I am grateful for professional development

I am grateful for a job that allows me to continue learning, enhancing and gaining skills.