309. Today I am grateful for angels

Particularly hard days for me this week were Wednesday and Thursday, in between those days in my time zone was my Grandma’s funeral in Scotland and I really struggled with not being there. On Wednesday I signed on to the internet with my home page set to www.lds.org and saw a link to Elder Scott’s recent Conference talk, “How to Obtain Revelationand Inspiration for Your Personal Life”. It seemed to have come as an answer to my prayers. I have continued to read it several times throughout the week, particularly this section:

 “Another example of revelation is this guidance given to President Joseph F. Smith: “I believe we move and have our being in the presence of heavenly messengers and of heavenly beings. We are not separate from them. … We are closely related to our kindred, to our ancestors … who have preceded us into the spirit world. We can not forget them; we do not cease to love them; we always hold them in our hearts, in memory, and thus we are associated and united to them by ties that we can not break. … If this is the case with us in our finite condition, surrounded by our mortal weaknesses, … how much more certain it is … to believe that those who have been faithful, who have gone beyond … can see us better than we can see them; that they know us better than we know them. … We live in their presence, they see us, they are solicitous for our welfare, they love us now more than ever. For now they see the dangers that beset us; … their love for us and their desire for our well being must be greater than that which we feel for ourselves.”

Relationships can be strengthened through the veil with people we know and love. That is done by our determined effort to continually do what is right. We can strengthen our relationship with the departed individual we love by recognizing that the separation is temporary and that covenants made in the temple are eternal. When consistently obeyed, such covenants assure the eternal realization of the promises inherent in them.”

It reminded me of one of my all time favourite Conference talks, which was given in the October 2008 (was it really that long ago?!) Conference by Elder Holland, titled “The Ministry of Angels”. He speaks of both Heavenly and Mortal angels and that both have the same purpose to help in times of need. While reading over this talk again, this part is what I most needed to hear at this time:  

“My beloved brothers and sisters, I testify of angels, both the heavenly and the mortal kind. In doing so I am testifying that God never leaves us alone, never leaves us unaided in the challenges that we face. “[N]or will he, so long as time shall last, or the earth shall stand, or there shall be one man [or woman or child] upon the face thereof to be saved.” On occasions, global or personal, we may feel we are distanced from God, shut out from heaven, lost, alone in dark and dreary places. Often enough that distress can be of our own making, but even then the Father of us all is watching and assisting. And always there are those angels who come and go all around us, seen and unseen, known and unknown, mortal and immortal.”

I know that my Grandma will always be there for me and continue to care for me as she watches over me.

308. Today I am grateful for quiet walks in the park

I have been taking walks in the park close to my home often and it’s nice to be out in nature and have that time to reflect while getting some exercise too.  

307. Today I am grateful for my sister to talk to

I have called my sister everyday for a week now and even though she has a family with four young children she has taken the time to just be there for me to have someone to talk to.

306. Today I am grateful for people who care about me

I have been feeling pretty lonely; it’s hard dealing with grief on your own. Right now I feel like the only people who sincerely care about how I am feeling are people at work, my family (particularly my twin sister), and one friend. When I put it like that yes, I see that people care, I guess I was just hoping for more support from my friends. I am grateful for the support from my coworkers especially when I don’t feel very productive at work right now but I would rather be there than sitting at home alone.

305. Today I am grateful for cousins sharing memories

I started a thread on facebook with all of my Couper cousins and invited each of them to share their favourite memory of our grandma. It has been awhile since I have laughed that hard. So many funny memories, my Grandma provided lots of entertainment for lots of people. I don’t get to see our talk to my cousins often so it was nice for us all to gather electronically and share memories together. I have also been chatting with a cousin in New Zealand who is also on her own and she has been a good support to me as well.  

304. Today I am grateful for this memory

 

 

303. Today I am grateful for an opportunity to teach Relief Society today

I really enjoy teaching and while I did teach the Family History Sunday School class as part of my calling as Family History Consultant, I have never had a formal teaching calling. I have had the opportunity to substitute both Sunday School and Relief Society which I have enjoyed. Today in RS I taught a lesson based on Elder Neil L. Anderson’s Conference address titled, “What Thinks Christ of Me?” I love this talk and hope that the sisters in the class were able to take away something from the lesson. Our discussion included sharing examples of Christ-like people, being that my Grandma was one of the most Christ-like people I have know I talked about her example and got a bit emotional. I really don’t like crying in public but emotions are real and people know that.

302. Today I am grateful for my Dad

Although Thursday was a sad day, it was also a day to remember my Dad. It was his birthday yesterday and I did take the time to call him and wish him a happy birthday ... even if no one was feeling really happy.

I am grateful for all that my dad has done for me and I know that if I need something he will help me. One thing I learned from my Dad is to have a good work ethic; my Dad has always been a hard worker in his career, at home and in his church callings. My favourite memories with my dad were the times he took us out to do things like swimming and roller-skating. Although a businessman, my Dad is also a handyman ... fixing things, building things and putting things together. There are many times while living away from home where I have thought ... I wish my Dad were here, he could fix that.   

301. Today I am grateful for preschool graduations

I didn’t feel like going into work today but I wanted to watch the preschool graduation. I am glad I did, the children and their parents were so happy to take part in the little ceremony. The best part was listening to what the children want to be when they grow up.  

300. Today I am grateful for a wonderful influence in my life

I am grateful for such a wonderful influence in my life. My Grandma passed away today. There aren't a lot of words that come to mind right now amidst the grief I feel. The first thing that came to mind after I had processed what had happened is the scripture found in ... "And her children shall rise up and call her blessed".

This may also seem selfish of me but I am also sad that I never did get married during her lifetime. For the past several years at the end of every phone call, Grandma would say "I will pray for you that you will find someone special ... by Christmas (of whatever year it was), you will be married". Also ever since I was a little girl I have wanted to name my first daughter Elisabeth, after my Grandma. She would have been so happy to know that she had a great granddaughter named after her.

299. Today I am grateful for my Grandma

I am grateful for my Grandma. I got a call today from my sister who had talked to my mom saying that my Grandma is very week (she has been in the hospital for a bout a month) and it Isn't very likely that my Grandma will make it through the night. I so wish I could be there with her right now.

298. Today I am grateful for late night talks with roommates

Something I have enjoyed with most of the roommates I have had is late night chats. During these conversations I feel that I have come to know these girls at a deeper level which helps to strengthen relationships. I am also grateful for former roommates who I continue to be friends with.

297. Today I am grateful for food containers

I am grateful for food containers and use them often: In packing my lunch, storing leftovers and freezing food.

296. Today I am grateful for the Primary Program

I am grateful for the primary program of the church and the opportunity that I had to attend. It is in Primary where we learn some of the most important things, such as: We are all children of God and he loves each one of us, the scriptures are the word of God, Jesus taught people to love one another, Jesus died for us so that we can live with him again, Families are forever, etc.

295. Today I am grateful that for the values that I have

I feel that my values help me to make good choices and strive to be a better person. I am grateful for positive influences that have helped me to maintain the values that I have.  

294. Today I am grateful that I have a brother

I recently wrote about how I am grateful for the bond I have with my sisters. I am also grateful for the bond I have with my brother. He I was home last, he also changed is clothes e evening so that we would match. Isn’t that cute? J  

293. Today I am grateful for my body

I am often amazed by how perfectly the body has been designed with a purpose for everything.

292. Today I am grateful for books

I am grateful for good books and the opportunity I have to read them. Right now I am reading President Gordon B. Hinckley’s “Standing for Something”, which is a great book to evaluate our lives and what we can do personally to make positive changes in our life, families and communities. My favourites growing up were the “Ann of Green Gable” and “Little House on the Prairie” series, which I brought out to Edmonton with me. I also love the “Work and the Glory Series”. I would love to read all these series again.

291. Today I am grateful for a dryer

Although most people in North America have a dryer, it wasn’t that long ago when most people hung up their clothes outside to dry. I am particularly grateful for dryers because I mainly do my laundry in the evening and use the dryer to dry most of my clothes. Dryers also dry clothes so much faster in the winter. I also love putting on warm clothes straight from the dryer.

290. Today I am grateful for a washing machine

While there are a few things I own that I wash by hand, I am grateful that I can throw most of my clothes in the washing machine.

289. Today I am grateful that this Cough is finally over!

After about 3 months, my cough is finally over. I am so grateful that I can regain my health and strength and hope to never have to endure that again.

288. Today I am grateful for Weeding

Today I joined some people from work and the Kinsclub to do some weeding. My roommate also came out to volunteer her time. I enjoyed talking with the members of the Kinsclub and hear about the variety of volunteer projects they work with. I think it’s great that there are various groups dedicated to serving their community.    

287. Today I am grateful for baby news

I am always excited for people who are expecting a baby, what is more exciting than bringing a new life into this world? Right now I have two good friends expecting babies, one that I found about tonight. I can’t wait to meet these little babies.  

286. Today I am grateful for the word of wisdom

I am grateful for the Word of Wisdom. I am grateful that I don’t need to drink coffee to wake up. I am grateful that I have never tried alcohol or tobacco and have no desire to. I am grateful that most of my diet is made up of fruits, vegetables and grains.  

285. Today I am grateful to have one student loan paid off!

I am grateful that I have paid off my national student loan a year after graduating. Now I just have the Alberta student loan to pay off.

284. Today I am grateful for laws

I am grateful for laws which are in place to protect us. I hope our government will continue to make necessary changes and additional laws to protect its citizens.

283. Today I am grateful for living at this time

I am grateful to live at a time (and in a place) with a high standard of living, technological and medical advancements, access to education and a variety of jobs, and an abundance of good food and clean water.

282. Today I am grateful for a visit with my Aunt

Today after church my roommate and I headed over to my Aunts house where we joined her for lunch. It was great to catch up and talk about old memories and what’s currently happening with her and her children and me and my family. Can you see the family resemblance?  

281. Today I am grateful for my little Miriam

Today is my little niece Miriam’s second birthday! I just fell in love with her since I first saw her when she was just 2 weeks old. When I saw her last weekend I loved that she would come to me even though she would run away from other people. She is quite the chatterbox and comes up with the funniest things to say. This photo pretty much sums up how much I love her:

280. Today I am grateful for a weekend away

It’s always nice to have a weekend away from home. I was home in BC last weekend and now heading down to Calgary this weekend. I am going down for a midsingles conference so it should be a fun weekend of speed-dating, workshops, food, dancing and meeting people. Tomorrow my roommate and I are also planning on going to the zoo and see the new penguin exhibit. I haven’t been to the Calgary Zoo since I was a child so I am excited for that!