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.