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.