Attitude of Gratitude

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!

For my last "Attitude of Gratitude" post I just wanted to thank everyone for reading these and for posting and commenting on things that you are grateful for. I could go on with these gratitude posts and tell you more about the things that I am grateful for cause there are so many. For my last post thought I would like to post about how grateful I am to be living in America. I am so thankful for the wonderful opportunities living here provides. Freedom of Speech, Freedom of religion, and press. Fredomw and rights to bear arms and house soldiers, and all the many wonderful things this country provides I am thankful for our soldiers and for the service and sacrifice they give to serve our country so that we have the right to be free and to live the lives we do. I am so thankful for a Heavenly Father that blessed this wondrful country.My sister in law has been posting things she is grateful for on her blog and she also posted about her gratitude for this nation. One of the things she added was a quote that I thought was just so beautiful that I wanted to share it too...

"The poet called Miss Liberty's torch 'the lamp beside the golden door.' Well, that was the entrance to America, and it still is. And now you really know why we're here tonight.The glistening hope of that lamp is still ours. Every promise, every opportunity, is still golden in this land. And through that golden door our children can walk into tomorrow with the knowledge that no one can be denied the promise that is America. Her heart is full; her torch is still golden, her future bright. She has arms big enough to comfort and strong enough to support, for the strength in her arms is the strength of her people. She will carry on in the '80s unafraid, unashamed, and unsurpassed. In this springtime of hope, some lights seem eternal; America's is."-Ronald Reagan-

In 1Nephi chapter 13, Nephi sees a vision of this wonderful land and how the Lord brings choice people to the land and how he keeps it safe and in D&C chapter 101 verses 77,80 The Lord talks about hos he has established a constitution for this land so that we can live in a country run by God. Ever since I was little there have been a lot of great songs that has instilled a wonderful feeling of pride for my country. One of those was Lee Greenwoods God Bless the USA these lyrics have always brought tears to my eyes.
If tomorrow all the things were gone

I'd worked for all my life,

And I had to start again

with just my children and my wife,

I'd thank my lucky stars

to be living here today,

'Cause the flag still stands for freedom

and they can't take that away.

I'm proud to be an American

where at least I know I'm free,

And I won't forget the men who died

who gave that right to me,

And I gladly stand up next to you

and defend her still today,

'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land

God Bless the U.S.A.

From the lakes of Minnesota

to the hills of Tennessee,

Across the plains of Texas

from sea to shining sea.

From Detroit down to Houston

and New York to L.A.,

There's pride in every American heart

and it's time we stand and say:

I'm proud to be an American

where at least I know I'm free,

And I won't forget the men who died

who gave that right to me,

And I gladly stand up next to you

and defend her still today,

'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land

God Bless the U.S.A.

Attitude of Gratitude

To go along with my last Thanksgiving post I wanted to add today's with it. One of the things I am so very grateful for is the opportunity I had to serve a full time mission for my church. I had the chance to serve the wonderful people of the Philippines. I was able to learn so much about the gospel of Jesus Christ and had the wonderful chance to teach the gospel to the people. They are such a humble, loving and fun people to be around. I was also able to learn so much about their culture and way of life. Serving this mission helped my testimony grow on so many levels. I was able to witness everyday miracles that have stuck with me and that I am very grateful for. I was able to make lasting friendships from people around the world who I served with. My mission taught me about the power or love, patience, faith and the importance of hard work. One of the things I was able to do in the Philippines which I am so very thankful for was to bear my testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel multiple times everyday. Every lesson we taught was just another strength and confirmation to me about how much I love my Savior and his gospel. I would like to share with you my testimony. I am so grateful for a loving Heavenly Father that blesses us with the ability to talk to him through prayer and to receive guidance and direction everyday. I am so thankful for a loving brother and Savior Jesus Christ who willingly came to this earth to take upon him the sins of all of god's children and then to be crucified only to be resurrected so that we may receive eternal bodies some day. I know that my Heavenly Father loves me. I know that My Savior and Redeemer Jesus Christ loves me and thinks of me as his friend. I know that he lives and that he is guiding his prophet and his church today. I know that President Thomas S. Monson is a true and living prophet he is not just the prophet for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He is the prophet of the world. I know that the Book of Mormon is true and that it was indeed written from the prophets of old. I know that Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God and that through him the Lords true church was able to return to the earth. I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the only true church on this earth and by following the commandments that the Lord has given us we can return to live with him again. I know and can testify of all these things and many more. I love my Father in Heaven, I love my Savior and i love this wonderful gospel that brings so much happiness and peace. This is my testimony and I seal it with the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Happy Birthday!

Hooray Today's my Dad's birthday. :) This isn't the best picture of my dad but it's definitely a great picture of him in his element. Dad LOVES gardening. Want to know something about gardens, plants or landscaping? He's your guy. :) Dad loves it all! After Mom and Dad came home from Argentina they were homeless...literally. Before they left they had sold their house in South Jordan and moved all their stuff into a barn on their land in Monticello Utah. So when they came home they set up their bed and slept in the barn and cooked and did everything else in their motor home. Since there wasn't a house yet Dad set to work on the yard and before we even had the house set up (it's a mobile home) we had a working waterfall and stream. :) Mom and I love to tell people that we were homeless but we had a waterfall. :p Dad also has a green house that he works in ever year. He starts most of his vegetable plants in the green house before transplanting them into the garden outside. Dad really takes pride in all that he does and it's a great lesson he was able to pass onto his kids. So Dad on your big day I hope you have a Wonderful day. Love you! :)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

Attitude of Gratitude.

"The Standard of Truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; … the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done."
-Joseph Smith-
"The works, and the designs, and the purposes of God cannot be frustrated, neither can they come to naught. For God doth not walk in crooked paths, neither doth he turn to the right hand nor to the left, neither doth he vary from that which he hath said, therefore his paths are straight, and his ccourse is one eternal round. Remember, remember that it is not the work of God that is frustrated, but the work of men;" D&C 3:1-3

This goes along with my first post of attitude of gratitude really but I wanted to share. I am so grateful for the church in my life and for it's leaders. I love the peace the gospel brings to my life and the wonderful opportunity to know what the Lord has in store for me. I love being able to listen to a living prophet who leads and guides us in this hectic world. I am so thankful.

Attitude of Grattitude

Today I would like to express my love and gratitude to all of my friends who have come and gone in my life. No matter if it was my crush in kindergarten or my current friends where I work. I remember then all and I am thankful for how they have touched and changed my life. All the experience I have had in my life whether good or bad I see as a blessing. I way that I was shaped and molded into the person I have become today and still continue to become. Some of these friends I still try to keep in very close contact. Everyone of them still holds a very special place in my heart. So if you are one of my friends reading this, please know that even though I might not tell you a lot or express it enough. Please know that you are truly and Sincerely loved and I have the up most gratitude for you.

Happy Birthday!

Today is Justin's birthday. Hooray! :) Justin is James' brother in law and a good man. Justin loves his family and spending time with them. He is a hard worker, but also knows when to slow it down and have fun. He is also a air force reserve man which he also thoroughly enjoys. So here's to you Justin on your big day. I hope you get a chance to have some quality family time and a great birthday. Also I would like to thank you for the service you give our country. :)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

Attitude of Grattitude!

One of the people I admire most is my sister in law Nikki. I admire her for many reasons. one is the way she is able to perfectly portray things. She did a post on her blog that perfectly portrays my next post on things I am thankful for. So for this post I would ask you to please visit her blog and read THIS post. Please click here.
Love ya Nikki! :)