Gratitude

Today I'm home, while Marty and the kids are at church. I feel like I'm getting a sinus infection and not feeling well. For the most part, our family blogs purpose is mostly to scrapbook events...pictures...so I usually don't get too personal. ( I have a separate, private blog, that I put more spiritual experiences on for my personal record.)...But I sat and read scriptures for a while this morning and then watched one of my favorite video's, Finding Faith in Christ and my heart is so full that I just want to record some of my testimony of Christ, here on this blog.
I am so grateful for my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! I know that Christ lives! I know that he atoned for all of our sins and that because of his sacrifices, we are able to repent. I want to return to live with my Heavenly Father again someday....to live in his presence, and it is only by repentance and faith in the Lord, that we will be able to do that.
It's so important to teach my children the Gospel of Jesus Christ. To teach them about our Heavenly Father's plan. To teach them the purpose of life, here on earth. To teach them about love and serving others. I want my sons to know and understand the importance and truths of the Priesthood and for my daughter to know the importance of being a virtuous daughter of God. I feel very blessed to have been born to such a strong, wonderful family with parents who trusted in the Lord and taught us gospel principles. There have been several times, recently, that I have come across individuals who don't believe in Christ and who have put down Christians for our beliefs...and Mormons, in particular. To those individuals I will just say that we, as Mormons, do live stricter lifestyles than most, however, the guidelines are there for reason. Living the gospel and keeping the standards of the church is what has brought me true joy and happiness! I'm grateful for the courage that the Lord has blessed me with, throughout my life, to make good choices. Don't get me wrong...I've made my share of mistakes, but so many times in my life, I've had to stand out from the crowd and make a choice bc I believe in it, rather than make choices just because "everyone else is doing it".
I am so very blessed to have been sealed in the Temple to such a wonderful man who loves me, supports me and treats me with respect. He honors the Priesthood and is an amazing father! I love our children so very much and I know that the Lord knew what he was doing when he sent them to us and that we are on earth together as a family for a reason!!
I am so grateful for our Prophet, Pres Monson! I know, without doubt, that he is called of God and that he speaks with God daily through prayer and personal revelation! The same prayer and personal revelation that each of us is empowered to have, if we just have faith. I believe in Miracles and have witnessed many miracles in our little family and extended families! Prayer is a powerful, powerful thing!
Although it's not fun to be sick and feel crummy, I am grateful for this time that I've had to sit in the quiet of our home and reflect and study and ponder and to feel the promptings of the Holy Ghost. I'm grateful for the peace and comfort that it has brought me.
I hope and pray that all of us have a great Thanksgiving Holiday and that we can all remember to take time with our families to reflect on the things that we are grateful for and ways that the Lord has blessed our lives.