Gratitude

I graduated from High School ten years ago this past spring and because of the reunion and thanks largely to the internet I've been able to follow up on a lot of old friendships. I was so pleased and happy to see that the majority of the men I graduated with served missions, were married in the temple, and are raising families in the church. Also, that most of the women I graduated with are active in the LDS church, married to returned missionaries, and a large majority have chosen to stay at home and raise their children in the church. Even many friends who had problems with drugs, alcohol or sex have made a complete turnaround in their lives these past ten years and I am genuinely delighted to see it.

I contrast that to the few friends that have since left the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Sadly, few were very surprising but even so I am very, very sorry to have it confirmed. And it's not to say these people are living unhappy lives or doing terrible things or anything like that, but I just feel sorry that they do not have the Gospel in their lives the way our Heavenly Father intended. As I've read their blogs or facebook pages or whatever google thing I came up with on them, I have just felt so, so heavy and sorry that they have left the church. And then I have imagined the different courses my life could have taken. That is why I want to express my gratitude today in this post.

I am truly grateful to parents who stuck together no matter what, who set an example for me to follow during the rocky times in my own marriage. I am grateful they set boundaries and gave me rules. I am grateful they insisted on Family Home Evenings, prayers and scripture study even though we weren't 100% regular on those things. Beyond that I am grateful to them for being active in the church my whole life. What a tremendous example. We didn't play with friends or shop or go to Lagoon on Sundays. We went to church. We went to girl's camp and youth conference and mutual nights and that was because my parents expected nothing less from us. So Mom and Dad (probably my only readers on this blog), thanks for the choices you made that have helped me to get to where I am today. I can't imagine trying to get through this life without the Gospel in it.

I am also grateful for grandparents who have lived honorable lives, full of church service and activity, and most importantly have loved unconditionally and supported me no matter what. I've been so blessed to be able to learn from their examples. And of course, I am grateful they raised my parents the way they did.

I am grateful I was guided to and chose to marry Nate. It's always been right - always. He has encouraged and supported me in every calling or assignment I've ever had. And he's been so willing to participate every time I've suggested we should increase our scripture study, church activity, Family Home Evenings, etc. We've hit some bumps along the way and haven't always been as active in the church as we are trying to be now but we are learning together that life is better when we are following the Lord. Nate is a good man and he's trying harder now than ever. I'm so proud.

I am of course grateful to a loving and wise Heavenly Father. I've often wondered what I did to be born into such favorable and blessed circumstances. It truly amazes me.

Now I don't say these things to place myself above anyone else or to be boastful. And I certainly don't want to give the impression that I'm looking down upon or trying to judge my former friends who have left the church. I don't claim to know their circumstances or their hearts but I do know that I have the gospel in my life and they don't. And for me that means I may not have all the answers but I know where to find them. I may make a lot of mistakes but I know exactly how to get back on track. I may have disappointments, trials, and unexpected challenges just like everyone else, but I have been given the Gift of the Holy Ghost and can recieve peace, guideance and personal revelation straight from my Heavenly Father who knows my needs far better than I. I know where I came from, why I am here, what is expected of me in this life and where I will go when I die. I have the opportunity to be guided by a prophet who speaks for the Lord and can see all things from beginning to end. My sight is far too limited and my judgement is far too flawed to go it alone in this increasingly scary world.

I know, not think or believe or guess, but know that living a life in accordance with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the only way to achieve lasting happiness in this life and a fulness of joy in the life to come. That is the life I want to be living. And when I think about the directions my life could have gone instead, I am so thankful to the people who have helped and continue to help me choose to be where I am now.