Caleb and Jacob:
Another week has blown by for us around here. I have a personal goal to do two loads of gravel every night as we arrange the flowerbeds. So far, I'm doing okay but not great. (We had two truck loads of gravel dumped on our driveway from my work and we're using them for landscaping. You can be glad you're not here for that...)
My favorite holiday of the year is Thanksgiving. It is the overlooked holiday that is lost in the Christmas rush. I like the day because the focus is on family and getting together. Most important, I like it because it reminds me to be grateful. There is great power in gratitude. Mom used to subscribe to a women's health magazine. I remember reading the editor's comments in the front of one of the monthly magazines. Although many women exercise to work a certain area of their body (lunch-lady arms, fatty mid-section, huge bum, cottage cheese legs, etc. (the problems seem to be endless)), her idea was different, she chose to exercise because she was thankful for her strong, healthy body and recognized that she had been given a great gift by God. In other words, it was easy for her to maintain an exercise routine because of her motivation. That editorial left a lasting impact on me. Since then, I try to take that approach whenever I exercise or ride my bike.
I somethings think we need to be more thankful and appreciative of everything we've been given in the gospel. The atonement, great prophets and leaders, families that believe, etc. are examples of gifts given that we should be thankful for. Last Sunday I received a call from the bishop informing me that since our family has two missionaries serving, unnamed persons in the stake have asked to pay $400 a month toward your missions. Your grandparents on both sides are paying also. What a blessing and responsibility! I am grateful that there are people who are willing to help out. I have no idea who they are and likely never will. But how to repay such a favor? Well, I've decided that we never know who or what the reasons are for someone wanting to help out. But, I am careful about what gets posted on your blogs so I got back with the bishop and suggested that those who are helping pay for your missions be given your blog addresses along with an invite to read your blogs. You are both doing well and your letters home are so good and full of faith that anyone reading them can't help but be uplifted. I hope this is okay with you.
I am thankful for both of you. You each have talents and abilities that make you unique and special. If God is like me, he is thankful for the the choices you are making. Imagine that, God thankful that you two are making good decisions and progressing well in this life.
Here are two quick stories from President Monson on Gratitude-
1)
Gracias, danke, merci—whatever language is spoken, "thank you" frequently expressed will cheer your spirit, broaden your friendships, and lift your lives to a higher pathway as you journey toward perfection. There is a simplicity—even a sincerity—when "thank you" is spoken.
The beauty and eloquence of an expression of gratitude is reflected in a newspaper story of some years ago:
The District of Columbia police auctioned off about 100 unclaimed bicycles Friday. "One dollar," said an 11-year-old boy as the bidding opened on the first bike. The bidding, however, went much higher. "One dollar," the boy repeated hopefully each time another bike came up.
The auctioneer, who had been auctioning stolen or lost bikes for 43 years, noticed that the boy's hopes seemed to soar higher whenever a racer-type bicycle was put up.
Then there was just one racer left. The bidding went to eight dollars. "Sold to that boy over there for nine dollars!" said the auctioneer. He took eight dollars from his own pocket and asked the boy for his dollar. The youngster turned it over in pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters—took his bike, and started to leave. But he went only a few feet. Carefully parking his new possession, he went back, gratefully threw his arms around the auctioneer's neck, and cried.
When was the last time we felt gratitude as deeply as did this boy? The deeds others perform in our behalf might not be as poignant, but certainly there are kind acts that warrant our expressions of gratitude.
2)
The story is told of a group of men who were talking about people who had influenced their lives and for whom they were grateful. One man thought of a high school teacher who had introduced him to Tennyson. He decided to write and thank her. In time, written in a feeble scrawl, came the teacher's reply:
"My Dear Willie:
"I can't tell you how much your note meant to me. I am in my 80s, living alone in a small room, cooking my own meals, lonely and like the last leaf lingering behind. You will be interested to know that I taught school for 50 years, and yours is the first note of appreciation I have ever received. It came on a blue, cold morning, and it cheered me as nothing has for years."
Well... You both are wonderful. I think it's a neat dynamic that you both get each other's letters. Everything about it is cool. Just be thankful for your situation and use this time to draw closer to each other in respect and gratitude for the other. I am blessed to be your Dad and look forward to watching the continued progression of your lives. Keep up the good work.
Have a great week, I love you,
Dad
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