44th Thankful Thursday: New Beginnings

Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. ~Benjamin Franklin

New Year's eve is like every other night; there is no pause in the march of the universe, no breathless moment of silence among created things that the passage of another twelve months may be noted; and yet no man has quite the same thoughts this evening that come with the coming of darkness on other nights. ~Hamilton Wright Mabie

Ring out the old, ring in the new,
Ring, happy bells, across the snow:
The year is going, let him go;
Ring out the false, ring in the true.
~Alfred, Lord Tennyson, 1850

43rd Thankful Thursday: O Holy Night!

"O Holy Night" is my favorite Christmas song.  My body tingles with thrills whenever the song reaches "Fall on your knees".  I am grateful for a loving and perfect Eldest Brother, who came to earth and lived in mortality.  He lived, suffered, died, and lives again for me.   He did and does so in order that I can become cleansed and whole through Him, become as He is, and live with Him and my family for eternity.  In the holy and sacred name of Jesus Christ, Amen.  

This week:  What is your favorite Christmas or other holiday song?  

I've posted a video of Josh Grobin singing "O Holy Night".  I'd love it if you posted a link to your favorite song too.  :)  

42nd Thankful Thursday: Family

I love my family.  I'm done with Finals and am sitting in my living room.  Dad is laying on the couch, littlest Sis is doing homework, and Mom is helping Sis.  Molly our puppy is curled up by the Christmas tree.

I love their hugs.  I love their smiles.  Their laughter. Their encouragement.  Dad's help unloading my car.  Middle Sis showing me the gorgeous decked-out Christmas tree.  Littlest Sis's Christmas band concert.  Mom's love.

Home is wonderful.

This week:  Why do you love your family?

41st Thankful Thursday: Lights in the dark

The Sunday before Thanksgiving I hung a strand of Christmas lights in my apartment's main room.  The purple, pink, yellow, blue and green lights cast cheery glows on the walls and ceiling.  I love turning off the room's lights and basking in their sweet glistening.

I am thankful for the lights in my life that I can be thankful for in times of dreariness.

Some such "Christmas lights" from this week:

--happening upon the delightful flavor combination of fig newtons and gorgonzola cheese (a type of blue cheese)--think a Pixar Ratatouille moment of savoring--if only my ears could be so expressive... or maybe it's a good thing they aren't...  :)

40th Thankful Thursday: Can ye tell [our blessings]? Love from others

Today has been an emotionally bipolar day.  I am grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who allows His children to feel His great love through others.  Tonight I attended a Christmas Fireside, and one of my most dear teachers spoke on our Savior's birth, the nativity, and His love for you and me.

Afterwards I went to speak with her.  Our embrace was tender.  Have you ever had a moment when your heart swells so it almost bursts, and you feel so much love and yet are unable to voice what you are feeling?  I am so grateful for those moments.

Monday I was blessed with another tender mercy and outpouring of love.  I received a letter from my dear brother (who is still in Montreal serving a mission), containing four photo-postcards (photos he had taken and made into postcards) with 100 of his "Thankfuls" and another 20 from his companion, Elder J.  I laughed and wept as I read them, and am grateful for the love I felt for him, and the opportunity to feel close to him when he is 2,200 miles away.

Their thankfuls bring our total to 880!!!  Isn't that wonderful!?  Instead of typing the lists, I've taken photos of the photo-postcards, and hope you are able to read them below.