Grateful For...

I have wondered many times about the tremendous gifts I have been given. At this time of the year (since I am a little behind and should be making new years resolutions) I am feeling so very grateful. I wanted to list some of the things that I feel most grateful for:

1 - My Savior, Jesus Christ. It is fitting that I should list him first. My faith in him has been growing steadily since I first remember praying to know that he was the Son of God and that he loved me. I feel he has prepared the way for me and has loved me when I felt no one could love me. This is a very great gift that I cannot properly express my gratitude for but I will continue to try. Thank you my Lord. I am unworthy but so very grateful.

2 - My Children. Again, I find that the words I am using do not match the feelings I have in my heart. It is a privilege beyond measure to raise my children. This is not an easy task but I have felt more divinity and joy with my children that I ever thought I could feel. When I look in their eyes I can see little glimpses of Heaven and Forever. As we work through the hard things here in this life I feel so very blessed to be able to be their father. We are unconventional and conventional at the same time. I have learned so much of who I am and what is important to me by serving and loving them. Larisa and Bryan, I love you so very much.

3 - My Parents. As I look around me and get to know more of my brothers and sisters here on this earth I realize how very blessed I am to have Doug and Linda as my parents. I was raised in a house where love was the guiding principle and family was the more important than any worldly care. We were taught the gospel of Jesus Christ by our parents who also lived the gospel. I did not realize what a rare and precious gift this was, to be raised by loving and honorable parents who put the needs of their children above their own. As an honor to them I try to give my children the same gift. I fall down often and feel that my gift to my children is not as great as the gift my parents gave to me but I will continue to try.

4 - My Brothers and Sisters. I am so very grateful for my brothers and sisters. I have learned so much from all of you and I draw tremendous strength from your love. It is hard to be so far away from you all and to see you so seldom but I take great joy in knowing that our reunions will be sweet and that our family is eternal. I am so very privileged and humbled to be your brother.

5 - My Friends. I have been very blessed by my friends. My best friend Jacob is such a blessing in my life. I remember the first time I was alone after my divorce, my kids were with their mother, and I did not know what I would do. Since that time I have met so many great and wonderful people that I did not imagine I would ever know or be friends with. Now my life is so much more full. I cannot list you all here but I want you all to know that you warm my heart and help me to be a better person. Your friendship is a precious gift to me. I know that I do not get to see many of you as often as we might like but I hope you all know that I am looking forward to seeing you again and when we do we will have a great time!

6 - My Lord Jesus Christ. It is fitting that He be the first and the last. Thank you again for your great gifts to us. Your love is the foundation of all that is good in this world. You are the Great God who is behind and around all of this earth, who watches over all of us. I am so very grateful that you have helped me as I started this path and will continue with me through 'til the end.