Grateful Sunday

Recently I've been struck by how fragile a good, happy life is. In my scripture study, the news, and the lives of close friends and family members, I see over and over how hard and scary life can be. It's heavy and crazy to think about, and I am left feeling ridiculously blessed. I feel like our little family is in a magical, happy bubble. I am living my dream-- doing exactly what I want to do with the people I want to do it with. And I don't want to take it for granted. I am so full of gratitude!

I am grateful for Nikki! We just started birthday week and are so excited to have all sorts of fun together. He is so thoughtful and my best friend. He texts me all through the day when he's off doing business, and we have such lovely family dates when he gets home. Yesterday all three of us went to Walmart together to go shopping for the week. Nikki always carries Parley on our adventures. He is obsessed with Parley, and they are so dear together. 

I am grateful for Parley! He makes me so happy. He has been so smiley recently. His new favorite thing to do is to put his feet straight in the air and grab them. He also loves to roll onto his stomach. His favorite time to roll is when I'm trying to change his clothes, so we have a lot of fun with that. The last five nights in a row, he's slept through the night, which is such a game changer. I am so proud of him. 

I am grateful for my family. I have been missing them a lot and getting really excited for Christmas when I can see all of them. Talking on the phone with them brings me so much joy and keeps me from getting lonely. So many of them are in love which makes talking with them extra exciting! Mom and Dad just got their mission call to Ghana!!! They are going to do amazing. I am so proud. Dad and I had a special time on Friday. We got interviewed about our book by Kurt Francom on Leading Saints. I was very nervous and was so glad Dad was there with me. He was a perfect partner, and I think it went well. 

I am grateful we have money. We have a nice place to live and a car that works and good food. And AC in the hot world! We had some big tender mercies for our finances all at the same time this month, and I'm so grateful. 

I'm grateful for my body. With the podcast interview, I was more critical of my appearance than I've been in a long time. But it wasn't much fun. So I'm just going to be so grateful. And I am grateful! I'm healthy and have energy and can move and do the things I need to and am a beautiful lady. :)

I'm grateful for my daily life. I really enjoy what I do every day. There is no part I dread, which I think is rare. I love waking up to my hungry boy. I love feeding him, taking care of him, and playing with him. I love our walks. I love eating food and taking care of our house together. I love putting him to sleep. I love the work I get to do for my job and thesis and whatever else I'm working on while he's asleep. I love talking with my family throughout the day. I love when Nikki gets home and we talk and eat food and play with Parley and kiss. I love bath time with Parley and getting him to sleep for the night. I love when there's time between when Parley goes to sleep and I go to sleep to make Nikki's lunch for the next day and have a date. And I love sleeping, cuddled with my love. My life is so, so good. 

I'm grateful for Jesus Christ. All the hard things around me make me extra grateful for Him. Right before my mission, I gave a talk in church about the gospel of Jesus Christ. In it, I shared a story Desi told me about her mission. She said that often when she asked people in Hong Kong what they believed in, they'd say themselves. The gospel of Jesus Christ is so crucial when you need help bigger than yourself. When tragedy hits and things are scary and confusing and what you have to offer isn't enough to get through it, it's so nice to know that you can turn to a loving, all powerful God. I'm grateful that I can turn to him during hard times and during times of great prosperity. 

I don't know why my life is perfect when so many others aren't for no reason that makes sense to me. But I'm so grateful and will savor it as much as I can. 

9