I watched this video this morning. In it, people in Arlington, VA share what they’re thankful for. The video was created by a young man serving as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Northern Virginia. Watching the video inspired me to write a post about what I am thankful for.

I am thankful for: My experience as a full-time missionary…

This week I was back where I served as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Nauvoo, IL). I am so thankful I had the opportunity to serve a mission. I didn’t grow up with a strong desire to serve a mission, but doing so blessed my life in so many ways. The greatest blessing of my mission was learning what it means to truly have faith and trust in God. I learned about faith as I learned the stories of the Mormon pioneers and shared those stories with the visitors who came to tour Nauvoo. The Mormon pioneers passed through tribulation that I can’t fully fathom, yet they trusted in God. I find we often think that if we live as God wants us to, then bad/hard things won’t happen to us, but that’s not true. The pioneers were faithful men and women of God, yet they were driven from their homes multiple times, faced great uncertainty, and suffered the loss of loved ones amidst their journey. Some of these loved ones even died in the service of God as missionaries.

I am thankful for: Fresh starts…

I struggle frequently with feelings of inadequacy. This is especially the case when I am alone. My husband travels every other week for work, and I find myself getting stuck in my head. I think of ways I could have spent my time better. I think of ways I am more selfish than I want to be. I analyze to the extreme every purchase that I make wondering if the purchase was wise. I then beat myself up for being so critical of myself. It’s annoying and not healthy. Recently, I woke up one morning and the thought occurred to me that “today is a fresh start.” It doesn’t matter what happened yesterday. If I dwell on the ways I could have been better yesterday, then I am robbing myself of joy today. I don’t believe God wants us to be overly critical of ourselves. He sent His Son Jesus Christ for us, and He makes up the difference (and all the difference) when we fall short.

I am thankful for: My family…

I love my husband and my family. I love laughing with them, eating with them, talking with them, and being around them. I look forward to having a family of my own in the future, and I am grateful to be able to have this family with John.

I am thankful for: God the Father and Jesus Christ…

A fews days ago, while saying my daily prayer before bedtime, I felt great gratitude for Heavenly Father and His willingness to listen to my prayer. I am grateful to know that I am a daughter of God. That anytime I need to reach out to Him in prayer, He will listen. I am thankful He sent His Son Jesus Christ to suffer for sin and overcome death so that I could have someone to turn to when I need comfort and so I can return and live with God again and with my family forever.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!