This year I really wanted to make Thanksgiving special. For several reasons I wanted to make this holiday really focus on gratitude and make it memorable. I've been attending an Institute class recently and I LOVE it! It's helped me to turn my mind to thinking about the gospel throughout the day, at random and more frequent times. Doing so has really helped me notice the blessing and tender mercies that Heavenly Father blesses me with. Another reason is that ever since Madeleine was born I've felt this need to create traditions! I'm a sentimental sap so holidays are a perfect time to get my creative/sappy juices flowing.
The theme scripture that helped me in designing what I wanted for this holiday was from the Book of Mormon, Alma 26:2 - "And now, I ask, what great blessings has he bestowed upon us? Can ye tell?" I wanted to be able to verbalize what we've received and hopefully then turn those blessings, gratitude, and cognizance outward in preparing for the Christmas season, hopefully to be shaped by much good will and giving and joy!
We had a great Thanksgiving feast with friends - too much food! But all of it delicious. We had our Thankful Tree, which I'm so glad that our friends helped us create. And I, for the first time, set a decently nice table! It was my first, yes first, time using linen tablecloths and napkins (last year we made do with a bunch of African wraps to cover the table). And I put a lot of thought into the inspiring quotes that I chose for the placecards. What a wonderful holiday! A day just to give thanks!? And eat!? One of my favorites.
As for a few of things for which I am thankful:
My husband and daughter
My family and Marc's family
The gospel of Jesus Christ and His restored church
Seeing how the gospel touches my friends lives
Mission memories
Good friends
Educational and traveling opportunities
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