Gratitude

This year has given me several ups and several downs! And I am grateful for them all. I have loved 2009 and hated it all the same. It has been the best year and the worst. I have felt greater joy in this year and great sadness. I thought I knew me perfectly until this year I learned more about me. It's been a journey and for this I am grateful.
Here are a few of the things I am grateful for in 2009:
1: For a loving Heavenly Father who loves His children and knows us perfectly. And I'm grateful for this knowledge.
2: For a Savior who suffered all so that I could return to live with my Heavenly Father. Wow, how lucky are we. Sometimes when I think there is absolutely no one who could understand my weirdness or emotions, I know that He does.
3: For the Book of Mormon. This is the first time I have read the Book of Mormon and truly have loved it and have learned from it. I know I should have realized this earlier but I'm glad I love it now.
4. My family. I'm thankful for them individually and collectively. We can be a strange group and a very opinionated group but I know that they support me in this life. And they will always be there for me. My parents have taught me the things needed to get through life. My sisters and brothers are my favorite people. I am close to most of my in-laws. And I have truly been blessed with the best nieces and nephews ever. They bring me tons of laughter and joy. I wouldn't want to go through this life with any other group. And the fact that I get eternity as a bonus is even better.
5. Friends. I have some of the best friends in the world. They are beautiful and fun and witty and clever and just the best of the best. Some I've had for most of my life, some are newly acquired but they are all examples to me. I know sometimes I can be "quirky" and sometimes a bit "crazy" but these peeps always have my back. They may tell me that I am being crazy but that is exactly what I love about them. They have listened to me on so many occasions through sadness and happiness and shared in so many things with me. I said about my family that I couldn't imagine going through this life with anyone else, I add my friends to this group. We don't always agree on life or the way things should be but we do agree that we are there for each other. I love ya'll so much. I love your faith, your determination, your go get it attitudes but most of all I love you.
6. A career. Most days I would rather stay at home and read or play but I am grateful that I have a job given the state of the economy. I am lucky that I get a paycheck and I work great hours. You can't beat the whole 7:30-3:30 schedule, unless you could work 11:30-3:30 and still get paid the same. It's not the best job or the highest paying job but it is a job and one that I on most days enjoy.
7. America. I love my county, like a lot! A whole lot. And I am so thankful to have been born into a free country. I am so thankful that our founding fathers were insightful enough to listen to the Spirit. I know they were directed by God. I love the constitution. I love the freedoms that we have. I am grateful for the men and women who have put there lives on the line in order to maintain this. I'm not always happy about what is going on in our country or the politics behind it but I am glad to live here. At least I have the freedom to express my dislikes.
8. The ability to learn. It's true most people have this. Most use it, some waste it but I can learn. I have learned a few new skills this year that will help me in this life. I am also planning on taking night classes starting January and I'm excited about this. Because I know that I can learn and grow.
9. My Health. It's cliche to say but it's o' so true. I hate my body most days, but it's healthy and I acknowledge that.
10. For the ups and downs of life. Without these life would be boring and we all know that I don't do boring well. Like I said in the beginning I've had some good times this year and some bad but they have all helped me grow and become a better person. I haven't enjoyed all these "learning" experiences but I am grateful that I have had them. They have taught me of my divine nature, of relying on the Lord, and have once again proved that I have the best family and friends anyone could ask for.