Thank You's for Perspective...

There's plenty of drama going on in my life, but little of it that I really want to share right now. Some "thank you's" to put things into perspective:

THANK YOU Jacob, my brother, for coming over Saturday and putting in a new alternator (sp?) and battery on my van, after it totally died on Friday, (in the middle of State Street on the way home from school). We could NOT afford the nearly $500 to have them do it at Big-O this time.

THANK YOU, my friend, Miriam, for spending the day with us yesterday, and being willing to give me a neck massage to release all that stress that's been building up there. (The fact that she's a professional massage therapist is great!) Thank you for staying close to the Spirit, and being open to anything He tells you to.

THANK YOU to a wonderful Bishop who knows how to boost your self confidence and faith in yourself! Such tremendous support.

THANK YOU to kids and leaders who made the Sacrament Primary Program awesome yesterday. It was our sixth one, and it was great. Love the Primary!

THANK YOU for neighbors who share their produce, since I've had NO LUCK with gardens, even square foot ones, since we've moved here nine years ago. And for sharing their frienship too.

THANK YOU for a son worthy to be ordained a priest, and able to baptize his little brother just a few days away. (Invitation BTW - the ordination will be at 9:40, with the baptism at 10:00, Sept 26th. Come join us!)

THANK YOU for a son who says he will happy with whatever you can give him for his 16th birthday, for a 14 year old daughter who was SO HAPPY with her picture of the Ressurrected Christ for her birthday, and a eight year old son thrilled with his birthday party. (And that my nearly 16 year old wants a HOMEMADE cake for his birthday, not the store-bought kind - me too dude!)

THANK YOU extended family, for all the support you always give us, from priesthood blessings, to love notes by mail, to zucchini. And for feeling like we'd love to have you visit us and stay with us. Heather was here last week, and my cousin arrived EARLY this morning, her boyfriend will be staying with his cousin in town. FUN, huh! [Editor's note - they just became engaged yesterday 9/14!]

THANK YOU my blogging friends, for your blog posts that make me cry, inspire me, and help me keep things in perspective. And for your supportive comments.

THANK YOU, my Nels, for working so hard to finish projects that are SO HARD for you. Thank you for wanting to live up to your God-given responsibility to provide for your family. He will help you be able to do that, I know it. Thank you for wanting to do what's right, like pay tithing, even when money is TIGHT. And for getting up at 5:30 for family scripture study, even after going to bed at 3 or 4 a.m. after working on stuff.

THANK YOU, Heavenly Father, for the blessings you shower down on us, including through the turmoil of only a part-time job in the family. He gives us chickens that produce eggs every day. He tells us to get our food storage because He is wise, and we can live quite comfortably on it. He even sends down lots of lovely rain today, because He can.

All these problems we're facing? They're only OPPORTUNITIES! The future is bright, because we are never alone! God bless us, every one!