Grateful

This is a picture of our Christmas Advent for this year. We have 24 ornaments, and on one side of them is written an attribute that Christ has. On the other side there is a scripture reference to go along with that attribute. After we choose one for the day, read the scripture, and talk about it for a little bit, Maya so carefully takes the ornament and hangs it on a little tree. It has been really inspiring to see the tree fill up and see the words that are on those ornaments. It struck me as I was creating it that all of these attributes are things that we can possess too. We can be "Wise", "Loving", "Pure", "Peaceful", "Enduring", etc. Sometimes it really takes a lot of work, and sometimes just a little, but we CAN be these things.

I am constantly amazed at the difference that comes into my life when I make even the slightest effort to be just a little better, try just a little harder to do the things that my Heavenly Father has asked me to. We have had so many things happen in our lives lately that let us know He is aware of us, it is very humbling. We have had someone come back into our lives after being gone for many years. The way it all came about was very much a miracle, and it has lifted such a burden off of my heart. But most importantly, it lifted a burden off of my sweet little girl's heart. We have had prayers answered concerning very big things in our lives, and prayers answered concerning simple and small things. It makes me realize that it is all important to our Heavenly Father, because we are important to Him.

I know that we will have hard times ahead, that is all part of life. I hope that I can remember the lessons I have learned over the past few months, and not get discouraged when the hard times come. I hope that the feelings from this Christmas season remain with me, and with my family, for a long time to come. I hope that we can remember the times that our answers to prayers were so clear there was no doubt. I hope that we can remember that we are not expected to do it all alone, He is always there.