I'm THANKFUL for.....

I love (and am grateful for) November! :) It's the beginning of the holiday season and feelings of family, love, selflessness, giving, gratitude, coziness, etc.... Here is a great song (by Josh Groban) to get you in the mood. :) To celebrate and get in the spirit of the season I'm excited to record things I'm grateful for each day. I learned this year from a great roommate that verbalizing gratitude each day is a method of stress relief. I'm grateful for that!! :)

Nov. 1: beautiful weather, inspired lessons ("Take Time to Be Holy") and testimonies, seeing and hearing a prophet, good music ("How Gentle God's Commands"), chance to stand up for marriage and family
Nov. 2: leftovers, free email (if I had to pay for all the emails I sent a day I would be a poor person), chances to learn, FHE, chatting
Nov. 3: a dryer that works, paying tithing, waking up to the sunshine, getting to cross things off the to-do list, the chance to get to work with many good people
Nov. 4: getting a lot done, institute, the Book of Mormon, prophets, having fun with friends, pondering the need to be less busy and being "familiar with all and free with your substance" so that you may be rich (with eternal life)! :)
Nov. 5: emails from Joshie!!, a job, chance to learn from the Stake Presidency--do good, build upon the Rock, look unto Him in all things and then you will doubt not and fear not! :), learning opportunities--what would I have done at Morton Thiokol in 1986? or how do I create a social venture management team? :)
Nov. 6: Fridays, no school, taking a little break from homework/work--sort of, being with family!! :), enjoying the BEAUTIFUL, awe-inspiring fall colors and warm, peaceful afternoon in Zion's National Park--it really was AMAZING!!! :)
Nov. 7: the chance and ability to run, a BEAUTIFUL day in GORGEOUS Snow Canyon, time to spend with family, time to relax, the blessings of the temple
Nov. 8: no stress for 3 days, time to remember what's really important, being with FAMILY (even when that means sitting between a 3-year-old and an 8-month-old in VERY close quarters for 260 miles--they really are the cutest niece and nephew ever), scriptures, great listening and caring roommates
Nov. 9: two weeks until Thanksgiving break, Christmas music on the radio!!!!, family for a few minutes, slowly starting to make a dent in all the big assignments, a little intrigue :), re-learning some Crucial Conversation skills through others
Nov. 10: ten minutes to talk to Joshie on his way to SAMOA!! :), missionary work, the National Parks (and the beauty of the world and its creations), a free day to get a lot done, warm weather
Nov. 11: veterans and all those protecting our freedoms, the ability to work hard and keep going, health, a job--or really 3 jobs I guess I should say :), opportunities and small directions slowly opening up and things working out--class schedule and consulting, inspiration--voluntourism, pictures from Samoa! :)
Nov. 12: seeing little parts of life come together--God is mindful of us!!!...even the very small details (a class time change helping me be able to take one more class I didn't know I needed and there's one spot left, great possible job opportunity opening up and obstacles being removed to have it really be an opportunity, overlapping projects helping me be able to actually get my homework done), family, the energy to keep going (even on 4 hours of sleep), opportunities to learn, 1 1/2 hours to sit still :), more to do tomorrow! :)
Nov. 13: having the time and resources and opportunity right now in my life to be in graduate school--what an amazing learning experience, a little bit of time to sleep in, morning scripture study vs. the 2 a.m. bedtime version, feeling accomplished for the day, Friday (even if it is the 13th)!!! :) , Pandora--my new favorite music resource....try Pachelbel Canon in D radio station! :)
Nov. 14: feeling accomplished and organized and on top of at least some things, a clean room and apartment, great MPA friends to study with, a relaxing-ish yet accomplishing Saturday--work, homework, cleaning, job application
Nov. 15: Sundays!!!, church, the words and teachings of living prophets to re-read in the Ensign!!, President Uchtdorf's words on seeking pure divine truth and LOVING, scriptures, a nap :), good uplifting music, prayer, the guidance of the Holy Ghost, agency and commandments that help us use it well, nice boys who volunteer to help put chairs away :)
Nov. 16: visiting teaching!! :), less than 4 weeks of school, job opportunities, stress (sort of) and opportunities that push me to do more than I ever would have guessed possible! :)
Nov. 17: someone wonderful who scraped the ice off my car windows this morning :), chance to learn at devotionals and forums, getting a lot of work done--school and work and other things in between, my memory that serves me well in the the midst of craziness (most of the time), Abinadi's example
Nov. 18: no class today :), an AMAZING educational/service/learning/networking opportunity at an exquisite home on the top of the moutains in Deer Valley, chances to meet new people and collaborate and synergize, great and fabulous and wonderful roommates :), new and exciting opportunities and friendships :)
Nov. 19: a job (even if it is 12 hours a day on 3 1/2 hours of sleep), the AMAZING opportunity to be a part of an advisory board meeting for an awesome organization--Romney Institute of Public Management, networking opportunities, the chance to be at an amazing university and be connected to amazing people--students and faculty and staff, the MPA lounge, supportive and loving family, the temple and its blessings, a chance to sit down :)
Nov. 20: my WONDERFUL, AMAZING Dad!!! :) and all that he helps me with in my life, including encouraging and inspiring me to do new and good things, teaching me and talking to me about important things, and spending time to do fun things with me--from hiking, running, walking around the neighborhood, shoveling the driveway, boogie boarding, traveling, hometeaching, and making cookies :)
Nov. 21: scripture study, time to go for a run, beginning to see an end of the big projects for the semester, chance to be involved in learning the social venture process, chance to learn and have fun with other good people, good and courageous people who stand up for righteousness historically and especially today
Nov. 22: how the Lord blesses and magnifies us in our callings and talents, spiritual gifts and the reminder to identify and develop them, Elder Scott's reminder on the importance of seeking the Spirit and guidance and knowledge and inspiration: "Is there more I should know [or do]?", Global Pursuit
Nov. 23: the chance to be in school at BYU now, MPA family, ward family, the fact that I did not have to worry about planning and coordinating and carrying out the annual ward thanksgiving dinner, a six-day break from school!!!, family that is close by that I can be home to see in less than an hour :) (without having to fly across the ocean or drive for 10 hours to see)
Nov. 24: sleeping in, sunshine, being at home, getting lots of work done, time to play the piano, an email from Samoa!!! :), playing with Kayla and Kai
Nov. 25: getting to go to a new temple, going to the zoo, discussing important ways to be better (and what to write one of my 3 papers about) with dad, getting some work done, cooking with mom, movie and fun with the family!! :)
Nov. 26: gratitude, memories, home, FAMILY, health, food-- especially mashed potatoes and rolls, time to talk, soccer and fun with cousins, puzzles, maps, time with grandma, movies, scriptures, music, traditions
Nov. 27: time to relax, playing with the CUTEST niece and nephew in the world, the greatest mom and dad in the world and getting to spend time with them, the greatest brothers and sister and sister-in-law and brother-in-law and the chance to spend time with (most of) them, movies, Christmas decorations!!!! :)
Nov. 28: more fun with the family!!! :), beginning to check some things off the to-do list, Christmas music!!!, fun new ringtones
Nov. 29: my REMARKABLE, FANTASTIC, Mom!!!! and all that she has taught me and continues to teach me, the time she spends with me, her amazing selfless love and care for all of us, and her meaningful friendship and advice
Nov. 30: my gratitude list!!! :) (your blessings sure can make you happy on a stressful day), Alma 26 (especially the first 10 verses or so), a phone call, FHE, smiley faces :)