Happy New Year: Hope

I love this time of year! I love the idea of a fresh start that comes with a new year. I always get the exciting sense that this year will be better than last. I am filled with that hope that "tomorrow is another day, with no mistakes in it, yet" (Anne of Green Gables, L.M. Montgomery).

As 2011 closes and 2012 opens, what are you hoping for?

Have you read it???

Sister Barnes and I watched this video yesterday at a friend's house. It really touched me to see the power that The Book of Mormon had in this man's life. I would like to add my witness to his that I know that it is true. I know that it is the word of God and I know that if you read it and pray to ask God if it is true it can change your life for the better.

Gratitude Challenge: Day 10

Missionaries are poor: to begin with. There is no doubt whatever about that. This year, however, I wanted to come up with a nice gift for the birthday of Someone who has given me so much. I have thought about it and thought about it and thought about it. I decided that a good gift that I could give Him is a grateful heart, so as December has flown by I have tried to come up with 100 things that I am grateful for. Some days have been harder than others, to have a grateful heart, but over 22 days I have come up with 90 things so far. In contemplating the last 10 things I would like to add to round out my gratitude list, I've decided to list 10 things that I am grateful for about Him.

He is humble and He is obedient. 

He is a friend.

He stands up for what is right.

He is kind.

He is loving and He is diligent.       

He is compassionate.

He is patient.

He is forgiving.

I am so grateful for my Savior and for this time of year that we get to celebrate His birth.

Gratitude Challenge: Day 9

Time for 8 things about Christmas Eve that I am grateful for!

1. I am grateful for the buzz in the air, everyone seems to be excitedly anticipating Christmas.
2. I am grateful for getting a nice new comfy pajamas or warm socks.
3. I am grateful for milk and cookies.
4. I am grateful for Christmas Eve lasagna, and other family traditions.
5. I am grateful for Luke 2...
6. And 3 Nephi 1 and the beautiful stories they tell.
7. I am grateful for memories of not being able to sleep because of how excited I was.
8. I am grateful for the focus on family time that permeates the world like no other time of the year.

Gratitude Challenge: Day 8 (My gratitude Blitz!)

I'm grateful for

• Cell phones
• The printing press
• Pencils
• Scriptures organized into chapters and verses
• Books
• Artists who share beauty with the world
• Small town holiday decorations
• Performing Music
• Listening to others perform Music
• My backpack
• My raincoat
• Subway (Thanks Bond-Searles!)
• Loving Family
• SKYPE
• "Blondies" (instead of brownies)
• Fruit Baskets
• Having a washer and dryer in the apartment
• Being able to serve
• Singing
• Christmas lights
• The color red!

Gratitude Challenge: Day 7!

I am grateful for time. Yesterday at a conference for missionaries our Mission President told us a story about when he was in high school. He mentioned when he was student body president and he was overwhelmed with how busy he was. One day he said to his mother, "I can't wait until this year is over!" His mom responded with something that really struck me, she said,

 “Don’t EVER wish away your time.”

Time is a great gift that our Father in Heaven has given us. His plan was for us to come to earth and learn and grow to become like His Son and to ultimately become like our Father in Heaven and have all that He has (See Romans 8:16-17). The time that He has blessed us with is for us to learn how to become like our Heavenly Father. The Book of Mormon states,

"For behold, this life is the TIME for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors." 

Alma 34:32 (emphasis added)

I know that God has blessed each and every one of us with the time that we need to "perform our labors" and I know that as we faithfully and wisely use our time to more fully walk in the path of the Savior we will be blessed so much more eternally.

Gratitude Challenge: Day 6!

1. I am grateful for the King James Bible. There are so many people who sacrificed so much to make it available to us.


(Watch the episodes online HERE.)

2. I am grateful for sweaters. They are so cozy and warm.

3. I am grateful for ice cream, it is the next best thing when you can't have chocolate.

4. I am grateful for CD players, they are a wonderful invention that make it possible for my apartment to be filled with uplifting words and music.

5. I am grateful for modern medicine. I know it is inspired by Heavenly Father to bless His children living on the earth today. (In this talk given by Elder Russell M. Nelson he describes how he was inspired to save a mans life during a heart surgery.)

6. I am grateful for comfy chairs.

7. I am grateful for the Hathaway family. They welcome us into their home every week and are among the many wonderful people who make sure our needs are taken care of.

8. I am grateful for colors. They brighten my life immensely.

9. I am grateful for windows. I'm not sure I can describe exactly why I am grateful for them. I just know there is something very comforting about being able to see outside of a place I am in or inside a place that I am out.

10. I am grateful for apples, I ate one today and I'm feeling pretty good about it.

Don't know what the Gratitude Challenge is? Check it out HERE.

Gratitude Challenge Day 5: Beautiful Music

For day 5 of The Gratitude Challenge I am going to mix things up a bit and list 10 Hymns or Psalms I am grateful for.

Wednesday night I had the great opportunity of going to an institute class. (Institute is basically a bible study class that is provided for college aged adults by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints). We talked about Psalms and Hymns. We talked a lot about how Psalms illustrate strong emotions of praise, lament, supplication, etc. I had never really put much thought into them before, but I was really touched by the beautiful words and the Spirit that I felt as we read/sang/discussed them. Now I would like to present 10 Psalms/Hymns that I am grateful for today.

To start off with, I have a couple of favorites that aren't in the Hymn book or in the book of Psalms, but they are beautiful poetry that remind me of my Heavenly Father and my Savior Jesus Christ and what they did for me.

• 2 Nephi 4:15-35
• Luke 1:46-55
• Isaiah 12

Next are some more traditional Psalms including the 23rd Psalm which is probably the most famous of all of them. I never gave it much thought before it was always just a very familiar passage that you hear at funerals. When I heard it Wednesday night though it really struck me. The line in verse 3, He restoreth my soul, really meant a lot to me because I have felt that restoring power for myself. I am so grateful for the power that that Psalm has particularly in reminding me of the love my Savior has for me.

• Psalm 3:3
• Psalm 23
• Psalm 138
• Psalm 143:10

Lastly I picked three Hymns. I love Hymn 72(Praise to the Lord, the Almighty) and 89(The Lord Is My Light) because of the beautiful praise that they give to our Savior. I love Hymn 131(More Holiness Give Me) because it is such a powerful prayer. I love how it expresses so many righteous desires to become like the Savior.

• Hymn 72
• Hymn 131
• Hymn 89

I am so grateful for beautiful music and poetry, I am grateful for the power it has to unite a group or to bring peace to an individual. I know that there is great power in them. The Lord said,

"For my soul delighteth in the song of the heart; yea, the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me, and it shall be answered with a blessing upon their heads."

Gratitude Challenge: Day 4

Don't know what the Gratitude Challenge is? Check it out HERE.

Write 2 material possessions you are grateful for.

I am grateful for my warm skirts and my leggings. They kept me quite warm last week.

Write 2 deceased people you are grateful for.

I am grateful for Alma and Amulek. Two men who lived in the ancient Americas and risked their lives to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Write 2 things about today you are grateful for.

I am grateful for play-doh, we got to play with it for an object lesson today and it brought me back to being 7 years old and making play-doh snails.

I am also grateful that I have the opportunity to serve in Nashville for the next couple of days with Sister Valentine. It is really nice to have a new,

different experience.



Write 2 modern inventions you are grateful for.



My GPS drove us in to a lake! (Not really, but it thought it had.)



I am grateful for GPS's. Without them I would be lost literally and figuratively. My parents got me one for my birthday/Christmas and it has been such a blessing to have that guide.

I am grateful for magnets, I'm not sure how "modern" they are, but I'm going to say using a magnet to hold a name tag on my shirt is modern enough. I am grateful for magnets because I am able to wear my awesome name tag without poking holes in my shirt every time I wear it.

Write 2 things about the gospel you are grateful for.

I am grateful for the simplicity of the path back to our Father in Heaven. It all falls under 5 basic steps.

1.Faith in Jesus Christ

2.Repentance

3.Baptism by immersion

4.Receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost

5.Endure to the End

I am grateful for the focus that Jesus Christ's gospel puts on the family. I love that we are taught that the family is ordained of God, and that it is a vital part of God's plan that we actively work to have strong families with a foundation in Jesus Christ.





Gratitude Challege: Day 3!

Write 2 physical abilities you are grateful for.
I am grateful for the ability to walk. Sometimes I complain about going without a car every other week, but I know I am blessed because I have two legs that work the way they are supposed to.

I am grateful for my sense of smell. Today we were in a car with someone who used some pink lemonade hand-sanitizer and it smelled lovely. I'm grateful that I had the chance to enjoy that today.

Write 2 living people you are grateful for.
I am grateful for my grandmothers, Grandma Carlene and Grandma Linda. Both of them have taught me so much about so many different things. Mostly they have taught me what kind of grandmother I want to be someday. I want to be loving and willing to listen like they are. I want to be there at my grandkids' concerts and celebrate their birthdays. I want to teach them the things I know, like how to make fudge or pie.

Write 2 things about nature you are grateful for.
I am grateful for evergreen trees, it is so nice to see a tree that looks alive and well in the middle of dozens of bleak looking bare trees.

I am grateful for mushrooms growing in lawns. There is something so magical about seeing a bunch of mushrooms pop up in a sea of green grass.

Write 2 places on earth you are grateful for.
I am grateful for Scotland. I have many ancestors from Scotland and I hear that it is a beautiful place. I hope I get the chance to go there some day.

I am also grateful for Antarctica. I have never been there either but I am grateful for the habitat it is for the penguins who live there.

Write 2 foods you are grateful for. 
I am grateful for rice and beans. They are two very simple foods and they taste good together. I am also grateful for them because I know they play an important role in keeping the hungry of the world from starving.

Gratitude Challenge: Submissions from My Mom and Dad!

This is my Dad's list:

1- I'm grateful for my physical ability to be a firefighter.
2- I'm grateful for my house to raise my family
3- I'm grateful for my wife.
4- I'm grateful for the Prophet Joseph Smith.
5- I'm grateful for different kinds of trees that can be milled into lumber.
6- I'm grateful that it is Monday, because I hear from my missionary daughter.
7- I'm grateful for the mountains to go camping.
8- I'm grateful for A/C in my trucks and cars.
9- I'm grateful for all kinds of pork(bacon, ham, sausage, pork chops etc.).
10- I'm grateful for the atonement.


This is my Mom's list:

1. I'm grateful I am able to play the piano. It brings happiness to me and, I hope to others.
2. I'm grateful for memory foam, it makes getting a good nights sleep easier.
3. I'm grateful for my parents who took good care of me and taught me right from wrong.
4. I'm grateful for my grandparents because they each loved me in their own way.
5. I'm grateful for mountains because of their beauty and how they make me feel secure.
6. I'm grateful for testimonies of Jesus Christ shared by friends.
7. I'm grateful for California because we have had many fun family vacations there.
8. I'm grateful for dishwashers because they probably save me more time than anything else.
9. I'm grateful for vegetable lasagna because I don't like meat lasagna.
10. I'm grateful that families can be forever.

Do you want to be cool like my parents? Take the challenge and email me your list today!

sisterkanderson@gmail.com

Gratitude Challenge: Day 2!

Here is Day two of the Gratitude Challenge.


Write 1 food you are grateful for.
I am grateful for parsnips, not for any real particular reason. I just like saying the word parsnips. Also, they are pretty tasty.
Write 1 living person you are grateful for.
I am grateful for the Motter family. They are so welcoming to Sister Barnes and me and they are letting us use their computers right now.
Write 1 thing about nature you are grateful for.
I am grateful for the sky. It is so beautiful at all times of the day and in all weather. It is always incredible to look at.
Write 1 thing about today you are grateful for.
Today I am grateful it is Monday, because I get to read e mails from my family and do lots of other fun things.
Write 1 deceased person you are grateful for.
I am grateful for George Washington and other inspired people who fought to create and preserve the United States of America.
Write 1 modern invention you are grateful for.
I am grateful for the computer mouse. It makes navigating a screen so much more easy and efficient.
Write 1 place on earth you are grateful for.
I am grateful for Spruces campground up in Big Cottonwood canyon in Utah. I have so many great memories of fun camp-outs with family there.

My sister and some cousins playing in the volleyball pit by our campsite.

Write 1 material possession you are grateful for.
I am grateful for glasses, without them I wouldn't be able to see things that are far away.
Write 1 physical ability you are grateful for.
I am grateful for my memory (If you want to be technical, that might not be a physical ability, but I'm grateful for it so I'm going to write about it). I feel that I have been very blessed to be able to recall things. Although I don't have an "Iron-brain" like my siblings, I am able to remember most things that I learn/see/agree to do.
Write 1 thing about the gospel you are grateful for.
I am grateful for a living prophet. I was listening to his words from the most recent General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints this morning, and I also got to hear him speak at the Christmas Devotional last night. I am so grateful to know that he is a man who talks to God and runs the church under the Savior's direction.

Gratitude Challenge: Day 1

Here is Day one of the Gratitude Challenge, enjoy!

Write 1 material possession you are grateful for.
I am grateful for my wrist brace. I have arthritis in my wrist that has been acting up ever since we canned butter on Monday. I am very grateful to have my wrist brace to help prevent my wrist from hurting too much.



Write 1 living person you are grateful for.
I am grateful for my companion. She is so funny and is able to show me that the mountain I am facing is really just a mole hill.

Write 1 physical ability you are grateful for.
I am grateful for the ability to type. I developed this skill after lots and lots of tedious practice that I never wanted to do, but now I am grateful that I have it.

Write 1 deceased person you are grateful for.
I am grateful for Paul the apostle. I have been reading the book of Acts in the New Testament in my desperate attempt to finish the New Testament by the end of the year and Paul just amazes me. He had such unwavering faith, even when he knew that he was going to be martyred soon, he still boldly proclaimed that Jesus Christ was the Son of God.

Write 1 thing about nature you are grateful for.
I am grateful for rain. Yes even here in Tennessee where it rains all the time, I am grateful for it. There is something so delightful about rain. 
Write 1 thing about today you are grateful for.
Today I am grateful for friendly people. We were tracting today and after several rejections by annoyed busy people we met a really friendly lady who, despite being busy, took the time to listen to what we had to say and smiled the whole time. It made all of the shut doors and "not interested"(s) worth it. 
Write 1 place on earth you are grateful for.
I am grateful for the South, where everywhere I look whether it is a day care (Trinity Child Care) to a HVAC company (Alpha & Omega HVAC) reminds me of the Savior.

Write 1 modern invention you are grateful for.
I am grateful for clocks, sundials are really hard to read.

Write 1 food you are grateful for.
I am grateful for waffles, they are delicious and easy to make.

Write 1 thing about the gospel you are grateful for.
I am grateful for the knowledge that my family can be together forever. I'm grateful that I know that, I don't just hope for it, I don't think it will happen, I know it will happen, so I guess I'm also grateful for personal revelation, that makes it possible for me to know what I know.

The Gratitude Challenge

Yesterday I was talking to a 6 year old about Christmas. At first we were talking about Santa and how reindeer fly (magic, of course) and I decided to transition the conversation into something more Christ-centered. I asked her why we celebrate Christmas. She knew the answer to that one, "because it's Jesus' birthday." Then I asked her the tricky question, why do we celebrate Jesus' birthday? She thought about that one for a minute, and she said, "Because he died for us?" I agreed with her and went on to say that we celebrate Christmas because of all of the wonderful things Jesus did for us.

Then I got on the computer today and I saw this article in the December Ensign. It was talking all about gratitude. Initially I thought that was strange. I thought, last month was about gratitude, this month is about Christmas. Then I remembered the conversation I had yesterday with a 6 year old where I explained to her the reason why we celebrate Christmas, and I made the connection that we celebrate it because we are grateful for all the Savior did for us.

So at the end of the article was this challenge. I've decided to extend my gratitude beyond the bounds of November and write one thing I'm grateful for from each of the ten categories in ten posts leading up to Christmas. I'm excited to do it because I know it will help me to truly get in the Christmas spirit. I would love to hear what all of you are grateful for as well. If you e-mail me* a list of ten things you are grateful for I will post it on here as well. I know that as we do this we will draw closer to our Father in Heaven and our Savior Jesus Christ.

Take a Gratitude Challenge
By John Hilton III and Anthony Sweat
Let’s not just talk about counting our blessings—let’s do it! Write a list of 100 things you are thankful for. If that sounds like it is too many, try this:

1. Write 10 physical abilities you are grateful for.
2. Write 10 material possessions you are grateful for.
3. Write 10 living people you are grateful for.
4. Write 10 deceased people you are grateful for.
5. Write 10 things about nature you are grateful for.
6. Write 10 things about today you are grateful for.
7. Write 10 places on earth you are grateful for.
8. Write 10 modern inventions you are grateful for.
9. Write 10 foods you are grateful for. 
10. Write 10 things about the gospel you are grateful for.

When we make a list like this, we discover that a list of 100 doesn’t even begin to scratch the surface of all the things God has given us.

Here are links to the days of the Gratitude Challenge
Day 1
Day 2
(Submissions from My Mom and Dad)
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
Day 8
Day 9
Day 10

*kathryn.anderson@myldsmail.net