30 Days of Thanks #21

Many people have incredible stories about the "moment" that the Spirit testified to them that the Church was true. My testimony story is not very exciting. In fact, there was no "moment" at all. The truth is, I can't remember a time in my life when I didn't know the Church was true. It feels like my testimony has always... just been there. Today, I give thanks to the place where my testimony must have begun...

I am thankful for Primary.

As a child, I remember feeling the warmth of the Spirit as I sang "I Love to See the Temple" and "Families Can Be Together Forever." I still hum the Article of Faith songs whenever I'm asked to recite one. I remember my favorite teacher, Brother Boyce, teaching me principles of the Gospel. As an eight year old, I remember sitting in Primary the Sunday after President Kimball died and feeling so sad as we discussed that event.

How many people have served in my behalf? And yet, the chain of service continues, as my own children are loved and taught by faithful ward members each Sunday.

Today, I am especially grateful to the blessed Nursery leaders who welcomed little Ashton to class today! I've been counting down the weeks to this Sunday for a long time now. I was so looking forward to enjoying Relief Society today... but wouldn't you know it? Relief Society will have to wait. I was called to serve in...

PRIMARY!

And I couldn't be more thankful about it!

30 Days of Thanks #20

I am thankful for "Carson-isms!"

Carson-isms: noun. [kar-sun-isms] 1. Hilarious statements made by a talkative, wiggly, bright-eyed 4-year-old boy named Carson. 2. Bits of sunshine.

Here are a few of my favorites:

* "When I die, I’ll still remember how to play Super Mario Brothers. I’m seriously.”

* "I only like animals that can kill people.”

* While eating dinosaur chicken nuggets for lunch, Carson asks, “Mom, are dinosaurs weal?” I say, “Yes, but they are all dead now.” Carson says, “Did Jesus eat one, and not like it, and get mad?”

* While sitting in Sacrament meeting, Uncle James began showing Carson pictures from the Sunday school manual. James points to a picture of Jesus descending from the heavens, and asks Carson, “Who is that?” Carson says, “A fairy.” (Must have thought that his flowing robe looked like wings!) James says, “No that’s Jesus!” Carson says, “Oh... well that’s Jesus when he was a fairy.”

* Coming out of a restaurant tonight, we saw a woman smoking just outside the door. Carson stopped and stood right in front of her, just staring in amazement. As we pulled him away , he exclaimed, “She’s got one of those things (a cigarette), and she put fire on it, and then put it in her mouth… and she didn’t even die!”

When I get caught up in my loud, chaotic "mom life," it is the "Carson-isms" that stop me in my tracks and remind me to stop taking life so seriously. They say that laughter is the best medicine... and this boy gives me an overdose daily! For that, I am so grateful!

30 Days of Thanks #19

Do you know what the best day of your life was?

I do.

The day my name changed to "Mom."

On that Sunday morning over ten years ago, everything in my life changed. The way I viewed things, the things I appreciated, my love for my husband, my love for my parents, my interests, my fears, my dreams... all different because of a tiny, black-haired baby.

The day she was born, so was I.

I am thankful to be a Mother.

McKenna Lyn

Kyler Franklin

Carson Luke

Ashton Cole

These four little faces are my world.

My greatest accomplishment.

My favorite blessing.

My purpose.

30 Days of Thanks #18

I am thankful for good surprises!

Last night, I was looking for pictures of my siblings in a photo box for my previous post. I didn't find the photo I was looking for... but guess what I did find lying in that photo box... A box that I haven't opened in years... A box that I wouldn't have opened if I hadn't been writing these silly gratitude posts.

A crisp 50 dollar bill!

Can you believe it? I just stood there with my mouth gaping open for about two minutes--trying to process the randomness of it all! (Is randomness a word? Probably not. Anyway...) I was so giddy with excitement to find that unexpected surprise! Even though it was midnight and my husband was fast asleep, I had to wake him up to show him my discovery! Sometimes you just have to tell someone! The giddyness (not sure if that's a word either) lasted until I finally crawled into bed whereupon I fell asleep with a smile on my face!

I can now testify that it pays off to be grateful... literally!

30 Days of Thanks #17

If I could spend a day doing anything I wanted...

I wouldn't choose a shopping spree.

I wouldn't choose a spa treatment.

I wouldn't even choose a day spent reading in solitude while wrapped in my pink Snuggie.

I'd choose to sit around a table laughing with the funniest people I know.

I am thankful for best friends...

...And these are mine.

I am the youngest of seven children--all boys except for six.

(Sorry Dad! I couldn't resist!)

We look alike. Sound alike. Move alike. Think alike. Eat alike.

We even do our make-up alike!

I recently spent a few days alone with my sisters, and I was reminded of 'who I am' and how proud I am of that very thing! My family is faithful and close. What more could I ever want?

How very grateful I am for family... and to be linked to my very best friends for eternity.

30 Days of Thanks #16

I can't believe I'm actually going to admit this, but...

I am thankful for Star Wars.

As mentioned in previous posts, I had never even seen the show as a child. We did girl things at my house. But, as a mother of three boys, I have been baptized by fire with all things "BOY!" Kyler and Carson watch this strange show over and over... never tiring of it. I've seen enough of it to know that some pretty deep themes are going on. I'm sure my boys will catch the deeper meaning someday, but in the meantime, it's amazing how much a galaxy far, far away has already taught them. Tonight as I was tucking the boys in, we were talking about what it meant to be adopted. Carson wasn't quite getting it. Ky says, "It's like Luke and Leia." Done. No more further teaching from Mom required.

Here are a few more Star Wars life lessons that my boys have come to know so well:

* Good verses evil. Bad choices lead to suffering.

* It's okay to kiss your sister... if you don't know it's your sister.

* Death is a part of life.

* Your parents will love you no matter what. ("I will always love you son, even if you don't turn to the dark side!"

* Girls can be tough.

* Just because someone talks weird, doesn't mean they're dumb. (Yoda)

* Forgiveness is always possible... even if you've killed over 8 billion people like Anakin.

* There is a hero within us all!

30 Days of Thanks #15

I don't believe there's a person on Earth who doesn't love and respond to music. For me, music is more than something I love. It defines me. It connects me to family. It fills my heart and soul. I cherish music for its ability to teach, lift, comfort, and entertain. But most importantly, music enables me to feel my Heavenly Father's spirit. Nothing seems to bring that sweet feeling faster or clearer. I wish I could say that I've had a personal witness to every element of the Gospel. But I haven't--so I rely on faith. But I can say, without a shadow of a doubt, that the music I sing each Sunday is inspired of God.

I am thankful for Hymns.

I was taught as a child to sing a hymn in my mind whenever I felt afraid. Years later, I still seek hymns for comfort. I'll never forget how sad and shaken I felt after the events of 9/11. All churches throughout the country were asked to have a prayer service in honor of the victims. As I entered my church, I could hear the Mormon Tabernacle Choir singing prelude over the satellite. I can't remember which hymn it was, but it was familiar--one I had grown up singing. At once, my troubled heart was flooded with peace.

At a recent Luke family reunion, I was reminded of my gratitude of hymns. My family gathered together and took turns talking about their favorite hymn. We then sang them as a group. I was amazed at how enthusiastic the grandkids were to describe their personal favorites. I had no idea that McKenna's favorite hymn was "Be Still My Soul." She told the group that it made her feel closer to Jesus each time she heard it. The spirit was powerful... as it often is through music. I had a hard time singing, so I just stood in the back with my two month old baby, wiping tears and basking in the incredible feeling. I didn't take a turn that day... and I regretted it. So, I'm taking my turn now:

My favorite hymn is #221, Dear to the Heart of the Shepherd. It references the parable of the lost sheep--teaching us of our Savior's love and compassion. It's a beautiful message. However, the main reason that I love this hymn is because it reminds me of my Dad. When I was in high school, we sang in church together often. He will forever be my favorite duet partner. I felt proud standing next to him--and never nervous. We sang this hymn several times. No arrangement--Just dad's high tenor voice on the alto line while I sang the melody. It was simple and reverent. This hymn will always remind me of how very much I love my dad.

My heart just about leaped out of my chest when the Mormon Tab sang an arrangement of it at the last General Conference. Enjoy....