Gratitude

The last two evenings I have participated in two very different activities, both connected to our church. I am so full of gratitude and love for the gospel and the wonderful things that being a member of this church brings to my life. For Family Home Evening I took the kids to see the BYU International Folk Dancers, brought here by the BYU Alumni Assoc. It was just a beautiful, talented and inspiring performance! The kids were totally enthralled. At the end they sang "God Be With You 'Til We Meet Again", instead of "I AM A Child of God".....it was very sweet and the audience loved it, they got 2 standing ovations. I love that the arts and talent are such an important part of the whole experience. Last night I went to the cannery with people from our ward, It was a great experience, there were 3 wards represented, and we worked really fast and canned potato flakes, oats (2kinds), dried onions, macaroni, speghetti, powdered milk, fruit drink mix, sugar, hot cocoa mix, dried carrots, refried beans and probably more stuff I can't remember. I got 7 cases, 42 cans of stuff for $135. I am so thankful that the church gives us the opportunity to do things like that, for our benefit and to help others. "Many hands make light work" is so true. I love the scriputre that tells us what joining the church means, besides taking on the name of Christ, the bearing one anothers burdens and sharing in the joy, etc. I just love the brotherhood and sisterhood that is a part of the gospel. It is a big, loving happy family, and I am forever thankful to my parents for teaching me to live the commandments and for their being such great examples of love and service and Righteousness.