07 April 2009
Counting My Blessings
Right now I feel like the luckiest girl in the world. I have a wonderful husband, 3 beautiful girls, a healthy baby on the way, a nice big house, a new "family" size car, family and friends that would do anything for me, I have the gospel in my life, the list could go on and on. Lately I've just been sitting at home bored out of my mind thinking of all the things I want (like my life isn't great enough as it is). I complain to Jared all the time that I love our new house but now I really want new furniture and decorations to go in it. I am getting ridiculously huge this pregnancy so I'd really love to go out and buy a bunch of new cute clothes to lift my spirits, then in a few more months when I've lost some weight buy a whole new ward robe again. What is my deal?!! Seriously! When I was listening to President Monson speak on Sunday (morning I think it was) and he started to tell the story of a woman who lost her husband and all four children to freezing and starvation and had to dig their burials with a spoon or her bare hands in the cold hard ground, I completely LOST it!!! This lady lost her entire family for the building of the church and here I think my life stinks because I can't buy some new throw pillows for my couches. Silly, isn't it? I can't even fathom the thought of waking up next to my daughter and feeling a cold lifeless arm against mine, or having my baby die in my arms because I didn't have food to feed it. Stories like this literally break my heart, yet I need to hear them every now and again to help me appreciate all that I really do have. I think of all the people in the world that are still dying of starvation and it makes me so sad. I realize those new pillows really aren't that important to my life or my salvation. I am so grateful for all that I have. I am thankful for my parents raising me in the church and giving me all they have. I am thankful for Jared working hard to support our growing family so I can be at home with our kids. As bored as I may get sometimes always being at home, I know I am doing what my Heavenly Father would have me do. As a woman, I can't think of anything more fulfilling than always being there for my children when they need me, day or night. I am so grateful that I don't have to miss out on any part of their lives. They grow up so fast and I am extremely thankful I get to be there with them to witness every growing moment. I love my kids and I love Jared and our family and friends. I am so thankful for the life I have been given and I hope my Heavenly Father will be proud of the things I do while I am here on this Earth. I am sooo thankful for Jesus and the sacrifice He made so we can live with Him again someday. I am so grateful to know my Jerrybear and kids are sealed to me forever. Seriously, I just absolutely love this church and the gospel! It just makes my life so much easier and so much more meaningful. This General Conference there were a lot of talks that made me realize how freaking lucky I really am and I am so thankful for our Prophet and Apostles and their guidance and teachings. More than anything, I am thankful for my 3(soon to be 4) greatest blessings ever and I am so grateful Jared and I are able to give them a cozy home to live in, food to fill their bellies and the gospel to warm their hearts. How incredibly blessed am I!?!!
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14 comments:
I love this post. Thats is exactly how I feel all too often. It seems we get so wrapped up in this ideal life style - keeping up with the jones- and we really forget what is important. When you guys moved I would drive by your house all the time (still do :)) and just envy you. Oh how beautiful!!! And then I'm like WAIT.. I have a home, health, Cody has a job...... I could go on forever. And the Gospel, seriously we are sooo blessed. But like you said we have healthy kids and our wonderful husbands that work hard so we can stay at home and love on our monkeys alll day! It really is hard work but your right, this is were Our Heavenly Father wants us. Well put, Alisa!!!
Isn't it funny how all the little things matter in decorating; throw pillows! hee hee I'm begging for new carpet and tile. But really we are lucky to have a nice house in a decent neighborhood! And another thing I feel soo lucky about is being raised here in Utah; I may live a very sheltered life but I LOVE iT!!! And I'm glad I can raise my kids in this community!
I love you Lisee Lou. You bless me. :)
Well put Alisa. It's true, we really are so blessed and there are so many out there who aren't. I need that reminder as well...quite often. Conference is always so great for that, and much more.
Pres. Monson's talk really got to me also. I can't imagine losing Tim or Kyle. We are all so blessed; we always need to be reminded of that.
You're honestey with this post was very touching and I relate with you. When you're home all day it's easy to get caught up in the things that really don't matter too much! I just think you are great Alisa...every time I hang out with you I just think you are such a fun, wonderful person and i'm sad I don't get to be around you more often!
I feel the same way, I am so grateful for the gospel and the life we have. There is so much to be thankful for and I loved all the reminders this past conference!
I ditto all that was said! There are many times I have found myself caught up in those things of the world. I feel like I've been able to take a breather. As harsh as this may sound it has been good to get away from good old Utah! It is still home and always will be. But there are things I feel relieved from. Truman G. Madsen explains in "Joseph Smith the Prophet" talk about Joseph Smith's inspired words on the saints in the latter days. He explains that they will be a wealthy people but that the riches and things of the world will be what blurs there view from the plan. I have often pondered this and I must admit that there are to many of us who do forget what's truly important and do consume our minds with those things that are of little importance and of no value at all. Trust me I'm still trying to overcome this. Often we do think to much about keeping up with the jones. Two days ago the Kirby guy came to our house. Unfortunately I let him in. He stayed for two hours insisting we buy a vacuum. If you've ever seen one you know they are amazing. They really do work they pick up everything. But they're like 2,600 dollars. Yikes! We told him no and he worked us down to 990 dollars. Holy cow that was good and in all honesty a good deal for all it came with. He almost had us when Johnny just refused. After he left Johnny and I talked he said 'It was tempting, but how important is that vacuum? Instead we should be giving 990 dollars to fast offerings.' That's what its about. If we gave more how much more would our lives be blessed and not necessarily with riches or "things" but with joy and happiness. Because then we find ourselves serving others and not ourselves.
I love you Alisa and I really enjoyed your post. Both Johnny and I thought it was touching. You are an amazing women. You are the greatest mommy and probably the best wife ever. And you are of course a lucky girl!
P.S. Sorry such a long comment but I don't get to talk to you to much!
What an incredible testimony! I really loved that talk too...my emotions got the best of me as well (postpartum :) It really makes you realize the incredible blessings in life, and it definitely made me realize mine. My poor baby has been sick, but I am so blessed to have modern medicine and technology to make him feel better...I can't imagine not being able to do anything for him. That would absolutely break my heart! You are such a sweetheart, I loved reading your post! You made me realize how blessed I am too!!
Alisa, just as your dear little children are your greatest blessings, you are certainly one of my greatest blessings. This post is so beautiful. It makes me so happy to know that this is what my little girl feels in her heart. When it comes right down to it, material things are not what brings true happiness to our lives, but rather the people we love, those who love us, and the gospel that really blesses our lives. Reading this has also blessed my life (what a payday for a mom!). I love you so much and am so proud of the sweet, loving, and thoughtful daughter, wife, mother, and friend that you are.
Lisee Lou - I forgot to tell you that you can buy those shoe liners I posted about at Target (they say WalMart, too, but I couldn't find them at WalMart). I got a pack of six pairs for about $4.50. You're supposed to be able to use each pair up to five times. I'm just wearing them for the first time today but so far, when I've taken my shoe off to test it (I know, sick), it smells GOOD.
Alisa-
You were the only one I haven't seen an email address for...I made my blog private. Email me your email address to melis1083@hotmail and I will send you an invite! :)
I ditto everything you said!
Love yoU! Miss you!
PS post a picture of your cute belly!
I loved that talk as well! How incredible that woman was. I am so lucky to be here and have all that I have. I am so thankful for you and your awesomeness! I had so much fun the other night. We need to get out more with you guys! We will set something up soon!
Needed kleenex for this one Alisa. Very true all the things we have to be grateful for and What Matters Most. Glad you're my cousin. Love you guys! Tawna
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