I am Thankful for a Safe Missionary

Although Taylor is struggling with severe back pain and the unknown (still) as to whether or not his cancer has returned, I am grateful today that he is in a place where he can get treatment and medical assistance and be safe.  Sure, they have earthquakes all the time in California, but typically, they are not of the horrific kind, so I feel relatively good and very grateful about where he is.

However, today, my heart mourns for 3 missionaries.

First, a young man from our ward, Richard, just recently (within the last few weeks) returned home from his mission in the Philippines.  As the last few weeks have passed, he has posted pictures of people he met, taught, and loved while serving in the Philippines.  Then, he began posting news updates about the Typhoon Haiyan which was about to hit it.  I could feel his love, sorrow, and concern.  I can only imagine what he has been feeling having served and lived there for the last two years.

Second, Sister Gacutan, who is a missionary currently serving in our ward here is Arizona, is from the Philippines.  I watched her today in Sacrament meeting giving her talk.  She was all smiles - like normal - but I mourned for her knowing that she is probably very concerned about her family and friends back home.  I do not know if she has been able to hear from any of them yet since the typhoon hit but I can only imagine the grief and concern she may be feeling.

Third, Elder Maybin, from our ward is currently serving in the Philippines.  I cannot imagine the angst his mother must have felt for a couple days as she awaited word from her son's mission president that her missionary son was safe and accounted for.  You could sense the relief in her heart when she posted on Facebook that she'd heard from the mission president finally.  But then, today, she posted that Elder Maybin's companion's mother, father, aunt, and grandfather perished in the typhoon.  How horribly sad.  All evening I have thought about Elder Calda and the torment he may be feeling right now.  It is one thing to lose your parent while you are still young.  It's another to lose both of them in such a devastating manner.  I wonder if he will end his mission and go home.  I wonder if he will continue on.  I feel for him deeply.

Today, I am thankful for a safe missionary - whether it be our Taylor, Richard who is home safely from the Philippines, Sister Gacutan who is safe here in Arizona, or Elders Maybin and Calda who are safe in the Philippines.  I am grateful for all of the missionaries throughout the world who give 18-24 months of their lives so they can share the gospel of Jesus Christ with others, even though sometimes they fall into harm's way.  I am grateful that our Heavenly Father does all He can to protect them while they serve Him.

I am Thankful for Priority Mail

I have a bad habit of not getting things shipped off to someone in time to meet their birthday or whatever.  Today, I am very thankful for Priority Mail.  I knew I wanted to send Taylor a special package this week to try to cheer him up but my schedule during the week just did not allow it to go out earlier than today.  I ran to the store, picked up a ton of cheery, yellow stuff, and packed it all into a Priority Mail box and ran to the post office.  I made it just in time.  It is Saturday, it will head out tonight and it will arrive in San Diego on Monday - even though it's a postal holiday - and will be delivered on Tuesday.  Tato Bug will hopefully get it that very day and I am really hoping it will bring a smile to his sweet face.  I wrote him a card and put it inside saying "Here's a box of sunshine from Arizona to help cheer you up!"  Simple little things, but fun.  And, Auntie is grateful it can make it there in time!

I am Thankful for Tender Mercies

Today I saw a news story that Angie had shared on Facebook about a woman who donated her daughter's heart to another woman and what happened when they met.  What a tear jerker! Having been in the same type of situation - my mom being the recipient of a teenage girl's liver, this really hit home and I lost it when the two women hugged. I was sobbing. I know that guilt that the recipient feels - my mom had it - but I also know the gratitude too...especially from the recipient's family's perspective. Without Brooke's liver, my mom would not have had an additional 8 or so years with us. We knew that very day who the donor was from things that occurred in the hospital and in the papers, but respected the family's privacy until they were ready to meet. I am so grateful to the Graviat family for sharing their daughter with our family. I personally felt Brooke's spirit around me in those first few days and I consider her my sister. What a special blessing!

Oh...and I lost a few more pounds!  I have now lost 75.6 pounds!

I am Thankful for Cell Phones

I have spent the last two evenings helping others with computer problems (which I have totally been happy to do and have enjoyed the time I have spent with them).  I haven't been home before Melon Man has left for work either night.  Tonight, though, on the way home, he and I were able to chat via the cell phone the whole way home.  He eventually had to leave for work, but once he was in the truck, he called me back and we continued chatting.  It was nice to just talk with my honey and spend that time with him.  There even came a point where we crossed paths and saw each other as we drove through the dark.  Love those moments.

I am Thankful for Vegetables

Today, I am thankful for vegetables.  Most people would be, gross!  But, me, I LOVE THEM!  They have helped me live 99% pain free for the last 14 months.  Since finding out I had gout, and what causes it, then going gouty vegetarian (my own term to describe the way I eat), I have developed an even bigger love for vegetables.  I have lost 73 pounds.  I feel better.  I look better.  My skin is clear.  And, I don't hurt.  Plus, I got to have an EXCELLENT dinner with Auntie Sigie and Uncle Ward tonight while I was there fixing their computer.  We had steamed cauliflower, carrots, broccoli, yellow squash, mashed potatoes, sliced cucumbers and tomatoes, and homemade cheese sauce to put over it.  It was so yummy!  I am grateful that they were willing to share in my dietary restrictions for the night and could experience the yumminess that veggie-only dinners are!

I am Thankful for Café Zupas

As a gouty vegetarian, it is often hard to find food that meets the criteria I need for my medical condition at restaurants and when eating with others. My boss was in town this week and he bought lunch for us today. As we were deciding where to go for lunch we ended up looking at a new shopping center area and lo, and behold, we found out that Café Zupas was now in Arizona! Right away, that is where I decided we were going to eat. I absolutely adore their Wisconsin cauliflower soup. It is so creamy and yummy without having chicken stock in it, so I can eat it. What a delicious lunch for me today and I am so grateful that we finally have Café Zupas here in Arizona!

I am Thankful for Sundays

Sometimes I don't like Sundays because it seems like it's such a big precursor to Monday.  But, then we have days like yesterday.  We had Stake Conference from 10 to 12.  We were home by 12:20 and eating lunch by 12:30.  Then, we watched some tv.  Then, I took a 3 hour nap!  Total rest and relaxation - just what I needed!  I will be really glad when January comes and our church schedule flips to 9 a.m.  I love getting home from church early in the day.  It gives us the opportunity to spend some quality quiet time together before the hustle and bustle of the week starts all over again.

I am Thankful for a Great Stake President

We have an awesome Stake President.  I just love him.  I love that he can get up and just talk - with only a few bullet points to go off of.  After our adult session of Stake Conference last night, I talked with his wife and asked her how he does it.  She said he just studies and prays a lot.  I hope that some day I can be like that!

I am Thankful for Promptings

Today I was able to spend my morning with a very good friend.  We were able to talk about some things she is going through and the changes headed her way.  I am thankful for the promptings I have been experiencing lately regarding her and that I listened to them.  It was a very special time for me and I will never forget it.

I am Thankful for Cooler Weather

It's the beginning of November and time to think about all the things I am thankful for.  In the past, I've written spiritual things or things with a lot of deep meaning.  This year, though, my list is probably going to be very simple things that we often forget to be thankful or grateful for or don't recognize as blessings.  For example, today I am thankful for the cooler weather.  I am tired of the heat.  Yes, we still have a few warmer days ahead of us, but lately I have been able to drive with the sunroof open and have been enjoying having the A/C off in both the car and the house!