"You Can't Have Thanksgiving Without Turkey. That's Like Fourth Of July Without Apple Pie, Or Friday With No Two Pizzas."

What:

I'm going to be cliche this week and write about gratitude.  Not only has it been on my mind because of the holiday but also because I got asked to give a talk about it on Sunday. Yipee.  So I've been doing some studying on gratitude and the gospel and I've learned a few things.  Probably the most profound thing I learned came from a talk given by James E. Faust called "Gratitude as a Saving Principle".  He talks about how gratitude is actually a commandment and a very important thing for us to do.  This is the part that struck me the most:

"It seems as though there is a tug-of-war between opposing character traits that leaves no voids in our souls. As gratitude is absent or disappears, rebellion often enters and fills the vacuum. I do not speak of rebellion against civil oppression. I refer to rebellion against moral cleanliness, beauty, decency, honesty, reverence, and respect for parental authority."

Basically he is saying that when we lack gratitude, then usually negative thoughts and traits enter our minds in place of it.

So What:

Well I think we all know gratitude is important but I think most of the time we think its just because it makes a humbler.  I think I've rarely thought of it as something that protects my soul from "imorality, dishonesty or disrespect".  Its really necessary if we ever want to understand other godly traits.  And while I think for the most part I'm not an ungrateful person, I probably don't voice it or make it apparent enough for people to know that

Now What:

So I guess my learning experiene for this is to have more gratitude in my life.  If I want to protect myself from those negative attributes, I need to make thanksgiving a daily occurence.

"To ease another's heartache is to forget one's own"

What:

You know how Heavenly Father has a sly way of inserting things into your life randomly until you finally recognize it and you need to do something about it? Ya well lately there have been big red flashing signs of CHARITY all over my life.  Now I think that is a normal thing for people to do around thanksgiving and holidays because suddenly everyone becomes all cheery and gift-giving like.  But this isn't just normal thanksgiving charity.  This is just life charity and I need some more of it. So Heavenly Father is putting it in my life in the most random places like an assignment for an accounting class or an article in my finance class.

So What:

Well basically what keeps getting preached to me is that I would be a lot happier if I was serving more.  I'm in a very busy point of my life and my dad keeps asking me "are you enjoying this journey?"  and most recently I've had to say no.  I've been mostly enduring life and even the things that should be bringing me joy are just bringing me stress which weighs heavier and heavier on me.  Its easy to have the mentality that once I get to a steady place I'll be able to serve a ton but the truth is, I need it now.  I need to be able to forget my own heartache.  and I need some more christlike experiences in my life.

Now What:

First off, I'm going to slay that charity assignment.  And I'm going to try to assign myself to keep doing that.  I know christmas will bring lots of opportunities to volunteer.  But I want to keep it going.  Just little acts of charity, to help me forget my sorrow.  And to help others in their many needs.

"Monica categorizes her towels. How many categories are there? Everyday use... Fancy... Guest... Fancy Guest...Uh Eleven?"

What:

I'm not sure if I ever realized how much stuff it take to properly equip an apartment.  I've gotten by for 4 years of college with only 2 towels, a minimum amount of kitchen supplies, and a desk lamp.  But I'm now currently doing a wedding registry and it amazes me how the list just keeps growing and growing.  And we're going to be living in a tiny apartment.  I can't imagine how difficult it will be to keep track of and maintain a house that would have multiple bedrooms and bathrooms in it.

So What:

I guess President Monson's old saying "Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without" sure comes into play here.  I've discovered that a lot of the nicest things that we have in my kitchen back home are things that my mom got from her wedding.  Its so nice that people are willing to contribute to the making of your home so you should value and take care of the things given to you.

Now What:

So I guess what that means is I've outgrown buying things really cheaply so I can throw them out in a year won't work anymore.  And I've got to be grateful for the things that are given to us.  and for the other things that we have to buy ourselves, we will save up and treasure for a lifetime