This week has been a wonderful week of Thanksgiving, beginning with President Nelson's challenge to be mindful of the many things we are grateful for, posting to #givethanks each day. He also suggested we pray with gratitude--thanking our Father in Heaven for all our blessings. As I began this challenge I soon realized that seven days is not nearly enough for me to even begin to touch upon my blessings. I figured that with seven children, I had each post pre-planned, but then I realized that I couldn't pass up a post on my wonderful and giving husband. I would really like to have a day to express gratitude for each of my grandchildren as well. Even after expressing love and gratitude for my family, I realized that I needed many more days to post about goodly parents, grandparents, and other amazing ancestors who sacrificed so much so that we could live where we live and have the gospel in our lives. I would be very ungrateful indeed if I didn't acknowledge my gratitude for my Heavenly Father and my Savior who have made all of my blessings possible. I also have a great appreciation for the gifts They have given us through the scriptures and modern day prophets and apostles. Then I thought about my health, which isn't perfect, but is good enough that I can get up every day, study the scriptures and conference talks, and also exercise and participate in all that life has to offer.
Our Sunday School lesson today was a discussion about President Nelson's challenge and how it has made a difference in our week. There were many great comments. Some said that they had a lot of friends not of our faith that noted on Facebook (and other media sites) how much the #givethanks comments had helped them, some even joined in adding their own list of blessings to the hashtag. Another sister said that as more and more people (millions) posted on social media about gratitude, it pushed all the the negative posts further and further down until you didn't even see them. One sister talked about how small and simple things, such as this seemingly simple seven day challenge, could bring about great things. So many of our ward members said that thinking about their blessings turned everything around for them. Our media expert read some of the statistics of how many days this hashtag was the # 1 post around the world. In many other countries it also had the top position. I am always amazed at President Nelson and how he has pushed us to change and grow. I don't know of any other leader that has issued so many individual challenges. It's inspiring that so many people want to be obedient to the voice of our prophet. James Christensen even said in his letter home how awesome it was that his dad actually posted on social media this week.
For Thanksgiving Day we had pretty much decided that we would not meet as a large group so that we could do our best to keep everyone healthy. Nick had told us that he definitely would not come--they need to keep Camden safe. Dan said they were going to stay strong and stay home also. Crista and Matt chose not to come on Thursday as Matt had a little bit of a sore throat. Roy, wonderful father, grandfather, and husband that he is, wanted to cook the dinner for everyone anyway. We told everyone that they could come and get their dinner and take it home to eat it. At the last minute, however, we softened and told everyone that whoever was comfortable staying to eat, should stay. So, we had Caitlyn, Dallin, Jennie and Jordan, and Adrienne and AJ. When Dan came to get his portion of the dinner, he brought his whole family. At that point it seemed pointless to take them all back home, so he stayed. Nick was strong and took his meal home, but I think he was feeling some regret. We ended up having a group of 10 adults and 8 children. A little more than suggested for gathering this Thanksgiving, but so far it looks like we are all still healthy.
Pictures from Thanksgiving Day and the day after.
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Dallin, Caitlyn and Ila
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Jennie and Yuna
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Finn with Grandma Catharine
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Gunnar and Ila
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Finn, Hyeji, Ila, Doyeon and Jordan
The masks didn't actually last very long. |
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The Jackson family celebrated their Thanksgiving one day early.
Andy had to work a 12-hour shift Thanksgiving Day. We are
very grateful for doctors who give up their holidays to help others. |
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Crista and Matt had a full Thanksgiving dinner at their home.
Crista had to cook it, since we live too far for her to come and
pick it up. |
I had a hard time getting a smile out of Greta. Ruby made funny faces, too. The dolls in the background are Scrooge and Marley. I told Ruby a short version of the story, then they watched a couple of cartoon versions of "A Christmas Carol" downstairs.
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| Our little doll Bridget (I shouldn't have cut Crista out) |
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Camden
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After posting last week's letter, I received a few more adorable pictures with the Rasband kids in their chicken aprons. Since I was too tired to add them to the letter at the time, I'm adding them here.
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