Life is full of stress and challenges.  The ability to see the humorous side of life is a great gift that can encourage and uplift others.  A brief laugh or even an internal chuckle can brighten the day.  My son sent this funny little note to me the other day- just for grins!  I am thankful for simple humor.  

I am thankful for the care-free life of children. They live in the present without worrying about the past. They don’t stress about the future. They enjoy each moment. Such is the case with this young girl, dressed in her Sunday best, climbing the tree outside the chapel while waiting for her ride home.

I love the fact that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has a lay ministry. We each are given callings in the Church allowing us to grow personally and to provide service to others. Some of my richest friendships have grown out of my callings in the Church. Pictured below are two wonderful friends with whom I currently serve in the Rainbow Vista Spanish ward.

I am grateful for the gift of optimism.  This great gift allows us to look beyond our proximate circumstances and hope for that which is better.  Optimism keeps us from those pesky negative thoughts and circumstances that might otherwise lead us into discouragement or depression.  Some might dismiss optimism as an unrealistic Pollyanna approach to reality.  But the positive thoughts and energy that result can be life changing.  

I borrowed a friend’s car today.  She was so excited that I had asked her to use the car specifically on this day becuase she had just cleaned it out. Apparently the scattered debris on the driver’s side mat did not even register in her consciousness of optimism.  I love that she could be so excited about her “clean” car and not get hung up on some of the dirty little details.  French fry anyone?

Spend five minutes in the news and you will realize what a blessing it is to live in this country.  I appreciate my beautiful home and neighborhood.  I have many dear friends and many fond memories that have been part of our two decades here.