A great many things. First and foremost, I'm grateful for the gospel. I know most people say family and friends, but from the gospel, I can have the most amazing family for time and all eternity, and I can have some spectacular friends who help strengthen my testimony and are wonderful examples to me. I'm so thankful for the wonderful joys the gospel brings to my life. My roommates left me alone this year and as I was sitting here thinking of something to fill my mind, I was able to make s a list of things in my life I wouldn't have if not for the gospel.
The Atonement. The most wonderful and awesome part of my life. The ability to recognize my sins and repent and be cleaned. The comfort that it brings in times of hardship. The peace it brings when all I can feel is anguish. The Atonement is truly a blessing in my life and I'll never stop being grateful for it.
Eternal families. This concept is hard to grasp in the human mind. We think of life on earth incredibly long, when really, compared to the eternities, it's amazingly short. I love my family. So much. More than I tell them. So of course I'd want to have the blessing of being with them forever and ever and ever! And when I'm sealed in the temple to the man of my dreams, a worthy priesthood holder who will love me forever, I'll start my own eternal family. When I think of having kids, my heart swells with joy that I'll be able to raise God's children. But mostly, I'm excited to get to know them and to love them and spend forever with them. Why have a family if it's not going to last forever? Mortality is so short! Definitely not enough time to share with the people I love the most. With an eternal family, I'll have forever. It's a comfort.
Temples. The House of the Lord. What a better place to be than there? The peace and comfort and pure joy it brings into our lives is beyond measure. So many wonderful things happen in this amazing place. My favorite being sealings, and a close second is baptisms for the dead. Every time I go do baptisms, I can feels heavenly Father's approval and love. I know that those I am baptized for are present and I can feel their gratitude. It's such a wonderful feeling. The temple is a great place to be. I love love love that I can literally look up the street and see it. White and pure and beautiful. The temple is my favorite place in the whole world. No matter where you are, if you're in a temple, God is with you. Where else would you want to be?
My family. My parents. My wonderful brothers who look out for me and my heart when I'm stupid and careless with it. My sisters who are more of an inspiration to me that they know. I love them. So much. I'm grateful for Heavenly Father's infinite wisdom in putting me in this family. Oddly enough, they made me into the person I am today. They strengthen me and love me without end, regardless of my mistakes. They don't care. I couldn't have asked for better parents to lead me in this mortal life. They are shining examples in my life and they love me. It's hard to grasp sometimes how much they love me. I don't think I'll ever really know a parent's love until I have my own children. And I hope that when I do, I'll be just as amazing parent to them as my parents were to me.
My friends. I probably have the most amazing compilation of friends anyone could ask for. Sure, I've had friends that come and go in my life, who doesn't? But even then, I've learned from them. I've grown with them. Some have brought me closer to myself, and others have brought me closer to Christ. I am so thankful for their influences and guidance. Once again, Heavenly Father's wisdom proves itself.
I'm grateful for this school. BYU-Idaho. It truly is the Lord's school. So many things have happened that have opened up the path for me to be here today with these amazing people. All because it's what the Lord wanted. I love that I can open class with a prayer and feel the Spirit touching my heart as I study and learn. The proximity of the school to the temple is another blessing in my life. I love that I can walk up the hill before class and do baptisms and receive inspiration.
All of these things have been brought about because of one simple farm boy. I'm so grateful for the prophet Joseph Smith and his sacrifice. I once heard an apostle say that the greatest sacrifice was that of Christ. And the second was that of Joseph Smith. He laid down EVERYTHING for the word and the world. For me. He didn't know what kind of impact it would make on my life and billions others. But he knew what was true and he didn't let anyone tell him differently. And for that, I'll forever be grateful.
And last but not certainly not least, I'm thankful for God's love. It brings me to tears every time I think about it. In this world, we're led to believe that unless we're perfect, we aren't loved. But in the gospel, we're taught that we're loved because we're not perfect. We are His children. Every single one of us. He loves us so much. It pains Him to see us here going through such trials and hardships, but He loves us, so He let's us endure such things. But he sent us the gospel. He sent us His Only Begotten Son to die for us so that we can live with Him again. It's an amazing thing to feel God's love for us and know that no matter where we are or how we feel, God loves us and wants the best for us. So many times in my life, especially lately, I've had the chance to feel this amazing love and I'll never get use to it. I'll never stop being grateful for it. I only wish everyone knew what I know.
These are just a few of the things I'm grateful. If I tried to write all of my blessings down, it'd take me a few hours. And even then I'd be leaving things out. I hope that this holiday season you've been able to count your blessings. You'll see that even with everything, life is an amazing journey and it will all be worth it in the end:)
