A Quick Add To!!

     So last week's blog was on gratitude and I hope some of you were able to apply it, although I WOULD prefer you are all happy and dancing through life all the time.  But that is a fairly unrealistic wish, especially in this world we are blessed to live in. Yes, I did say blessed because even with its difficult times it has so much beauty and positivity to enjoy. Now that being said, I have had a rough month myself trying to deal with issues in my own life and so that blog was for me last week. And so is this one, although I will tell you that a few things have helped along with the gratitude. Actually the few things that have helped me I AM very grateful for. I was blessed with two special Church leaders who I was able to speak with. One was planned from the leader who was in tune with the Lord and the other was planned by the Lord because I do not believe in coincidence! Things happen for a reason. My meeting with that other Church leader at the place and time I did was totally inspired by the Lord because I had not planned to be there, but a thought impelled me and I went!  And the other thing I am most grateful for this week is being able to listen to General Conference. So much dealt with our issues and problems and how we can work to overcome them and/or be strong and capable while in the middle of them. And I am so very grateful for answers to prayers with these things I have mentioned and others I have not. One of those answers was a reminder that I need to learn from the past, but not dwell in it, live in the present focusing on what the Lord would have me do so that my future can be the future He has planned for me. And who could plan a better future for us than the Lord Himself. So continue to count your blessings and look for the small miracles in your life because they are there. Just to end I want to add the words of a song I sing a LOT because it is about gratitude and counting our blessings. In fact, that is the name of it: Count Your Blessings. I usually sing the whole thing and then in the same tune start singing of all my blessings. Weird, I know, but I am a weird person . . .  weird, but gratefully so. 

        1. When upon life's billows you are tempest tossed, when you are discouraged thinking all is lost,               Count  your many blessings; name them one by one, And it will surprise you what the Lord has               done.

        2. Are you ever burdened with a load of care? Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?                 Count your many blessings; ev'ry doubt will fly, And you will be singing as the days go by.

        3.  When you look at others with their lands and gold, Think that Christ has promised you his                       wealth  untold.                                                                                                                                              Count your many blessings; money cannot buy your reward in heaven nor your home on high.

        4. So amid the conflict, whether great or small, do not be discouraged God is over all.                                  Count your many blessings; angels will attend, help and comfort give you to your journey's end.

       Chorus: Count  your blessings; name them one by one.                                                                                             Count your blessings; See what God hath done.                                                                                           Count your blessings; Name them one by one.                                                                                             Count your many blessings; see with God hath done.