Happy Late Thanksgiving, Everyone!!

    

 I hope that everyone had an awesome Thanksgiving. This year mine was perfect - all of the food worked. Well, most of it worked. My from-scratch pumpkin pie had a tough crust, but, hey, it still tasted good. :)

   





   The normal contention dissolved, and the Grandma's both came over to share in our bounty (which, by the way, included 3 pumpkin, 1 cherry, 1 lemon meringue, and 1 chocolate caramel pecan pie. Pie is my favorite part, obviously).

     After a short bout of hilarious and slightly embarrassing family videos and a little Victor Borge, we kissed the Grandma's goodbye. Later, we all watched a black-and-white together.

What a day! Low-stress and perfect. I didn't get any painting done, but I do have a few from last week that I'll post soon. And now, I'm itching to make some turkey tortellini, but I'm pretty sure that that is not happening today. We'll see.

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving.
I am so grateful for all that God has given me. He has given me everything. The more I look around me and count my blessings, the more I appreciate what He has done for me. Everything really does testify of Him. Our trials, the beauty of the earth, the blessings we receive - EVERYTHING points back to a merciful God who loves us.
This year, I've had some hard times, some trials. But I have learned and matured so much from them that I barely even recognize myself.
This year, He has also given me great people that influence my actions every day. He has given me friends that listen, friends that share, friends that care about me and can joke around and have fun. He's blessed me with parents that teach me, and help me to be better. He has given us the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ, so that we will never be lost in this world. He has shown us the way. He gave us the life of His Only Begotten Son. I am forever grateful for the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

I can't even comprehend all that He's done. But I am eternally grateful for my life and the chances I have everyday to talk to God and to receive inspiration and strength.