Blue sky

I'm grateful for sunshine after a big winter storm.

Visiting Teaching

Today I visited one of the sisters on my route.  Her name is Marcie.  She is not of my generation, in fact she is the same age Jamie.  I consider her to be one of the most wonderful sisters in my ward because of the way she thinks and her actions towards others.  We can talk about anything with a level of comfort that is just great.  I just sometimes think how amazing it is to find people at random times of life that are so easy to connect with.  Marcie is one of those people.  I don't know if she is one of those people who has this relationship with everyone, or if it is unique between us or just a small few, but I am grateful for friends like her.  Part of it I think is a connection on a spiritual level.  Some people feel very free to share their spiritual feelings and some don't.  She is a spiritual sharer.
She also has a daughter named Leila, so she has great taste in names!

Lion

Today Joanne and I went to see this movie called Lion about a five year old boy in India who was separated from his family from falling asleep on a empty train and ending up 1500 miles away from his home.  It wasn't until 25 years later, after being raised by an Australian family that he figured out how to find them.  Amazing true story that made me so thankful for my blessed, in tact life with my family.  There are so many things that are taken for granted until you see the story of another.  The only constant it seems on earth is that we all go thru trials and we are free to handle them with hope or bitterness.  I'm grateful for all the peoples stories who inspire others to be better because they learned about them.

When I'm 64

Since we celebrated my birthday early, my actual birthday was quiet.  I went to the gym in the morning (was actually sung to because a friend remembered it was my birthday) then spent the day responding to birthday messages on Facebook while watching the snow fall.  It was peaceful, reflective and quite nice.  So today, I'm grateful for amazing technology that allows me to connect with people from my past in a surprisingly easy way.  Type and click ... connected!  If I would have seen as a teenager what we have today, I wouldn't have believed it.  It would have been like Star Trek ... not possible.  But here we are today touching lives across cities, states, countries and oceans.  It's grand in its reach and amazing in the blessing it is to our lives.

February 21, 2017

Today I'm grateful for babies that have come to our family.  I was babysitting for chad and Clara for a few hours today and it was pure heaven playing with Lincoln.  He was happy and smiley and giggly
for three hours and then he just fell asleep in my arms.  It was a treat to have that experience today.

I just noticed this on Lori's blog again and I thought, why not just post something once a day that I'm grateful for.  That shouldn't be hard, right?  As I am just about to turn 64, I am very thankful for the blessing of health my whole life.  I sometimes tell people that I have never been put under anesthesia, because I've never had to have any major surgery.  That's a great blessing to me.  I could only hope I can go thru the rest of my life saying that.  We shall see, but for now ... it doesn't slip by me that I've had very few health issues.  I'm grateful everyday!

A New Start!

I know you probably thought I had given up on this blog, but there is nothing like a new start to get the blogging going again. The Mills family has moved to Mapleton. I know a lot of people here in Utah but I still feel like a stranger. All the things that used to occupy my time have been left behind and will have to be replaced by something new. It's strange after 25 years to go through this again, but here we are! A new chapter begins!!

Perspective

Marvin Ray Winner Feb. 9, 1926 - Jan. 13, 2010

I am grateful for funerals. I know it's odd, but it always give me a perspective that one usually can't get in any other way. Today I went to the funeral of Marvin Winner. I know his wife from church though I didn't know him at all, he didn't come much. Besides the tender feelings shared from his family members, which is always sweet, the gospel message part of the funeral is always very inspiring to me. Today it was given by David Corbett and he did a great job. These talks always bring into focus several things for me.

One- life is short and I would do well to make everyday count.

Two- the plan of happiness is central to my life and Jesus Christ is central to the plan. My thoughts and actions should be in harmony with His gospel.

Three- God loves all of his children... including me. It is comforting to feel the love that seems to fill up the room at a funeral. I think a lot of that love is being passed around from person to person, but I think Heavenly Father also shares a great portion of his love at these times also. Our new bishop, just called, didn't know Marvin either but the love he was feeling was showing as he conducted.

Four- Learning about the life of someone at their funeral always make me wish I would have known them better while they were alive. I don't know exactly what to do about that...

The funeral was all around a very peaceful, very spiritual hour spent reflecting on life and what I am doing with mine. I am grateful for funerals.

The Christmas Spirit

The Christmas Spirit

I thought this was a wonderful video depicting the true spirit of Christmas....Enjoy

Granddaughter Heaven

I haven't written anything in a while....I suppose nothing inspired me, until recently. How could a grandma not be inspired by another addition to her grandchildren. Gwen is number 6 and she is completely adorable. I am very grateful for the opportunity to see the next generation being born into our family. Nothing is more sweet. I love all my grandchildren and I fell in love with Gwen the moment I got to hold her in the hospital.