In thanksgiving daily

Karen and I have discussed during the past few weeks the things that we are grateful for.  We have been here visiting family for over a month now and we have seen all of our siblings, parents, grandparents, and most of our aunts and uncles.  It has truly been a blessing to see our family again.  Many of you may be aware that this will most likely be Karen's last opportunity to see family.  All I will say about that is that her cancer is progressing and she is terminal.  Please email me if you would like more details.

Anyway, we continue the list of things for which we are grateful.  We are thankful for each other.  We have had a very happy marriage that has already lasted three joyous years and we know that it will last through all of the eternities because we were married in the temple.  We have enjoyed each other's company very dearly.  God has been very kind to give us each other.

We are grateful for all of our family and the love that they have showed us.  We are grateful for our friends and our neighbors.  We are grateful for the ward members in our ward.  They have been our family away from home and have taken care of us very well.  Even at this time they are taking care of our garden while we are away from home.  They have been there for us while we have been so far away from our home and family. 

We are grateful for the knowledge of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  We know the Plan of Salvation.  We know the purpose of life and the reason why we are here.  We know where we came from and where we are going.  We know that after this life is over we will go on to a more glorious life on the other side of the veil.  We know that we can live with our family and with our God in the next life and enjoy eternal life with Him. 

We have been blessed financially.  We have been able to pay for our own expenses and live within our means.  We have no debt other than our mortgage, which is very important to both of us.  We have been blessed with an excellent insurance plan to cover all of Karen's medical expenses.  Without her insurance plan we know that we would be bankrupt, but because of its wonderful coverage we have had to pay very little of her expenses ourselves. 

We are grateful to the faculty and staff at the schools where Karen taught music these last two years.  They have also acted as a proxy family for us while we are in Tennessee.  They have showed us much love and support and have been very thoughful in the things that they do for us.

For all of these things, and for many more that are too dear to publish, we thank the Lord our God and proclaim His glory.