28 Reasons to be Thankful

Last year, I wrote a gratitude list. This year I want to do the same. Since Thanksgiving fell on the 28^th this year, I think it is fair to write 28 things that has made me grateful this year.

1-      I was able to go back to Ukraine. I was able to see my friends and make new friends. I also attended a religious conference for all the young, single adults in Ukraine.

2-      I am grateful to be learning a new language. Since I began learning Russian, my eyes have been opened. I am beginning to understand the structure of the English language (as strange as that sounds) but it has also made my English speaking ability worse (which probably sounds more strange).

3-      I am grateful for BYU-Idaho. Every time I go on that campus I feel welcomed, like I am supposed to be there.

4-      I am grateful for food because it keeps me alive and it is pleasing to my taste buds.

5-      Trials. Never in my wildest dreams would I think to be grateful for my trials but I am. I have learned so much from them. I wouldn’t trade those lessons for anything.

6-      I am thankful for my old friends who have stuck with me through the years.

7-      I am thankful for the friends I have made this year. I feel like I have known them longer.

8-      I am thankful for my parents. I don’t have the closest relationship with them but I can definitely tell that it is a little better than in years past.

9-      I am grateful for the ability to live my dreams of traveling the world.

10-  I am grateful for the people I have met during my travels.

11-  I am thankful for the standards that I have. Many people see it as a long list of dos and don’ts but that is not how I see it. The standards that I hold show that I will not be tossed to and fro with the world’s changing and conflicting standards. I stand firmly with my feet planted on the ground. I know who I am and I don’t need the world to tell me.

12-  I am thankful for music. It captures my emotions and puts it into rhythm.

13-  I am thankful for the knowledge that I have that families can be together forever. I can’t imagine loving someone so much only to have that love end after this life.

14-  I am thankful for the written word. I am able to express myself better when I am given time to think and write down my thoughts.

15-  I am thankful for special education. Children who struggle learning or socializing can have a place that is at their level and they can succeed at their pace.

16-  I am thankful for the skills I have learned this year that will help me when I become a teacher.

17-  I am grateful for cameras.  I can document my life and all the reasons why I love it.

18-  I am grateful that I learned how to make Filipino food. I made it for the first time without my mom and it turned out great! I would have been happy if it was edible but it was amazing!!

19-  I have a working car. It has been with me for over five years. It will a sad, sad day indeed when I say goodbye to it.

20-  I am grateful for my testimony. It has be tried and tested this year but it came out stronger than before.

21-  I am grateful for tears and laughter that has been shared because it means I am alive.

22-  I am so thankful and will be forever indebted to my Savoir, Jesus Christ. If I didn’t believe in him then life would be meaningless.

23-  I am thankful for the power of repentance and the realness of the Atonement. Enough said…

24-  I am thankful for the gift and the companionship of the Holy Ghost. I would have gotten in to a few pickles if it weren’t for his guidance.

25-  I am grateful for this holiday. It is a great time to reflect and appreciate the things we may have let slide pass us.

26-  I am thankful for the scriptures. I learn so much every time I read them.

27-  I am grateful for the smile I have been given. It has been through a lot. Most people don’t even know what my smile has witnessed.

I am grateful to be Erika! I don’t want to be anybody else! I love being me.