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Ten Things of Thankful: Perspective Brings Hope

That title hints at sorrow or pain, but I really haven't had anything horrible happen this week.  I've just been thinking about beliefs I hold which help me see the bright side of life. Also, spring is right around the corner, calendar-wise--and in full bloom, weather-wise--and with it, the Easter season.
I'm thankful.

 1.  No one is perfect.  Rather, Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are perfect, and the rest of us are not.  Because we are all in the same boat, there is no need to judge or compare.  I'm not in a position to bring up the short-comings of others, and there is no need to beat myself up for my own failures.
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 2.  Jesus Christ has conquered both spiritual and physical death.  
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3.  It is the simple things that make a big difference.  Prayer, scripture study, and making and keeping covenants with our Heavenly Father all bring strength to meet the challenges of life.
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4.  We are here to love each other.   1 Corinthians 13 teaches us not just what love is, but also what love is not.  Of course, we aren't perfect at loving, but we do our best to develop that pure love that Christ has.
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Love of and for God and love for fellowmen really sums up what I hope I stand for, and recognizing His help gives me patience and encouragement.

 This week, I've felt that love.  I'm thankful.

 5.  I observed service rendered and service graciously received. Everyone benefited.  

 6.  I observed the beauty of nature.  (If you haven't seen the photos of the California poppy fields this year, you'll want to click on that link.) Flowers and sunsets were especially beautiful this week.


7.  On a related note, I went for another walk and shared not only the experience of observing nature, but also shared helpful conversation.  The end was better than the beginning, and that's always a good thing. 

8.  I had an opportunity to help some people learn about Relative Finder.  In past posts, found here and here, I've explained how to participate in this fun family history site.  Go try it out.  Let me know who you are related to--who knows, we could be cousins!  

 9.  Willow helped a grieving man.  John and I, for date night last night, went to LA's Union Station.  Metro was presenting a free slide show by Charles Phoenix.  We've seen several of Charles Phoenix's slide shows before, and always enjoy them.  Anyway, we sat next to a man who leaned over during the performance to tell me that he had just put his dog down this week, and out of all the places we could sit, we chose to sit next to him.  I allowed him to pet Willow, she loved the attention, and I think she helped ease his pain.  

10.  I'm thankful for John, for so many different reasons and on so many different levels.  On the lighter side, we just have fun together.  He's looking forward to pie for breakfast today.  At 9:26, of course.  And we'll have pie tonight at the same time. (It is National Pi Day.) On a more serious note, we are married.  We have entered into a covenant together, and with God.  We are stronger together than we are individually.  




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Comments

  1. Tired TeacherMarch 14, 2015 at 11:02 AM

    Another wonderful post. Faith, love, and hope are necessary in this shattered world.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. KristiMarch 15, 2015 at 6:10 AM

      With those three, it doesn't really matter what storms may come.

      Delete
  2. AnonymousMarch 14, 2015 at 11:48 AM

    Your faith always helps you see the bright side of things. Happy Pi Day.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. KristiMarch 15, 2015 at 6:10 AM

      It does indeed. I think we'll be celebrating Pi Day all weekend, because we do have leftovers.

      Delete
  3. AnonymousMarch 14, 2015 at 2:51 PM

    Indeed, wonderful things to be thankful for. I love your post. (Well, all of them, but this is a really good one.)
    I love that Willow was able to comfort that man - right place, right time. Beautiful. I never questions seemingly chance connections like that because I believe they are really God's hand bringing people to where they need to be.
    Enjoy the pie for pi day!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. KristiMarch 15, 2015 at 6:12 AM

      I agree that chance connections are really tender mercies of the Lord.

      Delete
  4. UnknownMarch 14, 2015 at 4:30 PM

    Perspective is sometimes absolutely instrumental in my being able to be hopeful at times. Hey, where was the photo in the conservation (7) thankful from? AND way to go Willow!

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    Replies
    1. KristiMarch 15, 2015 at 6:15 AM

      The photo was taken at a local park. The photo shows the land just outside the park. I love spring here, because there are signs of life--greens that aren't just browns/greys, and color in wildflowers.

      Delete
  5. UnknownMarch 14, 2015 at 4:31 PM

    We had pi at work today... I brought it but no one understood....even after I explained it... therapists!

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    Replies
    1. KristiMarch 15, 2015 at 6:16 AM

      Well, John is an engineer, so we definitely celebrated. (We even had a countdown to the second we took the first bite!)

      Delete
  6. UnknownMarch 14, 2015 at 9:21 PM

    I made pi too! But not by 9:26, and we were out in the pm, so it'll be breakfast tomorrow. It's hard to stay on top of things.
    I try to take that same nonjudgmental attitude you described. To me, that's what the 1000 Voices is about.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. KristiMarch 15, 2015 at 6:17 AM

      Oh, you are a better woman than I. Our pie came from Costco. (And it will be breakfast today, too, because Costco pies are huge!)

      Delete
  7. Michelle LiewMarch 14, 2015 at 10:42 PM

    So glad that Willow helped to ease his pain. And Pi day sounds delicious!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. KristiMarch 15, 2015 at 6:18 AM

      Willow is a good dog. And Pi day was delicious!

      Delete
  8. RomiMarch 15, 2015 at 1:08 AM

    #10 is especially beautiful. :-)

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    Replies
    1. KristiMarch 15, 2015 at 6:19 AM

      Thank you. I am always thankful for John, and our marriage.

      Delete
  9. KimberlyMarch 15, 2015 at 5:56 AM

    How come I missed out on Pi day? I think that I am the only one on the planet that didn't know. I guess my allegiance lies with cupcakes :)
    Your right that no one is perfect. I tend to forget that sometimes.
    Nature - come to mama! We are finally starting to see our lawn! The snow is melting!!!
    Husbands are blessings. I love that you wrote that you are stronger together. You are a beautiful couple.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. KristiMarch 15, 2015 at 6:20 AM

      I'm sorry you missed out on Pi day, but there is nothing wrong with cupcakes! :-)

      Delete
  10. Marisa BMarch 15, 2015 at 8:05 AM

    Thank you for always reminding me what is more important I love the pictures I simply adore your date nights - you are two strong , i know the same is true for Nick and I - enjoy the rest of the weekend and have a wonderful week.



    ReplyDelete
  11. Clark FarleyMarch 15, 2015 at 8:08 AM

    dogs are amazing (and, as those of us with dogs know), even so soon after losing his own dog, I would totally bet that Willow produced (a bit of) peace in that person. (that seems to be one (of many) of the qualities of dogs… they provide a sense of total un-conditional love/regard/comfort no what what the individual's situation or circumstance

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. KristiMarch 15, 2015 at 6:48 PM

      Agreed. Willow seems particularly well-suited to that.

      Delete
  12. UnknownMarch 15, 2015 at 4:03 PM

    I bet Willow really did help relieve that gentleman's pain. Hope you have a great week next week.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. KristiMarch 15, 2015 at 6:49 PM

      I think she did. Thanks. Hope you have a great week, too!

      Delete
  13. GirlieOnTheEdgeMarch 16, 2015 at 8:58 PM

    What?! I missed Pi Day?! LOL What a wonderful thing. Never knew there was such a "holiday". I'll be sure to participate next year!
    This post was filled with goodness.Some excellent reminders:)
    Dogs are so amazing aren't they? Willow has the sweetest face. How could she not bring comfort to those around her:)

    ReplyDelete
  14. Dyanne @ I Want BacksiesMarch 16, 2015 at 9:10 PM

    I didn't get a pie made in time for pi day, but since I'm HORRIBLE at math, I'll just celebrate it another day :)
    I'm still looking for my poppy pictures. They will be quite a contrast to yours, if I ever locate them!
    We had trouble with #1 when Emma was in 4th grade. She thought she had to be perfect at everything in school, because she was gifted (I really need to write about raising gifted kids some time; they are just as far from "normal" as mentally handicapped kids). We talked about how God is the only perfect being, and it finally helped her.
    Oh, that sweet Willow! I really think we're going to give the service puppy thing a try!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. KristiMarch 22, 2015 at 4:04 PM

      I didn't get one made, either, but Costco makes a tasty apple pie!

      I've been to the poppy fields on cold, windy days, so I can imagine what your photos must look like. (I'd still like to see them, though.)

      Gifted kids are an interesting bunch, aren't they? Some of my kids have been in gifted programs, too. You should write a blog post (or posts) about your experiences.

      As for the service puppy thing: Do it! Do it! Do it!

      Delete
  15. UnknownMarch 17, 2015 at 10:19 AM

    Yes a million times YES to "no one is perfect." Something I remind my children all the time! We're all works in progress, always learning and growing.
    Nature is especially gorgeous in spring!!!

    ReplyDelete
  16. StitchinByTheLakeMarch 18, 2015 at 5:37 PM

    Wonderful post - thanks for sharing your thoughts with us! blessings, marlene

    ReplyDelete

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