I found this article while reading an e-newsletter I recieve.I thought it fitting to post here.
For Times When We May Not Feel Very Thankful
By Vickey Pahnke Taylor Comment on Article
We wish we could feel ‘up’ and full of gratitude all the time, 24/7. Truer, however, is that some times we just don’t feel very thankful. Maybe we’ve been hurt by a family member or friend. Maybe the support we’ve counted on has seemingly let us down. Sometimes physical trials or financial woes seem unending. Maybe we feel alone – even when surrounded by others. Or maybe we’re just so doggoned tired that we can’t seem to dredge up much feeling of any kind.

These are not empty words…. I feel these feelings sometimes and, although I wish I could blink them away, it isn’t that easy. Sigh….. But then – nothing worth having comes cheap, does it?

When we don’t have that “attitude of gratitude” that we strive for, and are feeling either painful, empty or over the edge of tiredness, what is there to grasp that might give us back that feeling of hope, light, and cheer?

This age-old question has been addressed lots of times, in lots of ways. I have no new wisdom to add, or quick fixes to offer. I do, however, have a beautiful thought that brings me an extra bit of cheer and determination when I need it. They are the words of Helen Keller:
"For three things I thank God every day of my life: thanks that he has vouchsafed me knowledge of his works; deep thanks that he has set in my darkness the lamp of faith; deep, deepest thanks that I have another life to look forward to--a life joyous with light and flowers and heavenly song."
Because of Helen Keller’s seeming disabilities, she grew very “abilitied” in her spiritual self. Though she could not see, hear, or speak, her communications came through in the most beautiful, uplifting, and glorious ways. Apparently, they grew within her heart because of her daily “Three Thanks”.

Her three choices for daily gratitude were:

1. Knowledge of God’s works. We gain knowledge through reading scriptures, prayers, and deep ponderings. Our revelation grows as does our understanding of Godly things. Apparently, Helen knew what we have been taught- Read, Ponder, Pray. Our God grants us as much knowledge and understanding as we dare seek.

2. Faith. Hebrews 11:11 teaches us: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Many prophets have spoken on the subject of faith. This gift is like a muscle that grows stronger as it is used and developed. Helen had inner eyes that saw much more than these earthly eyes can comprehend. Her path was lit with the lamp of faith.

3. A heavenly life to look forward to. Matthew 18:3 reminds us that we need to become like little children. Little ones are full of anticipation, open to love and to learning, full of wisdom that trailed them from their pre-mortal time which grants them a certain joy that this world’s darkness can dim. Helen Keller’s earthly life was, by most comparisons, difficult. The overcoming of those difficulties came through the amazing goodness and kindness of a teacher who loved her, and through Helen’s own remarkable ability to live according to the instruction we receive in the Book of Mormon:

“..Press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.”(2 Ne 31:20)

She knew that one fine day she would see with perfect eyes, hear music with perfect ears, and enjoy all the blessings that heaven offers.

We can imagine that Ms Keller gave thanks for many additional blessings on a daily basis. But this foundation grants all of us the extra oomph- when taken to heart and utilized- for times when we may not feel very thankful!

We wish we could feel ‘up’ and full of gratitude all the time, 24/7. Truer, however, is that some times we just don’t feel very thankful. Maybe we’ve been hurt by a family member or friend. Maybe the support we’ve counted on has seemingly let us down. Sometimes physical trials or financial woes seem unending. Maybe we feel alone – even when surrounded by others. Or maybe we’re just so doggoned tired that we can’t seem to dredge up much feeling of any kind.

These are not empty words…. I feel these feelings sometimes and, although I wish I could blink them away, it isn’t that easy. Sigh….. But then – nothing worth having comes cheap, does it?

When we don’t have that “attitude of gratitude” that we strive for, and are feeling either painful, empty or over the edge of tiredness, what is there to grasp that might give us back that feeling of hope, light, and cheer?

This age-old question has been addressed lots of times, in lots of ways. I have no new wisdom to add, or quick fixes to offer. I do, however, have a beautiful thought that brings me an extra bit of cheer and determination when I need it. They are the words of Helen Keller:
"For three things I thank God every day of my life: thanks that he has vouchsafed me knowledge of his works; deep thanks that he has set in my darkness the lamp of faith; deep, deepest thanks that I have another life to look forward to--a life joyous with light and flowers and heavenly song."
Because of Helen Keller’s seeming disabilities, she grew very “abilitied” in her spiritual self. Though she could not see, hear, or speak, her communications came through in the most beautiful, uplifting, and glorious ways. Apparently, they grew within her heart because of her daily “Three Thanks”.

Her three choices for daily gratitude were:

1. Knowledge of God’s works. We gain knowledge through reading scriptures, prayers, and deep ponderings. Our revelation grows as does our understanding of Godly things. Apparently, Helen knew what we have been taught- Read, Ponder, Pray. Our God grants us as much knowledge and understanding as we dare seek.

2. Faith. Hebrews 11:11 teaches us: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Many prophets have spoken on the subject of faith. This gift is like a muscle that grows stronger as it is used and developed. Helen had inner eyes that saw much more than these earthly eyes can comprehend. Her path was lit with the lamp of faith.

3. A heavenly life to look forward to. Matthew 18:3 reminds us that we need to become like little children. Little ones are full of anticipation, open to love and to learning, full of wisdom that trailed them from their pre-mortal time which grants them a certain joy that this world’s darkness can dim. Helen Keller’s earthly life was, by most comparisons, difficult. The overcoming of those difficulties came through the amazing goodness and kindness of a teacher who loved her, and through Helen’s own remarkable ability to live according to the instruction we receive in the Book of Mormon:

“..Press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.”(2 Ne 31:20)

She knew that one fine day she would see with perfect eyes, hear music with perfect ears, and enjoy all the blessings that heaven offers.

We can imagine that Ms Keller gave thanks for many additional blessings on a daily basis. But this foundation grants all of us the extra oomph- when taken to heart and utilized- for times when we may not feel very thankful!

We wish we could feel ‘up’ and full of gratitude all the time, 24/7. Truer, however, is that some times we just don’t feel very thankful. Maybe we’ve been hurt by a family member or friend. Maybe the support we’ve counted on has seemingly let us down. Sometimes physical trials or financial woes seem unending. Maybe we feel alone – even when surrounded by others. Or maybe we’re just so doggoned tired that we can’t seem to dredge up much feeling of any kind.

These are not empty words…. I feel these feelings sometimes and, although I wish I could blink them away, it isn’t that easy. Sigh….. But then – nothing worth having comes cheap, does it?

When we don’t have that “attitude of gratitude” that we strive for, and are feeling either painful, empty or over the edge of tiredness, what is there to grasp that might give us back that feeling of hope, light, and cheer?

This age-old question has been addressed lots of times, in lots of ways. I have no new wisdom to add, or quick fixes to offer. I do, however, have a beautiful thought that brings me an extra bit of cheer and determination when I need it. They are the words of Helen Keller:

"For three things I thank God every day of my life: thanks that he has vouchsafed me knowledge of his works; deep thanks that he has set in my darkness the lamp of faith; deep, deepest thanks that I have another life to look forward to--a life joyous with light and flowers and heavenly song."

Because of Helen Keller’s seeming disabilities, she grew very “abilitied” in her spiritual self. Though she could not see, hear, or speak, her communications came through in the most beautiful, uplifting, and glorious ways. Apparently, they grew within her heart because of her daily “Three Thanks”.

Her three choices for daily gratitude were:

1. Knowledge of God’s works. We gain knowledge through reading scriptures, prayers, and deep ponderings. Our revelation grows as does our understanding of Godly things. Apparently, Helen knew what we have been taught- Read, Ponder, Pray. Our God grants us as much knowledge and understanding as we dare seek.

2. Faith. Hebrews 11:11 teaches us: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Many prophets have spoken on the subject of faith. This gift is like a muscle that grows stronger as it is used and


developed. Helen had inner eyes that saw much more than these earthly eyes can comprehend. Her path was lit with the lamp of faith.

3. A heavenly life to look forward to. Matthew 18:3 reminds us that we need to become like little children. Little ones are full of anticipation, open to love and to learning, full of wisdom that trailed them from their pre-mortal time which grants them a certain joy that this world’s darkness can dim. Helen Keller’s earthly life was, by most comparisons, difficult. The overcoming of those difficulties came through the amazing goodness and kindness of a teacher who loved her, and through Helen’s own remarkable ability to live according to the instruction we receive in the Book of Mormon:

“..Press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.”(2 Ne 31:20)

She knew that one fine day she would see with perfect eyes, hear music with perfect ears, and enjoy all the blessings that heaven offers.

We can imagine that Ms Keller gave thanks for many additional blessings on a daily basis. But this foundation grants all of us the extra oomph- when taken to heart and utilized- for times when we may not feel very thankful!

Spent three months in Utah. Had lots of fun and lots of heartache.
inherited my grandmothers hemstitching machine and bought her rug loom from my aunt.
Will be making payments to my folks for it.
Still have my oldest son living with me. When will he get his life figured out?
Learned lots of new things.Got to attend the temple several times,wanted to go more.
Caught up with an old friend BeckyLynn and never did get to spend time with Debany one of my oldest friends.It kind of hurt.
Felt like I didn't matter. Didn't even see my oldest brother,he never goes out of his way for anything or anyone. If you want to see him it's all up to you.
Utah Mormon's are so different from all the others.

Today is Sunday and what a spiritual feeding we received in Relief Society.
The lesson was on prayer.How thankful I am for prayer.My youngest daughter and I prayed and fasted for my father. We love him so much.
He had his procedure for cancer on Thursday and went home Friday, and was up working on the farm on Saturday.
Oh my goodness does nothing slow him down?
That was my blessing to count for this entry.
These pic's of prayer I added because I like them.


I love the fact that George Washington even knelt in prayer.







This painting is called "The Angelus" and was painted by Jean Francois Millet.
I don't know if there's any relation but I love this painting anyway.
I love the fact that they take time out of their work to pray.
In our Sunday School lesson the teacher brought up the fact of traditions. The lesson was about the Moses leading the Israelites out of Egypt and the reason they wandered for forty years was so that god could teach the young children his ways and get the traditions of the parents out of the new seed, teaching them to rely and have faith in god.
That is why we have been taught in our generation to have Family prayer,Scripture Study and Family Home Evening.
Prayer was such a major cornerstone in the past, it is sad so see Satan succeeding so well at removing from our society.
We need to work much harder to stop him.
Well that is it for now, it took me almost all day to get this done ,but that's o.k.

Helen Kane Pictures

Helen Kane Pictures
I've watched Veronica every day this week minus Monday.
She has discovered Betty Boop and asks everyday to watch her. I think she really likes her.

I am just about ready to go to Utah for the summer.I got the last signature on my recommend last night. I'm all set in that area.

Dad had his surgery yesterday. I talked to him last night. He is supposed to go home today.
I'm so thankful for the priesthood. Davin and Kenneth gave him a blessing before he went in.

I THINK I'VE FIGURED THIS PICTURE POSTING THING OUT......YOU HAVE TO DO IT ALL BACKWARDS!
SHOULDN'T BE TO HARD SINCE I'M LEFT HANDED AND SEE AND DO EVERYTHING BACKWARDS NATURALLY. THAT IS TIL SOME RIGHT HANDED PERSON COMES ALONG AND TELLS ME I'M ALL WRONG.



MY SISTER CALLED ME THE OTHER DAY AND TOLD ME THAT DAD AND MOM HAD A FIRE IN THEIR HOUSE.
IT WAS OUT ON THE DECK WHERE DAD HAS HIS WOOD BURNING STOVE.
HE THINKS SOMETHING GOT BLOWN INTO THE CHIMNEY AND STARTED IT. IT HAS BEEN VERY WINDY THERE LATELY.
IT SMOLDERED OVER NIGHT AND NEVER CAUGHT MUCH OF A FLAME DUE TO THE KIND OF INSULATION THAT WAS UP IN THE ATTIC.
NEEDLESS TO SAY WE ALL FEEL VERY BLESSED. I THANK HEAVENLY FATHER THAT IT WAS SO SMALL.
MOM WILL BE HAPPY, THE INSURANCE CO. HAS SENT PEOPLE IN TO CLEAN UP SO SHE GETS A GOOD SPRING CLEANING DONE BY SOMEONE ELSE. WHAT A BLESSING.

MY VIEW ON GOVERNMENT THESE DAYS.THIS IS A COMIC THAT WAS PUBLISHED IN 1934
WHAT IRONEY.




ONE OF MY GREAT LOVES!!!! HORSES!!! I WOULD LOVE LOVE LOVE ONE OF THESE!!!!!!
I JUST FOUND THEM AND I HAVE TO SAY THEY ARE NOW MY FAVORITE BREED.
ANOTHER BLESSING!
OH BY THE WAY THE BREED NAME IS GYPSY VANNERS. THEY COME FROM EUROPE AND WERE BREED BY GYPSYS TO PULL THIER WAGONS. THEY HAVE RECENTLY BEEN INTRODUCED TO THIS COUNTRY.

EASTER .....MY FAVORITE HOLIDAY

THE MOST IMPORTANT BLESSING I AM THANKFUL FOR IS THE GIFT THE SAVIOR BLESSED ALL MANKIND WITH.... THE ATONEMENT.

COULD YOU SACRIFICE YOURSELF FOR ALL MANKIND OR WOULD YOU?
I DON'T THINK I COULD NO MATTER HOW MUCH I MIGHT WANT TO. WHAT A BLESSING WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN.
HOW DO WE SHOW OUR SAVIOR WE APPRECIATE HIS SACRIFICE, THE DROPS OF BLOOD HE SPILLED FOR ALL OF US? DO WE REMEMBER THAT EACH DROP OF BLOOD REPRESENTS A SIN COMMITTED BY SOME ONE LIVING ON THE EARTH, THAT EVERY SIN COMMITTED IS REPRESENTED BY A DROP OF BLOOD? KIND OF MAKES ME THINK TWICE WHEN MAKING CHOICES.
I AM SO THANKFUL FOR HIS ATONEMENT. I WOULDN'T MAKE IT IF NOT FOR THAT.

NEXT BLESSING, THAT I HAVE A P.C. TO WATCH CONFERENCE ON,SINCE IT WON'T BE BROADCAST ON T.V. DOWN HERE ANYMORE.

THIRD BLESSING, SPRING MY FAVORITE SEASON.
A TIME OF NEW LIFE, THE SPRING FLOWERS WITH ALL THEIR SCENTS. THE PLEASANT DAYS.

8-CENT FAMILY SIZE DORITOS. WANT TO KNOW ABOUT IT GET IN TOUCH WITH ME AND I'LL TELL YOU AND EVEN SEND THE E-MAIL TO YOU.

WELL THATS IT FOR NOW. HAPPY EASTER

Today was colonial day for my daughter I got her dress done to a wearable point.
She wore it today and loved it.
Here are a couple of pic's of her in her dress.





Sadly while at school kids stepped on it and ripped the skirt from the waist.
It ripped further while she was dancing.

She said she had fun during the positive times, but we all know how mean and vindictive children can be and of course since she is the scape goat there were some negative moments too.
I'll bet the teachers are glad the day is over.
I'm glad it's over too now, I need to clean up my kitchen from sewing in there.
The light in my sewing room is best during the day and I sewed from 6:30 a.m.yesterday to 2:30 a.m.this morning. I knew I would need the light in the kitchen to do the job.
I got up this morning at 6:30 to take care of a little girl I watch and to dress my daughter for her colonial day.I'm running on about 3 hrs of sleep.
I would love to go to bed now but know I won't sleep tonight if I do.

Blessing : I'm not under a time line anymore.I now have made the dress and my oldest daughter loved it and wants me to make her one for Halloween so now I have the experience with this pattern.In a nut shell FINISHED AND EXPERIENCE.

I'm a ZOMBIE or at least thats how I feel.

DRAMA= AHHHHH

I can't stand drama! It is all around me.
I just feel very blessed that I am here and not in Utah. I would be thrown in prison for murder.
My youngest sister is going through a rough patch right now caused by others and their drama.
It makes me so mad that I could just kill those responsible.

OK, that's all for now. I don't need to be negative anymore and I won't go into details.

Yesterday I had a very nice blessing, I bought a pattern and thought I would be paying the priced marked on the envelope (if anyone sews out there they know patterns are very expensive), this one listed for $16.95, when they were finished ringing me up it turned out to be $2.50, wow what a shocker if I had more money I would have bought more.

I am making a colonial dress for my youngest daughter for school. They are having colonial days then end of next week.

The weather here has been in the 70s and everyone wants me to turn on the a/c.
I just tell them to open the windows and doors. It's too nice out for the refrigeration to be on.

Another blessing, My oldest son is moving out into his own place.
I'm happy for him.

Another thing I'm happy about my dk on wow is a lvl 70 now, woohoo.

I will be busy this week sewing the dress. Why do I do these things?

Enjoy the music I finally found a player to embed.
wow all this comp. jargon keeps me confused.

I'm off for the night.Goodnight.

It is spring here in the valley of the sun all of my African daisies are in bloom.
I am so blessed to be able to experience it.
I love the spring for all the flowers and the waking up of the earth.

I also love it for the reminder it is of the atonement of Christ. How thankful I am for the atonement.
When I mess up. I have hope.



Another blessing, the blessings received in the temple.In the last five years the Lord has watched over and blessed my Family in ways to numerous to mention.
He has provided for our every need.

I'm grateful for lower gas and electric bills.

This week has been busy. My oldest daughter and I had a stake Relief Society meeting on Tuesday which we sang at with seven other sisters. We had only a week to learn music I had never laid eyes on before. We were told we did a pretty good job .

On Wednesday my youngest had new beginnings and I had a couple of things to prepare for it.
It was a wonderful program.
She received a ring and necklace to remind her of her commitments to her Heavenly Father.

I really want to spend the summer in Utah.
I'm seeing some conflicts though.
My youngest has girls camp at the end of June.
I'm not sure where I would stay. I would love to just camp at the farm for the summer.
My oldest daughter is not to happy with the idea of me being gone that long.

Officially it is Thursday but since I haven't gone to bed yet it's still Wednesday to me.
Blessings today: School, where I hope my youngest is getting an education.
Work, where my three older children can be a contributing members of society.
Friends of my children to keep them from being bored.
My e-mail friends and facebook game buddys.
A newer and more reliable vehicle.
I will be going out tomorrow, the tags on my truck are due at the end of this month.

Writing this blog,it is helping me improve my nonexsistant typing skills. I hunt and peck and I'm getting better at finding the letters.Memory is not my strong suite.
I am seeing errors in my writing and fixing them or most of them.

Tomorrow I will be spending part of the day with my oldest daughter running errands.

I know there are more blessings but I am tired and need to go to bed so goodnight until tomorrow.

Today is almost over and I need to write something.
Let's see: my blessings for today.
It was a beautiful sunny day again to day.
We had received quite a bit of rain last month,so much that the washes were running.
The last time it rained was Sunday and it was fairly heavy and fell for most of the night and half of the day.
It is getting very green around here,something we don't see very often,I love it!
The African Daisy's in my front yard are blooming. I love them. I would love to find some blue ones.

We have a cactus wren nest in the cactus in the front of the house, right under my youngest daughters window. She saw it while looking out her bedroom window.
Maybe we will be able to watch her lay her eggs and see them hatch.

The little hummingbird is back sipping nectar from the flowers in front.He has been a visitor for at least 7 or 8 years. I have seen him flitting about them chirping indignantly at me,that I would dare cross his path.I love to see and hear him flitting about.

Small blessing I know,but very appreciated.
Another blessing SPELL CHECK, yay!

I decided that I need to start a blog.
Why, for years I kept a journal then just stopped.

I have a negativity problem that was handed down from my mother.
I have noticed that as I have gotten older I am becoming too much like her, So this blog.

My goal is to write in here daily and count my many blessings for I have received many.

I will be turning 55 in 4 days and have spent way to much time surviving thru life,I want to live life and enjoy it a lot more.

I have physical disabilities that make it a challenge at this time but I am hoping in the near future to be able to solve those problems.

Yesterday was stake conference I and my 2 daughters sang in the choir so we got really nice soft seats.

Elder Hales was there and spoke tous or rather I should say taught us.
The whole conference was such a spiritual feast.
There were 5 or 6 speakers and it was all very uplifting.
Our stake president spoke first and was brought to tears as he thanked us for prayers on his behalf.

Last summer he almost lost his arm in a boating accident.
It looks as though he has use of his arm back and hand strength how much I don't know, but he was able to pick up his scriptures and they weren't small ones.

The next speaker was a young woman who turns out was in the first ward I lived in when I moved here after getting married.I got to see her parents who I haven't seen in 25 years.

She spoke on our homes being a safe and warm haven much like the temple is and feeling the comfort in our homes that we feel there.

She shared a story about when she was little and walking home from school on a rainy day, it was a light rain so she and her sisters were taking there time and playing in the rain along the way, (since it hardly rains here)all of a sudden the wind picked up and when she looked up she was a wall of rain .
It started raining harder all at once all of them started running for home they were quite a ways from home so by the time they got there they were soaked and cold, upon entering their home they found their mother ready with warm towels,pop corn and hot chocolate.
The feeling they had was one of safety and love.
I think that is the way we will feel when we finally return to heavenly father.

Elder Hales taught us out of luke 17 and spoke mainly to the youth.
there was so much I can't remember it all but I did read luke 17 this morning so when I want to remember I can always go back there and read that.

So I think my blessing for today is that I still am spiritually full.
Other blessings, my daughter made scrambled eggs for me the way I like them.
It is a sunny bright day out side.
The dogs keep barking so I am aware there is somthing going on outside which I will check out when I am finished here.
The house is quiet.
My time is my own.
Two of my favorite things, being alone and silence.

I also am going to set a goal to read my scriptures daily.I'm reading the pearl of great price. I read about the Lord teaching abraham about god's time. It is all very interesting.
I am working with my daughter on the young woman's values and have a goal to complete it with her.