Thankful Every Day 9

Today, I am so thankful for

In reading about the Sandy hurricane/storm victims in the East, I realize just how critical ELECTRICITY is...

I mean, think of what a person does in one day:

shower - hot water from electricity
curl hair - using electricity
eat breakfast - blender or stove using electricity
work on the computer - using electricity
listen to music on the radio - gotta have electricity
watch a sports show on tv - need electricity
iron some clothes - yep, I need electricity
wash and dry clothes - electricity is once again needed
read at bedtime - electricity so I can see

Everything we do during the day is dependent on electricity.

So, today, while the sun shines, I'm so very grateful for that marvelous invention

e.le.c.t.r.i.c.i.t.y.

Thankful Every Day 8

I've always appreciated that RAH had a steady job over our married life.

But working at the Employment Center has taught me something......

his job is and has been SUCH A GREAT BLESSING!

When I see:
82 year old man
65 year old man
32 year old single mother of two
35 year old single mother of four
55 year old woman with mooching husband
21 year old convicted felon
homeless

people...

all needing one thing:

INCOME.

I realize how incredibly grateful i am for the three letter word...

a JOB.

So, that is what I am so grateful for today...jobs and income.

Thank you, Heavenly Father for RAH's job over many years.

Four Years Ago....

on this very day...the day after the Presidential Election - 2008,

RAH and I were in Alexandria, Virginia on a home exchange.

We were sitting in the family room watching the evening news from Washington, DC.  The news reporters were showing the reactions of people in the Nation's Capital after hearing the news of Barack Obama winning the election.

People were ecstatic!  America had elected its first Black President; it was an historic moment and we were right there where it was all happening; oh, it was exciting.

As the new reporters showed the enthusiasm and excitement of the throngs of people in the streets of DC, they began to interview many of the people in the streets.

I'll never forget one young Black lady who said:

"This is the happiest day of my life...a Black President!  I'll never have to work another day in my life!"

I sat there stunned....was that what she really thought it meant to elect a Black President?

Sadly, that statement was a foreshadowing of things to come and of attitudes that permeate our country...it is not just Blacks, however.  I do not mean to imply that.  But, the attitude of, "I don't have to work.  The government will now take care of me."

It's frightening...
It's scary....
It's not the America I know and love.

May God Bless America!

Thankful Every Day 7

A Car....

On our mission, we meet many adults who have no transportation.

They bike, walk or take the bus....

Now, walking and biking can be very good ways to get around.

But, I'm very grateful we have a car.  We live too far to walk to places - like our mission, grocery store, to visit sylvia, etc.

I have taken transportation for granted most of my life, but I'm definitely grateful now!

A Job for Every Seeker...

I wish we could guarantee that.

I wish that there were jobs for all those who want them.

But, unfortunately, it is just not so...

The 50 year old who has experience and skills, but no bachelor's degree....
The 21 year-old one who has a felony and can't work in certain jobs....
The single 30 year-old mother of four who has health issues, no transportation and was fired from her    last two jobs.....
The 65 year old who needs to supplement his social security.....
The 32 year old single mother who just up and quit her good job two years ago and now can't get                            rehired....

....these were all from Monday and Tuesday.

And, speaking of these people who need jobs...one of the men I visited with told me about courting his wife.  He sent her flowers every day for a week, bought her a pair of diamond earrings, and won her heart.  He spent five hundred dollars in one week courting her.

I didn't ask, but I wanted to say, "Well, how many flowers have you sent her in the last ten years?"

Thankful Every Day 6

AMERICA

is what I am thankful for today on this day of voting.

And, even though my candidate is not likely to win, I love the idea of having the privilege to VOTE.

I am forever grateful to live in this incredible country.

Thank you, Heavenly Father, for the blessing I have to live here!

I truly do love my land, America.

Thankful Every Day 5

F.A.M.I.L.Y.

Immediate and extended.

My cousin from Rexburg visited yesterday.  She's beautiful, fun, good, funny.

I do love my family.