I have a fairly large family we had a grand total of 22 people for dinner this year.( We were missing a couple of people) Our Thanksgiving began a couple of months ago on your girls trip when my aunt asked us to come to Colorado for the Holiday. How could we say no? It was another excuse to take a family trip. (I love to travel) So we put it on our calendar. Thanksgiving in Colorado. Some of us drove, some of us flew. It was craziness to say the least. Trips to the airport to pick up the loved ones. Oh joy. We arrived at 1:30 am and I was sharing a room with the crazy cousins. They got there at 3...I was passed out and barely even bugged when they came in.
I woke up the next morning soo excited about the dinner that day, my dreams consisted of turkeys and stuffing and just a whole lot of love for everything I had.... Okay I am kidding buuuutttt.... I was excited. We are HUGE runners in my family so we went for a nice little jog that morning that consisted of about 5 miles. My mom wanted to stop and take a photo shoot... what the hay? Why not? The run was beautiful. I wouldn't mind living in Colorado it reminds me of Utah.
We went over to nana's house and had waffles for breakfast and from then on cooked for the rest of the day. It was a small kitchen with 20 of us in there but we made it work. I was determined that we all sit at the same table. I MADE IT WORK. Thanksgiving is a time for family to be together and enjoy one anothers company... and oh was I going to make sure we were all close together.
With 3 tables smashed together we were all eating dinner by 4 pm.
OUR FAMILY IS BLESSED WITH GOOD COOKS. It was an amazing dinner.
The rest of the night consisted of games, laughter, hugs, pictures, turkey football, and the most valuable of things spending time with each other.
So I know I have babbled a lot this post but I promise there is a point to it.
I want to share what I learned this Thanksgiving with you because it changed my perspective on what I thought about my family.
I am a Mormon. Our family is about half and half. We are not all Mormons but we all still believe in God. Before I thought it was weird how all of my family wasn't the same religion but then I came to know something...its okay. I know that they will all be okay. I saw something in them that I haven't seen before because I chose not to see it.. I saw in them that they all have precious Christ-like attributes. I noticed in them things that I have never seen..
.Rebecca's smile, laughter, tenderness, always giving never expecting anything in return...She is a great example of showing others that she truly loves them by the actions she does.
Jared has one of the funniest personalities I have ever seen. He can bring a smile to anyone who needs a little uplift, and not to mention he is an amazing father figure and loves his family unconditionally.
Sue&Todd are one of the happiest couples I have ever known. I have never seen them mad. If they get upset they immediately calm down and think about what they are going to say before they say it so they dont say something they dont mean.
Wink&Troy they are going to make great parents one day. They have so much patience in them. Even though we dont see them much whenever we do they make an effort to include us. They have given us all so much. We just need to remember the little things they do for us. We love them and wish we saw them more often.
All the cousins are my best friends. They keep me in line, and happy. There is never a dull moment when we all get together. Even though we have all been through our own trails I can still see the light of Christ shining through each of their eyes. They are such comforts and bring such joy.
Mom&Dad they are just so giving. They never say no. If you need something done you can always count on them. I love them with all my heart. They are my rock. They give me happiness in life.
Gramcracker&Gramps are solid people. You dont mess with these two. They tell you how it is and they set the law. They are such great examples. These two love unconditionally and care for all who come their way.
Malea has some hardships in her way. Her mom doesn't really take care of her and she makes sure things get done. It was my first time meeting her but she already taught me so much. We must always forgive in order to truly love.
The main thing I have learned is that even though everyone has made mistakes if we look at people and only see their flaws and hiccups then we will never find real joy in life. If we are always focused on being right or having everything then there will only be contintion in our hearts. We must love others seeing them the way Christ sees them... as people who are trying just like you to become better.
I am truly Thankful for my family and everything I have. I love them and I love Christ and the Lord. I am most grateful for the Atonement. What are you Thankful for?
