What Mormon Women Are Thankful For

Photo by Gregory Cortez:  Not a Mormon woman, but what an amazing photo!!!

I saw the image (above) online tonight and found it intriguing, so I wanted to share it with you.  It's called a cinemagraph.  Isn't it cool?  It was created by filmmaker/photographer Gregory Cortez.  (He's for hire, by the way...)

The falling leaves and the way that the subject in this photo is looking up at them reminded me of the blessings that we each experience in our lives.  Noticing our blessings is like slowing down to watch autumn leaves fall.  It can be a beautiful and renewing experience.  If we don't slow down long enough to be grateful, blessings, like fall leaves, can pass through our lives unnoticed.

Regardless of your faith/religion, practicing gratitude is a good habit to fall into and brings increased appreciation for our unique circumstances.  I thought I'd share some of the "falling leaves" that you mentioned in your thankful comments on the giveaway post last week, to let others know what Mormon women are thankful for!  Here's what you said:

I'm thankful for a little boy who makes me laugh.

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I am thankful for a Church that encourages study and understanding.  What a great gift!

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I am thankful for modern medicine, so that my baby could live past 4 months old! (He's a year and a half now! :)

I am thankful for a fantastic husband!

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I am thankful for my amazing children including my son who has special needs (autism and FG syndrome) and always talks about not going on a mission (He is 12) because he is too scared to be away. I am THANKFUL that someone wrote a book that I could read to him to help me teach him the many many ways to serve. 

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I am so grateful for the experiences God gives us, even when they are difficult, so He can prepare us for greater things!

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I am thankful for the knowledge that my family can be together forever and this life is not the end!

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I might not be a mother or a wife just yet, but I'm thankful for the loving family and friends that I am blessed with.  Being a recent convert to the church, I have a special respect for missionaries. Without them I would not be where I am today spiritually.

I am thankful for being able to see the sunrise every morning that I take my boys to early morning seminary - it's a glorious experience. I am grateful to have 'one' more fall in the South and love to see all of the wonderful colors in all of their glory. Everyday they change and get better. I love watching the leaves swirl in the wind. I am grateful for my sight and for the gift that it truly is. I am grateful for my wonderful family; for the opportunity to be a mother and a wife. I am grateful to be a daughter of God. I am grateful for rainbows after storms and knowing that I don't ever walk alone. I am grateful for those who have gone before to mark the path for me. I am grateful for my Savior and for His infinite atoning sacrifice for me. I am grateful that He is my friend... I am grateful for this wonderful, marvelous life that I have been given. :0)

I am grateful for WAY SO many things! But for this comment, I am grateful that many young members of our church devote 18 months to 2 years of their lives to go on missions. As a convert, I am a product of their sacrifice and hard work. (Just celebrated my 20 year Baptism anniversary!)

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I am thankful that my 8 week old twins slept 7 hours in a row last night!!!

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I am thankful for my son. He just turned four yesterday.  For whatever reason, the Lord has not allowed us to have more children due to medical issues. Although we are ready for another child if we should ever be blessed with one, we know what a miracle our little D is.  He is our greatest blessing.

I'm thankful for wonderful friends who constantly inspire me to be my best in everything.
I am thankful for sister Missionaries we have in our ward so my girls see that sweet, beautiful, strong women can serve a mission to.

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I am thankful for my husband and the sacrifice of time he is making while going to college to become a nurse (a career change)...it will pay off in the end!  I'm also thankful for the opportunity I had to serve a mission in Spain and my husband in Brazil...and our two sons and daughter are all looking forward to when they can go!

I'm thankful for the time you put into this blog, and for chocolate!

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And I am thankful to each of you who shared a glimpse of your grateful hearts with each of us.

So many of you were interested in this book "When I Grow Up, I'll Go On a Mission" by Valine Vikari, that I wanted to make sure that you knew where to purchase it.  You can order Valine's book off of her website: whenigrowup.org.  Now to announce the winner.

The winner of "When I Grow Up, I'll Go On a Mission" by ValineVikari is:

Comment #108 - The Galloway Family

Please contact me, Galloway Family, to claim your prize!