Gratitude Journal - November 12

I spent two days attending a Family History Expo.  Genealogy is my favorite hobby and I was so excited to attend my first such event.  I went alone, but figured that didn't really matter.  I absolutely loved it!  The keynote speaker on Friday was M. Bridget Cook, an author and speaker.  (The new word I learned from her was genshai - which basically means to hold no one small, including yourself.  In other words, treat everyone as though they have worth.)  Over the course of the two days, I was able to attend eight classes on a variety of subjects.  I learned a lot and I am really excited to start putting some of my new knowledge into practice.

I also met up with with four other women who were at the conference alone and we became friends.  It was really fun!  We would meet up during breaks and share about the classes we had each attended.  Having the genealogy common thread made it easy to bond really quickly.  We have already exchanged emails and a picture of the group of us.  We also promised to meet up again next year at the Expo.

I am grateful for having participated in this Expo and for the fun and new friends that I enjoyed!

Gratitude Journal - November 11

Being Veterans Day, I have felt a special connection to all those who have served in the military.  They fought to make us free, they have fought to keep us free, and they have stood guard to see that those freedoms are not lost.

I need to go back in my genealogy and do a careful study to see how many of my ancestors have served in the military.  I know some of them: my husband Bill served in Viet Nam, my uncle Harold Nelson served in WWII, my grandfather Bill Nelson served in WWI, my great-great grandfather Henry Cleary served in the Civil War.  There are others, going back to the time of the Revolutionary War.  I am grateful for all of them.

I wore my red, white and blue scarf to let the world know how grateful I am for those who serve in harm's way.  Thank you!

Gratitude Journal - November 10

I went to visit my good friend Judith, who is now in a hospice with lung cancer.  We met as co-workers about 15 years ago or so.  Over the years, we have often talked about genealogy and she expressed interest in learning about her family, but just never had the time.  The other day I asked her if she would like me to see what I could find.  She gave me the names of her parents and their births and I went from there.  In two days, I was able to take her father's line back to her ancestor Zachariah Butler, who served in the Revolutionary War.  So when I visited her, I took her a notebook of everything I had found.  As we looked at the generations, I was able to point out her Civil War ancestor - of course a Confederate, these are loyal Georgia people, after all.  She was so excited.  He only served a month or so before he became sick with typhoid fever, sent home to recover, and died.  Two months later, his wife gave birth to their fourth child.  A great story of a courageous woman, who lived to be 92!

We then moved further down the line until we came to Zachariah.  When I told her that he had fought in the Revolutionary War, her eyes glowed - yes, with tears!  I said, "You are DAR."  And she repeated, "I am DAR!"  I couldn't have given her a better gift.  We spent at least an hour talking about her ancestors.

I am going to work on her mother's line this week.  As long as I can provide a service that brings her excitement, I will do so.  

I am grateful for precious friends who have enriched my life - for the opportunities that sometimes come to really give a special gift to someone - and for the many men and women who have served in the military, from the Revolution to today.  What precious freedoms they have gained and preserved for all of us!

Gratitude Journal - November 9

With the holidays coming, I am again facing the task of getting gifts for everyone.  I love giving gifts, but I don't much like shopping - and I really hate crowds!  So I am grateful that I can do a lot of my shopping online.  I have been making some orders and a few things have begun to arrive.  I get the fun without the parts I don't enjoy.  One or two trips for a few things is just about right.

Gratitude Journal - November 8

I attended book group and had such a great time!  I love to read - I usually have 3 or 4 books going at a time.  This group of women is so fun.  We discuss the books we read, love to disagree about interpretations, etc., and laugh a lot.  Oh, yeah, and we manage to talk about a ton of other things, too.  Throw in some refreshments - always random, whatever shows up - and it is a great night out.  I am grateful for books and being able to read (and friends who add a little extra fun!)

Gratitude Journal - November 7

I went with the Relief Society president to visit a sister who recently moved into our ward.  She is a young married, with a 15 month old son.  Her husband is not a member, but often attends with her.  I really enjoy visiting with the sisters in the ward - it is one of the fun parts of working in the RS presidency.  I am grateful for my calling and the blessings I receive from serving.  I hope that someone else will be blessed because of my service.

Gratitude Journal - November 6

It was my turn to teach the Relief Society lesson on Sunday.  Our goal for the month is service, so that is what the lesson was about.  I like to teach, but I especially like preparing a lesson.  I get to read and look up talks and search for stories and think about my own life experiences and then pull it all together in a lesson.  The sisters in our ward are so willing to share and participate in the lessons, so that makes the teaching even more fun.  I am grateful for being able to teach.