Gratitude

     It's a while until Thanksgiving, but I was thinking of all the things I'm grateful for.  I'm so glad fall is here--for a while I thought we might go straight from summer to winter.  The yard looks better than it ever has (thanks Larry), in fact Tyler said the back lawn looks like it's been spray-painted green.  The roses are stupendous, and nearly all the plants in the front have taken root and look great.  The mountains are full of color, and I love watching the cloud variations.
   I'm also very grateful for my wonderful family.  Larry has to be the most thoughtful husband on the planet, and I have five amazing children and thirteen incredible grandchildren.  I'll just briefly mention some great things about my kids.  Cori is so patient.  When they were her for two months this summer, I don't think I heard her raise her voice once.  She's the YW President in her ward, and I love playing word games with her across the miles.  Tyler can learn how to do anything by reading and experimenting, and it's great fun watching him sing with the Tabernacle Choir.  Andrea is creativity personified.  She truly does make trash into treasures, and her blog is gaining new followers daily.  Sarah is the most Christ-like person I know.  People with problems seem to be drawn to her because she really listens and cares.  Kristen is our performer--she sings and dances, and she touches countless lives in her youth theater work.  
  In the beginning of The Book of Mormon,  Nephi says that though he has seen much adversity, yet he has been highly favored of the Lord.  I can echo his sentiments without reservation.