My Thanks

I haven't had a chance to get online to post as many of the items that I am thankful for, but I kept track. This month I have noticed many little things that made my heart smile. Enjoy my little list.

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Usually I'm a just-on-time/just-a-little-late to church goer. (I could give excuses, but...) So this last week, I was EARLY! :) (I believe in celebrating small achievements.) Not my point. On my way I noticed many of our wonderful ward brethren walking to church. Seeing them reminded me how thankful I am for faithful men. Sometimes seeing their faith exemplified in their actions touches me more deeply than hearing their testimonies shared in testimony meetings.

I am thankful for faithful men.

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Similar to the previous one, I am thankful for faithful boys.

A few Sundays ago I watched, somewhat in amusement, as the Deacons in my ward became confused and frantically tried to administer the Sacrament. After regaining order, it was required to have more bread blessed, just for them. In my ward, the deacons administer to each other. As they did so my heart was touched.

I am thankful for faithful boys.

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I am thankful to see my piano students progress.

My dream as a teenager, (after going on tour with a theater company and then becoming disenchanted by agents at 14) was to be a concert pianist. I was pretty good - 17 years ago. My Juilliard-trained piano teacher said I had surpassed her teaching capabilities and suggested I move on to someone who could coach me in preparation for college auditions. That never happened. Life, or the surviving of life, got in my way. I was promised in blessings that I would "prosper in my music", but my dreams of Carnegie Hall have vanished as time has passed. I'm not that good at playing anymore. I miss my piano, and there is never one accessible to me anymore. I have been teaching for 19 years now. Crazy to think about that! And as I run into other teachers and other pianists I wonder how well I measure up. Mostly, teaching is a nice fall-back as it pays better than anything else I can get. So sometimes I feel like a fraud, and I am afraid that sooner or later someone will run in and say I need to reimburse these poor swindled parents. But then, I get miracles. A girl who struggled in controlling her hands when she started is now playing Arpeggios and Hanon exercises 1-4 like a pro. A little boy who would throw tantrums and yell "I hate piano!" and slam the door in my face when I got there is now on grade level two, diligently practicing an Etude far above his skill level because he likes it. And I overheard a teenager, who said she really wanted to play a different instrument when I started with her, tell her mother after a few lessons that I was "really good" and "unlike any other teacher." When their moms gush their kids are "better than their cousins" and thank me because their kids "love piano lessons" I know in small ways I'm making a difference. And I am "prospering in my music."

I am thankful for seeing my piano students love music and miraculously learn to play.

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I am thankful that 400 S is now open to the freeway!

I am thankful that Wal-mart was open on Thanksgiving and I got pumpkin pie.

I am thankful for positions that have opened on campus and that I may get a real job soon.

I am thankful I've lost nearly 40 pounds since July! (Woohoo!)

I am thankful my massage table feels like a bed.

I am thankful for my neighbor across the street who rescued me when I ran out of gas. (Can't wait til I have more funds, so I am not always running on fumes)

I am thankful for friends, esp those who were concerned about me Thanksgiving and called relatives to see if I could go to those homes for dinner. (Very thoughtful and sweet)

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I am very thankful for how peaceful and non-depressing this Thanksgiving was. I didn't feel the need to go anywhere. I don't belong anywhere, so it was nice I got to stay home. I hadn't realized how stress-relieving it is to not feel obligated to be somewhere. I spent the morning preening and primping in a at-home spa day, then went out to a bland predictable movie. Afterward, I had planned on going to Mimi's Cafe to pick up dinner, but they closed early, so I went to Wal-mart and bought a nice turkey and stuffing Marie Calendar dinner, sparkling cider, and pumpkin pie, and spent less than I would have at MC's. I called my cute sisters and got texts back from almost everyone I texted "Happy Thanksgiving" to. I felt loved, and remembered (mostly) and relaxed.

I am Thankful for my own little Thanksgiving.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!
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Thankful for Temples

It was my ward's Temple Night tonight. I haven't been to the temple for about a month, so this was a nice treat.

In January of 1998 I went through the Temple myself and almost immediately was asked to serve as a worker in the Denver Temple. My Stake President also had a requirement that everyone who was getting ready to go on a mission attend the temple at least 30 times before they left. Most of the young men in my stake went to a foreign country and Pres. Theiss wanted them to be thoroughly indoctrinated in the Temple before they left because they most likely would not get the opportunity to attend during their mission. It was great wisdom and I wish more church leaders would would require that of those preparing to go - it would help anchor their testimonies. Later that year I left to serve my own mission on Temple Square in Salt Lake City where we were able to go to the Temple every week! It was such an amazing priviledge to serve on deicated Temple grounds. And the last half of my mission I was asked to serve as a Sign Language Sister, which gave me an opportunity to go an additional day each week to the ASL Session. When I returned home and moved to Provo I served as an Odinance Worker in the Provo Temple off and on for about 9 years. I don't write this to brag, just to emphasize how much of my life has been spent in Temples. I love them. I feel energized and comforted in them. I see eternal things and leave knowing I and everyone are eternal. It's my home away from my Heavenly Home where I can feel the Lord and the Holy Ghost and my Heavenly Father very clearly. Temple are sacred places where we can go to set the world aside and heal for a moment in the most calm and loving place.

Tonight was a nice reminder of how much I am thankful for the House of the Lord.

Today I'm Thankful for Men

It's been years since I was on the receiving end of a service project. Actually, I've never been the actual one being served in a project. Years ago our ward in Colorado helped my parents a few times, but being in singles wards in Provo for nearly a decade made it so we didn't have a great need for a whole project. We had small things, help moving stuff around, or moving in general. But today men came and served with stripling-warrior-like vigor and generosity! My poor roommate has been a little overwhelmed with the upkeep of her house by herself (yeah, I can't do much) and our wonderful Bishop sensed she needed a hand, and also sensed the young brethren of the ward needed some service opportunities.

They raked the leaves in the front yard, put the swamp cooler cover back on, carried in wood from a neighbor and moved a elephantine book shelves from the garage to the basement.



One of the wonderful aspects about being served is the feeling it gives someone of being a priority, of being worth something. I forget that. Today, these young men reminded me of what a wonderful feeling can be given to a home after the kindness of another's help is rendered. A gentleness and love was given to our home.

Today I am thankful for the kindness (and strength) of willing men. :)

My roommate Tammy is in the top and bottom picture t00.