Dear Sisters,
This month we look to focus with gratitude the many
blessings in our lives. The following is From
“A Grateful Heart” (Liahona Aug
1999)
“President Gordon B.
Hinckley has taught: “Gratitude is of the very essence of worship. … When you walk with
gratitude, you do not walk with arrogance and conceit and egotism, you walk
with a spirit of thanksgiving that is becoming to you and will bless your
lives” (Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley [1997], 250).
Sincerely giving thanks
not only helps us recognize our blessings, it also unlocks the doors of heaven
and helps us feel God’s love.
Miracles Born of Gratitude
For three days, more than
4,000 people had stayed in the wilderness with the Savior without eating, and
Jesus did not want to send them away hungry. But even His disciples questioned,
“Whence should we have so much bread in the wilderness, as to fill so great a
multitude?” (Matt. 15:33). Like many of us, the disciples saw only what was lacking.
Nevertheless, Jesus gave thanks for what they did have (see Matt. 15:36), and a miracle followed: “They did all eat, and were filled:
and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets full” (Matt. 15:37).
We all face times when
our focus is on what we lack. Maybe our time, means, patience, or even feelings
of love do not measure up to our expectations. At such times, we would find it
helpful to adopt President Brigham Young’s attitude and view our difficulties
with a grateful heart: “There is not a single condition of life [or] one hour’s
experience but what is beneficial to all those who make it their study, and aim
to improve upon the experience they gain” (Teachings of Presidents of the
Church: Brigham Young [1997], 179).
Miracles can happen in
our lives as we look to God with a grateful heart. Understanding comes, and
strength to endure increases.
The Lord revealed that we
offend God by not confessing “his hand in all things” (D&C 59:21). “All things” includes blessings great and small—of life, of
health, of family and friends, of bounties
rarely noticed but given to us freely. Certainly some of our greatest blessings
are associated with the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
We would find it edifying
to reflect regularly on our blessings and offer up a prayer of
gratitude—perhaps not asking for anything, just thanking our Heavenly Father
for the multitude of gifts He has given us. Great are the promises to those who
receive “all things with thankfulness” (D&C 78:19).
May we spend each day
appreciating the many blessings in our lives.
Love, Sue, Amy, Lisa, Jenn
and Jenny
Because the November 2013
Ensign contains all the addresses from
general conference, there is not a designated visiting teaching message for November.
Visiting teachers are encouraged to prayerfully select their messages from one
or more of the general
conference addresses. The addresses
are printed in the November 2013 Ensign or can be found at lds.org
November
Birthdays
1 Kendra Mauger
6 Catherine Pratt
10 Jacque Gardner
12 Marianne Nance
16 Amber Graves
22 Marie Rowsell
28 Karen Hamblin
29 Deanna Allred
Marie Sorenson
Amy Wagner
Lesson Schedule
Nov 3 “We Never Walk Alone” by President Thomas S.
Monson-Sue
Nov 10 Ch 21: Loving God More than We love the World-TBD
Nov 17 Ch
22: Doing Good to Others- Kay
Bashford
Nov 24 Stake
Conference
UPCOMING EVENTS
Nov
9 Super Saturday- Quail
bldg 8-1pm
Nov
6 Lunch
Bunch 11 am meet at:
Wendy’s on 58th
& Independence
Nov.
23 Adult
Session of Stake Conference, Stake Center 7pm
Nov.
24 Stake
Conference 10 am, Stake
Center
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