Gratitude

The past few days, I have really stepped back and looked at my life differently. This past year has been crazy--and it just doesn't seem to end! As I've reflected on what life has brought to me, I feel a deep sense of gratitude. I have a great life. My trials, though hard for me to deal with at the time, have strengthened my testimony, and really have not been that bad (though I'm sure they seemed "that bad at the moment!")

I am mostly grateful for the good health I have had throughout my life, and that my family has had for the most part as well. The past few months, my entire family has been reminded of what a great blessing the gift of health really is I think. My sister Kristin left on a full time mission to Virginia in May. She all of the sudden got so sick they sent her home in August to find out what in the world was going on. Besides a few nasty allergies and asthma, she has been a healthy girl most of her life as well.
My Dad, who never gets sick, I mean I think I can count on one hand how many times he's had the stomach flu or a cold or something, is also all of the sudden very sick. We were able to talk to him via Skype last night for a minute. He looks very skinny and worn out from the horrible ordeal his body has been through. In fact, 15 minutes on Skype just about sucked all the energy he had out of him. All he has ever wanted to do was serve a full time mission with my mom. He has loved being "Elder Carter" and serving in Mongolia. However, his health is bad enough as well that they will be sending my mom and dad home for medical care as soon as he is able to make the long travel back home. Of course, as soon as he gets better, my parents will finish serving as full time missionaries--whether here in the states or back in Mongolia.
I myself have had to deal with a rather odd variety of illnesses the past while as well. I know I posted all about how hard this pregnancy has been for me, and how hard it has been to get sick all the time with non-pregnancy related things, but it really has made me so so grateful for the good health I have had in my life. It has made me grateful that I have a healthy daughter and husband, and that the rest of my family has been blessed with good health as well. This is especially true after seeing my Dad last night. It's hard to see someone you love sick like that.

I have a great life. I have a wonderful husband. I have a beautiful daughter (soon to be two beautiful daughters!), I have all the comforts of life I could possibly need. I have the gospel of Jesus Christ in my life, and a testimony that Heavenly Father loves me. I have truly been blessed. So, instead of complaining about how uncomfortable I am these last few weeks of pregnancy, I am going to look back at this post and try and always remember all I have to be grateful for. I have a wonderful life!