thanks

It's my favorite time of year.

And we have so very much to be thankful for.

We're so lucky to have incredible family and amazing friends that support us and love us and help us all the time.

We're blessed to have so many opportunities in our lives - a good job, insurance, the opportunity to go to school and learn.

We're so thankful for all of the wonderful blessings we've been given.

We're so blessed.

And we are so grateful.

Here's to a week of kicking off the holidays by spending time with family and friends, eating a bounteous feast, and remembering all of the good in your life.

Each of us has so much to be thankful for.

I love having a day completely devoted to remembering that.

Happy Thanksgiving!

hope

I woke up disappointed and discouraged this morning.

Though, not for the reason you might first think.

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I voted yesterday. (technically I voted early... but...)
My vote counted yesterday.

And just like four years ago, my candidate of choice was not the winner.
And like almost half of America, I found myself a little saddened that Mr. Romney did not win.

But...
I stand by what I said four years ago here, when President Barack Obama was elected for his first term as President of the United States of America.
And as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I still believe - perhaps with an even stronger conviction...

in being subject to kings, 

presidents, 

rulers, and magistrates, 

in obeying, 

honoring, 

and sustaining the law.

I also stand by an official statement released by the First Presidency of the Church, 

men who I also sustain, honor and obey...

as they declared:

We congratulate President Obama on winning a second term as President of the United States.

After a long campaign, this is now a time for Americans to come together. It is a long tradition among Latter-day Saints to pray for our national leaders in our personal prayers and in our congregations. We invite Americans everywhere, whatever their political persuasion, to pray for the President, for his administration and the new Congress as they lead us through difficult and turbulent times. May our national leaders reflect the best in wisdom and judgment as they fulfill the great trust afforded to them by the American people.

We also commend Governor Romney for engaging at the highest level of our democratic process which, by its nature, demands so much of those who offer themselves for public service. We wish him and his family every success in their future endeavors.

President Obama's message has always been about hope. In the spirit of truth, I have to admit that I have not been as hopeful under the President's first term as many of his supporters. I've watched people I love lose their jobs, their homes, everything they own. I've witnesses such economic devastation in my own family. I've seen hatred and arrogance, and vindictive decisions steering people, and at times our nation in the wrong direction. Outside of my relationships and my faith, my outward, temporal/economic life hasn't seemed to get any better over the last four years. (With the exception of our new puppy, of course. How can you not love life when you have a puppy? [grin]). But...

But, I believe President Obama really does believe in hope. I think he believes that things can get better, and he's trying his best to make it happen. I think he, like any leader of our country, will be guided in decisions and will, hopefully, listen to that guidance. I think he is a good man, a good father and I join with countless citizens in America and throughout the world, in prayer that the leader of the Free World, the President of the United States will make choices and strategies that he honestly believes will make America a better place. I won't always agree with the choices he makes. [But I'm positive I could say the same thing had Mr. Romney won instead.]

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I made the mistake of reading blogs, and logging in to Facebook today, and much to my dismay, I've seen some nasty, vicious, awful things said about our President, and about the people who voted for him.

We live in a country that grants us the right to elect our leaders by casting our vote. 

We live in a country that grants us the freedom of speech.

And I belong to a Church, a culture, and a steadfast belief to stand firm in the truths I was taught in my youth. 

Things like:

We are all children of God, our Heavenly Father

If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all

Happiness is by choice, not chance

Love one another

Kindness begins with me

and I'm trying to be like Jesus

But the things I read and heard and watched did not follow any of those principles that I hold so dear.

People who I grew up with, went to school with, work with, see at church every Sunday, were blasting hatred and insults to the world like they had never even heard of our Savior, Jesus Christ. 

So many Christians [in particular] saying so many un-Christian things.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion. It's part of being alive, part of living on this earth. Our agency. It's how we all received the opportunity to come to earth in the first place. We chose to make choices for ourselves - whether good or bad. And fortunately we live in a country that allows us to make those choices openly without a general fear of retribution from our government, or attacks from extremist neighbors, or sometimes, even without obvious consequences.

But, I was so discouraged and disappointed in those things I read, by people who are usually so good and such good examples to those around them. How hypocritical to openly campaign for Mitt Romney and what he stands for as an economist, a former Governor, the rescuer of the Olympics, a good Mormon man and a child of God - and then slander and hate and spit upon the opponent. 

President Obama may not have been your choice. 

But as a citizen of the United States of America, he is your president 

[until you move and become subject to a king or other ruler that doesn't allow you as much freedom as America does.] 

and he deserves our respect and our support. 

And so do the people that voted him into office. They are our brothers and sisters. Have you forgotten? God loves them just as much as he loves you. God also granted them the same agency He gave you and me. Just because they voted differently than you did, or because they think differently than you do doesn't mean they aren't as smart as you. It doesn't make them idiots. It doesn't mean they aren't as righteous as you. It doesn't mean any of that. It means you disagree. It means maybe you have to work a little harder to find common ground. But you have it. Most people love their families - whether connected by blood or by choice - more than anything. Most people believe in working hard for what you get. Most people believe that there is good in the world. Most people just want what's best for them and the people they love. You might disagree on politics. You might disagree on whether your little section of city should be incorporated or not. You might even disagree on big, controversial things like abortion, immigration and guns. But you have something in common. 

Try to find it.

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I hope the next four years do get better. Yes, I'm skeptical that our nation will see drastic improvements in such a short amount of time. But I believe it's possible. I hope it's possible.


I hope that America continues to be strong and revered as the greatest country on the earth.
I hope that I can raise my children to love our country like I do.
I hope my children take pride in pledging allegiance to the flag of the United States of America as one nation, under God.
I hope that when my children turn 18 and are give the incredible opportunity to vote for the leaders of this country, that they will do so with pride,
I hope that my children will learn to be gracious when things don't go their way.
I hope that my children will have infinite opportunities to learn and serve and grow in our community as well as our church.
I hope that God will continue to watch over our country.
I hope He will bless all of our leaders, both locally and nationally and throughout the world, with the presence of mind, sound judgment and character of integrity they need to do their jobs.

I have

h o p e.

God bless our nation.

God bless President Obama.

And please, God, bless us to be kinder to one another.