Gratitude to God

 
    Happy President's Day! I had an illuminating thought yesterday as I was studying about the ten lepers which Jesus healed in Luke chapter 17. Only one turned back and gave thanks to God. The illuminating thought I had was I must have gratitude and thank God for all the blessings in my life. I felt I lacked thanking God in one recent circumstance of my life. I was more like the nine lepers who didn't acknowledge and thank God for His mercy in being healed.
    I have been gluten-free since April of 2016. I felt inspired by the Spirit that I needed to get off gluten. I was at a point where I wanted to stop eating because I felt so terrible after I did eat. About a year and a half before going gluten-free I kept having thoughts about trying to cut gluten out of my diet. I just didn't have the courage or desire to do so. It took me getting to a very low point before completely getting off gluten. After two or three days of getting off gluten my stomachaches cleared up.  Fast forward to now. Ten or eleven years ago, I was diagnosed with an auto immune disease which is localized in my eyes. Winter is usually a bad time of year for me where I have flare ups of floaters in my eyes. I usually get shots in my eye or have steroid drops to help the floaters go away. This winter I have had hardly any flare ups. I know I have been blessed by God who helped me know what I best needed to do for my body to stay healthy. I have since repented and thanked God for the blessings of being gluten free.  I found this picture on Facebook which goes nicely with this theme.

Love and Forgiveness

Time sure flies when you are having fun. I love the month of February because this month is focused on love and it is also my birthday month.I can't believe next week is Valentine's Day. Do you have any plans for the holiday? My husband wants to take me to a symphonic metal concert. I actually like the main band so I think I will go. I also feel forgiveness goes hand in hand with truly loving someone. In Matthew chapter eighteen verses 21 to 35 the Savior tells us we should forgive all men even when they aren't sorry or don't think they have done anything wrong.These last few weeks I have been thinking about my grandfather. He is dying and I know his funeral will be soon. My grandfather lost his mom when he was ten. He had eight older sisters who helped raise him. Poor guy because he had no brothers. He is so loving and kind. He is slow to anger, and a peacemaker. He has taught me a true lesson about forgiveness and how it can heal a soul. He doesn't hold grudges and knows how to lighten the mood. Also, he lets me rub his bald head. Everyone who meets my grandfather loves him. I was grateful to have lived with my grandparents for nine months in Utah while I was in my early twenties because I got to know them better. I spent most of my childhood in Germany because my father was stationed there. My grandfather is a true example to me of truly loving someone. I love him and I will miss him when he passes.  I love this picture from the Mormon Channel.