Count Your Blessings

I have been craving a Utah Fall this week and a drive through the Alpine Loop. I was having a rather emotional night the other night and started crying to Joseph saying, "Sometimes I just want to go home. I'm craving a Utah Fall...." For some reason, this last move has been harder for me than other moves. I think it's because it wasn't a move back to our roots and the people we love so much. Yet, I feel so much joy through our daily living. As I was talking openly with Joseph about all of this one night. Speaking to him of worries and cares and challenges I was having, I turned to him and said, "You know what though, I am grateful for this trial. There are so many things people are working through. I'll gladly work through this one." I hesitate to even call it a trial, but it is for me. Everyone has a longing for something and struggles and challenges to work through.

I loved the Relief Society Meeting last night and it was so appropriate for me that the opening song was Count Your Blessings.

When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed,

When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,

Count your many blessings, name them one by one,

And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?

Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?

Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,

And you will keep singing as the days go by.

When you look at others with their lands and gold,

Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;

Count your many blessings. Wealth can never buy

Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.

So, amid the conflict whether great or small,

Do not be disheartened, God is over all;

Count your many blessings, angels will attend,

Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.

I can't wait to see many of my family members this weekend in St. George. I'm grateful to be able to get my "family fix" so many times throughout the year. We recently realized that even though we've been living in the land of far-far-away California, we've had quite a few occasions to see family in the last 3.5 years. We've seen someone in our family on 35 different occasions in the last 40 months. With each visit lasting on average 3-4 days, I would say that's a large quanity of time. Within this next month, we will get to see family for a total of 14 days. That is a blessing.

I need to keep a proper perspective, because I might just get more face time than family members living within the same state or even city for that matter.

Anyway, the song touched me on so many levels. I think as I am running the 26.2 miles this weekend I will count my blessings to pass the miles. I am hoping that angels will attend and will give me comfort through my 26.2 mile journey. Amidst the busy-ness of family life, I have not been able to train perfectly, so I'll be relying on a higher power to help me through. I'm a bundle of nerves, but I'm excited to embark on the journey and to accomplish something I've had the desire to do for a very long time.