Well, as you can see, I am not very good at blogging while on vacation. Samantha and I just got home from Idaho/Utah yesterday morning and are enjoying the jetlag today as an added birthday bonus. That's right, today is my birthday! It's been a nice, relaxing day of rest and many fun telephone calls from friends and family.
Actually, the day started a little early -- 3:30 a.m. -- when both Sam and I found ourselves wide awake and ready to start partying. Brian joined us at 5 a.m. and we opened presents, ate breakfast and went back to sleep at 6 a.m. Not bad, eh?
Anyway, as a birthday tribute, I thought I'd make a quick list of things I'm grateful for this year...
1. Hands down, family is everything to me. I've loved, loved, loved being at home with my parents, siblings, cousins and in-laws these past few weeks. I've so enjoyed letting them get to know Samantha and rekindling ties by sharing old memories and making new ones. Even more, I LOVED coming home to Brian yesterday. Wherever he is, that's my real home. And Samantha, she's just the icing on the cake! I am richly blessed by my family.
2. I have so many wonderful friends who love me, and who mean so much to me. Each new chapter of life seems to bring me a new set of friends, while the old friends remain just as dear to me. I love thinking back to crazy things I did in high school, then remembering college days, my mission companions, friends from SLC, then from Boston, and now a whole new group of friends here in London. I go through occasional sentimental moments where I almost want to wish back some of those memories that are priceless to me. I love reading back through my journals or old cards and letters I've received, just so I can feel close to people even when our paths may be so divided right now. I try to keep in touch with phone calls, emails and letters, but I never feel it's enough to thank all my friends for the support they give me.
4. Seeing the world is a great blessing in my life right now. I realize our time here in London is limited, and the opportunities I've had to visit so many different countries and places have been amazing. I realize we won't always be hopping around the world (right, Brian?), and I'm very happy to be having such rich travel experiences right now. Each new stamp in the passport is a memory that gives me a different perspective on life. Honorable mention goes to the trip to Egypt this past April... it was a beautiful trip, and I am a different person because of it.
5. Our bed is amazing. I can honestly say it has had a positive impact on me (and the people around me) by giving me good, good sleep so many nights over the past (nearly) three years. When it comes to any material possessions, that bed ranks at the top of my list of happy thoughts. Whenever I've slept somewhere else, even for just one night, I'm am always soooo happy to get back to our bed. (No offence to the many very generous people who let me sleep in beds at their homes recently -- it's just one those "no place like home" things.)
6. I am grateful for my faith and my relationship with God. I recognize how fragile and important this is in maintaining balance and peace in my life. I love the feelings of love, safety, comfort and trust that I receive in answers to my prayers. I've been reading the New Testament again this year, and have enjoyed relearning the experiences that shaped the faith of the 12 Apostles. I've also been teaching the little children in our church, serving as the Primary president. I'm grateful for their faith, and for the opportunity to learn from them, and share with them my faith in God.
7. Living away from friends and family, I am most grateful for the telephone. It keeps me connected. I also rely a lot on the internet and email. But mostly, it's the phone conversations that make me feel like people I love aren't quite so far away. (Special mention to my mom, who is always a wonderful, willing listener.) Isn't technology amazing?
I'll stop there, since 7 is my favorite number, and because I'm sleepy and ready for bed tonight. It has been a happy birthday for me. Hope everyone is doing well. I'll try to get some picts from our trip loaded soon.
