Thanksgiving List

Here's a list of things I'm thankful for:

Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ: for their love, mercy, power and presence in my life. Without Christ's atonement nothing else would really matter eternally.
Family: for putting up with me and loving me even when I've been unlovable. And for teaching me patience!
Friends: for accepting me for who I am and helping me become someone better.
Home: for having a safe place to live with all the comforts and conveniences that a human could ever need.
Life: for the opportunity to live on this earth, gain experience and learn how to love.
Love: it's what life is all about!
My testimony or witness of Christ: I know Jesus Christ is my Savior and Redeemer. He is my perfect example and the reason for all I try to do.
The United States of America: I'm so blessed to live in this great country. It was founded by the most amazing and wise men. I have rights and privileges that many can only dream about.

And for all of these:
clean water to drink and bathe
hot & cold running water inside my house
electricity
phones, computers, electronics
plenty of food to eat every day
enough income to meet our needs
my husband's employment
being able to go to church each Sunday
the freedom to believe what I want
knowledge of the gospel
good health
faith
a fully functioning body
an alert mind capable of learning
great desire to learn
books
google
blue skies
sunshine
warm blankets
central heat & a/c
vehicles that work (most of the time!)
money for gas
the freedom to go wherever I want to
trees
flowers
animals
my kitties
laughter
good conversation
music
the ability to hear, see, touch, smell and taste
eyeglasses
clothing (especially the stuff that fits well!)
rain
colors
hugs
mail
peace
paper
inventions
intelligent people
other people who are good examples
opportunities to give service
clumping cat litter
crockpots
lightbulbs
great art
caring people
hearing someone tell me "I love you"
watching my daughter draw
interesting discussions
being noticed
the constitution and bill of rights
the ability to change
optimism
good moods
people who understand things I don't and take the time to explain them to me
talents & abilities (mine and others')
the smell of cinnamon, chocolate or baked goods
a child's smile
toothbrushes & toothpaste
refrigeration
not living in a war zone
feeling safe
holding a loved one's hand
sleep (maybe I should put that one in all caps)

I could keep the list going but I think this is enough for one post. Although I'm thankful for many things, I wish I could say I was thankful for ALL things. I'm working toward that goal. I heard a great story on the radio yesterday about a man who was robbed. He wrote in his diary that he was thankful for it because: he had never been robbed before, they only took his money not his life, they took everything he had but it wasn't much anyways, it was him that was robbed instead of one of his loved ones, and because he was being robbed instead of being the one doing the robbing. I can only hope to someday reach that level of gratitude and understanding.

What are you thankful for?