Things that give me the warm fuzzies!

Day 12
I am thankful for my Abbey! She is A*MAZ*ING! For those of you who don't know, Abbey was one of my mission companions. I love that girl to death! She called me today and we got to have a nice chat. Abbey and I are so much alike, and we really understand one another. It's the best to be able to share your crazy feelings and have someone who understands and doesn't think that you are cray! I am so thankful for the ways in which Abbey encourages and uplifts me! My days are always brighter when I get to talk to her!

Day 13
I am so thankful for the young men in my home ward who bless the sacrament each week for our congregation. They are so thoughtful as they say the words of the prayers, and they aren't afraid to take their time. I was in a sacrament meeting last week where the young men were rushed, and I don't get the same feeling then as I did today as I really got a chance to feel the spirit of the sacramental prayers as they were said. I am so thankful for the time that they give me to feel the spirit and take part of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Thank you so much to those young men!

The Waitress and the Military-man

Day 11
Today is Veteran's Day, and a HUGE thanks goes out to all those who have served, currently serve, and will serve our great country. " Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13) So many have given so much, including their lives, so that we might live and enjoy our life and our liberty. I am so grateful for the wonderful Veterans in my life, from my Dad, to uncles, cousins, and Grandpa. I am so grateful for the rich legacy of service to one's country that they set for me.
A special day like this calls for more than one thanks. Thanks to our Veterans was offered in so many ways today, one of which was Applebees. They offered a free meal to Veterans, so that's where we went for dinner tonight. As I was sitting at the table with my parents I looked around at all of the men and women who have served our country I was silently thankful. I must admit though, my mood wasn't where it should have been, so I did not properly take in the scene for what it truly was. I noticed a waitress stop to talk to the older gentleman behind me, and she asked him which branch of the military he had served in. Then I noticed her sit down across from him and talk to him about his experiences. Listening to that conversation brought tears to my eyes. Here I had been caught up in my own little world and thought that I was paying tribute to Veterans with my happy thoughts their way, but here was a girl who was actually putting her thanks into play and talking to a man who had come to dinner all by himself. I got teary eyed and silently kicked myself for being so caught up in myself and not noticing this man. It is men and women like him who quietly do their thing and don't ask for recognition that we are honoring this day. This is my thank you to the waitress at Applebees for teaching me about love, honor, respect, and saying thank you, and for teaching me to look beyond myself.

Ice Away!

Day 10
Today I am thankful for defroster systems in cars, and that mine actually works. I love being able to start up my car and less then five minutes later have the front and back windshields defrosted! How blessed and lucky I am!

If I tilt my head like this...

Day 9
This thankful thought is kind of a cheater one-I've been planning it for quite a few days! Today I am thankful for new contacts! I thought about going all philosophical about this and new sight and clarity, but in reality I'm just thankful for the new lenses themselves. I change out my contacts every month, on the 9th to be precise. I've been looking forward to this change for about three weeks now. No, I'm not cray obsessed with getting the new ones. At some point during the first week of wear last month I managed to scratch my right lens (thank you mascara brush!) and I did a pretty good job of it! I had two lines etched into the lens, which in turn altered my vision. If I cocked my head to the side and squinted I could almost pretend that the line wasn't there, but that's a silly position to walk around in! So I dealt with it, and my glasses got some extra evening wear, as well as some extra daytime mileage. But the new lenses are in and life is good. I am so thankful for these little pieces of plastic (or whatever they are) that allow me the freedom to see without boundaries!

Please, just one bite!

Day8
I love and am so thankful for my job! Yesterday I was at a training, so I wasn't able to be with my students. Today I was so excited to see them, and I had missed them so much! Each of my students has a way to make my heart smile in ways that I can't even begin to explain. Here was a sweet moment with one of them today: one of my students is a very picky eater, and doesn't eat very much. Everyday I make this student choose a fruit or a veggie, and the student has to have at least one bite before we can leave. It's a battle everyday, but my student is a good sport and tries the one bite (with milk in one hand to quickly wash the undesired food down!). Today at lunch my student told me that they had eaten one bite of orange yesterday. I asked who had told my sub about our one bite rule, and the answer surprised me-it was my student! My sweet little anti-anything healthy had actually taken the initiative to tell a visiting adult about a rule which said adult would have otherwise not even known about. So sweet! I was so proud that I just had to reward my student-with a chocolate eyeball! Haha i seriously love my job, and I am thankful for the little moments that make each day amazing in a new way!

It's a Bird! It's a plane! It's Super...wait, it's my DAD!

Day 7
Today I am sooooo very thankful for my Daddy! Just in case you don't know, I have the BEST Dad in the ENTIRE world. Hands down. No contest. My Dad is my hero, one of my very best friends, the best listener in the entire world, a great cook, a Veteran, a merry-maid, source of calm when life is cray, car-man, horse-man, everything-man. There isn't anything that my Dad can't do! Honestly, I'm pretty sure that he is Superman. Don't ya'll wish that he was your Daddy too! My Dad does a lot that goes unnoticed, but not unappreciated by this little girl! I love that he makes dinner 5/7 nights, and that it's delicious to boot! I am so thankful for my Dad and everything that he does for me. I love my Daddy!

"Talked to God like he was talkin' to a Friend..."

Day 6
Today I am so grateful for my brother-in-law, Nic. He and I don't always see eye to eye and we have our differences, but even when we're acting like a couple of old billy goats I know that he is an amazing man deep down. One thing that I particularly love about him is his ability to pray and actually talk to God. I love the opportunities that I have to share prayers in the Jenkins household for this reason. Nic has a way of making a blessing on the food sound real, personal, and so sincere. Hearing him pray always makes me evaluate and change the way that I pray.
My newest nephew (if you don't count Ruger) was given a name and a blessing today. I was really looking forward to this as I had missed Sam's blessing while I was on my mission. I love my nephew, Mark Emmitt Clay to pieces, and knowing that my awesome bro-in-law with his amazing gift to pray and speak to Father made it even more better. Unfortunately, due to some technical issues only the people on the first couple of rows of the chapel got to hear the blessing. I laughed as I realized that I have not heard either of my nephew's blessings (but hey, it keeps it fair!) but it's ok because the important part is that Mark Emmitt Clay was given a blessing, and I know that it was great because it came from Nic. I am so grateful that Nic is a part of our family!