Happy Thanksgiving

I’m grateful to be living in China. Living in a foreign country sure makes you appreciate everything you’ve been given. Although there have been hard times, I have seen so many tender mercies, met incredible people, and have experienced things I never would have thought I would experience. I’m grateful to have the opportunity to learn such a beautiful language, and to also share my native language with so many people.

I’m grateful for America and for the freedoms that we are able to enjoy there. Being in another country on a holiday especially makes me realize all the little blessings that I take for granted. I’m grateful for my family, friends, and loved ones. I’m grateful to have been born of goodly parents. My whole life I have been surrounded by the most amazing, talented, giving people in the world. I’m so grateful for all the people in my life. Heavenly Father loves each of us, and his hand is in each of our lives, every day. If there is a day that I am feeling ungrateful, all I have to do is pray to God and ask him to show me His hand in my life, and he does. I realize that every person, every experience, every gift, every feeling, and everything is evidence of His endless, selfless, perfect love. And for that, I have so much need to give back.

I am grateful for this Thanksgiving day. Although it hasn’t felt like it does normally back in the states, because we’ve still had school and haven’t had our Thanksgiving dinner, (we will be having our Thanksgiving dinner with the branch on Saturday!) I am still happy that today is Thanksgiving.