Preface

I started this post weeks ago but did not have time to finish it. However, I have still been focusing on having gratitude permeate my day to day life. I tell my kids

If you are grateful for what you have, you will always have enough. If you are not, there will never be enough.

With that in mind, I would like to share my thoughts on the year and express some of the things I am most grateful for.  This pandemic and year have been very trying for all. This is a particular reason to take account of what we can be grateful for. Imperfections and all!

Friendly Missionary Service

During the pandemic the missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints had extra time to help out with outdoor service. The pandemic didn’t allow them to teach people in their homes. Hannah and I had spent a good amount of time building a greenhouse. These missionaries (several of them, probably 10) over the course of weeks straightened the walls, and helped me put up the plastic and doors.

Now look at it, in all its glory and dirt!

Remote Work

I had a remote job before the pandemic and will continue to have one and work for Compliance and Risks when it is over. It’s a wonderful small company and the dev team acts like a family to its coworkers.

Thanks everyone at C&R. Also, they just sent me a sweater for Christmas! Hannah asked if I could smile so there were less wrinkles. These were my attempts

Teenagers

You read that right… I don’t often speak of my older kids being something I am grateful for, but I am. They are challenging, sometimes to extreme amounts. Things I never thought I would experience. But, they have changed me in a great way for the better as hard as they have been. Specifically I can say I have a much deeper understanding for this scripture

44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

This experience has put a stumbling block in a lot of the relationships I have acquired over the course of my life.

But, anything worth doing… will be difficult. Thanks Kids! And I am sure Thea and Isla will one day appreciate the better parent you are trying to break out of me! Also, Happy Birthday (a month ago)!

Little Ones

They have been my therapy over the course of this year. Before the pandemic when we lost baby Vida they were my therapy then too. Thank you for providing a smile, and a sense of Joy when all else seemed awful!

Land, and land of the free

Another difficulty in my life was getting these 5 acres of land

But the acquiring stage is over! We now live here and are attempting to make the best of this place we call home. It is perfect for everything we need.

And there was no way I would have been able to acquire this land if it weren’t for God’s help! A 2 year real estate process for closing on land and home. If you missed it, read other posts on this blog. This blog is mostly about my adventures getting this land.

Hannah Fox

There is no way to say everything I am grateful for about this amazing person. But she has stuck with me through the best and worst of times! She gives me hope and comfort when I cannot find it elsewhere. She encourages my crazy dreams and helps me be the best person I didn’t know I could be. She is a wonderful mother of 5+ and a great friend!

Thank you!

Here’s an assortment of pictures throughout the last decade.

Religion, Book of Mormon, Bible, Living Prophets

Religion is necessary in these crazy times. These helps have been my go-to book since I started my mission 17 long years ago (Man I’m old). Thank you for being there. Thank you for inspiring me. Thank you for showing me God’s light and faith. I would be lost without my religion.

The study of the doctrines of the gospel will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!