live in thanksgiving daily

Our lesson today was about gratitude. From this talk, actually. 'Twas excellent, and really made me think about when I show gratitude. Is it just in the big moments that things go the way I'd like them to? Can I show gratitude when the small daily things don't go "right"? I believe the closer we are to heavenly Father, the sharper our eyes become to what He gives us daily, meaning we are more grateful. I've been pondering that since I read a scripture a couple of weeks ago that says "In the day of their peace they esteemed lightly my counsel; but in the day of their trouble, of necessity they feel after me."(found here) I was called to repentance, yes I was. I want to be a constant seeker of God's guidance, and thus have gratitude in times of peace or trouble.

Then we read in Alma where these poor, afflicted people are told to "live in thanksgiving daily for the many mercies and blessings which he doth bestow." (here) Immediately this picture entered my mind:

This is the Familia Chicuaicura.

Just look at their eyes for a moment.

They were this sweet family who lived on a beautiful hilly neighborhood of El Bolsón, Argentina in a cabin with a spacious ceiling, but very humble living. María has trouble speaking in a way and Renaldo had an accident with a tractor that ran over his right leg. It is now cut off to the upper thigh. He uses a slim tree stump to walk—putting it under his thigh with a soft skin to cushion and a pant leg to make it look more natural—by holding on to the lip of the top of the leg with both hands on either side and shimmying it forward, then taking a step with the good leg. He said the first prayer when we visited him, which was one of the most tender and sweet prayers ever, and afterward just began to tell us how much he was blessed and everything that has happened in his life. All this he said after we had sung “I Believe in Christ” and read Mosiah 4:9-10. Hna Z and I became emotional as he expressed his happiness and contentedness in life. He looked at me in the eyes at one moment and said “Todo es de nuestro Senor…conseguí todo, Hermanita.” (“Everything is from Our Lord…I have received everything, hermanita”)

Renaldo is 80 years old and doesn’t go to church because they live far and don’t have money for a taxi. I was so deeply touched by their faith and countenances. I’m grateful the Lord brought them to my mind again today to remember their light and sweet spirits. I look forward to knowing them better after this life.

Anyone I know has more than this family did. But not everyone I know, nor I, have the same light of love and gratitude shining constantly in my eyes as did this family. Something to work on, that is for sure.

(these are pictures of pictures, sorry.)

(OK this is so unrelated, but as I was reading through my journals from Argentina I found this and it made me laugh so much:)

31 Aug 2007

“Dude what up with all the latinas telling me I’m fat. Hna C today asked how much I have gained on the mission and I said “none” and she said “OH NO-you were SO different when I met you in the MTC.” Whatev!”

Hahaha oh this is so funny to me. An earlier companion I had one day turns to me and says, “Hermana, we are getting fat.” I said “Speak for yourself!”

The funny thing is I did gain weight, but I was completely unaware, nor did I really care. But it’s so funny how different cultures are so bold about some things! Haha gave me and Perris a good laugh today!)

Hope you have a wonderful Sabbath.