just counting my blessings

Today I am thankful for:

my little man's giggles

the beautiful weather

the fact that I can walk

my hubby

8 happy children

1 child who challenges me

a comfortable bed

kind neighbors

pumkin pie

Christmas decorations

my toothbrush

DoTerra essential oils...today-grapefruit oil

water

my faith

The Savior's love

my parents

my brothers and sisters

primary children

a home

my tomatoes

pink toe nails

music

living by family

my friends

pret ty sis ters

the sun

temples

art

birds

snails

painted chairs

grandparents

healthy food

my watch

razors

the computer

flowers

tape

the ability to love

the beach

clean sheets

car pools

my hands

electricity

light

sweatshirts

teeth

shells

prayer

printer ink cartridges

my hands

Fertilizer

Several years ago I was reading my scriptures...trying to get past the part that talks about the trees... planting... grafting... plucking them up... wild fruit...etc.

I was half tuned in to what I was reading, and was really feeling sorry for myself...

I'll spare you the details, but let's just say I was going through a lot of personal turmoil. I was in a challenging marriage, and my children were struggling. My parents and siblings were all in the west, and I felt very much alone and isolated on the east coast... and I was looking for some kind of relief through my scripture study.

The end of the parable was quickly approaching, and the Lord of the vineyard started "DUNGING" His beloved trees.

Suddenly I was alert.

Dung?

Did that really mean what I thought it meant? I must confess I laughed...then went and looked up dung in the dictionary. I had to be sure...I was right! I felt tons of manure heaped on me...

I was being dunged!

I felt so loved, and thanked Heavenly Father for the fertilization.