I absolutely love Thanksgiving and this whole time of year in general, I love fall. My first Autumn here on the east coast has been beautiful and I am loving it out here more and more everyday. I am so grateful for so many things in my life I could never share them all, but I would like to share a few. I am so grateful for parents that I know love me and that will always be there for me no matter how many thousands of miles are between us. I am grateful for all of my brothers and sisters (in-laws included of course) and the much stronger relationship I have built with them over the past couple of years, I consider all of you some of my very best friends! I am so grateful for all of my friends, all my old ones, and all of my new ones, and all the ones in between, you help me through so much and I am so blessed to have so many true friends that are there for me in good times or in bad, no matter what.
Since living in Philly I have come to realize very simple things that I am grateful for that I never really thought about before I was here, here are a few of them. I am grateful that I had parents that read to me when I was a child, that would take me to the library whenever I wanted to go, that put a high value on education, and always pushed and encouraged me to do my best in my academic pursuits. I am grateful for the gospel in my life and the amazing happiness it brings, and also the change I have seen it make in the lives of those around me. I have seen this change take place in many of the new members of my ward and it is so awesome. I am so grateful to know that I am where I am supposed to be, and that I am doing what I love.
On a bit of a lighter note... I am grateful for my guy friends here in Philly they are so great! They set mouse traps, walk us girls home at night, make great food for me, let me watch House, The Office and 30 Rock at their house, help me move all of my stuff into my apartment, let me park in their driveway when I can't find parking, and tell me about things like "Julie Andrews will be at Macy's on Saturday signing her book" (yes I got the book and yes I got it signed, and got to chat with her for a second yesterday!!!!) I am grateful for my girlfriends in Philly who go and really girly movies with me that I would never ever take any guy to (New Moon), who let me sleep on their couch/air mattress when I didn't have a home, who are such great examples of the person I want to become, who spend wonderful Saturdays with me going on runs, going to the farmers market, and to see Julie Andrews at Macy's :).
These are just a few of the many things I am so grateful for, I am so incredibly blessed.
