Gratitude

As I think over my life I am filled with a sense of extreme gratitude for all that I have been given.  I started to write that, as I think over the last weeks, or months- but the reality is that throughout my life I have been blessed.  The list becomes extremely long as I begin to enumerate my blessings, and I know there are things I will leave out when I try.  My family used to have fun because one of my favorite phrases is always, "well at least," but I have found that in every situation there is still much for which to be grateful.  I hope our mission can be a reflection of that gratitude.
We were explaining to someone about going on our mission, and they said, "Oh, kind of like a two year vacation", I think they nailed it exactly - and I am so excited!   Not sure exactly where we will be living - besides somewhere in Guatemala, or in what kind of circumstances, or what we will be doing, but knowing that we will be able to be in service of the Lord makes this adventure marvelous!   I read this quote this morning and I hope we can live up to it, "The depth and the willingness with which we serve is a direct reflection of our gratitude."  (Elder Gordon T Watts, Oct 1998, General Conf.)
So, here is the beginning of my gratitude list, please feel free to add on at any time!
The Gospel of Jesus Christ                          Scriptures
The Savior's atonement                               Prophet, Leaders
Home                                                        Food
Family                                                        Wonderful Friends
Fantastic Ward                                          Inspiring children, inspiring people
Temples                                                     Good health
Nature, the nice cool weather!                   Sunrises and sunsets
Good Books                                             Lovely music, especially the birds outside the house!
Getting to learn a new language                 Sleep!
babies                                                      grandchildren
Going on a mission!                                  A new day!
Tanna

Stress

If moving was just packing a suitcase, or some boxes it would be so simple!  Preparing for a mission as a Senior Missionary takes on other aspects a person never dreams of, like where to store all of your "stuff," and getting all of your bills online, or making sure your taxes are ready for someone else to do.  We keep reminding ourselves of our blessings, and working through all of the silly little bumps in the road.  I read somewhere that when we go we need to have pictures of our family with us, because when we are there we are ambassadors representing our family in a way.  I think that is a wonderful thought, because wherever we are or whatever we are doing we are representing so many things, concepts and people.

Earthly Possessions, "things"

We unknowingly get attached to so many things!  Since we need to downsize as much as possible for storage it means selling, giving away or loaning out as much as possible.  I almost felt silly today when I had separation anxiety from my "things" that are going in storage or elsewhere.  How many things we let clutter our lives till they in a way take over, and it happens so slowly we don't even realize the impact.  Simplifying on demand is perhaps important surgery for me this week, but as in all surgery - it is a little painful. The thought of seeing all of my children is the next couple of months is very exciting, at the same time I can't imagine not communicating with them on a daily basis while we are gone.  The fate of the house in Conway is still up in the air; will it sell, or perhaps rent?  Not knowing is definitely another large test of faith.  Obviously a very difficult day.  On the other hand we are so blessed!  We spent Saturday in the Temple in Memphis, and we have both been working hard on our Q'eqchi' and Spanish.  Learning, remembering that one step at a time is all we are required to take.