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Family Tree TuesdayZ | Count Your Blessings

In my church, there is a song in the hymnbook called “Count Your Blessings“. I love this hymn because it sings the truth of living a life full of gratitude. Whenever my life feels too tough to bear, I can count my blessings and be thankful and when I do, help and comfort come from my Heavenly Father. I hope that you can take the lyrics of this hymn into your heart and then truly count your blessings, because I know you will find that you have many. I’m going to take this opportunity to write down my blessings in my journal today and I hope you do too!

Count Your Blessings

Text: Johnson Oatman Jr., 1856–1922
Music: Edwin O. Excell, 1851–1921

  1. When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed,
    When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
    Count your many blessings; name them one by one,
    And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.
  2. Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
    Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
    Count your many blessings; ev’ry doubt will fly,
    And you will be singing as the days go by.
  3. When you look at others with their lands and gold,
    Think that Christ has promised you his wealth untold.
    Count your many blessings; money cannot buy
    Your reward in heaven nor your home on high.
  4. So amid the conflict, whether great or small,
    Do not be discouraged; God is over all.
    Count your many blessings; angels will attend,
    Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.
Chorus:
Count your blessings;
Name them one by one.
Count your blessings;
See what God hath done.
Count your blessings;
Name them one by one.
Count your many blessings;
See what God hath done.

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Tuesdays

Life 365 | Week 48

Monday, November 22, 2010
nov22
We made our countdown to Christmas paper chains today. I was going to wait until next week, but the kids were anxious to do something – so we did it! They were excited to hang them up in their rooms!

Tuesday, November 23, 2010
nov23
I made navajo tacos for the first time tonight. I think it went over really well!

Wednesday, November 24, 2010
nov24
So the kids didn’t have to go to school today and so they were watching some tv this morning while I was in my room. I suddenly heard the distinct sound that JJ makes when he has a seizure. I ran in and Beth was freaking out. So we waited out the seizure and got Beth calmed down. I was so relieved when he stopped seizing. I hadn’t even realized he had a fever – I knew he was coughing a bit, but had no idea he was as sick as he was. We took him to the doctor and found out he had walking pneumonia but that with some antibiotics he would be fine. JJ slept most of the day and already doing so much better after the first dose of antibiotics.


Thursday, November 25, 2010
nov25
Because of JJ being sick yesterday I didn’t get packed until this morning and we didn’t leave for Orderville until late afternoon. We had a nice drive and such pretty scenery on our way down though. It was nice to finally get to Grandma and Grandpa’s house.

Friday, November 26, 2010
nov26
What a wonderful day. We had a great Thanksgiving dinner in the barn with all of my family – except for Charity and her kids. And then in the evening, was JJ’s baptism. I was so happy with how it turned out. There are so many times where I don’t know what is going on in JJ’s head or how much he is taking in – but tonight, I know he felt the spirit. He was so calm and happy and it just was so great to see him come up from the water with a smile on his face. I was so glad all the family could be there. Both Grandmas gave such wonderful talks and the Grandpas were the witnesses. Cousin Austin played the piano for us and there was just such a wonderful spirit there. I’m so thankful for JJ and for the gospel in our lives. Afterwards, we had our Thanksgiving pie and other desserts and all the men/boys played basketball in their church outfits! It was fun to go over to Kori’s house afterwards and visit and play games.

Saturday, November 27, 2010
nov27
JJ and I spent the day with Grandpa and Uncle Clint at Sink Valley. We looked for cows, played in the snow, got some wood for Grandma’s fire, and got some Christmas trees. JJ loved being out there and I did too – even though it was pretty cold. It was a fun day, spent with just my buddy. Dad and Beth spent time with the rest of the family at home. Joey helped Grandma with some computer stuff and Beth got to play all day with Whitnee.

Sunday, November 28, 2010
nov28
We decided not to return home today. The weather was pretty awful, so we just spent another day, playing at Grandma’s house and visiting. It was nice just to be with the family.

Project 365 | Week 48

Monday, November 23, 2009
nov23Bethie’s last day of school this week and they got to have a little Thanksgiving dinner. She had way fun and I thought she looked so adorable in the little pilgrim bonnets/hats that they made!

Tuesday, November 24, 2009
nov24All packed up to head home to Orderville for Thanksgiving. JJ had his last day of school for the week and when Joey got home from work we drove down.

Wednesday, November 25, 2009
nov25My mom and I spent today doing all the food preparations for tomorrow’s feast. It was nice to do it today so we could have tomorrow to just be together as a family. My main focus was to make our family’s traditional egg noodles (from my Grandma Sorensen’s recipe). Everytime I make these I think of my Grandma and how much I miss her. I hope she is happy where she is and proud of her family. As my mom and I made food we had a great little visit and made plans for Thanksgiving and Christmas. It was very nice to be there in the home I grew up in and just be with family.

Thursday, November 26, 2009
nov26Today we had our first Thanksgiving dinner in my sister Kori’s home. She and her family have restored my Great-Grandpa and Great-Grandma Esplin’s home and its so beautiful. I’m so happy for her and her family to have this wonderful home to live in and its wonderful that the old home can be used again. We have been having our Thanksgiving dinners out in the barn every year because it was the only place we could fit us all, but now Kori has this wonderful big home that she shared with us this year. I loved having all of us together. It was good to see Charity – I haven’t seen her in awhile and she is looking good and she and her kids have moved into a nice trailer, so I’m glad things are going well for her.

Friday, November 27, 2009
nov27Since I didn’t get any pictures today, since we just drove back to Orem, I decided to share what else we did yesterday. After our Thanksgiving dinner, we helped Kori and her family put up their lights. Okay, so mostly we just visited and laughed as others did it – but it was a hoot. So how many people does it take to get the lights up on the house – well there was Ray to hold the rope that was attached to Colby so he wouldn’t fall (the roof was very slippery and steep), Kori to help with the rope on the roof, and Joey and Austin to provide moral support. LOL After getting the lights put up and playing more at Grandma’s, we had dessert at Grandma’s and then went back to the house for the lighting of the old house! We visited a little more and Beth got to have her very first sleepover – with Whitnee! She did so good. We also watched a movie with my Dad – which is always a wonderful tradition!

Saturday, November 28, 2009
nov28Today was our niece’s wedding day. I can’t believe that Chelsea and Alicia are old enough to be married, but they are. It was nice to have Joey’s parents come and visit with us and good to have most of the family together for awhile. The wedding was nice and it was very beautiful with the Christmas decorations. Some good food too. Congratulations Chelsea!

Sunday, November 29, 2009
nov29Last week, these huge giftbags were dropped off for the kids as an early Christmas gift. The kids wanted to open them then, but I decided it will be nice to wait to have another gift under the tree for Christmas. I feel so blessed that someone out there thought of my kids – thank you to whoever you are!