My "gratitude" basket.

Many months ago I heard/read a talk (I can't really remember when or where... -at church, in general conference, or from the Ensign?) where a woman talked about having a basket full of cards and a pen at hand at all times so that she would always be ready to right a note, thought, or thank-you card for someone. For a family member, friend, neighbor- anyone really.

I liked this idea quite a lot, but it wasn't until just a couple months ago that I remembered that talk again and finally decided to make myself what I like to call my "gratitude" basket. 

This basket, full of both many blank cards and cards given/sent to us from family and friends, along with my favorite kind of pen, sits on the counter in our kitchen (right next to my jar full of candy :) ...) and has become a daily reminder to me of how loved we are and how much I/we have to be thankful for.

A couple of weeks ago I received a calling in our branch. Once again, I have been blessed with the opportunity to serve with the kids in the primary. I will be teaching the 6 and 7 year old children in our branch and I am very excited about it! They are cute, sweet kids that I am very excited to get to know, although after only meeting them once (last week) I already feel so much love for them.

This Sunday, (my first week teaching) the lesson is on saying "Thank-you." And, the kids will get the chance to make/write their own thank-you cards.

After almost 4 years of teaching in the primary I have found that there are many harder lessons and many easier lessons to teach to children... this lesson I consider to be an easy lesson. We are all so blessed with so many reasons to be grateful! And, even a 6 or 7 year old child won't find it hard to recognize that.