Thanksgiving Time!!

I think right now would be a great time to post about things that I am thankful for, even though I am almost a week late for Thanksgiving. First and foremost, I am so very grateful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ in my life. My testimony of the Church of Jesus Christ has shaped me into the person I am more than anything else in life. Today at work we had a diversity training. Part of that training was reflecting on our personal values. They had signs such as family, nationality, race, religion, age, gender, etc. posted around the room. Then they asked a series of questions and had us go stand by the sign that most reflects our answer. One of the questions that was posed is "What are you most proud of in your life?" I went and stood by the religion sign. I wouldn't say I was "proud" of my religion, but I do know that I am who I am today because of it. And I am very pleased with who I am today, and who I have become.
Another thing that I am most grateful for is my family. Although I do not see them as much as I used to when I was living in Logan, I love them. I think I appreciate them more living further away. I actually feel that my relationship with my family has become better and stronger due to the fact that I am not always around. My family, especially my parents, have taught me and shaped who I am as well. I am grateful for wonderful parents who were very dedicated to teaching me values and standards that I have adopted as my own in my adult years.
I am grateful for technology. On Thanksgiving, I was able to Skype with my sister, Ashley, who lives in Florida. I have not seen her for over a year. During that time that I haven't seen her, she had a baby. So, because technology is advanced as it is, I was able to meet my beautiful neice over Skype. I am grateful we have the technology to stay in contact with those people who mean the most to us, even though they are so very far away.
I am grateful for my talent in playing the bass, and the opportunity I have to be in the Orchestra on Temple Square. I am grateful my parents insisted on making me practice my bass and piano before playing with friends. I am grateful that they sacrificed so much time and money for private lessons, competitions and tours that have given me so many opportunities that I would not have had if I did not have the talent of playing the bass. I feel so blessed to be part of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir organization. On a regular basis, I get to interact with individuals who are just famous names to others. On a weekly basis, I have the opportunity to perform with the choir, and to feel the spirit each time I do so.
I am grateful for my job. I am grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who guided me to this job, and it just landed in my lap.
I am grateful for friends. Both those who I see and interact with on a regular basis, as well as those who I don't see very often, but because we have such a strong, valued friendship, we still consider each other friends. But when I do see those friends, it is like we never parted ways.
Most of all, I am grateful for the gift of life. Life is good, and although I have challenges more often than I would like, I would not change my life for anyone else's. Heavenly Father knows me, and who I am, and what will make me happy, and what will make me grow the most.
So there you have. A very condensed list of what I am grateful for. If I had more time, this list would go on and on. I feel like I am a very blessed person.