Live in Thanksgiving Daily

Happy Thanksgiving to all you turkeys out there! Pie and stuffing is just around the corner, and I can't believe it! Hope y'all aren't freezing wherever you are. We had some pretty cold days this week, and then today it's 70 degrees... so that's confusing.

A few comments about the south:

-There are beautiful Christmas lights adorning every street light in "downtown" Grovetown and it's adorable. Also, no one has to worry about anyone calling the city and complaining about being offended. Which is refreshing.

-The ice cream trucks are playing Christmas music. Seriously. I'm not kidding.

More comments will surely come as the holiday season progresses...

Most of my email this week is pictures, I apologize. Please know that I love y'all so much and I am so thankful to be a missionary. I am thankful for my Savior, Jesus Christ, and for all that He has done for me. I am thankful for this gospel, which is no longer part of my life, but which is my life.

I'd like to share a few words from President Dieter F. Uchtdorf:

"Everyone’s situation is different, and the details of each life are unique. Nevertheless, I have learned that there is something that would take away the bitterness that may come into our lives. There is one thing we can do to make life sweeter, more joyful, even glorious.

We can be grateful!
It might sound contrary to the wisdom of the world to suggest that one who is burdened with sorrow should give thanks to God. But those who set aside the bottle of bitterness and lift instead the goblet of gratitude can find a purifying drink of healing, peace, and understanding.

Brothers and sisters, have we not reason to be filled with gratitude, regardless of the circumstances in which we find ourselves?

Do we need any greater reason to let our hearts “be full of thanks unto God”?

“Have we not great reason to rejoice?”

How blessed we are if we recognize God’s handiwork in the marvelous tapestry of life. Gratitude to our Father in Heaven broadens our perception and clears our vision. It inspires humility and fosters empathy toward our fellowmen and all of God’s creation. Gratitude is a catalyst to all Christlike attributes! A thankful heart is the parent of all virtues.

The Lord has given us His promise that those “who [receive] all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto [them], even an hundred fold, yea, more.”

May we “live in thanksgiving daily”—especially during the seemingly unexplainable endings that are part of mortality. May we allow our souls to expand in thankfulness toward our merciful Heavenly Father. May we ever and constantly raise our voices and show by word and deed our gratitude to our Father in Heaven and to His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ."

I am grateful for you!
Much love,
Sister Szilagyi