"to live with gratitude ever in our hearts is a touch of heaven"

so this post kind of got out of control haha. it’s ridiculously long, because i’ve been ridiculously blessed :) you probably won’t read it, and that’s okay.  i just wanted to say that i’m thankful :) 

I am thankful for:

1. God 
2. my Savior Jesus Christ & His Atonement
3. the opportunity to repent and be with Him someday
4. the Good News of the Gospel
5. my scriptures :)
6. my parents
7. my siblings
8. family love
9. extended family
10. support
11. courage
12. hope
13. mercy
14. happiness
15. joy
16. smiles
17. rainbows
18. flowers
19. beautiful earth
20. trees
21. mountains
22. water
23. air… so that we can breathe
24. music
25. creation
26. close friends you can say anything to
27. people who make me laugh
28. people who cheer me up when i’m down
29. the internet, because it allows me to feel close to people who are far away
30. groups of people who all love each other
31. church
32. headphones. so that i can listen to music in the library without disturbing others.
33. education
34. good teachers who have impacted my life
35. people who are passionate about what they do
36. cars
37. airplanes, because they bring me home fast
38. grandparents :)
39. delicious food
40. my sense of taste
41. my brain
42. my intelligence
43. other people’s gifts that they bring to the world
44. blankies
45. eyes that see
46. ears that hear
47. a healthy body
48. an apartment
49. inspiration
50. love
51. God’s love
52. Christ’s example
53. other people’s examples
54. people who are always happy & making other people happy
55. people who are willing to listen
56. God’s constancy
57. candy
58. chocolate
59. ice cream
60. the fact that i can have ice cream whenever i want it
61. a warm comfy bed
62. my cell phone
63. safety
64. freedom
65. cookies and brownies and pie
66. apples
67. life
68. change
69. sunrises
70. how lives can change
71. people that have changed my life
72. mentors
73. people who love unconditionally
74. playgrounds
75. memories
76. photographs
77. kindness
78. uplifting music
79. people who are talented and share their talent with the world
80. people who are never mean, ever
81. people who take you for who you are and love you
82. that love where you love someone even more because of their imperfections
83. love that lasts forever
84. umbrellas!
85. rain
86. apple crisp
87. mothers who make you muffins when you just walked home from the bus stop in the rain and you’re cold outside and the muffins are delicious and warm and she loves you
88. friends that are forever
89. hard things in life that make you stronger
90. people who understand
91. the healing power of forgiveness
92. people who are cheerful even when they have a right to be miserable
93. God’s grace
94. learning
95. the indomitable human spirit
96. people who aren’t afraid
97. people who care
98. music that makes me happy every time i listen to it
99. knowledge
100. funny things
101. the gift of humor :)
102. laughter
103. indoor plumbing!
104. electricity
105. moments of peace
106. people that say the things that i mean better than i can say them
107. people who are inspired and share with everyone
108. the internet, because i can find things on it
109. people who teach me things
110. summer because it’s warm and sunny and beautiful and it means friends and relaxing and love and family
111. fall because it’s beautiful and crisp and the leaves are crunchy and it means hot cider and sweaters and love and progression
112. winter because it means snowmen and snow and beauty and christmas and happy and red cheeks and scarves and boots and holidays and family and love
113. spring because it gets warmer and the sun comes out and it’s so beautiful and the trees come to life and the flowers and the baby animals and easter and everything is wonderful and love
114. people who for some reason love me
115. happy birthdays!!
116. christmas!!
117. christmas music
118. thanksgiving
119. easter
120. all the opportunities we have to celebrate life and be thankful
121. words
122. language
123. expression
124. art
125. the ability to create music
126. the nice things that people say that i never forget
127. helpful people :)
128. singing!
129. people who never forget about you or let you go
130. prayer
131. musicals
132. people who laugh at my jokes
133. people who make others feel good about themselves
134. faith
135. the people i trust completely
136. friendship
137. snuggling
138. little kids who love you for you
139. people who know more than me
140. belief
141. pain
142. things that make me feel
143. dreams
144. people who encourage you
145. humbling experiences
146. the bad times that make me appreciate the good ones :)
147. the ocean
148. beaches
149. scenic detours… literally and metaphorically haha :)
150. moments that take my breath away
151. people that it’s never awkward with
152. people that it’s always awkward and hilarious with :)
153. the fact that i could literally go on listing things for eternity and it would never, ever be enough
154. peanut m&ms
155. my problems
156. opportunity
157. my dad & his job
158. others’ generosity and forgiveness
159. the beauty of a night sky
160. that God loved us enough to go above and beyond in creating this beautiful world
161. that I can feel His love each & every day
162. chances to share the Love
163. moments of triumph
164. optimism
165. the promise of Heaven
166. beauty
167. friends who point me towards Christ
168. people who make me smile just by being alive
169. busy days
170. quiet days
171. the promise of a new day, every day
172. friendship that isn’t affected by time or space
173. that i don’t have to understand something to believe in it
174. strength
175. God’s omnipotence
176. best friends
177. modern medicine
178. miracles
179. Christ’s Resurrection
180. God’s care
181. to have people in my life that I love enough to miss
182. to go to an exceptional university
183. clean drinking water
184. benjamin franklin
185. george washington
186. rainboots!
187. really, really great hugs that say everything without saying anything
188. silence
189. pillows!
190. dance parties!
191. the sun
192. the moon
193. the stars
194. curiosity
195. discovery
196. independence
197. happy-for-no-reason days :)
198. old people who have a lot of wisdom & care about our generation
199. the little things that make my life better that i don’t even know about
200. friendly people :)
201. confidence boosts :)
202. that i can vote
203. that i don’t always get what i want
204. that God is always in control
205. corn on the cob
206. people who are courageous enough & willing to stand up for right
207. differences
208. selfless people
209. the piano
210. computers
211. moral agency & the gift of choice
212. digital cameras
213. my roommates & that we love each other :)
214. time
215. slumber parties
216. the little bugs that eat things and clean things and the germs that live inside of me and keep me healthy
217. that my heart keeps beating, day after day, and that i cannot make my own heart beat
218. to be alive
219. stories
220. books that i get lost in
221. little gifts that God gives us for no other reason than to show us He loves us
222. people who are just Good
223. laughter hiccups :)
224. people who are just a little bit off and make life interesting and funny :) :)
225. Light
226. clouds
227. color
228. society, company, gatherings, parties :)
229. my faith in humanity
230. that people sweat and don’t have to roll around in the mud like pigs do or pant like dogs
231. depth of emotion
232. light-hearted moments :)
233. that God gave us families
234. a mother’s love
235. a father’s love
236. the men in my life who respect women and are strong and courageous and noble and wonderful and sweet and caring and a shining ideal of everything a man should be
237. glasses that help me see!
238. prescription sunglasses
239. sunglasses in general
240. couches and chairs that are perfect for napping
241. comfort
242. discomfort, because it tells me that something is wrong
243. my laptop
244. seatbelts & carseats
245. windows
246. cleanliness
247. a sense of smell
248. the ability to let the unimportant things go
249. the healing power of Christ
250. optimistic people :)
251. that family’s are forever
252. the my parents love each other
253. that my siblings and i have always gotten along and that we have so much love for each other
254. diversity
255. experiences in life that give me empathy
256. friends who have given me a heart full of joy
257. the changing seasons
258. that life is fun :)
259. a voice
260. fresh fruits & vegetables
261. that i had braces
262. that i don’t have braces anymore :)
263. toes and fingers and thumbs
264. birds that sing in the morning :)
265. the warmth of the sun & sunshine
266. pillow fights!
267. that i live now and not then
268. acne medication!!
269. God’s omniscience
270. farmers and construction workers and janitors and septic tank workers and garbage collectors and all the workers who do their thankless jobs every day, without whom we wouldn’t be able to get along
271. recycling
272. the post office and mail people
273. my warm winter coats
274. that snail mail is fun and that instant communication is possible
275. my incredible prosperity compared to most of the world
276. opportunities to give back
277. libraries
278. people who hold the door open for strangers
279. weather
280. wind
281. people who pick up litter
282. people who voluntarily make huge sacrifices for other people 
283. that Christ understands everything anyone has ever felt
284. everyone who’s ever given me a ride, ever
285. people who do nice things without even thinking about it
286. doctors and nurses
287. dentists
288. people who go to school for a lot of time and pay a lot of money so that they can help other people
289. EMT’s, police people, 911 operators, firefighters, ambulance drivers, and everyone who dedicates their life to public service and risks their life every day
290. people who are first aid certified
291. people who save lives
292. hospitals
293. America
294. answered prayers
295. unanswered prayers :)
296. that this world was put together just perfectly 
297. days when you laugh so hard everything hurts and you’re so so happy :)
298. inventors
299. people who comfort you when you’re sad
300. back rubs
301. foot massages
302. that my family moved where we did
303. babies! :)
304. that my life is so blessed
305. hilarious movies
306. bollywood movies :)
307. crayons! :)
308. for my life and that i’m me :)
309. people who don’t wait to be asked before doing the right thing
310. that i believe in miracles and that i’ve seen them happen
311. hot apple cider
312. different cultures
313. travel
314. individuality 
315. you, and whatever it is that you bring to the world that no one else does or could ever do as well. thanks :)
316. i suppose math. because it allows engineers to build things and… other great things. 
317. perseverance & persistence
318. toothpaste & toothbrushes & deodorant & shampoo & soap
319. other religions/belief systems and the good that they bring to the world - it’s awesome
320. people all over who are trying to do the best they can with what they’ve got. you’re doing great :)
321. validation & compliments
322. 13 years of free education
323. jello!
324. family traditions
325. my teeth! chomp chomp.
326. how my body just goes on its merry way, running itself and mostly taking care of itself too. 
327. Costco tasters! :) free samples in general, actually
328. heritage
329. history
330. that plants can grow in the dirt
331. that it’s easy for me to get a healthy, nutritious diet
332. prophets & apostles
333. men & women in uniform
334. people who are dedicated to doing their job well
335. handwarmers! and gloves and mittens and scarves and hats and snowboots
336. central heating
337. air conditioning
338. how everything just works together so perfectly most of the time
339. harmony
340. awareness
341. the Word of God
342. the sacrifices that others have made so that i can have all that i do
343. God’s power
344. fellowship & community
345. packages in the mail :)
346. the freezer. 
347. people who know things and use that knowledge to help other people. like the people who know how to hook the computer to the projector and make the sound come out. love them. 
348. that life is beautiful
349. when people say what you needed to hear without even knowing it
350. skype!
351. telephone calls
352. hilarious stories
353. experience
354. new friends :)
355. eternity & infinity
356. that there’s more to be seen than can ever be seen, & more to do than could ever be done :) 
357. my upbringing
358. my home
359. museums, art exhibits, etc. :) 
360. singing really loud, in the car, the shower, anywhere & everywhere :)
361. day-brighteners :)
362. that there is always someone looking out for me
363. pizza
364. pop
365. that i can walk
366. shoes!
367. trust
368. confidence
369. ugly sweaters
370. family photos
371. groups of people that feel like family
372. ugly days… they make me appreciate the other days
373. days when you just feel really, really good about yourself & the way you look :)
374. naps :)
375. the day after vacation when you’re back in your own home and your own bed and your own shower and you had a great vacation but you’re so happy to be home because it’s your home and you remember how much you love it :) 
376. the first shower after a really long camping trip
377. that day after being sick when you’re NOT sick anymore!
378. reunions
379. people who are always really excited to see you :)
380. excitement
381. that happiness and excitement are contagious :)
382. my dad
383. the incomprehensible
384. things that make me stand in awe
385. immensity 
386. amazement
387. my hair
388. vacations
389. road trips
390. wisdom
391. action
392. webcams!
393. all those times when things could’ve been really bad but weren’t
394. happy accidents that i don’t believe were accidents
395. that God knows me better than I know myself
396. heartbreak
397. human potential
398. other peoples’ gratitude :)
399. my mistakes
400. that God is great :)