Attitude of Gratitude

I had such a great weekend. Dad, David, Jackie & I went hiking on the Fundy Trail in St. Martin's. It was so beautiful and cool there. We had a picnic lunch in those serene surroundings. We ate and laughed. Laughed more than I have done in awhile. It all goes downhill from there. Well, not really it was downhill and uphill and downhill and uphill. I am talking about our hike. Dad and I have not done anything like that for a long while. It was grueling at times but the scenery was so awesome it made the pain of the walk more bareable. I raised my arms in the air when we made it back to the place where we parked our car.

I, then, drove to Fredericton to be with my sister and my dad and the rest of the crew drove back to Moncton. Things have not been going well for my sister lately. Her husband left her. Yes, he came back saying he would go to counselling and try to get over whatever he was feeling, but didn't go to counselling. He left her for a second time and actually moved out on August 1, 2011. My heart breaks for her. She loves him so much and he doesn't even know what love really is. I feel very sad for his chasing a pipedream, a fantasy that doesn't exist. He doesn't believe in God at all. What does he think all of this is for? My sister is strong. She will get over this. She is so special and doesn't see it because of some of her ex-husband's comments. How can someone knowingly hurt someone else just to make a point? I love my sister and I am so grateful I can be here for her. She has some wonderful friends who are helping her as well. I think it will be a long and winding road.

I also got to spend time with my absolutely awesome dad. I love him so very much. He is so quiet and he grows smaller every day. I only pray that he will be with us for a long time. He has the cutest laugh and when he tells a joke or a funny story his whole face laughs.

I also got to spend some time with Robb, Aliss, Sariah and Joseph. What a choice experience to be able to do that. I am so grateful for them living so close. I will try and post pictures later.

I told my sister that our challenge for the next while is to have an attitude of gratitude. There is so much to be thankful for and I believe we all take so much for granted. Stop today...right now...and think of something or someone you are grateful for.

"Men are that they might have joy". Let's live so we can have the joy that our Heavenly Father wants us to have.