Dear Momma,
It's been one of those mornings where everything breaks and nothing works right. I've got this darn cold, both of our dryers are broken so the laundry's all over the place, our car keeps getting stuck in the snow, and my companion and I just don't get along. You're absolutely right - life just keeps coming no matter what. I want to sound cheerful and uplifting, but honestly I'm just feeling cranky. I guess I need to get over it. Feeling grouchy doesn't really make anything better. It just makes the good stuff go sour too.
Maybe it would be best just to count some blessings right now.
I'm grateful that it's snowing. When it's snow, the temperature goes up, so it's +20 now instead of -20 like it was 3 days ago. (That's in Fahrenheit.)
I'm grateful for the wonderful gifts I've been given by my friends and family back home and here. I've received scarves, hats, gloves, sweaters, chocolate, and so many other nice things to keep me warm on the inside as well as out.
I'm grateful that I had 16 years with a sweet, funny, beautiful brother like Casey.
I'm grateful that I have Heavenly Father's promise that he'll be my brother forever.
I'm grateful for kind people who feed missionaries - even when they feed us fish.
I'm grateful for the care I get to use. It may be pitifully weak in the snow, but at least the seats are heated.
I'm grateful for the gift of tongues.
I'm grateful for a sweet friend like Nate who cares enough to reach out to comfort my family, even though he's never met them.
I'm grateful for Christ's mercy, which can free us from the weight of justice.
I'm grateful for God's justice, which is much kinder and fairer than man's justice.
I'm grateful for my companion's desire to do the Lord's work well.
I'm grateful for Christmas cards.
I'm grateful for clear, starry skies.
I'm grateful for parents who've supported me in all my endeavors, no matter what they've been; who work hard and make it possible for me to do this work now.
I'm grateful for friends and leaders and teachers who helped me find my own testimony of the gospel.
I'm grateful for repentance.
I'm grateful for sunshine.
I'm grateful for music.
I'm grateful for 22 beautiful, tediously-prepared birthday cakes from my dear Mom-Mom.
I'm grateful for thousands of loads of laundry hauled and hung and folded, and probably millions of dishes washed by the worlds most patient, hard-working mom.
I'm grateful for running water (we went without it for a little last Saturday).
I'm grateful for temples, and the peace and promises we receive from Heavenly Father in them.
I'm grateful for telephones and computers and the postal system, which all help me stay close to the people I love while we're far away.
I'm grateful that sometimes God doesn't listen to my requests and gives me something much better instead.
I'm not feeling so cranky anymore. But it is a little embarrassing, sitting here, trying not to cry in front of my companion. Such is the life of a missionary.
We have so much to be thankful for, Momma. Counting the blessings may be a good way for you to use this spare time that's eating you up right now. Write them down. As many as u can think of. It was hard at first for me to think of something to appreciate, but now it's hard to stop. And I do feel much better.
I love you, Momma. So much.
Love,
Syster Hillary Kiser
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