Ten Things of Thankful: #GeneralConference Anticipation

 

Jesus Christ stands in an crowd of kneeling worshippers, with the caption "Peace be unto you." 
source

In last week's post, I expressed gratitude for some things that hadn't actually happened yet, but that I hoped would soon. This week, I'm thankful that some of those things have happened--and I'm still holding out hope that the others will. In addition, I'm thankful in advance for other events. 

To revisit last's week's anticipatory items:

• My air purifier was repaired, the company sent it back to me, and I'm thankful for clean air.
• The car wash company accepted responsibility for the accident, have authorized a check to be written to the repair company, and I'm thankful I have an appointment scheduled for the new bumper to be installed.
• The shop did get the van repaired, though not in time for me to renew the tags before the end of September. However, I'm thankful that the state of Utah offers a temporary registration for only $6 which grants me another month to get the emissions test passed. 
• I'm still waiting for the health insurance reimbursement check, but I'm thankful the expense was approved and I'm still holding out hope that the check will actually be issued soon.

This week, some of you might have decided, as I did, to tune into the presidential debates. I generally do not like talking politics, because the topic is so devisive, but I think almost everyone would agree that the "debate" was downright awful. I wanted to hear about issues, not listen to juvenile arguing and name-calling. I'm thankful to be old enough to remember most of these exchanges from past political debates: 

Did you notice how the candidates took turns speaking? When Reagan had a zinger for Mondale, Mondale did not angrily attack Reagan, but instead laughed along with the audience. I chose this video because it was relatively short, but I watched several others. In one of them, Bush responded to the same question asked of Dukakis, and said, "We just have an honest difference of opinion." 

Society in general seems to be missing the idea that people can have honest differences of opinion without being ___________(fill in a negative adjective). I'm thankful for parents and teachers who have taught me that we don't have to hold the same opinions to be civil to each other. We can be more than civil; we can be friends. Friendship is not conditioned on being of the same political party, the same religious affiliation, the same background, the same race, the same. . . . 

While I was frustrated with the debate on Tuesday night, when I looked at the calendar on Wednesday morning, I was reminded that General Conference is this weekend. When I watch General Conference, I am filled with hope and peace, and feel encouraged--the opposite of how I felt after the debate on Tuesday. This following video was made from a talk given at the last General Conference. If you take the time to watch it, you will feel better, too.

I'm thankful for General Conference, and for messages of peace, hope, and encouragement. If you'd like to watch this weekend, you can watch at churchofjesuschrist.org. The website can be viewed (and the conference talks translated) in many different languages by clicking on the globe icon in the top right hand corner of the screen. 

Other things I'm thankful for this week include ripe cantaloupes from my garden, and a new peach tree to plant (for some reason the one I planted in the spring never leafed out.) And, as always, I'm thankful for John, who is not only my husband, but my best friend, too. 

What are you thankful for this week? Come join the Ten Things of Thankful community and share your thoughts with us! 

Joining me at the blog hop this week:

The Prolific Pulse

purplestoneblog

Heart to Heart Soul Creations

A Multitude of Musings

On my Way Home

messymimi's meanderings

Two Shoes in 2020

Carin's Gratitude

A season and a time

the Wakefield Doctrine

Phamilyblog

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter