We started our Thanksgiving celebrations tonight with the Young Men's and Young Women's. The youth of our ward have the tradition of preparing a Thanksgiving meal for those in the ward who can't afford it, don't have family around or any other circumstance. We had 35 meals to make but 15 more for the leaders and youth. Let me be honest, us young women leaders were a little stressed about making this all work out. But I am happy to say that it was a great experience. We received help from a couple ward members with the potatoes and turkey, and the youth helped prepare everything else. Then we split into groups to deliver and visit with the members.

I am so grateful for this experience. Sometimes I get so wrapped up in my own little world that I forget there are many others close around me in need of a friend, food, love, care etc. It was such a great reminder to remember others and try to make their day better by a phone call, smile, high five, or a simple hello. I just wanted to pass this experience onto the rest of you a week before Thanksgiving. As life gets busy preparing for the holidays and parties etc. remember there is more to life than having the most presents, or best pie. Simple pleasures come from serving those around us.

Even though we are looking forward to the many Thanksgiving dinners on there way, this Thanksgiving dinner tasted the best because I know that it didn't only fill a stomach but warmed a heart.

Happy Thanksgiving!