Just a couple thoughts:)

So I've been reading my scriptures a lot recently. I made it a goal to read the Book of Mormon in one month. I can do it:) But in all of this reading I have been doing....a parable from a book that I have read keeps popping into my head. It says:

A man travelling through the country came to a large city, very rich and splendid: he looked at it and said to his guide, "This must be a very righteous people, for I can only see but one little devil in this great city."
The guide replied, "You do not understand, sir. This city is so perfectly given up to wickedness...that it requires but one devil to keep them all in subjection."
Travelling on a little farther, he came to a rugged path and saw an old man trying to get up a hill side, surrounded by seven great, big, coarse-looking devils.
"Why," says the traveler, "this must be a tremendously wicked old man! See how many devils there are around him!"
"This," replies the guide, "is the only righteous man in the country; and there are seven of the biggest devils trying to turn him out of his path, and they all cannot do it."

Ah! I love that story.
This is another thought I have been having and I hope I can find a way to tie the two together. If not...you'll at least get two totally separate (but quite wonderful to think about) thoughts:-D
So...I have been reading about Lehi and his family. I'm just in the first few chapters of the first book of Nephi-i've read this stuff a kabillion times-but I was noticing something a little different this time. We all know how the story goes. Lehi's family was out in the wilderness and had to leave all of their possessions behind. Laman and Lemuel were murmuring. It was sort of a stressful time for the family. One thing I noticed was that several times throughout these chapters...it always says that "they gave thanks." Wow. Sometimes that isn't easy to do when you are going through some serious crap! But then I think about how their thankful attitude gave them hope and faith. It made them happier people. It makes the hard things feel bearable. It gives you a different perspective. Now this is something that I don't feel like I struggle with....but I can always use a reminder. I remember my mom told me once that on her drive to or from work sometimes is when she has her best prayers. She says her "thank you" prayers then. Just listing things. Things that we don't always think of when we say our other prayers. I remember saying to my mom "oh no! How do you even get home safely with your eyes closed the whole time!" Haha. I was little....I didn't get it then. Ok....so anyway....this is me setting a goal to be more thankful. Not just to feel it....but also to tell those I am thankful for. Life is too short....and I am so blessed:)
Have a super good day!