In All Things Give Thanks

 

Coming home from my morning workout, I was thinking about all the things that I have, all the things I am so blessed to have and been given.

I was looking back at my time is Guatemala, a time that I hold so dear to my heart. I found myself being reminded of what it was like to move back to the United States from a place that was so beautiful and had such a sweet spirit about it, to the state that I called home, Utah.

Recently, we have been thinking about upgrading to a larger apartment. I have found myself longing for more. More space, a separate living room and kitchen space, 3 bedrooms, more storage...the list goes on and on. But as I was pondering on moving from our little 2 bedroom apartment, I found myself longing not to go, but to stay.

It's funny, because we wouldn't move far, just a few stairwells over if we were to move, but there is something about this small space that I am so truly grateful for.

 

You see, when we lived in Guatemala we lived practically outside. It is hard to explain, but it was nothing like your American home. Cement walls, 3 rooms & a bathroom connected to your outdoor "living room" space, a Pila (sink/washing machine), improvised kitchen with a 2 burner gas stove, mini fridge with the door falling off, a bathroom with a door that never shuts and neighbors above and below watching your every move. That was was where lived.

Don't get me wrong the place we lived, was just a place, but the land we lived in...was unbelievably breathtaking.  We lived among the people and despite how hard it was at times...it was the best experience of my life.

Moving back, we found student housing at the U of U and applied for a 2 bedroom apartment. Within a week we had a place to live, but we never got to see it before we moved in, so we were relying completely on faith. ;)

When we arrived in the parking lot of our new apartment complex, we were filled with so much excitement and when we walked inside...we were overjoyed to be here in this small, yet clean and free of insects and creepy crawlers, apartment. ;)

We had very little. We didn't have a bed (just an air mattress with me being 6 months pregnant at the time) and we didn't have furniture. All we had was our suit cases and various other belongings. Yet we were so grateful!!

I look our apartment now and see much more than just things, I see a couch that provides comfort, relaxation and seating when needed. I see a table that allows us to gather together as a family to eat and talk with one another. I see a kitchen, though it is small, allows us to prepare meals, a sink with clean running water that allows us to hydrate whenever we want.

I see beds, that allows us to sleep, relax and get the rest we need to arise refreshed each day. I see the pantry filled with food so that we don't go hungry. I see an oven that we can cook in and make all kinds of wonderful meals. I see walls and a door that provide protection from the elements. I see books that are able to help us learn, grow and enjoy. I see toys that allow my kids to use their imaginations and have fun together. But most of all I see the blessings that Heavenly Father has given to us. All the things we have came from him, especially our apartment. He has blessed us in so many ways and I am can't help, but give thanks to him.

There are so many, many more things that I could say about our simple, little apartment. It truly is a blessing from our Father in Heaven.

We may still move to a larger apartment one day, but for now we will stay in this space. It is beautiful and oh, so wonderful. 

Our sweet, little apartment, isn't so little when you look at the blessings that have been placed all around us. It has what we need and there is so much love here. After all, it is home. :)