"my cup runneth over."

It's not thanksgiving anymore, I'm a day late, but whatever. 

I have never been more grateful than I have this year. I suppose that's because each year I have more to be grateful for, and this year is no exception. My gratitude to our Father in Heaven for the great and small blessings he has given me is overwhelming. My family is more precious to me than anything in the world. The older I get the more I realize that I am incredibly blessed and privileged to call them mine for eternity. 

Miracles are not extinct nor are they rare. They happen everyday and they are always predicated by faith and provided by a loving Heavenly Father. I cannot imagine a world without miracles. The more we seek the Savior, the more often we will see miracles happen in our lives. He never leaves us alone. He never fails us. When we feel He has forsaken us, it is because we have failed to see His hand in all things. 

This summer was the hardest period of my young life. However, I never felt abandoned or alone. I felt a constant sense of peace. I testify of this: 

"Strength comes not from frantic activity, but from being settled on a firm foundation of truth and light. It comes from placing our attention and efforts on the basics of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. It comes from paying attention to the divine things that matter most."

-President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

I bear witness of the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It has blessed my family and myself in both seen and unseen ways. Every good thing in my life can be traced back to the Savior and his gospel. He is the way. During this season especially, I give thanks for the Christlike people who have served our family in countless ways. Some of them family and friends, some of them complete strangers. No kind act has gone unnoticed, and each is deeply meaningful to me. I can't adequately express my gratitude in words. I thank God for the love and charity I have felt. Soon I will be on my way back to South Carolina where I belong. To be with my family again and spend with them this Christmas season is a priceless gift. I hope that this holiday brings joy and peace to all of you. We love you!

Love, 

Emalie