An Abundance Of Gratitude

I don't think words can express the gratitude I have for where we live and the beauty all around us. The beauty goes far beyond what you can see but the rich out pouring of love we have from those around us. Just like the building of our house, the landscaping has been another expression of the good of people around us. To start off, NONE of this would have been possible with out our dearest friends and family Danny and Denise. They have made SEVERAL trips out here to guide and help us through sprinklers, plants, grass, ideas, you name it! They are full of service, good and optimism. We feel so blessed to call them some of our dearest friends and on top of it family! Their kids are beyond precious and kind. They are a reflection of their sweet parents and grandparents. We love you guys and words can not express the gratitude we have for your help. Its no secret, the biggest part of our dream house is the lot we have. Its in the beautiful setting of Mapleton with fantastic schools and people. Tucked up right next to the beautiful mountains for us to explore. It will be a while before we can afford to have the acre done to the exactness we want it (Josh has very good, but expensive taste) but to be to the point we are at, is all we need at the moment plus more. 

The other beautiful part of our story is when we had sod delivered. You have a small window to have lay the sod before it goes bad. We had hired a crew to come the day of delivery. The sod was delivered, but no crew. We waited and called no response. We later found out that crew had a higher paying job offered last minute. To say they left us high and dry is an understatement. Not to mention it was supposed to rain the next day. Sod is heavy, wet sod is much worse. We were desperate and had no choice but to ask for help. We asked a few friends and I put a post on the ward FB page. I was overwhelmed with gratitude as more and more people kept showing up. We had over 30 people here helping, spending their Friday night laying sod. Some of which we had only talked to a few times. I hurried and made sloppy joes for the group and my Mom ran to the store for me and we had tons of goodies out for the selfless helpers. It still will never be enough. Nothing ever will. People stayed here until the sun went down when we laid our last piece of sod. It was a tender mercy to say the least. The job was done. 

I am a firm believer in life is what we make of it. Where we live is what we make of it. Utah is a different place to live. I will admit that. But that isn't a bad thing. It is what you put into it and how you want to see things. Any where you live will have there own pros and cons. The cons are our responsibility to change. We feel blessed because we are surrounded by nothing but pros it feels like. Good people, schools, settings, friends, and people of integrity. I had a dear friend move here after living all over the country for the last 40 years. She hadn't had much experience with LDS people. She said she was sad to leave. She had never been surrounded by people full of so much love, service and integrity. I would have to agree with her. It is a beautiful place.