11. Thanksgiving with the Family

My first Thanksgiving away from home. After a few months of college, Thanksgiving was upon me. This year we decided as a family that it didn't make financial sense for me to fly home for a few days to spend the holiday with my family, so I did the next best thing. I loaded into a van with a bunch of extended family that before this week I didn't even know existed, and made the trek up to Parma, Idaho to be with my grandparents and cousins. After a few days of food and fun, I have reflected on some of the most important things I am thankful for.
Family- I am so grateful for the family and all that it does for me. My grandparents called me up the Friday before Thanksgiving to make sure I had a place to go for the holiday, and within a few days had organized a fun week with the family. They took care of everything from transportation to entertainment, making sure that I had nothing to stress about over the week. My family is pretty close, and having a network of people to help support me over the years has really shaped who I have become.
Education- Over the past few years, I have had the opportunity to travel to various parts of the United States and the World. I have seen rags and riches, the elites and the poorest of the poor. The main difference I have noted is education, and the ability to seek more knowledge and understanding. Those who have been more educated have had more luck finding success financially, as well as have been better able to understand the world around them. I am so thankful for my opportunity to gain an education, and to better understand the world around me.
The Gospel- Going to BYU has helped surround me with individuals of similar values for the first time in my life. I have been to week long experiences with people of similar values before, but this is the first extended time I've had being immersed in a group of peers with similar values. Through this experience, I am able to see the positive impact that the gospel has on people, and how great a blessing it is in my life.
Though these are only a few reasons I have to be thankful this season, they mean a lot to me.