This week will be Thanksgiving.  This week President Nelson gave us each a challenge.  He asked us to use our social media to give thanks.  I'm afraid that my social media is limited to my family.  Maybe I can say something to them that can motivate and inspire their own thanksgivings.

I just got up.  It is 4:30.  I just now gave thanks for a good night's rest and for a new day.  It is the Sabbath, and I've been given the opportunity to rest from my labors, and to spend the day in service to God.  My prayer was one of thanksgiving.  I'll enumerate what I'm grateful for.

1. The ability to rest and to sleep.  Some nights recently have been all too short as I wake up and worry about whether or not I'd be able to create an L-shaped countertop that will fit Heidi's new kitchen.  I installed it yesterday afternoon, and it fit!  I'm going to be able to complete this project.  Last night I slept soundly.
2. Peace.  Despite living in a topsy-turvy world, I feel peace.  I was able to sleep last night.
3. Good health and strength.  Next March will be my 74th birthday, yet I can still do everything that I've ever done.  I just do it slower, and, thankfully, I can take my own good time to do it.  I don't normally feel rushed.  I feel as strong as I ever was.
4. The opportunity to serve my family.  I've done woodworking projects this year for Aaron, Danny, Heidi, Katie, Steve, Eli, and numerous grandchildren.
5. I'm grateful for Nathan, who taught me woodworking.  That came about because of my 6-month-long bout with rheumatoid arthritis when I couldn't walk.  I had to sell my beloved herd of cows, and change my vocation.  I'm grateful for that horrible affliction because I was able to experience God's healing miracle and be directed to a whole new set of skills, way of life, and ways of thinking.
6. Covenants.  The most precious things that I have.
7. Marjorie.  She brought me light, and continues to do so.  We love each other, and are best friends.  What a unique blessing that is.
8. My children.  The best in the world.  Every one of them has a strong testimony of the Savior.  Every one of them is very active in the Church.  Every one of them is personable, capable, and is being a parent extraordinaire with his or her spouse.
9. My in-law children.  I can truly say that I love each one with the same intensity as my birth children.
10. My grandchildren.  I have 53, and every single one of them is on a path to turn out better than their parents.  My children all started out way ahead of me at any comparable age, and I see the same thing evolving with their own children.  Because of daily frustrations with their kids they may not see it; but my children have refined the parenting skills they learned from us, and are doing a better job.  I can see where each generation of my posterity is going to get better.  How huge a blessing is that?
11.   Service in the Church.  I've held every calling imaginable.  I've enjoyed and learned from every one.  I've hopefully helped some people along the way, but I'm fully aware that the real purpose of each calling was to teach, train, and develop me.
12. Speaking in public.  If it wasn't for the Church, I still wouldn't be able to open my mouth in front of more than two people.  I'd still be terrified.  I actually relish opportunities to speak.  Never, never, never would I have thought that could ever happen.
13. My gifts and talents.  Because of the Church I can speak intelligently, put thoughts together in compelling ways, write in an interesting fashion, sing, lead music, teach classes, compose talks, poems, and articles, and actually write books.
14. My priesthood.  I, James Kerns, of all people, have been entrusted to bear and use the authority of God.  It is almost beyond belief.
15. The Holy Ghost.  This incredible gift has literally saved my life, and influences and directs absolutely everything that I do.  It is the thing that enables me to do what I do.  Life without the gift of the Holy Ghost would be dull, humdrum, terrifying, and dark.  A life wherein this gift is active is exciting, exhilarating, and filled with light.  I should know, because I was blessed to have experienced the opposite as a young man outside the Church and the gospel.
16. The beautiful world.  So much around me fills me with wonder and amazement:  The mountains, snow, seasons, sunrises, birds, rain, leaves, plants, fruit, feathers, flowers, 4-leaf clovers, gardens, foxes, cows, coyotes, astronomy, the stars, and pretty rocks.  These are God's creations.  He put them here for the express purpose of delighting me.
17. The scriptures.  They were given for the express purpose of delighting and directing me.  I love them.  I use them daily.  I've read every word many, many times.  I want more.  But this week I was plainly told through the Spirit that I have enough.  I have enough to return me to the presence of God.
18. Prayer.  Imagine the blessing of being able to speak directly to God.  There are no secretaries to go through, no recordings to listen to, no waiting, no wondering if you're being listened to.  Unlimited knowledge, peace, comfort, and direction is available for the asking.
19. Living prophets.  There are strident voices all around us, but coming from our prophets and apostles is a united voice of peace, calm, and sure direction that can be depended upon.  This is worth more than all the riches of the world.
20. The necessities of life.  I'm warm, sheltered, fed, have clean readily-available water, and can take a daily hot shower.  No king in the history of the world ever had it so good as that.  Why me?

I could go on.

And on.  But this will have to suffice.