Reasons to be Thankful for the Rain

 I hear they are having a lot of rain in Washington.  Nathan has always worked outside, and I think it is getting him a bit down.  I've compiled a list of reasons for him to be grateful for the rain.  Here is what I came up with:

• ·  Because the plants are loving it: Lawns are green and vegetable gardens are growing like crazy. As long as the plants don't actually wash away, we'll get to enjoy their bounty later in the summer.

• ·  Because rain creates some beautiful moments, like a sidewalk turned purple by falling blossoms or the awesome sight of a storm crossing a lake

• ·  Because we could be in southeastern and east-central Texas, where no measurable precipitation has been recorded for the last 3 months and the drought conditions are considered "exceptional."

• ·         Because of that fresh clean air smell after the rain (the rain does clean the air)

• ·         Because of the peaceful sound that rain makes on the roof! And since you’re in an apartment, maybe you can hear the pitter patter of raindrops on your window, or step out on a porch to hear it on the ground. 

• ·         Because you have a warm, dry apartment to keep you dry from the rain.

• ·         Because it cools you when you get too warm.

• ·         It keeps moisture in the air so you can breathe!  It’s difficult to breathe dry, hot air.

• ·         Because it gives you a reason to buy a cool new umbrella.  Go do that!

• ·         Because it keeps the dust down. 

• ·         You couldn’t have a rainforest without rain, and over 25% of the world’s medications come from rainforests. and at least 80% of the developed world's diet originated in the tropical rainforest. Its bountiful gifts to the world include fruits like avocados, coconuts, figs, oranges, lemons, grapefruit, bananas, guavas, pineapples, mangos and tomatoes; vegetables including corn, potatoes, rice, winter squash and yams; spices like black pepper, cayenne, chocolate, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, sugar cane, tumeric, coffee and vanilla and nuts including Brazil nuts and cashews.)

• ·         Because it makes the sunshine that much more enjoyable when it finally comes out from behind the clouds.

• ·         Because it could be ICE!  Aren’t you glad it’s only rain?

• ·         It helps build the water tables back up so that we can have water for drinking, washing, and watering the garden.

• ·         It helps bring the lakes and rivers up which makes it a happy place for fish, and otters, beavers, and ducks.

• ·         Because you KNOW it will not last 40 days and 40 nights bringing a deluge to destroy the earth again.

• ·         Rain is warm and it warms the ground that is cold from winter.

• ·         It helps distinguish between a wise man and a foolish man: if there were no rain, we wouldn’t have the song about building your house upon the rock..

• ·         The lack of rain started the destruction of the Jaredites (see Ether 9:30)

• ·         Nephi prays for rain (because it is a GOOD thing!!)  (see Heleman 11: 13, 17)

• ·         You can’t have rainbows without RAIN!!

So, you need to find things to be thankful for when it rains!!  And you will never take the sunshine for granted.