Thankful All Year, NOT Just at Thanksgiving!!

Yep,,, I am ready, BUT I AM NOT, taking off my crocs... YOU Got THAT!!!

See, a donut can make everything better! J's surgery went great!

E & D -

The best smile!!!

B and B!!! One of her favorite basketball players!!

Yeah... basketball is here!! J's first game.

Starting Varsity for preseason nights! Woo-Hoo!

Go Wolfpack!

At the start of this school year I was determined to have a good year. I have the best summers, and the best school breaks and I wanted to carry that over into my school year. How would I accomplish that?? I would start my day with a devotional, and I would think of things that I was thankful for throughout the day. I would also give more things to God and worry less about what I could not control. It has really worked this year! While it seems we have been a lot busier than usual, I would not change it for anything..

And so I thought as I was shopping at Publix tonight.. I AM THANKFUL...

I am thankful for, God giving me to my parents, my siblings, my nieces and nephews, my friends, my faith, my church family, the feeling of always being loved. When I look back over my life, even when things haven't been what I thought they should I never suffered through addictions, homelessness, or hopelessness. When it was bad, it always seemed to get better, and when it was better I was able to clearly see how it got that bad! Usually I was my own worst enemy. I am so thankful after reconnecting with many of my old friends that they too share some of the same sweet memories of us growing up. It almost brings tears to my eyes to see how far we have come.

I am thankful that I have a husband who believes in God, and has strong values that he models for our children. I am thankful that God has blessed us so that we can bless others. I am most thankful for our children.. (real, fake, or other category!) that God has opened our hearts to give so much love. Our house is full of love, and full of fun. My children can grow up and see what it means to be the hands and feet of Christ. To love unconditionally, and to support in times of need.

I am thankful that no matter what, God loves me as much today as he has all my life. It is hard to imagine how great his unfailing love is. How is grace is sufficient for me. How really, all my troubles, he can handle.

It really is not even about "being positive", but rather believing that God has so many great things planned for me. It's the quiet times when I can just ask "What is it that I am supposed to be doing" and just feel at peace.

I am thankful that I have a house, a job, and money to pay my bills. Money to go to the grocery store and not worry about what I put in my cart.

I know that I have these rich blessings because Jeremiah 29:11 says

"For I know the plan I have for you", declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." I will continue to believe that God holds my family close, and that he knows our desires. I will trust in him to lead us through this process with J's brothers. I feel at perfect ease about our visit Friday, even though there are so many doubts. God knows even when we don't, and that is all we need to know.

So let's not be thankful, just this one day, but rather everyday stop and think what you have-- we have so much more than we could ever want- clean water, clean food, the ability to be who we want to be.