Thanksgiving

In the month of November, many of my facebook friends were posting a daily "Thanksgiving" post.  I thought about doing the same thing, but after making the decision to leave facebook (which I'll post about at some time), I decided a long list would be the way for me to go.  Oh, and you know how much I love lists.  I love lists the way Elf likes maple syrup on his spaghetti.  Love em.

30 Ways in Thirty Days

1.  I'm thankful for Christ and what He has done for my life.  I'm thankful for His daily grace and guidance.  I'm thankful for the Holy Spirit's calming presence upon my heart.

2.  I'm thankful for Brian: for his patience, his work ethic, and the father he is to Jackson.

3. I'm thankful for Jackson. I wish I could freeze time and save my footie-pajama little boy running around the house and holding onto the cats by their tails.  I know this is only a vapor of our time together, but I cherish him and am so thankful for his sweet spirit and his fiery temper.

4.  I'm thankful for friends. God has placed just the right people in my life this year.  I've enjoyed their friendship but also their wisdom and counsel.  I am blessed.

5.  I'm thankful that we were able to host Pastor Peter in our home this year and also visit with him at a local church.  His mission in Nigeria and his love for children inspires me yet it also pains me to know the heartache and frustration he goes through.  I'm thankful God brought him into our lives and we've been able to know his testimony and contribute to his ministry.

6. Brian and I's self-employment.  I'm thankful for the incomes they provide.  I'm thankful they are both flexible and I am able to stay at home with my little guy every day.  

7.  How could I forget?  I'm thankful for the little man that is growing in my belly as we speak.  I cherish each little kick.  I can't wait to see our family continue to grow as God wills.

8. I'm thankful there has been no major drama or sickness in our life for the past 2 months.  This has been the most relaxing time we've enjoyed all year (not that I think life is about relaxing but I realize life is about to get crazy so I'm enjoying the "down" time).

9.  I'm thankful for hot food on the table, a warm bed to sleep in, and a roof over my head.

10.  I'm thankful for pacifiers and fans.  These are two things that ensure I sleep more than a few hours a night.  Haha.

11. I'm thankful that Brian will be off of work the entire Thanksgiving weekend.  We never lose sight of the fact that we didn't get the spend many holidays together when Brian worked at Cracker Barrel.  I'm grateful that God provided a small company with family values!

12. I'm thankful for my health  (other than the bronchitis plague I've had going on for a month now).  I have nothing to complain about!  I'm thankful I've had 1.5 easy pregnancies!

13.  I'm thankful for the Bible. I realize that in many parts of the world there is not one translation to serve the people...we are so blessed to have all the translations that we have!  Now if we could only stop arguing over which one is the best one.  Ha!  (I prefer the NKJV for anyone who cares to know).

14.  I'm thankful for ice cream and chocolate.  They make this emotional-eaters life much better!

15.  I'm thankful for the person that decided to make peppermint hot chocolate only $1 at McDonalds.  :)  Hahahaha.

16.  I'm thankful for Godly women who write blogs/books/etc and how the things I've learned this year about myself will shape my child-rearing, my homemaking, etc.

17. I'm thankful for the smell of fresh pine coming from the large Christmas tree in our living room.  


18.  I'm thankful for Christmas and what it's meaning.  The story of Jesus coming to earth never.gets.old.

19.  I'm thankful for my Aussie family.  Sometimes I miss them so much it breaks my heart, but I know God put just the right people in my life and the distance is so worth it.


20.  I'm thankful for travel- not only does it supply my income, but it is my little window into the world.


21. I'm thankful for clean water.  Find out how you can help give a cup of water in Jesus' name here:  Advent Conspiracy.

22.  Ugg boots.  My winter footwear.  I love thee.


23.  I'm thankful for our military.


24.  I'm thankful for family.  Often, we take our family for granted until a crisis strikes.  This year has taught me much of this.


25.  I'm thankful for truth- unfortunately, in our culture, so much has become gray.  I'm all for keeping it black and white...  :)


26.  I'm thankful for doctors.  (I spent most of Nov 26th at Urgent Care).


27.  Google Reader.  Thank you for keeping my blog-reading addiction organized.


28.  I'm thankful I've been given another year (I'm turning 28 on the 28th tomorrow) to serve God, to love my family, and to enjoy so many blessings.

29. I'm thankful for rest.  Even for people like me who hate to sit still and have to be coerced into resting most of the time....  it's a good thing.


30.  Lastly, I'm thankful for the lessons I'm learning everyday.  Lessons about motherhood and discipline, discipleship and homemaking...about finances, anger-management, etc.  This year has taught me so much, and while the pruning has been hard-fought from me at many points, God is all-sufficient and unwavering (Hebrews 13:8).  Sometimes, things can not just be "fixed" in the way I would humanly like to handle them...they have to be given to God.  I'm thankful... that His grace is sufficient enough for me.


(As I write this, I'm home from church reflecting on the last two items.  Sometimes God calls us to rest when our bodies (and the baby inside it) need it most).