So I figured an ongoing list of blessings would be a good place to start. For as many times as the bad things and hard times get me down and make me sad, God has truly been good to us.
I am THANKFUL for (in no particular order);
~ The love and grace of God the father and the redemption through Jesus Christ. I sin daily. I don't always ask for forgiveness, but I'm learning to do just that. I'm learning to love like Jesus did/does. I'm learning grace. It will forever be an ongoing process.
~ My husband of 11 years. He has been such an amazing partner through this last year. I've seen him beaten down by sadness and yet he still picks ME up. I've seen him grow in the LORD and in godly wisdom and it makes my heart swell.
~ My children. God has blessed me with five AMAZING children here on earth and three that we will meet in heaven. I am thankful for their questions, for their eagerness to learn and their soft tender hearts. I am thankful, too, for their disobedience as it allows me to be changed. A sweet friend calls children 'little sanctifiers'. Oh man, is it ever true.
~ A house to live in. It might not be ours, it might not be perfect, but it's a lot more than others have. It keeps up warm (kinda) and protected from the elements of good ole MinneSNOWta. It's big enough to have others gather in our home, which means so VERY much to me.
~ Friends. They are our family. They have seen us through some downright dreadful things happen to us this past year and we COULD NOT have made it through it without them.
~ Our church family. Our church has rallied around is this last year. We've met some phenomenal people who have helped us to grow, who have prayed for us, who have provided meals for us...the list goes on and on. We even have some wonderfully sweet people driving us to an from church and Wednesday night activities as our transmission is out on our truck.
~ A running/working vehicle. Even if it is just one and even if that one won't fit the whole family. One is better than none, right? It still gets Todd to and from work. We're able to run our errands and get half the crew to church on Sunday.
~ Good health. Aside from little viruses, we are all in good health. Well, that doesn't count Todd's back issues, but THAT is a work in progess.
~ Todd's job. It isn't fancy but it pays the bills and put food on the table. Todd works hard and provides for his family. I am so proud of him.
~ Young Living Oils. These oils have made the grief process tolerable/manageable. They have cut cold times down to a minimum, tamed Aspergers tantrums, shrunken Todd's heel spur, relieved pain in his ankles and back, soothed burns, cut out coughs, stopped grumbly tummies, gotten me off of prescription anti-depressants, allowed me to relax and sleep. Oh man, the list goes on.
~ Truth and honesty. It takes a real friend to lovingly tell you what you need to work on and what you need to cut out. It takes a real friend to pray you through your hard times.
~ The bible. So much wisdom and love is within it's texts.
~ Family. As hard as this one is for me, there are a *few* people in our families who truly love us and wish the best for us, without conditions. I have come to learn that family doesn't always mean blood, and I will leave it at that.
~ Friends. They are our family. They have seen us through some downright dreadful things happen to us this past year and we COULD NOT have made it through it without them.
~ Our church family. Our church has rallied around is this last year. We've met some phenomenal people who have helped us to grow, who have prayed for us, who have provided meals for us...the list goes on and on. We even have some wonderfully sweet people driving us to an from church and Wednesday night activities as our transmission is out on our truck.
~ A running/working vehicle. Even if it is just one and even if that one won't fit the whole family. One is better than none, right? It still gets Todd to and from work. We're able to run our errands and get half the crew to church on Sunday.
~ Good health. Aside from little viruses, we are all in good health. Well, that doesn't count Todd's back issues, but THAT is a work in progess.
~ Todd's job. It isn't fancy but it pays the bills and put food on the table. Todd works hard and provides for his family. I am so proud of him.
~ Young Living Oils. These oils have made the grief process tolerable/manageable. They have cut cold times down to a minimum, tamed Aspergers tantrums, shrunken Todd's heel spur, relieved pain in his ankles and back, soothed burns, cut out coughs, stopped grumbly tummies, gotten me off of prescription anti-depressants, allowed me to relax and sleep. Oh man, the list goes on.
~ Truth and honesty. It takes a real friend to lovingly tell you what you need to work on and what you need to cut out. It takes a real friend to pray you through your hard times.
~ The bible. So much wisdom and love is within it's texts.
~ Family. As hard as this one is for me, there are a *few* people in our families who truly love us and wish the best for us, without conditions. I have come to learn that family doesn't always mean blood, and I will leave it at that.
