Giving Thanks

As we approach Thanksgiving, I thought it would be fun to compose a list of all the things I’m thankful for:

• My sweet KISA… after 16 years of being together, I still can’t believe God gave me such a precious gift!! You are my rock, and have such a gift for holding me steady.  I honestly can’t imagine sharing my life with anyone else, and I am so thankful that I don’t have to!! I have said it before and I’ll say it again, you are my “little piece of Jesus” right here on earth!! I am incredibly thankful to be your bride! I LOVE YOU!!
• My awesome kiddos… As I look into your faces, I can’t help but swell with joy.  God granted me some of the most beautiful, most talented, most intelligent, most loving, (I could go on and on!) children in the world.  You are all so different, yet each one so very special!! Emilee, Jacob, and Sam… I thank Jesus every day that I get to be your Mama!!
• My precious friends...  Some I see daily, some once a month or so, some I haven’t seen in quite a while, and some I haven’t even met in real life yet (don’t ya just love the interweb?!?), but you all have touched my life in the most amazing ways.  I am so grateful for each of you and the unique ways in which you spur me on!!
• My beloved parents… I truly have the most amazing parents on the planet!! The way you loved and nurtured me, the way you guided and corrected me, the way you challenged me to be all that I could be… I wouldn’t be who I am today without you.  Thank you for the awesome example of love and marriage that you model for us kids even today.  I love you both beyond belief!!
• My “In-Loves”… Chris’ parents are pretty amazing, too!! Thank you for loving me as one of your own, and for doting on my children like there’s no tomorrow!!  *That goes for my SIL Misty and BIL Chris, too!!*
• My brother and sisters… We all live in different towns now, but that doesn’t change the closeness we share.  We have always had a special bond, and time nor distance could ever change that. Every time we get together we pick up right where we left off.  I am so blessed to have them in my life, and to now call them some of my very best friends!!  Betsy, Phillip, and Karen… I love you all more’n my luggage!!
• My beautiful, cozy home… As I’ve been “Fall Cleaning” over the last couple of weeks, it hasn’t been hard to be thankful for this place that God has given me to call home.  Even though it’s approaching 10 years old, and needs a few minor repairs/replacements, to me it’s the best place on earth, because it’s where I get to dote on my sweet family!
• My Dodge Grand Caravan… that has survived almost 12 years!!  (Yes, we know… we are on borrowed time!!)  She’s been a good one, though… and when the day comes that we do replace her, I’m gonna miss her something terrible!!  She’s transported all of my “babies”, and for that “The Magic School Bus” will always be special to me!!
• An awesome “job”… I commented  a few posts ago about how much CLC means to me and how incredibly blessed I feel to be part of such an awesome ministry.  Middle schoolers have always been my favorites, and these precious ones are no different!  I love to see them “light up” when they see me and reach for a hug, or when they begin to understand a particular Biblical truth.  It’s just so awesome!!
• An amazing church family… PDCF is truly unique in it’s approach to ministry and outreach.  I mean, we meat in a stinkin’ movie theater!! :-)  But I enjoy each and every Sunday there, and I feel truly honored to serve alongside some really great people.  I’m telling you, when God made Pastor B, he broke the mold!! :-)
• My Savior, Redeemer, Healer, Comforter, and King… JESUS!!!  When I made a decision to follow you at the tender age of 8, it was the BEST THING that ever happened to me.  Life has certainly been a roller coaster, and had its ups and downs, but YOU are the ONLY thing that has held me together through  it all!! I can’t get over what you did for me!! To think that if I had been the only person on the earth, you would have still taken my cross… it just leaves me speechless.  Thank you for loving me! Thank you for saving me!! Thank you for choosing me!! Thank you for continuing to work and move in my life, to make me more mature and complete, lacking nothing!!

Whew! That was quite a list, and I barely scratched the surface!!  I will be reflecting on all these things as we travel to visit with family in the next couple of days.  The truth of the matter is that I am beyond blessed, and I don’t deserve any of it!!  I am just so grateful to God to have given it to me anyway!!

Now it’s your turn… Leave me a comment tell me what you are MOST thankful for this Thanksgiving.