I can say, without hesitation, that this has been the hardest year of my life. It’s been the kind of year that makes me wonder if I will even do a Christmas card; you know, “if you can’t say anything nice. . . ”

Still, I hear my mother’s voice in my head saying that when you are hurting or struggling it is good to turn your eyes outward and soon you find yourself filled with joy and no time to sulk. (That is a very rough paraphrase – she is way more eloquent and sassy.) With this thought in mind, I am glad for Thanksgiving’s arrival and the forced opportunity to turn my eyes upward and be reminded of the things my God has done/provided this year.  I am recording them here for my own good but I won’t complain if  you are encouraged as well.

1. I am thankful for a husband who loves me.
2. I am thankful that Jeremy lost his job in January.
3. I am thankful I had the privilege of working at The Kirk for 14 months.
4. I am thankful my children got to attend KDS and Promise while we were in St. Louis.
5. I am thankful the Lord worked in my heart to love St. Louis – now I know He can do that here as well.
6. I am thankful that the Lord has always given me deep friendships – now I find it easier to trust Him to do that again here as well.
7. I am thankful the Lord gave my husband a job he is excited about.
8. I am thankful that our new home allows us to see my brother more often than before.
9. I am thankful that Heaven is real.
10. I am thankful for a daddy that loved me so well that I miss him this much.
11. I am thankful for Bruce Stallings.
12.  I am thankful for a home church that loves my mom so much that I don’t worry if she is cared for.
13. I am thankful for how much I miss my sister.
14. I am thankful that my 7 year old wants to snuggle with me.
15. I am thankful my son understands repentance and takes his sin seriously.
16. I am thankful that my son loves to play games.
17. I am thankful that Little’s voice sounds the way it does and for the effect it has on people no matter their walk of life.
18. I am thankful for Mr. Mo and his recovery.
19.  I am thankful for Pastor Reeder and the stand he takes for Truth.
20. I am thankful for Stephanie Hubach and Joel Wallace and the encouragement they provide for families with special ones.
21. I am thankful for Variety The Children’s Charity of St. Louis and the blessing they were for years to our family.
22. I am thankful I am still getting to create for the Kirk even though we have moved away.
23. I am thankful for our blue hutch – it makes me so happy.
24. I am thankful for our garage.
25. I am thankful for Pinterest.
26. I am thankful for Facebook.
27. I am thankful for Cherry Limeade and Diet Dr. Pepper.
28. I am thankful for a surprise gift card that came in the mail before we moved.
29. I am thankful for a new church and the potential for a new family.
30. I am thankful for the small group I am in at BSF here and the interactions had there.
31. I am thankful for the sidewalks and bike lanes in Fort Collins.
32. I am thankful for the view of the mountains I see each morning as I drop the kids off at school.
33. I am thankful for friends and family who came to visit so quickly after we got here and the love it communicated in such a hard transition.
34. I am thankful for two cars that run.

I am going to stop there. 20+14 = 34 so that should do it. I think I could go on a bit more but I keep tearing up and that is making my eyes tired.

I hope that you have a lovely Thanksgiving Day and that your heart is overcome by all the good things God has done for you. He died so you could live!! He paid the price for your sin . . . a price so high you could never pay it! If you are surrendered to Him you are FREE INDEED – what more could you ask for? Absolutely anything else is a . . . cherry limeade on the top and weak in comparison. So weak. . .

Thank YOU for taking a minute to read here. Would you be willing to leave  a comment with one thing you are thankful for this year?