This was floating around in blog land last year and I never got around to doing it but recently found it in my draft folder.
I can't think of a better time to post it than Thanksgiving week! :)
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Who do I appreciate?
I really appreciate my husband's daily, hard-working heart to provide for our family. The best gift he's given me is the gift of being able to be at home with our daughter. I'm thankful that he values this over having a bigger house (ugh, more to clean in my opinion!) or gaining other material possessions with additional income.
How am I fortunate?
I'm fortunate to be alive and healthy! And this year, I'm really fortunate to have a body that was able to birth a beautiful baby.
It's something that still boggles my mind.
What material possessions am I thankful for?
This year, the material possession that I am thankful for specifically is our house. After 5+ years of renting, it's pretty awesome to be homeowners.
What abilities do I have that I'm grateful for?
I'm thankful for the gift I have of being able to make beautiful music from the piano. And I'm also grateful for a good "eye" when it comes to finding cheap items that I can make look good in my home, etc.
What about my surroundings (home/neighborhood/city/etc.) am I thankful for?
I'm thankful for my neighborhood... specifically the lake that centers around it. In the middle of the dry, barren desert of AZ, a lake is a beautiful thing... even if it's man-made! :)
What experiences have I had that I am grateful for?
I am thankful for the many travels I've been on.... they have shaped me and molded me. I really do believe that travel changes you as a person! One specific memory is when Joshua and I hiked the NaPali coast in Kauai in January of 2009-- talk about rewarding!
What happened today/yesterday/this week/this month/this year that I am grateful for?
The biggest standout is, most definitely, the birth of our beautiful daughter.
What opportunities do I have that I am thankful for?
Over the past year, I had the opportunity of working with Casey Wiegand. I've learned so much from her and am honored to call her friend. She is a remarkable woman!!
What have others in my life done that I am thankful for?
My mom sacrificed a ton for me and my brother to be raised the way we were. I'm thankful for that more than she knows.
What relationships am I thankful for?
I am thankful for relationships here in Arizona with the wonderful ladies that I've known over the past year-and-a-half since moving out here and also the ladies that I am getting to know in my church community-- they rock! I am also thankful for my wonderful family and my husband's family.
What am I taking for granted that, if I stop to think about it, I am grateful for?
My health! I've been really convicted about this lately. One of my dear friends is going through breast cancer and she has the most beautiful, radiant spirit about her. Even through her sickness, she glows. Through her pain, she's encouraged me to take care of myself for not only myself, but my family.
What is there about the challenges/difficulties I have experienced (or am currently experiencing) that I can be thankful for? (e.g., What have I learned? How have I grown?)
Personal struggles and challenges always strengthen you. The huge trial we went through from 2008-2010 with Joshua's unemployment, etc., taught us to rely on Jesus in ways we never had before. I got so close to God during that time. Sometimes I miss that struggle... it made me see my need for God. Sometimes it's too easy to not see my need for Him and grow self-sufficient and independent from Him.
What is different today than it was a year ago that I'm thankful for?
A year ago today, I was pregnant with a baby girl the size of a mustard seed and didn't even know it. A year ago, I didn't know if I'd ever get pregnant. Today, I have a beautiful 13 week old baby girl. Dreams come true. God is so good!
I can't think of a better time to post it than Thanksgiving week! :)
---------
Who do I appreciate?
I really appreciate my husband's daily, hard-working heart to provide for our family. The best gift he's given me is the gift of being able to be at home with our daughter. I'm thankful that he values this over having a bigger house (ugh, more to clean in my opinion!) or gaining other material possessions with additional income.
How am I fortunate?
I'm fortunate to be alive and healthy! And this year, I'm really fortunate to have a body that was able to birth a beautiful baby.
It's something that still boggles my mind.
What material possessions am I thankful for?
This year, the material possession that I am thankful for specifically is our house. After 5+ years of renting, it's pretty awesome to be homeowners.
What abilities do I have that I'm grateful for?
I'm thankful for the gift I have of being able to make beautiful music from the piano. And I'm also grateful for a good "eye" when it comes to finding cheap items that I can make look good in my home, etc.
What about my surroundings (home/neighborhood/city/etc.) am I thankful for?
I'm thankful for my neighborhood... specifically the lake that centers around it. In the middle of the dry, barren desert of AZ, a lake is a beautiful thing... even if it's man-made! :)
What experiences have I had that I am grateful for?
I am thankful for the many travels I've been on.... they have shaped me and molded me. I really do believe that travel changes you as a person! One specific memory is when Joshua and I hiked the NaPali coast in Kauai in January of 2009-- talk about rewarding!
What happened today/yesterday/this week/this month/this year that I am grateful for?
The biggest standout is, most definitely, the birth of our beautiful daughter.
What opportunities do I have that I am thankful for?
Over the past year, I had the opportunity of working with Casey Wiegand. I've learned so much from her and am honored to call her friend. She is a remarkable woman!!
What have others in my life done that I am thankful for?
My mom sacrificed a ton for me and my brother to be raised the way we were. I'm thankful for that more than she knows.
What relationships am I thankful for?
I am thankful for relationships here in Arizona with the wonderful ladies that I've known over the past year-and-a-half since moving out here and also the ladies that I am getting to know in my church community-- they rock! I am also thankful for my wonderful family and my husband's family.
What am I taking for granted that, if I stop to think about it, I am grateful for?
My health! I've been really convicted about this lately. One of my dear friends is going through breast cancer and she has the most beautiful, radiant spirit about her. Even through her sickness, she glows. Through her pain, she's encouraged me to take care of myself for not only myself, but my family.
What is there about the challenges/difficulties I have experienced (or am currently experiencing) that I can be thankful for? (e.g., What have I learned? How have I grown?)
Personal struggles and challenges always strengthen you. The huge trial we went through from 2008-2010 with Joshua's unemployment, etc., taught us to rely on Jesus in ways we never had before. I got so close to God during that time. Sometimes I miss that struggle... it made me see my need for God. Sometimes it's too easy to not see my need for Him and grow self-sufficient and independent from Him.
What is different today than it was a year ago that I'm thankful for?
A year ago today, I was pregnant with a baby girl the size of a mustard seed and didn't even know it. A year ago, I didn't know if I'd ever get pregnant. Today, I have a beautiful 13 week old baby girl. Dreams come true. God is so good!
