Thanksgiving thoughts

This has been a strange November for me. It feels like we just had fall break in a way. Lots of things have happened this month. And it's funny...at the beginning of the month I was all wrapped up in the crappy election junk, trying to understand the world of school sports, and finding out a dear co-worker has been diagnosed with lung cancer. The latter has put everything into perspective once again for me.

I am so very blessed. God has blessed me with a loving husband that provides for our family and loves me unconditionally. He has blessed our marriage with 3 beautiful healthy children that are growing into loving, caring ,sensitive people. God has blessed us with a home and all the things that make living convenient. Food is never something we have to search for and clothing...well...the laundry room keeps the fear of nakedness away from our family. Health. We take it for granted far too often. Just in the last 5 years, I've spent countless hours on my knees asking for God's intervention on behalf of my husband and other family members. Whenever those prayers are answered, I always stand amazed at God's miraculous healing power. It's not difficult for Him, I know....but knowing that He listens to me and cares enough for me to do miracles...well....that's just awesome. So, I am eternally grateful that God has healed us and continues healing. Family....He has blessed me with wonderful parents, in-laws, and friends that are truly part of our family. Jobs...well....I mean mission fields. He truly has found favor with both Kevin and me in giving us our jobs that truly suit our lives. Our mission fields, aka jobs/career, is the life work that God chose for us and how He wanted us to provide for our family. And...it was so very thoughtful of Him to include vacation time and holiday time....cause we all need a break!!!!

Yet...why do I take this all for granted? I know I do...everytime I long for a bigger house, nicer car, more clothes, or just extra cash in my bank account. I hope that those times of longing get fewer and further between my thoughts of how blessed I am. I guess my prayer is this....please let me truly be content with where I am in my life and let me be a source of love, hope and encouragement to everyone that I come in contact with in this life. And that in my speech and actions that I always point them to my God!!! God truly is amazing.

So...these are my Thanksgiving thoughts. It really shouldn't be a "once a year" thing. Maybe I need to make it a "many-times-of-the-day thing."

Esther 4:14

This verse has been an anchor for me lately. In order to fully understand this verse, you kind of need to read the whole book of Esther. It's very interesting and I just found myself not being able to stop reading til I finished it all. If you've never read this small but very awesome book...take the time to do it. But my all-time favorite verse is found in Chapter 4:14. If you have girls...share this with them especially!!! I shared this with Christen this past week as she was kind of having a tough week, learning life lessons. I think she found great strength....and I did too!!!!

My Fan Club

This blogging is really new to me and I'm undecided at this point if I'm committed enough to keep doing it. This is kind of a funny thing. As I was checking my blog the other day...I noticed I had some comments from people named Ricki, Desi, and Lori. I thought to myself "Isn't that funny??" Those are names of my friends....what is the chance that 3 people with those names would leave comments on my blog? Come to find out they ARE my friends, Ricki, Desiree and Lori. I hadn't told anyone that I was blogging yet. I wasn't trying to keep it a secret. But since this started my life has been crazy busy!! And honestly, when I slow down in the evening, this was the last thing on my mind.

To Ricki....You are the best!! You are the most committed person I know!! When you say you are going to do something....you see it through to the bitter end. You see things as "black/white". Some may fault you on that....but that is a trait that I admire most in you. I wish I could speak in confidence the way you can. You are the one I go to when I need perspective on things. I get really bent out of shape sometimes (like this week!!) easily and you always help me to see all the sides of issues!!! You and I share quite a bit ... from family matters to church to school...and beyond!! Thank you for your deep, committed,and loyal friendship!! Oh...and on those National Boards....you are going to make it!!! You are an inspiration to me!!

To Lori....You have added much to my life!! I like the fact that no matter what....every morning you have a smile on your face. You genuinely love your kids and you get personally involved in their lives as they become your students. How many ideas have I "stolen" from you and you never seem to mind!! Thank you for introducing me to the world of "Cato". You've helped me in the way of wardrobe among other things!!! Thank you for always being willing to drop everything to help or listen!!

To Desiree....Can you believe it's been 10+ years now that we've been friends?? I know you've been through alot in those years...and at times you are still dealing with that stuff....but I've seen you change. Change is good too!! I never thought you would leave PK and move on up....but I told you whenever you were ready....you'd never look back....and you haven't!!! You truly know how to empathisize with others. What a great quality!! You stick up for your friends and you are always there to support them. You can be very self-Less and I do appreciate that about you.

You guys are great!! Though all of our paths have crossed at Justus-Tiawah....we've been through lots of stuff....and we're still working together....I think we've proved that we are not just "school friends"....we're FOREVER friends. Those are the BEST kind EVER!!!! I always remember to thank God everyday that HE brought you to me!! So, thanks for being in my fan club!!!