Blessings

I guess this would be a post better suited for the month of November, when everyone is giving thanks and thinking about the good things in their lives.  But this morning, around 6:45 am, I happened to be out on the road, in the dark, and my mind wandered to all of the wonderful blessings in my life.  I was amazed at the number of things I am thankful for that aren't actual "things," even if some of them still were (like my minivan.  It was a joyous day when we got a minivan and myself and my four children no longer had to pile into my 5 passenger Aura).

Here they are...

In no particular order, 'cuz it's still too early for my brain to consider things like "order of importance."


1.  My relationship with my Lord.  I didn't know it was possible to have this.  If I did , I would have yearned for it years ago.  It took so much heartache and personal maturity to get where I am, but I am thankful for it. 

2.  I'm thankful for my children.  Of course.  :)  But not a day goes by that I don't smother their cheeks in kisses and thank the Lord for letting me be a mother.

3.  The gift of being able to homeschool my babies.  My heart longed for homeschooling for so long, especially after I homeschooled Aimee for half of her second grade year and then "gave it up forever."  I was so sad over it.  I firmly believe this is what is best for our family.

4.  I'm thankful for the Lord, and my new friend Julie, for blessing us with the use of Sonlight!!!  I have spent HOURS pouring over their catalog.  I'm already excited about each and every year we will spend with their curriculum, if it's still available to us.  Sonlight, and it's heavy reading, is not for everyone.  But it's definitely for us!

5.  I'm grateful for the relationship I have with my parents.  Wait...I'm thankful for my parents!!  I'm thankful for the home they raised us in, for instilling a Christian faith within us, for taking my kids and I in, even though they were enjoying the empty nest!!  It's crazy, messy, loud in this home on any given day and i have NEVER heard them complain about the sacrifices they have made, nor have they ever said anything to lay guilt on me.  Their child had a need and they met it.  They're wonderful parents.  They're pretty fun to hang out with and great to go to for advice, too.  :)

6.  I'm thankful for the relationship that Phil and I are developing.  Aimee doesn't quite know what to make of it.  When he picks up or drops off the kids, he stays to talk.  We joke.  We laugh.  He even bought me a Tim Horton's Cafe Mocha this week, just because.  We may be divorced, but that doesn't mean that we have to hate each other and fight all the time.  I'm also thankful that we can raise our kids "together," by making the big decisions as a team, even if we no longer live in the same household.  Even the homeschooling we discussed before making the decision together.  I'm sure this is of the Lord, and I am so thankful.

7.  Tim Horton's Cafe Mocha's  I love them.  I have decided to give them up, but they were wonderful while they lasted.  I'm sipping my last one as I type.  :)

8.  My church.  I LOVE MY CHURCH.  And all the wonderful people there.  They support, encourage, grow, serve.  They are examples of who/what I hope to be.  I love my church.

9.  My burdens and the work the Lord is doing within me.  He is truly breaking me and making me over.  I feel Him calling me for a specific purpose, and I am waiting patiently and preparing in the meantime.  I am so grateful for our Lord and Saviour.

10.  I'm grateful for Jesus death on the cross.  I may have mentioned it in the number 10 slot, but nothing else matters like it does.

11.  My van.  :)  See above.

12.  I'm so thankful that God always provides.  Always.  My kids (and I) are always clothes, fed, warm, clean.  Even last week, He provided for Aimee's birthday in His own special way.  He amazes me.

13.  I'm thankful that He has a plan for my life.  I sort of mentioned this above.  But my life went in a direction I never thought it would, and I have had to pick myself up and start all over.  I chose to do this by laying every part of me and my life at His feet and asking Him to take over, and I have not regretted it since.  It has been amazing, even if it's scares the heck out of me (I'm such a planner and future-thinker).

14.  I'm so excited that this year I am actually able to buy each of my kids a Christmas present.  I know presents are not what Christmas is about, but when you have four children and no means to give them gifts under the tree, this means A LOT.  They have never gone without Christmas presents, thanks to others that love them, too, but my love language is gifts and I am so very, very grateful that I can sit and think of the perfect gift for each one of my babies.

That's definitely not everything, but that's what I thought about this morning.  I also have a one year old (almost two year old!!) who is insisting on sitting in my lap while I type, and a nine year old who wants to put up the Christmas tree.  So I must get to it...

Have a blessed day!!