There's So Much To Be Thankful For

Courtesy of Julia, I have been tagged. However, I felt this one was worth doing, as I was going to post about what I am most thankful for anyway. There is truly so much that I have been blessed with this year, it overwhelms me. I thought I would share them with you.

1.) I am thankful that I am the Lord's child; that His grace and mercy extends to each new day. He continues to show me Himself when I am in my lowest moments...and He gives me a shoulder to cry on in the midst of them. I think every year I discover this truth more and more. But with all that has gone on this year.....I believe it more so.

2.) I am thankful for my loving family and all that they mean to me. Each is so very different and yet, we are all so very close. Dad is my protector and guider; Mom is my confidante, Garrett is the one who keeps me light =) I am even blessed to have my dog, Nikki.

3.) I am thankful for my dear friends. Those who read this blog and those who know me on a more personal level. You all have been there for me in so many ways at so many times. The Lord has blessed me richly with some like-minded fellowship after so many years of being alone. (Granted, it is all on the Internet, but....)

4.) I am thankful that I live in the United States of America. Okay, so we have problems. We've strayed from God. But we are still the most free nation on the face of the earth. I cannot even begin to grasp what it would be like to have that freedom removed....I don't want to know.

5.) I am thankful for the daily needs I can easily take for granted--food, clothes, shelter. With the economic fallout that is talked about in the news, I recognize that many are not as fortunate. So my family doesn't have big bucks; things are tight. But we are still better off than some.

6.) I am thankful that the Lord has given me talents to use for His glory. Because of Him, I am able to play the piano and write. I can express who I am in these two things (writing more so, but piano by how I play) If I didn't have that....

7.) I am thankful that I have a desire to remain under my father's authority until marriage. I am blessed that he is there protecting me and I can bounce things off of him--always getting his input before I do anything. I am learning that I can have ideas, desires, and goals, but I can have them in an honoring way.

8.) I am thankful that I am keeping myself pure--even to my first kiss--until my wedding day. Oh, there are definitely days when I doubt it will ever come to pass. But then, there are the days when I know there is just a beautiful love story out there waiting for me.

9.) I am thankful that I was able to be homeschooled most years of my education. Don't think I am isolated and delusional....because I am not. But it was parents who exposed and taught me about things. I am thankful that my parents found freedom to pick and choose what we best for my course of study so I could best enjoy it. (That said, I am SO thankful that I have only 200 pages of Dickens left =)

10.) I am thankful that I have the opportunity to post on this blog and that I can show you a little glimpse into my daily life and thoughts. It is a joy for me to do!

I hope you all have a very Happy Thanksgiving! God bless.