Give THANKS With A Grateful Heart.....

 This time of year I so enjoy hearing what others and THANKFUL for....and I love how most of us seem to make it a conscious effort to stop and meditate on all the MANY blessings we have experienced throughout  the last year. I think the older I seem to get the more I try to focus daily on the blessings around me, and give THANKS even when I don't feel like it. So in the spirit of THANKSGIVING I wanted to share some things with you all that I am truly grateful for in 2009.

*Most important and FIRST on my "List" The GOD I serve...THANKFUL for his grace, patience, and loving spirit all which I am totally undeserving and unworthy of, but he gives them abundantly anyway.
*My wonderful hubby, Justin, and loving father to our troop. I am THANKFUL for his hardworking and persistent character. I am thankful that he has been blessed by God with gifts that allow him to provide for our family and for me to be at home.
*My energetic children....even though I sometimes moan and complain about a "bad day"...I am still THANKFUL that God had entrusted these four kiddos to me for a time. I am thankful for the opportunity to be a mommy and wouldn't trade it for anything.
*Coffee in the morning....this may seem silly, but oh how I am THANKFUL for my cup of sugary, creamy, coffee each day.
*Sitting by the stove...we have a "corn stove" totally LOVE it! I am THANKFUL for the heat it provides and curling up beside of it in a chair with a good book...
*A good book....I have been very blessed this year by authors and publishing companies to be able to review several GREAT books. I love to read and I am so THANKFUL for these opportunities to give my opinion on the books..THANK YOU!
*My Mother and Father-In Law...seriously I have the best in-laws! I realize not everyone feels this way about in-laws. From the first day I met them over 11 years ago they have always made me feel like I was one of their own. The LOVE they have shown to me and my children is really amazing, and not something I take for granted. I am so THANKFUL that the Lord has placed me in this family!
*Girlfriends...Nothing can lift my spirits when I need a mommy-day-out better than spending time with women I care about! I am THANKFUL for the women God has placed in my life throughout the years. I cherish their encouragement, advice, wisdom they share with me. Because of the season of life I am in, I don't get as much "girl time" as I would like, which makes me treasure it all the more when it does happen!
*Church...I am so THANKFUL for our church family! I am grateful that our pastors preach from the Bible. They doesn't sugar coat the messages. They tells it how it is, but with LOVE and then emphasize how we, as a church body, can personally apply Scripture to our lives. THANK YOU to all of our pastors!!

*Spiritual growth....I am THANKFUL for the time I spend in God's word and the conviction I feel to always be striving to be more in line with God's plan for my life. I can't think of a better way to begin my days, then  to be at His feet, in His word, feeling His presence.

My prayer for each of you is that you will take some time to reflect on what you are THANKFUL for...even if your going through hard times...

HAPPY THANKSGIVING...Have a great holiday weekend....with too much food....and lots of family time.....GIVE THANKS!!!

DANIELLE