Thankful

I know, Thanksgiving is over.  A girl can still be thankful, though, can't she?

My future husband and I left Sunday afternoon for a friends-and-family-visiting road trip.  We made a stop to visit some family friends in another Georgian city Sunday evening, got up the next morning and left to visit my friend of friends and her family in their nice new house in an Alabamian city, and then left Tuesday afternoon to spend the rest of the week with my family in my Alabamian not-quite hometown.  We've had a lovely time so far.  Some highlights yet to come: Tomorrow afternoon I try on my wedding dress and tomorrow night the whole family is going to see the play A Christmas Carol at the theater!

I just want to take a few minutes to reflect on what I'm truly thankful for this year.  So much has happened.  So much has changed.  God has been very good to me and now is as good a time as any to express my gratitude.  I'm thankful for:

1. My family.  I have been very blessed to have such a supportive, loving family. My mom, dad and two brothers have been there for me my entire life.

2. My soon-to-be husband.  I love this man so much.  God brought him into my life and orchestrated things in both of our lives in a way that only He could.  Finding a life partner is the fulfillment of something I have desired for a very long time.  What a wonderful thing to see it come to pass in such a beautiful, unexpected way.

3. My church/church family.  It's such a relief and a joy to be a part of an assembly that works for us.  We've been able to grow spiritually, we've been able to get involved and we've been able to minister to others.

4. My education. I complain about this stage in my program a lot, but I want to see it as a blessing.  It's a wonderful opportunity and privilege to reach this level of education, and I thank God for giving me the strength to finish.

5. My friends.  I have friends that are like family to me, and I don't know where I would be without them.  I just thank God for allowing me to form positive, healthy relationships with people who love and care about me and who want the best for me.

6. My health.  It's something that has been very easy for me to take for granted, but I know that it is a gift.  It's a blessing to be able to wake up every day with my health and strength and a sound mind.

7. My talents.  I'm thankful for the ability to speak several languages and to play instruments like the piano and guitar.  They are things I value and things that I can and do use to minister to others.

8. Nutella. Does this really need any explanation?

9. Sunflowers.  They're beautiful and bright and having them in my presence makes me happy.

10. My rainbow maker.  It makes my mornings dance with color and light.