I WILL be thankful in everything, even if it kills me! :)

My goal is to have a thankful heart. A heart that sees the needs in others and always seeks to reach out. To "Do unto others as you would have others do unto you." To realize that no matter what I am going through, there is someone out there going through something much worse. To get up every day and say, "What can I do for someone else today? How can I be a blessing to someone else?" Why? Because the person who constantly focuses on their own problems and circumstances lives a miserable life without joy. The person who doesn't rejoice when small blessings come will certainly not be grateful for the big ones.

Unfortunately, right now I don't have a lot of money to give others. While I like to be the "giver," lately I seem to be the recipient a lot more often. I am not real thrilled to be on the receiving end. However, that is a bad attitude to have. I want to be a gracious giver and a gracious receiver.

Today I am going to list some things I am thankful for in my life. I want to do that much more often. I want to do it not just on "Thanksgiving Day" but all year. I want to see on paper the good things I have and give God the credit.

1. I am thankful for this temp job at Wilberforce, even if I don't get to stay here. I have met some neat people and some fledgling friendships have begun. I don't know the reason why I was sent here, but God does and that is enough for me.
2. I am thankful for the heart to heart talk my daughter and I had the other day. She poured her heart out, and even said how she is so glad she can talk to me. A "bonding" moment with my teenage daughter! Priceless!
3. I am thankful for the comfortable outfit I have on today. I have cozy socks and shoes that don't hurt my feet...heck even having socks and shoes is a blessing when so many in the poorest parts of the world have nothing to protect their feet!
4. I am thankful that God kept us safe this weekend when we started sliding on black ice in the van. It happened so fast, but in an instant, the van was back in the lane it should be, and all was well.
5. I am thankful for Sue, and the many wonderful talks we've had lately. She enriches my life, all the way from across the ocean.
6. I am so thankful for the birth of my newest nephew, Christian. I can't wait to see him in person and hold him. Children are a gift from God!
7. I appreciate my friend, Brenda, so much. She is constantly helping me in some way. She makes me laugh. I don't know what I'd do without her.
8. I am so thankful to be able to see Eric and his family a lot more often. When we get a second vehicle, I know I won't have to miss church as often, and will get to see him more. I am happy that I got to celebrate Eric's birthday with him ON his birthday.
9. I am thankful that while the van is our only source of transportation at this point, and it IS old, God is keeping it on the road, protecting it...keeping it from wearing out just. He is so good to us.
10. I am thankful that my family and I have never gone hungry this year though times have been leaner than we've ever seen...and we still have a roof over our heads.

My break is over and I need to get back to work. I hope to write more soon.