BLESSINGS

Copying the idea of a friend, here is my first list of blessings. If I never made another list, these would certainly be enough! :)

1. Phillip - He is without a doubt, the best husband and father EVER! The hardest working man I know and ALWAYS puts his family before himself. But best of all, he is a wonderful spiritual example for the kids and for me. You just don't find guys like him every day.
2. Alex - The counselor of our family. If their is a bomb that needs to be diffused, Alex is the one to call. He has a wonderful gift of being able to see every side of a story.
3. Alison - She is just a ray of sunshine. Always happy and looking for the positive. I can't even count the number of times I have been in a really bad mood and completely forgot why after talking and laughing with Alison.
4. Lauren - She is a spit-fire. Always ready and willing to speak her mind and I admit, we clash, ALOT. But even though she is tough on the outside, she is probably the most sensitive member of our family. To know her is to love her.
5. Alicia - She has a very quite demeanor, but don't be fooled, she is full of passion. She is super smart and quick witted and hilarious (especially when you get her going.) I also love that she loves to visit. I always have company even if everyone else has scattered.
6. Tate - He's the baby of the family, which has it's up's and down's, but he is a very giving person. He is a super hard worker and he loves to give to others, whether it be by doing a favor or giving a gift. Don't try to just tack his name on a b-day or Christmas present, he's giving his own!
7. Marcita - I have know Marcita for a long time, but we have become really good friends in the last couple of years. She is my buddy, my BFF, my confidant, and my biggest fan. One of the most generous and humble people I know. And as Phillip says, "She's a TRUE friend." Yes she is. And I love her for it.
8. My Valley Kids Kindergarten Class - These kids are a HOOT! I look forward to Wednesday nights and can't wait to see them. They have reminded me how much I love to teach and I am thankful for the opportunity.
9. Valley Baptist Church - I said back in January that it felt like "home" and 6 months later that feeling has only grown stronger. Everytime I walk in the doors I feel like I am going to a friends house. I have never felt more welcome anywhere and I am honored to be a part of that fellowship.
10. Friends - I couldn't list everyone, but I am honored to call some of the finest people in the world my friends. God has truly blessed me by placing so many wonderful, Christian people in my life.

Well, there it is. My first Top 10 Blessings List. And there is not a single material thing on that list (not that I don't have many of them to remember, but that will come later.) But it is nice to see that the most important things in life are not things, but relationships.

What's There to Complain About?

This year has been a good reminder that life is just not easy. If it's not something, it's something else. If it wasn't for bad luck, I would have no luck at all. Blah, blah, blah. It is so easy to get dragged down by the what if's, I wish, and if only's. And I am just as (or more) guilty as everyone else for falling into that trap. But the truth of the matter is, we are sinning when we do that. And the more I think about it, it's a pretty big sin. One capable of destroying our relationship with our Father. Because when you strip that complaining and grumbling down, what we are saying is God does not provide for us like He should and that He is not capable or willing to provide for us in the future. Ouch! Ask any one of us if we think that is true and I would be willing to bet that everyone who reads this blog would say, "No way! God can do ANYTHING!" Then we turn right around and wonder why there is always so much month at the end of the month, why can't "I" have new carpet, landscaping, dishwasher, etc., etc. Don't I "deserve" those things if so and so "deserves" them? Well, I am going to try really, really hard to stop saying things that contridict what I believe to be true. And I am going to be more thankful that God DOESN'T give me what I truly DESERVE, because if He did, I would really be in a mess! I am going to try my best to focus on the blessings that are all around me. In my Kindergarten class on Wednesday nights we have been learning about opening our hearts, ears, eyes, etc. to know God better. It's high time I practice what I preach.