Thankful Thursday...

Since today is Thanksgiving, it seems only fitting that my post is about all that I am thankful for....big and small....This year has brought many changes and many blessings....all of which fill my heart with Thanksgiving!

First of all, I am so thankful for my salvation and for the love of my SAVIOR.  I am thankful that however undeserving I may be, HE continues to pour out HIS grace into my life and forgive my shortcomings time and time again.  The LOVE of our God is such an amazing gift.

I am thankful for Jeffrey and that he shares my love for the LORD.  I am thankful that I can honestly say that I am married to my best friend.  No one on this earth can make my heart happy like he can.  It is such a blessing to wake up every morning and know that no matter what the day may bring, I will have Jeffrey by my side.  I am overjoyed that I get to share this life with him and that we are able to have the family that we have always dreamed of!

I am thankful for our sweet baby Libbi.  I could never have imagined the love that I have for her.  I am thankful that she was born without any complications and that she is a healthy baby.  I am thankful that she is growing and thriving.  I am thankful for her perfect little smile and her round, rosy cheeks.  I am thankful for her sweet baby fingers and her tiny little toes.  I am thankful that she is mine.

I am thankful for my family.  Both of my parents have a heart for the LORD and were obedient to HIS call to instill that in their children.  I am blessed to have a close relationship with my mom and my dad.  No one makes me laugh like my dad can.  I have never known anyone with such a positive outlook on life.  My dad truly has a servant's heart and would do anything for anyone!  It is a rare moment to see him without a smile on his face...he is the prime example of a "happy heart!"  And my mom....she is my best friend.  She is definitely my shopping partner (which at times is not such a good thing...ha!)  I am so thankful that I can turn to her for advice on anything and everything....and I can trust that she is prayerfully considering all that I ask.  What an encouragement she is to me on a daily basis!  I pray that one day Libbi will look at Jeffrey and me the way that I look at my parents....and if she does, then I will consider myself blessed beyond measure!

I am thankful for my brother, Justin and my sis-in-law, Mandie.  I am thankful that they are not only our family, but they are our FRIENDS!  I am thankful for my sister, Missie....she definitely keeps things interesting!

I am thankful for my job.  As badly as I would LOVE to be at home with sweet Libbi, I know that right now, my purpose is being fulfilled at my job.  I am thankful that I am able to make a difference every day when I go to work.  I am thankful that I can go to school after being up all night, not showering, and in clothes that may or may not even be clean....and 17 five-year-olds will still hug me and tell me that I look pretty. ;0) I am thankful for the feeling of pride that I get when I see one of my kids learn something new.  I am thankful for the trust that their parents put in me every day when they leave their precious children in my care.  I am thankful that since having Libbi, I truly understand what a huge responsibility that is.

I am thankful that I am a work in progress....HE's not finished with me yet!  I am thankful that HIS mercies are new every morning and that I have the unbelievable gift of being able to "wipe the slate clean" and start fresh each and every day.  I am thankful that my heart and my life are full of so many wonderful blessings and that even though I couldn't possibly imagine anything better....the best is yet to come!

What are you thankful for this year?

Malachi 3:10

"Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it."

Psalm 107:1

"Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever."