End of 2010

After today I am planning on printing my blogs to create a book. I'm doing this because it really is a type of journaling activity. What better way to remember my past couple years than to have it in book format?

Anyway-I have decided that I need to write some things I am grateful for as this year ends.

1. My relationship with Jesus Christ is one of the most comforting things in my life. I don't express this too often, but without Him everything else really has no meaning. I am so thankful for parents who raised me to believe.

2. I am grateful for my family. My parents are people I have not always appreciated (teenage moments). However, as I continue to grow and have more experiences I am constantly reminded of how much they have sacrificed for myself and my siblings. I love and appreciate them more each day. My siblings are great. I don't know many families where everyone enjoys being together and looks forward to being together. I am also thankful for my son. He makes me giggle. I enjoy his personality, sense of humor, and being able to see him grow up.

3. I am grateful for a good job. A job that allows me to put a roof over my head and food on my table. I recently had a student tell me that her family had not eaten dinner in two days because they had no food. I have thought about this ever since. I don't always have things I want, but I do have the things I need. For that I am grateful.

4. What a great opportunity I have each day to serve others. My parents taught us kids that helping others was important. I can remember delivering dinners to families on Thanksgiving Day for the organization Volunteers of America. At Christmas time there was always a family we helped (knock and runs). However, my parents taught us that serving others happens year round. Taking in foster children, going to help a friend in need as soon as they call, visiting grandparents, inviting a lonely person to share a meal with out family are just some ways we learned the meaning of service.

5. I am grateful for my dog. I've had pets before, but never have I loved and cared for one like I do him. Because of him I have learned to love more of God's creatures. I have found myself observing a snail on the sidewalk and instead of seeing a slimy bug, I see something beautiful. I have found a greater appreciation for the little things in life.

6. I am thankful that I have been able to quickly recover emotionally from divorce. Because of the teachings from my youth and from life experiences I have found it much easier to forgive and move on. It's almost been four years and I am happy with the way my life is going.

7. Finally, I am grateful for hope and faith. What a wonderful opportunity we have to look forward to what the future holds. With continued faith and hope for the future I am able to keep seeing the light when things seem dark.

Thanks to my family and friends for being a part of my life story thus far. I can't wait to see what happens in 2011.