Thank you

**Every year about Thanksgiving, I post this post. Sometimes I edit it and sometimes I just leave it the way it is. It's a reminder of where I've been and how far I've come.**

God,
Thank you for everything you continue to do for me. Thank you for loving me even when I screw up. Your love is like nothing I have ever felt.


I don't say thank you enough for sending Jesus to die for my sins and I'm sorry for that. I forget about the cross on my neck sometimes, forget why I wear it. God, thank you for never letting me walk away from you 100%, you always manage to pull me back when I get too far away from you. Thank you for stopping me, being my conscience when my "old self" comes out. You stop me from going backwards; force me to own up to my actions, no matter how bad it is.



Thank you for saving me and caring about me. No one has ever cared for me like you do. Why do you do it? There have been many times when I dishonored you. Your love is unconditional.



Thank you for assuring me that I'm gonna be alright when I don't seem to think so. Thank you for showing light in my sometimes dark world. I know that even now, while I'm struggling to fight off the depression, you are still here. Thank you for always welcoming me back to your arms when I stray off your path. I don't deserve this kind of love from you. Your love is so amazing, your grace and mercy is beyond my comprehension. Thank you for always having time for me, when my schedule is so busy, I have no time for you.


Thank you for allowing me to work in the healthcare field, proving that this is where my passion is, still, after all this time. Thank you for reminding that even with the huge paycut that I took, You still provide for my needs.



Thank you for sometimes "slapping me in the face" to make me open my eyes to see what You see. I can be so blind sometimes. Thank you for always keeping my eyes open and for wiring me to put others needs before myself. Thank you for times you've prompted me to feed a homeless person, check in on a friend, or whatever. I've been crazy blessed every time I've listened to You.



Thank you for making the person that I am. You made me this way for a reason. Thank you for showing me that my purpose is to serve you above everything. That right there is an honor, the highest to speak of.



Thank you for the fact that I can hear the sounds around me, like the sound of a child laughing, of the waves crashing against the shore. The sounds of people singing only for You in many languages. The sound of people crying out to you in adoration.


Thank you for my sight, through my eyes, I have seen your beauty in people as well as in nature, the world's pain, the smile of a loved one. I've seen You. I see you always.


Thank you for my sense of smell, I have smelled fresh green grass and the ocean air. I love to smell a baby's head, a puppy's breath, and orange blossoms. The smell of my grandmother's perfume on someone brings back so many memories. I have smelled the pages of an old Bible and loved it. They all remind me of you, God, somehow.


Thank you for my sense of touch, to me the most important sense I have. With this, I have felt the greatest hug from friends, the kiss on my hand from a stranger in need, the softness of a baby's cheek, the comfort of a warm blanket, a little one's hand tightly wrapped around my one finger, felt you in a breeze. I have felt my hands in yours. You're still holding my hands, I feel it more every day.


Thank you for blessing me with such awesome friends that I love dearly and hold very close to my heart. I take them for granted sometimes and forget to thank you for them also. These are the ones who show me you're still around when I can't find you. I'm blessed for old friendships rekindled, ones that will never die, and new ones that have been made.



Thank you for getting me out to Indiana. I feel like it took me forever to get back here and now that I'm back I see your hand through it all. My heart is so full of love by being back here. Thank you for strengthening the relationship I have with my father. I never knew that I could love him this much. It's all because of you.


I guess I get caught up in life and forget how blessed I am sometimes. I apologize for that. Thank you for opening my eyes to who You are 9years ago. Wow, it has been a ride, but I wouldn't change a thing.


Thank you for everything, I will be eternally grateful to you for what you have done in my life. And I'll continue to serve you in gratitude until I take my last breath.

Thank you

**Every year about Thanksgiving, I post this post. Sometimes I edit it and sometimes I just leave it the way it is. It's a reminder of where I've been and how far I've come.**

God,

Thank you for everything you have done for me. Thank you for loving me even when I screw up. Your love is like nothing I have ever felt.

I don't say thank you enough for sending Jesus to die for my sins and I'm sorry for that. I forget about the cross on my neck sometimes, forget why I wear it. God, thank you for never letting me walk away from you 100%, you always manage to pull me back when I get too far away from you. Thank you for stopping me, being my conscience when my "old self" comes out. You stop me from going backwards; force me to own up to my actions, no matter how bad it is.

Thank you for saving me and caring about me. No one has ever cared for me like you do. Why do you do it? There have been many times when I dishonored you. Your love is unconditional.

Thank you for assuring me that I'm gonna be alright when I don't seem to think so. Thank you for showing light in my sometimes dark world. I haven't had any dark days in awhile, thank you for that. Thank you for always welcoming me back to your arms when I stray off your path. I don't deserve this kind of love from you. Your love is so amazing, your grace and mercy is beyond my comprehension. Thank you for always having time for me, when my schedule is so busy, I have no time for you.

Thank you for showing me that through pay cuts and furloughs, You would still provide for my needs. I may not have extra spending $, but all of my bills are paid and my house has food in it. It has been an adjustment, but You were there through it all making me have faith in You.

Thank you for sometimes "slapping me in the face" to make me open my eyes to see what You see. I can be so blind sometimes. Thank you for always keeping my eyes open and for wiring me to put others needs before myself. Thank you for times you've prompted me to feed a homeless person, check in on a friend, or whatever. I've been crazy blessed every time I've listened to You.

Thank you for making the person that I am. You made me this way for a reason. Thank you for showing me that my purpose is to serve you above everything. That right there is an honor, the highest to speak of.

 

Thank you for the fact that I can hear the sounds around me, like the sound of a child laughing, of the waves crashing against the shore. The sounds of people singing only for You in many languages. The sound of people crying out to you in adoration.

Thank you for my sight, through my eyes, I have seen your beauty in people as well as in nature, the world's pain, the smile of a loved one. I've seen You. I see you always.

Thank you for my sense of smell, I have smelled fresh green grass and the ocean air. I love to smell a baby's head, a puppy's breath, and orange blossoms. The smell of my grandmother's perfume on someone brings back so many memories. I have smelled the pages of an old Bible and loved it. They all remind me of you, God, somehow.

Thank you for my sense of touch, to me the most important sense I have. With this, I have felt the greatest hug from friends, the kiss on my hand from a stranger in need, the softness of a baby's cheek, the comfort of a warm blanket, a little one's hand tightly wrapped around my one finger, felt you in a breeze. I have felt my hands in yours. You're still holding my hands, I feel it more every day.

Thank you for blessing me with such awesome friends that I love dearly and hold very close to my heart. I take them for granted sometimes and forget to thank you for them also. These are the ones who show me you're still around when I can't find you. Thank you for the amazing way they love me, no matter what I do, their love for me never ends.

Thank you for the opportunity to go to South Africa. I can only say the places I have been, the people I have met in my life is all because of You. You opened my eyes to a whole new world while I was there. I saw the most sadness while I was there, but I have never met people who possess Your joy more than the South African people. Thank you for the opportunity to love on all those kids. They've got a piece of my heart. I'll never forget them, never.

I guess I get caught up in life and forget how blessed I am sometimes. I apologize for that. Thank you for opening my eyes to who You are 8 years ago. Wow, it has been a ride, but I wouldn't change a thing.

Thank you for everything, I will be eternally grateful to you for what you have done in my life. And I'll continue to serve you in gratitude until I take my last breath.

Gracias a Dios

***Every year about Thanksgiving, I post this post. Sometimes I edit it and sometimes I just leave it the way it is. It's a reminder of where I've been and how far I've come.***

God,

Thank you for everything you have done for me. Thank you for loving me even when I screw up. Your love is like nothing I have ever felt.

I don't say thank you enough for sending Jesus to die for my sins and I'm sorry for that. I forget about the cross on my neck sometimes, forget why I wear it. God, thank you for never letting me walk away from you 100%, you always manage to pull me back when I get too far away from you. Thank you for stopping me, being my conscience when my "old self" comes out. You stop me from going backwards, force me to own up to my actions, no matter how bad it is.

Thank you for saving me and caring about me. No one has ever cared for me like you do. Why do you do it? There have been many times when I dishonored you. There are so many people who don't care about you. Ah, I get it, you not only love me but you love them too? Irregardless of what they do? That's awesome, it really is.

Thank you for assuring me that I'm gonna be alright when I don't seem to think so. Thank you for showing light in my sometimes dark world. I haven't had any dark days in awhile, thank you for that. Thank you for always welcoming me back to your arms when I stray off your path. I don't deserve this kind of love from you. Your love is so amazing, your grace and mercy is beyond my comprehension. Thank you for always having time for me, when my schedule is so busy, I have no time for you.

Thank you for sometimes "slapping me in the face" to make me open my eyes to see what you see. I am so blind sometimes. Thank you for always keeping my eyes open and for wiring me to put others needs before myself. Thank you for times you've prompted me to feed a homeless person or help an elderly woman with her groceries, or whatever. I've been crazy blessed every time I've done it.

Thank you for making the person that I am. You made me this way for a reason. Thank you for showing me that my purpose is to serve you above everything. That right there is an honor, the highest to speak of.

Thank you for the fact that I can hear the sounds around me, like the sound of a child laughing, of the waves crashing against the shore. The sounds of people singing only for You. The sound of people crying out to you in adoration.

Thank you for my sight, through my eyes, I have seen your beauty in people as well as in nature, the world's pain, the smile of a loved one. I've seen You. I see you always.

Thank you for my sense of smell, I have smelled fresh green grass and the ocean air. I love to smell a baby's head, a puppy's breath, and orange blossoms. The smell of my grandmother's perfume on someone brings back so many memories. I have smelled the pages of an old Bible and loved it. They all remind me of you, God, somehow.

Thank you for my sense of touch, to me the most important sense I have. With this, I have felt the greatest hug from friends, the kiss on my hand from a stranger in need, the softness of a baby's cheek, the comfort of a warm blanket, a little one's hand tightly wrapped around my one finger, felt you in a breeze. I have felt my hands in yours. You're still holding my hands, I feel it more every day.

Thank you for blessing me with such awesome friends that I love dearly and hold very close to my heart. I take them for granted sometimes and forget to thank you for them also. These are the ones who show me you're still around when I can't find you. Thank you for the amazing way they love me, no matter what I do, their love for me never ends.

Thank you for Heather. Her long-lasting friendship has been what pulled me through many tough times in my life. Deaths of our parents, boys breaking our hearts, tears over many things, laughter over so much more, her marriage and having a child, friendships lost through the years, and we are still kicking over 25 years later. I can't imagine my life without her.

Thank you for Kristine. Our friendship has come so far since we went to Chile in 2006. She keeps me grounded and makes sure I don't forget who you are and why I follow you. And when I was actually thinking about taking my life that you gave me, she was the first person to address me and telling me that I needed to get help. You nurtured our friendship. You knew I would need her more than anything over this past year. Thank you for our non-stop laughter, the dancing, as well as the tears we've shared with each other. Thank you for just letting me cry when my mom died. Whew, I needed that. Te amo, mi chica.

Thank you for Romi. This is another friendship you nurtured. I broke down and told her my secret about a year ago after much prompting from you. She could relate to me and our friendship quickly blossomed. We just "get" each other in so many ways. I'm blessed to have her in my life.

I guess I get caught up in life and forget how blessed I am sometimes. I apologize for that. Thank you for opening my eyes to who you are 7 years ago. Wow, it has been a ride, but I wouldn't change a thing.

Thank you for everything, I will be eternally grateful to you for what you have done in my life. And I'll continue to serve you in gratitude until I take my last breath.

Black Friday

Every year, I consider it a blessing that my paycheck doesn't fall on the day after Thanksgiving. I can say that I have never shopped on Black Friday. *Gasp* I know, crazy, huh? I think working in retail for many years scarred me from ever going out on that day. Besides, after reading this story, it makes extremely thankful I chose not to go out today. Dude! That's pure craziness!

My Thanksgiving was actually uneventful this year, which is the first in a long time. I went to my family's house, I usually only go for an hour. It's really about all I can handle. I feel so out of place with them sometimes, I feel like I don't belong when I'm around my family. I don't have the strength to even attempt to fit in either. After that, I headed to my surrogate family's house, the Dewey's. I just love them and it's with them that I feel like I belong. I stayed over there until late, it was great spending Thanksgiving with them. My heart is always filled with joy when I'm with them.

Last night as we all sat in the living room watching the Cardinals game, I found my mind wandering. I began to really think about the things in my life that I'm so, so, thankful for. I take a lot of it for granted. I really try not to, but it's easy to get caught up in the world and difficult to take myself back out of it. I'm thankful for my life, thankful for the good and bad that comes at me. Thankful for the mind He's given me to sort things through, thankful for my close friends who keep me grounded and don't pass judgement. Thankful for the laughter that has graced my lips as well as the tears that has drenched my pillow...especially recently. Knowing that through it all, God is holding this hand of mine. I could go on and on about how thankful I am, I really could. I don't thank my friends enough for the unconditional love they give me even when I screw up. I don't thank God enough for this life I live. I don't thank Him enough for sending His son to sacrifice my very life. Because in all honesty, I wouldn't be where I am today with the grace of God covering my sins fully & completely.

Quote of the day: "God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say 'Thank you'?" ~William A. Ward

Scripture of the day: "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." ~Colossians 3:17

Thank you

Thank You God for Everything

By Helen Steiner Rice

Thank you, God, for everything, the big things and the small.
For "every good gift comes from God"...the giver of them all.
And all too often we accept, without any thanks or praise,
The gifts God sends as blessings, each day in many ways.
And so at this Thanksgiving Time, we offer up a prayer...
To thank you, God, for giving us a lot more than our share.

First, thank you for the little things that often come our way,
The things we take for granted but don't mention when we pray,
The unexpected courtesy, the thoughtful, kindly deed,
A hand reached out to help us in the time of sudden need.
Oh, make us more aware, dear God, of little daily graces
That come to us with "sweet surprise" from never-dreamed-of places.

Then, thank you for the "Miracles" we are much too blind to see,
And give us new awareness of our many gifts from Thee,
And help us to remember that the Key of Life and Living
Is to make each prayer a Prayer of Thanks and every day Thanksgiving.

God,

Thank you for everything you have done for me. Thank you for loving me even when I screw up. Your love is like nothing I have ever felt. I don't say thank you enough for sending Jesus to die for my sins and I'm sorry for that. Thank you for saving me and caring about me. No one has ever cared for me like you do. Why do you do it? There are so many people who don't care about you. Ah, I get it, you not only love me but you love them too? Irregardless of what they do? That's awesome, it really is.

Thank you for assuring me that I'm gonna be alright when I don't seem to think so. Thank you for showing light in my sometimes dark world. Thank you for always welcoming me back to your arms when I stray off your path. I don't deserve this kind of love from you. Thank you for always keeping my eyes open and for wiring me to put others needs before myself. Thank you for making the person that I am. You made me this way for a reason. Thank you for showing me that my purpose is to serve you in another country. That right there is an honor, the highest to speak of.

Thank you for my family. I complain about them a lot, but you gave them to me for a reason. I'm not as thankful as I should be when it comes to my family. Thank you for blessing me with such awesome friends that I love dearly and hold very close to my heart. I take them for granted sometimes and forget to thank you for them also. I guess I get caught up in life and forget how blessed I am sometimes. I apologize for that. Thank you for opening my eyes to who you are five years ago. Wow, it has been a ride, but I wouldn't change a thing. Thank you for everything, I will be eternally grateful to you for what you have done in my life.