Thankful

Thanksgiving has come and gone, but I am still thankful. Over the past year, I began a journey of counting my gifts. I started a study with a couple of friends and we were challenged to write down 1,000 gifts. Let me tell you, IT'S NOT EASY!! While I'm always thankful it has been hard to consistently write down gifts. I have gone months without writing a thing and then I'll write for days. Currently I am at 225. I have a long way to go! But I love this time of year and we have so much to be thankful for so I thought I would share some of mine with you...

226: family- I spent Thanksgiving in my new home with my mom and dad. It was wonderful! I'm also thankful that I will be spending Christmas in Raton with my sister and Joey.

227: Africa- as most of you know, I have an incredible opportunity to go on a mission trip to Africa in June. We had our first meeting today and I'm beyond excited!!

228: new friends- I have made several teacher friends and we are beginning to do more outside of school and enjoy our time away from kids

229: old friends- I miss every single one of you!! I was fortunate enough to catch up with several friends on the phone this week and I look forward to seeing more of you in person when I'm home for Christmas break.

230: Marlene Pittman- a special shoutout to a very special lady! She volunteered to sell some of my crafts at a craft fair in Maxwell to help me raise money for my trip. She is a true blessing! I will never stop thanking you!!

As time flies by, we don't stop often enough to think about the little things that bring us joy. It could be as simple as smile or a cup of coffee. It could be as big as undeserving grace and sacrifice. Maybe you want to embark on the journey of being thankful... If so I highly suggest the book study "One Thousand Gifts" by Ann Voskamp. It may be easy for you or you could be like me and it may take your entire life. But whatever you do, BE AWARE of the gifts you've been given. 

I'd love to hear from you... What are the gifts you're thankful for?