I'm Thankful For...

This year, we are feeling very thankful. Sometimes I feel like I've had my eyes opened for the first time, that now I know what it's all about. I'm grateful for that clarity, our lives have changed in the last year. At first glance you'd think it would be terrible, but really, life is far richer than it's ever been before.

This year, I'm thankful for...

• My Josie, my light. She keeps me going, pushes me to be better. She's upfront, independent and a handful. She is fierce, sensitive, and a constant amazement. Where did this child come from? I'm thankful for her, she brought Luke and I together, she made us grow up. She is a streak of light.
  
• My Marie. I have learned more from her than anyone else in my life. Josie made me a mother but Marie made me complete. She shook up my life and made me consider my soul. She brought me closer to my faith, she taught me about courage. She makes me better everyday and I am so grateful just to be around her. To hold her in my arms is the sweetest gift, I could not ask for more.
• Smiles. Just the act of a grin. Until it was missing I did not realize how big it really was. I am grateful and PRAISING GOD for those smiles.
• My Luke. He gets me. I have a huge crush on that man.
• Prayers. All the prayers said for us, thought for us, screamed silently. I am grateful for everyone who supports us, lets us now they're praying. I'm grateful for everyone who prays silently. For the people I have no idea about. For every prayer uttered, I am grateful.
• For my old friends, new friends. All the people that put up with my craziness and tell me that I'm doing okay when I really need it. For those who have taken my kids at the last second, for friends who are there in the moment I need them most. For old friends I've reconnected with, for new friends I've made. For the friends that have been there the whole time.
  
• For my church. What a rock. We could not have made it through the last year without Zion. I'm so Thankful for all of them, and everything they've done.
• For good harvests, for rain. For snow, and sunshine.
• For coffee.
  
• I'm thankful we live in a small town. Everyone looks at us and knows our story. That can be a double edged sword, but it's been almost nothing but good. We've felt rallied around, and we're thankful we live where we do.
• I'm thankful for nurses, therapists, doctors. Not all, but among the masses are shining gems. I'm thankful that these are the people that have come into our lives. Nurses with compassion, therapists with understands, doctors who care.
  
• Family. The support we've found there is something we draw strength from all the time. For all of you who've watched the girls, made a meal, or called just to cry with us, you are priceless.
• For every day. It's cliche, but every day is such a gift. I don't think I could ever look at them the same again.
  

Amazing girl.

For every one of those smiles. I could spend the day just trying to see that grin.

Fancy toenails. She's growing up so fast, who'd have ever thought that 4 meant she'd be such a big girl?

New shoes. She's growing and thriving, Praise God! This is all due to Him, he answers prayers. A year ago, we had no idea we would be in a place as good as we are now.

1 Corinthians 13:1-13

1. If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal

2. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing3. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

4. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

5. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.

6. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.

7. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

8. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.

9. For we know in part and we prophesy in part,

10. but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears.

11. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.

12. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

13. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.