#365daysofthankfulness

With 2014 nearly behind us, I reflect back on the year.  It wasn’t everything I had hoped it would be, or everything I had planned for it to be.  But I ambitiously set out on January 1, 2014 to find something to be thankful for every day.

Funny thing about choosing gratitude – the enemy doesn’t like it.  I’m not one who believes that Satan lies around every corner or hides behind every bush, but it wasn’t until I made the conscious effort to find things to be thankful for that I really felt him laying snares for me to fall into.  But I kept in mind that I am told in scripture to be thankful in every circumstance, not necessarily for every circumstance.

And every day, I left myself a sticky note somewhere that I knew I would see it more than once throughout the day of one little thing that I was going to be thankful for that day.  Something I could pray for, and meditate on that day.  And a miraculous thing happened: I become more and more thankful as the year went on.  Of course, as my gratitude increased, so did my trials.  But I pressed on.  In every circumstance, not for every circumstance.

I tried to share my thankful notes on Instagram with the hashtag, #365daysofthankfulness.  At one point, during the summer, Instagram stopped allowing me to post.  I consider this another tactic of the enemy, but I could be wrong…

What I want for everyone to understand is that gratitude is a choice.  As you’ll see, some days it was difficult to find something to be thankful for.  Some days, it came easy.  But every day I had to make the choice to be grateful, and not take the blessings – as numerous as they are – for granted, because I have truly been blessed beyond measure.

Here are my #365daysofthankfulness :

I am thankful…

01/01       for a new year

01/02       for scarves

01/03       for food – lots of it!

01/04       for family visits

01/05       for naps

01/06       for winter vacation

01/07       for my job

01/08       for music

01/09       for umbrellas

01/10       for 30 years of memories with my mom

01/11       that yesterday is behind me

01/12       for my church

01/13       for coffee

01/14       it is not Monday

01/15       for “hump days”

01/16       for no traffic on 59!

01/17       it is Friday!

01/18       for the precious young faces of Guatemala

01/19       for Abby & her creative heart

01/20       Matt comes home today!

01/21       for clean water

01/22       for hand lotion

01/23       I’m having a hard time feeling thankful, but I’m thankful to be alive

01/24       for pay days

01/25       I get to serve the homeless of Houston #kyliesprayer

01/26       for Marshall

01/27       for days off

01/28       for a “snow day”

01/29       for my “work family”

01/30       for self-control

01/31       for Bo, my big, loud, lovable, furry black friend, Bo

02/01       for sweet Wes

02/02       for Lysol, Clorox, and Germ-X

02/03       for a pantry full of food

02/04       for my busy calendar

02/05       for my small group

02/06       for my heated car seats

02/07       for my slow cooker

02/08       for Saturdays

02/09       for Sundays

02/10       for unfailing love

02/11       for routines

02/12       that my husband was born on this day

02/13       for the airplane and pilots that will bring my husband home to me

02/14       I am loved

02/15       for love notes

02/16       for people who serve

02/17       for Mondays off

02/18       for days with no practices, meetings, rehearsals, etc.

02/19       I can be there for kid “sick days”

02/20       for healing

02/21       for mercies new

02/22       my husband is willing to serve the people of Haiti

02/23       for my daddy

02/24       for fruit

02/25       for love that pursues my furiously

02/26       for shelter from the cold

02/27       for Freedom Fighters #enditmovement

02/28       I only have one more sleep until Matt comes home

03/01       for hard work

03/02       for the 4 lbs. I lost this week, & 1 BMI point

03/03       God answered prayer, Jessica is cancer-free on her birthday!

03/04       for coats and scarves

03/05       for grace

03/06       nightmares aren’t real

03/07       that it’s the last Friday before Spring Break

03/08       my mom isn’t suffering, even if it feels like I am

03/09       for a snuggly, comfy bed

03/10       for sleeping in

03/11       for no plans

03/12       that my husband is a good provider

03/13       I can pay my bills on time

03/14       it’s pi day

03/15       for the luxury of a hairdresser

03/16       for change in weather

03/17       the kids are back in school

03/18       to be back at work

03/19       for intelligent conversation

03/20       for a drama-free morning

03/21       for a special co-worker, and I am sad to see her leave

03/22       for hot showers, clean dishes, & refreshing drinks #worldwaterday

03/23       for the rodeo

03/24       for a husband that helps

03/25       that I am NOT bored

03/26       for opportunities to share

03/27       for “anti-depressants” (coffee, chocolate)

03/28       for mutual friends

03/29       for the opportunity to serve in my community

03/30       for vacations

03/31       for modern medicine

04/01       for the empty waiting room

04/02       for a tank full of gas while I sat in traffic

04/03       for light traffic, hot coffee, & loud music

04/04       that I have 2 strong legs for dodgeball

04/05       that someone wants me on their team

04/06       for my Sunday routine

04/07       for the next right step

04/08       that God is teaching me to be flexible and patient

04/09       for words of encouragement from special friends

04/10       that I was taught the difference between right & wrong

04/11       for remote controls

04/12       for healthy ideas

04/13       for flowers

04/14       for my 2 healthy legs that propelled me 2 miles this morning

04/15       for healing #bostonstrong

04/16       for my tax refund

04/17       for the mystery, power, and beauty in lightning

04/18       for beauty in nature

04/19       for lessons in history

04/20       for my risen Lord & Savior

04/21       for my church family

04/22       for Cheerios!

04/23       to be an Administrative Professional at Logos Prep

04/24       for a workplace of uncontrollable laughter

04/25       for days with sunroof open on the way to work

04/26       for Little League

04/27       for friends that are fun to hang out with

04/28       for kind texts

04/29       for birthday celebrations

04/30       that my kids can do a lot for themselves

05/01       for my home state  #californialove

05/02       for good advice

05/03       that I was born on this day!

05/04       that my husband puts a lot of effort into serving

05/05       that God comes through in mysterious ways

05/06       for the teachers who pour into my kids  #thankateacher

05/07       for a few more pounds gone

05/08       for all of the precious elementary kids who are enjoying their last day of school

               @LogosPrep today.

05/09       for the AWESOME junior high and high school kids who are celebrating their last day of

               school @LogosPrep today  #lovemyjob

05/10       for quality time with my in-laws  #family

05/11       for crawfish!

05/12       for my sweet Abby girl, born on this day 9 years ago!

05/13       for my mother-in-law, and special time I get to spend with her.

05/14       that I got to be a part of the #classof2014

05/15       for leftovers in the Crock Pot #mmm

05/16       for @LogosPrep seniors!

05/17       for the opportunity to meet new neighbors

05/18       that I will do things I do not like for people I love

05/19       I made an appointment

05/20       that I can afford a sick day

05/21       that I’m feeling better!

05/22       for “ponytail days”

05/23       for flowers

05/24       that my husband knows my insecurities and helps me battle them

05/25       to sit by my husband in church

05/26       for the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice, not just that I might live, but 

                that I would live free.

05/27       for a loving Heavenly Father who always comes through

05/28       for sunshine and rain (at the same time!)

05/29       all of this on my calendar is about to slow down

05/30       for peace and quiet… when I can get it           

05/31       that the year is half over!

06/01       for the financial blessings I have been given to enjoy (1 Timothy 6:17)

06/02       that my husband likes my family

06/03       to be wearing jeans in a size smaller than this time last week!  #smallvictories

06/04       for facetime and texting

06/05       my kids have done so well in school

06/06       I get to spend time with my sisters tonight, celebrating my niece’s graduation!  Woohoo!

06/07       for a husband who picks me up when the world knocks me down

06/08       for wisdom in scripture

06/09       for waking up without an alarm clock

06/10       for air conditioning!

06/11       for hump days!

06/12       for shade

06/13       that I can give the kids a list of jobs to do while I’m at work

06/14       for a willingness to forgive

06/15       for my dad, my step-dad, my grandfathers, and my husband – all amazing dads!

06/16       that I didn’t chicken out

06/17       for “our song”

06/18       Wes made my coffee

06/19       for VBS!

06/20       for Sugar Creek Baptist Church and all their hard work for VBS

06/21       that I don’t have to go to work today

06/22       that there is just one week between me and my trip to Nicaragua

06/23       for a day off to run errands and get prepared for the week ahead

06/24       for the generosity of my work family

06/25       for the thoughtfulness of the folks I work with

06/26       that my work family supports missions

06/27       for Starbucks in Ardmore, Oklahoma

06/28       for last minute preparation

06/29       for the opportunity to serve with @LivingWater in #nicaragua

06/30       for the team that lives in Nicaragua, serving with @LivingWater every day

07/01       for worship in different languages

07/02       for lessons in forgiveness

07/03       for cute Nicaraguan babies!

07/04       for freedom

07/05       for nuevas experiencias

07/06       that washing machines can get stinky mud out!

07/07       for the kindness of strangers

07/08       to be back at work, sharing my experiences.

07/09       for cold, clean drinking water

07/10       for summer work hours

07/11       for Fridays!

07/12       for sunshine

07/13       for my church – a place to have fun!

07/14       for my sweet friend, Jill.  Happy birthday!

07/15       for temporary distractions

07/16       for 16 years of first dates with an amazing man #lovemyhusband

07/17       for quick getaways

07/18       for sweet memories

07/19       for romance

07/20       for home

07/21       for sturdy luggage

07/22       for time to clean out my inbox

07/23       for the man who held my hand through 24 hours of labor and pain 15 years ago today 

                #lovemyhusband

07/24       for my beautiful first-born son, born 15 years ago today (Psalm 127:4-5)

07/25       to have opportunities to travel and sight-see

07/26       for my vision

07/27       for friends that I look forward to spending time with

07/28       for sunscreen and flip-flops

07/29       for fun trips to Mexico with friends!

07/30       for Puerto Vallarta!

07/31       for poolside margaritas and guacamole

08/01       for people I trust to watch my kids  J

08/02       that I have the freedom to travel

08/03       for lifelong friendships

08/04       that my husband loves me just the way I am

08/05       for spa treatments

08/06       for passports

08/07       for pay days

08/08       that I don’t have to work hard

08/09       for Saturdays with the family

08/10       that I don’t have to parent alone

08/11       for my partner in crime ;)

08/12       for all the “little lions” that start their first day back to school @LogosPrep today!

08/13       for love and friendship

08/14       for the super sweetness of the bruises in bananas

08/15       for my flexible work schedule

08/16       for tan lines

08/17       for Sunday lunch

08/18       for all the hours spent cleaning my house – it means I have plenty of room!

08/19       that I have extra money at the end of my pay check!

08/20       for people God puts in my path to teach me more about Him

08/21       for the challenges that make me stronger

08/22       for pay days!

08/23       for access to food…

08/24       for digital photography

08/25       for coupons!

08/26       that I am needed

08/27       for modern dentistry

08/28       that I can play a vital role

08/29       that I am available for my family

08/30       for fall baseball

08/31       for fried pickles

09/01       for all the teachers I work with

09/02       for long-distance learning and “webinars” in my jammies

09/03       that “old dogs” can learn new tricks

09/04       that I love working @LogosPrep

09/05       that I can start putting out fall decorations

09/06       for fall Saturday traditions

09/07       for Sunday routines

09/08       for quiet moments

09/09       for a blank calendar

09/10       I am on time

09/11       for fall flavors

09/12       for Pumpkin Spice Lattes

09/13       for football!

09/14       that last week is behind me

09/15       for clean, healthy teeth

09/16       for a little grace when it is needed most

09/17       for a marriage filled with love and joy

09/18       for protection from elements

09/19       for a nap during a thunderstorm

09/20       that my husband is compassionate

09/21       for a message about fear, worry, and anxiety (Psalm 56:3)

09/22       that Brian is finally at peace

09/23       for immeasurable grace

09/24       for the reassurance that “We know that all things work together for good to them that 

                love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

09/25       that “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” (Psalm 147:3)

09/26       for closure

09/27       for strength

09/28       for my church family, their love & support, and their encouragement

09/29       that no one minds when I sleep with the lights on

09/30       that I have somewhere to go after I sit in all this traffic

10/01       that fall weather is coming!

10/02       that God is bigger than cancer

10/03       for sunshine and warm temperatures

10/04       for the power of prayer

10/05       for the rock higher than I

10/06       that all I ever have to be is what He made me to be

10/07       for open minds and open hearts 

10/08       for small groups – perfect groups of imperfect people

10/09       for responsibilities

10/10       that the sun rose again

10/11       for college football

10/12       for opportunities to worship

10/13       for oatmeal cookies

10/14       that I did not have to grow up without both parents

10/15       for things that are pumpkin flavored

10/16       for Halloween decorations

10/17       that it is fall!

10/18       for Rotel dip

10/19       for a good night’s sleep

10/20       that things are getting better

10/21       for someone to talk to

10/22       for a loving partner

10/23       that I can combat jealousy

10/24       that I chose joy

10/25       that November is almost here!

10/26       for Charlie Brown and the Great Pumpkin

10/27       that I can work from home

10/28       that I am not running late

10/29       for birthday celebrations with co-workers!

10/30       for fall clothes

10/31       for silliness and fun!

11/01       that November is here!

11/02       that Germany is only 2 weeks away!

11/03       for plans that fall neatly into place

11/04       that my husband lets me work

11/05       for my small group, and their desire to serve

11/06       for cell phones

11/07       for Facebook

11/08       for snuggly socks

11/09       for scarves!

11/10       for new friends

11/11       for technology

11/12       that someone is looking out for my online health

11/13       for pay checks!

11/14       for hard work paying off

11/15       for professionally trained pilots and crew

11/16       for international trips!

11/17       for the welcoming spirit of foreign cultures

11/18       for Berlin! 

11/19       for the lessons learned through history

11/20       for new experiences

11/21       for safe travel

11/22       for washing machines

11/23       for lazy Sundays

11/24       for an employer that values family time

11/25       the kids are in their last day of school for Thanksgiving!

11/26       for family traditions

11/27       for Thanksgiving dinner with people I love

11/28       for digital books

11/29       that there’s no place like home…

11/30       for my far-away parking space – because my two legs will carry me the distance

12/01       for electronic calendar reminders

12/02       for Excel and spreadsheets

12/03       for “unanswered” prayers

12/04       for the students and their families @LogosPrep

12/05       for Fridays spent in my pajamas

12/06       for Saturdays also spent in my pajamas

12/07       for Christmas decorations

12/08       for online shopping

12/09       for health and safety

12/10       for support from my dearest friends

12/11       that God never leaves me

12/12       for Christmastime traditions

12/13       for Christmas lights!

12/14       for a life well-lived (rest in peace, Loran)

12/15       that there are only 10 more days…

12/16       for Christmas songs

12/17       for my precious Wesley, born 11 years ago today!

12/18       for Christmas cookies!

12/19       that we can be comforted by family

12/20       for military honors given to a deserving man

12/21       for opportunities to turn lemons into lemonade

12/22       for long drives

12/23       that our long drive is over!

12/24       for 16 years of marriage to the man God made just for me  #lovemyhusband

12/25       for the birth of our blessed Savior and King

12/26       for the invitations from friends

12/27       for the outdoors

12/28       for speedy transportation!

12/29       for help with household chores

12/30       for sticky notes!

12/31       for another year behind me…