Thankfulness....

This is dedicated to my friends and MOM who have bugged me to start blogging again. :) I am not making any promises but I will attempt to be better. I have a lot of things that I could blog about but haven't made the time. There have been many things that I've been challenged with over the last year and God has been SO KIND to me. Even in the last week, I have been Overwhelmed by the way the Lord cares for me, provides for me and directs my life. I have been reminded that trials are GOOD for they develop me and make me turn to Christ. My friend said it best: Trials produce hope in me that doesn't disappoint (Romans 5). I am so thankful that I have hope. There are so many that don't know the hope of Jesus Christ. What a BLESSING! God calls me to look beyond my temporary circumstance and live in a continual state of thanks. As I experience trials, I need to remember that I have an eternal perspective and my hope is to enjoy an eternity with the Lord. I AM READY LORD!

Psalm 100:5  "For the LORD is good;

his steadfast love endures forever,
and his faithfulness to all generations."

Since it's been a few months I want to list a few things that I am thankful for.

1. Adoption of Lucy. She is so precious. She has a smile that can light up your day, a strong personality letting you know what she wants and she is the best snuggler. I love her.

2. Church. I love my church. John has been BRINGING IT lately. (not that he doesn't always) Maybe the Lord is just working on me and that's why I've been feeling like EVERY message is for me! He's been going over 1 Corinthians Sunday night in church and he did a small series on 1 Corinthians 13 which impacted me greatly!  I've also been enjoying singing with the worship Team Sunday mornings and working in the Visitor Center.Oh, and my Pastor Tom is going through a solid series in Revelation.

3. The Master's College: What a blessing my job is. I'm so thankful that I enjoy going to work and that I get to work with some of my closest friends. This is my Family. I also have the most kind, humble, gracious, and hard working boss!

4. Small Group Girls: I was asked to be in a bible study this summer with three other girls. It has been such a HUGE blessing! I LOVE these girls. I didn't know two of them that well when we first started the study but I can say that they are a few of my closest friends now. We meet once a week to talk about the Lord and encourage one another. This is definetly one of the Lord's biggest blessings in my life this year.

5. Trials: I can't even begin to describe how the Lord has grown me through difficult times. I do NOT love trials. Who does? Yet, in the midst of them I cling to the Lord and am reminded of all of His promises to me. I am also reminded of how prideful and sinful I can be too! EWWW!!! Is it hard?  HECK YES. But if I can perseve and keep my focus on the giver of all things and remember that God does as HE pleases and that which pleases Him is always for His glory and my good then I am trusting God. "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Reedemer." Psalm 19:14

6. Titus 2 Women:  For any believer it is good to have older and wiser people in your life who emulate Christ and follow His teachings. They point you to the truths found in scripture and encourage you with the promises of God. I have a couple of these women in my life. What a blessing they are. They keep me in check and consistently point me to the Lord and show me my sin. This is a HUGE GIFT from GOD.

7. Family: I love my family. I have so many people that I consider family but I am talking about my birth family. What a gift to know that everyone in my immediate family is going to heaven. I adore my neices and nephews, appreciate my brothers and sisters and am thankful for the Rents. I wish there were more occasions when we were ALL together but blessed assurance we will all be together one day!