Yes, I will say at the start that I'm fully aware it is not yet Thanksgiving. However, I am also aware that I need to be giving thanks much more frequently than once a year. :)
Living in England has loads of delightful things that come with it. It also has loads of not so delightful things and some things that make me need to spike a volleyball in a way that dents the court. I'm sure that anyone living in a foreign country comes across this phenomenon.
I have a really distinct memory from my childhood. After some sin incident (likely grumbling or complaining) my mom made me sit down with a piece of paper and write a list of things I was thankful for. I believe that the requirement was at least 20. By item 15, I was on to her little game, but I was also very starkly aware that my list could be MUCH longer than 20 and that I didn't have a case for my grumbles.
Given that I have found myself too easily going to the list of complaints lately, I thought I should pull out that old lesson and make a list of things I am thankful for here. So here we go. Don't worry it won't be even close to exhaustive and this is more for me than you readers and I do have two kids now, so this can't take TOO long. :) Here we go:
1. God saved me despite the massive ball of sin that I am.
2. Christ died for me which is still mind boggling and hurts my brain when I ponder it deeply.
3. I was born and raised in the wealthiest country in the world, which had many blessings.
4. I was given to a strong Christian family.
5. I have 3 siblings with whom I have loads of terrific memories.
6. On the memory front, I have tons of those with grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles that I treasure.
7. The 3 siblings all married people that I happen to really like (hey not everyone gets that!) and I have the best nieces and nephews ever.
8. I received a priceless education which will continue to pay dividends til I die
9. I had dear friends growing up and one with whom the laughs still roll on even over skype. (Shout out Natali Monette!)
10. I had the best job in the world for 9 years and could write hundreds of things to be thankful for off of that.
11. I switched jobs to marry my husband for whom I am daily grateful.
12. My new job is uber challenging (yep some of the reasons for the grumbles) but also so deeply fulfilling and I wouldn't trade it for anything.
13. My son is Colin
14. My daughter is Chloe
15. I can say words like 'son' and 'daughter' and 'husband'. There was a time I thought I never would.
16. God made oceans with which I have an eternal love affair
17. God also came up with seasons and I'm pretty stoked about it
18. Current season is autumn and that means spices and pumpkins and crisp air and bread and soup and bonfire nights and turkey and...... three months of build up to December 25th. I mention that quietly as some feel they must wait til December 1st. :)
19. Chores are tiring but the glow of satisfaction with a clean home is lovely.
20. I like the way our living room is coming together.
21. I enjoy making a beautiful table in our dining room
22. We have a back yard. The possibilities are many!
23. Mark has a great job that allows us to save for moving back to the US
24. Speaking of the US, we get to go for Christmas--my first one back since my marriage!!
25. I love Sunday evenings with Will and Katie.
26. My son loves Sunday evenings with Will and Katie and we're loving their relationship (godparents)
27. I am endlessly enraptured by small toes
28. Mowing the lawn makes me feel ridiculously good
29. I adore baking
30. My recovery after this pregnancy is going really well
31. Mark and I are unashamed Costco junkies.
32. UK Starbucks are carrying pumpkin spice lattes this year!
33. I love gumtree (UK Craig's list) and the fun furniture we've got off of it.
34. We have a proper guest room in this house
35. I can call Brooke Newman anytime because we're in the same timezone and can understand each other's joys and burdens in a way others can't. :)
36. Walking everywhere helps with the weight loss!
37. I like living in a village.
38. Trains are the way to go.
39. Volleyball still makes me feel great.
40. I can hang laundry outside
As I said, there could be more, but 40 is a good number so I'll stop there! Off for a walk...
