Thursday Thoughts: Happy Thanksgiving

On this wonderful Thanksgiving holiday, I can't help but find myself thinking about how thankful I am.  This season calls us to remember the things in life that we are given, and it reminds us all to be thankful.  There are so many things in my life I'm thankful for this year, and I am truly blessed with the life God gave me. Here are the 10 things I'm most thankful for (these are in no particular order).

1. I'm thankful for my family.  For the Christian upbringing they gave me, the values and morals they instilled in my life, and the love they have always shown me.  I'm thankful for their never ending support in all aspects of my life.  I'm thankful to have a family that loves me unconditionally, encourages me to follow my dreams, and trusts me.  I have been truly blessed by the most wonderful family in the entire world and I love all of you dearly.
2. I'm thankful for my friends. I am so thankful for all the wonderful friends the Lord has put in my life. I'm thankful for the good times and laughs we have shared together.  I'm thankful for the tears we've cried together and the memories we've made.  I'm thankful to have so many wonderful friends I can trust unconditionally and lean on when in need.  I'm thankful for the support they give and the love they show.  I'm thankful for how they challenge me to grow, and for the comfort and joy they provide.  I love you all! 
3. I'm thankful for my relationship with the Lord. I have been blessed with an amazing upbringing where religious morals have always been instilled into my life.  I'm thankful for the amazing gift God gave when He sent His son to die for us.  I'm thankful for the forgiveness, guidance, love, comfort, and strength he provides every day. I'm thankful for the gift of Heaven and the chance to become a better me.  I'm thankful for all the opportunities God has provided me with and all the mission trips I've been able to take part in.  My relationship with the Lord has been my strength and guiding force in life. That gift is simply irreplaceable.
4. I'm thankful for the gift of laughter. There is truly nothing more refreshing in this world than a good laugh.  Everyone says they always see me laughing, and that's because I truly love to laugh. I'm thankful for how such a simple act can uplift one's day.  I love the impact it has on me and others.  I love the joy and closeness it brings to everyone.
5. I'm thankful for my parents. I'm thankful that they love the Lord, that they love each other, and that they love me. I'm thankful that they care for others and have instilled that quality into my life.  I'm thankful for the care they give and the things they provide even in the hard times.  I'm thankful for the unending faith and strength they place in the Lord. I'm thankful for their guidance, support, and love.
6. I'm thankful for my sister. I'm thankful for all the memories and laughs we've shared. I'm thankful that she knows what I'm thinking when no one else does.  I'm thankful for our inside jokes and times spent together.  I'm thankful for the man she married and the example she sets through their marriage. I'm thankful for her walk with the Lord and her encouragement she gives to grow in mine. I'm thankful that no matter how much we may frustrate each other that at the end of the day she still loves me and will always be my sister.
7. I'm thankful for my dog. Oh my sweet sweet Coconut.  I'm so thankful for the joy I feel when I'm around him.  I'm thankful for his sweet kisses and hilarious tricks. I'm thankful for his occasional cuddles and late night barks.  I'm thankful that he loves to sleep in my room, gets excited when I come home, and cries when I leave.  I'm thankful that even as a dog he has a personality and lights up anyone's day when they see him.
8. I'm thankful for the simple joys in life.  Things like the joy you feel after turning a large project in, the warmth on your skin from the sun when you first go outside, the peacefulness you feel when you lay down at night.  I'm thankful for good stories, pedicures, relaxation, holiday spirit, and inside jokes.  I'm thankful for fall colors, spring flowers, home-cooked meals, and comfortable clothes.  All these little things, remind me daily to be thankful.
9. I'm thankful for our freedom. I am reminded, especially the last few weeks, of how precious a gift the men and women that serve our Country are.  I'm thankful for their sacrifice and willingness to protect people they don't even know.  I'm thankful for the freedom that results from their love and sacrifice.  I'm thankful for their families and the support and love they show to their children serving. I'm thankful for the ability to live in a place that allows us the freedom to make our own choices and encourages it daily.  Today I'm thankful for all the men and women out there serving our Country.  Your efforts do not go unnoticed and I am truly grateful for you and all you do!
10. I'm thankful for my creative skills. My creative abilities have made me who I am today.  I'm thankful for my calling and my ability to utilize this skill.  I'm thankful that I'm challenged daily to try new things and push my abilities even further.  I'm thankful for the joy expressing my creativity brings to others and myself.  I'm thankful that I can use this quality to help others and change lives.  I'm thankful for such a seemingly small quality, that has truly changed and shaped my life.

Happy Thanksgiving!! I hope yours is as wonderful as ours!!!

"Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever."  Psalm 107:1