This coming Sunday...I'm singing a song called "Blessed". The lyrics to the chorus are:
I am blessed, I am blessed
From when I rise up in the morning
'Til I lay my head to rest
I feel You near me
You soothe me when I'm weary
Oh Lord for all the worst and all the best
I am blessed
It's almost Thanksgiving, and of course at this time we always talk about the things that we are thankful for. I've written things like this for the past several years. Usually I tend to note the things that are going good in my life, but sometimes forget some of those hard times that have helped make me who I am and how God worked in those situations.
This blog is going to be about all the things good and bad that God has blessed me with this last year. (These are not necessarily in any order)
- My HUSBAND! A year ago, we were talking pretty seriously about being engaged, but it a wedding seemed like a distant goal. I can't believe that we have now almost been married for 3 months. Our relationship has definitely had it's ups and downs, but I am so thankful for him and the husband that he is. He is definitely a provider and protector. We balance each other out perfectly...he's always the calm one when I'm emotional. I am more in love with him than I was a year ago and I am so excited for our future together. I am also thankful for our beautiful wedding and honeymoon in August. Our wedding was perfect and just how I wanted it to be! So thankful for little stress on the big day!!!
- Moving. This would probably be one of the bad things from this past year (well the actual event of moving...not the whole part about being in Evansville). Quitting my full time job in Social Work was hard since I knew there would be extra expenses coming up. It was annoying to pack everything up from my apartment and Craig's apartment. And then on top of that, there were extra expenses of early termination fees on things and then deposits on new bills in Evansville. It was rough financially, emotionally and mentally for a couple months, but GOD IS GOOD and has helped us all along. We finally feel stable again financially (not rich but stable). We are slowly finding things in our house that seemed hidden when we first moved.
- My parents. They have been an awesome, constant support in my life. I am so thankful for my relationship with them. I know that I am so lucky because many aren't that fortunate. I have really enjoyed moving into this new relationship with them as an adult. It feels almost more like a friendship than a parent/child relationship. I treasure all the shopping trips and girl times with my mom and conversations and trips to McDonald's with my dad. I am so thankful for my parents!
- My brother. It's been so special having my brother in the US the past few months! I haven't seen him in 4 years! I am thankful to have an awesome brother who is very supportive and a great friend and example. He had never met Craig until he came home in July and I love how great they get along! I'm glad that he taught us to play Carcassonne and I look forward to game time when he comes to Evansville! I've missed him a ton while he's been away, but am thankful that he's following God's lead in the Czech. I am so excited to see how God will lead in his life in the next year! I'm thankful that he'll be around this year to celebrate the holidays with us.
- My new family. I have a new mother-in-law, father-in-law, 3 new sister-in-laws, a brand new brother-in-law, and a nephew! I am so thankful for how they have welcomed me into the family. It's fun to be a part of a bigger family since ours is really small. I've also enjoyed getting to know aunts, uncles, grandparents, and cousins. It's special to have this close of an extended family since my extended family is scattered all over the US and Canada and I don't get to see them as much as I would like! God has blessed me with a great new in-law family :)
- North Park Wesleyan Church. A year ago, I had no clue that God would lead Craig and I to Evansville. I thought we'd be in Batesville/Versailles area for a long time. But it's been fun to see how God leads. On Easter Sunday this past year, I was driving home from being in Evansville and really felt God laying it on my heart to work with teens again...but putting more time and effort into it (like it being my job and not just something when I had a chance to spend with teens). I was nervous sharing this, but of course, my future husband and parents were accepting. I had no clue where he was going to lead. At that time, we were going to a church in Batesville, but not too involved. I checked into positions available there, but God closed the door for me there. I was basically searching anywhere and then Craig said, well what's wrong with Evansville at North Park? I said, well I didn't figure you would want to be that close to my family. He said it'd be nice to be closer to people we know. God worked it out that North Park was open to me coming to work with the teens. And I haven't regretted it since we've come! We have a small group of teens (4-7), but I am SO thankful for them! God keeps providing and helping me (especially with lessons). I'm excited to see how God will work this next year and really looking forward to the Youth Convention in December. I am also thankful for the people welcoming us into the church. I love our church FAMILY!
- Our house. We weren't ready to buy a house when we got to Evansville, but we were really hoping to find somewhere that we could have his boat nearby so we wouldn't have to find a separate storage unit for it. God provided! Through the grapevine we heard about a rental house and the price was perfect for us. The house is great...lots of yard, 2 car garage, 2 bedrooms, 2 living room areas, huge kitchen, lots of storage and one bathroom. Perfect for us at this point. His boat is already in the garage. We love our neighbors and our landlords are pretty sweet (kinda like grandparents to us).
- Safety. Another not so fun thing in our lives this past year has been lots and lots and lots of driving. Mainly between Cincy, Marion, and Evansville. It seemed like many times we were on the road every weekend. I also drove a lot for my old Social work job. God has kept us safe! He has kept us awake when driving and has just watched over us. If only we could avoid the cops :) We are thankful that our lives have calmed down enough that we no longer have to travel as much as before!
- Friends. I wish that I could say that I am really good at keeping in touch with all my friends (near and far) but I could do a better job. But I am still thankful for how God has blessed me with friends everywhere I am. I am thankful for Facebook for a great way to reconnect with those friends and a way to keep in touch. I just wish they could all live next to me and not in Montana, Marion, Cincy, Ukraine and everywhere else!!!! Miss you all!
- Memories. This year has been a lot of pondering and cherishing memories from my past, especially my time in Ukraine. I'm so thankful for the chance that I had to be in Ukraine and meet some very special girls who I love so much. I'm thankful for the memories from my whole life and the chance to remember how God worked in my life and blessed me every year of my 26 years on earth!
- Opportunities. I am thankful for the chances that I have to be a witness for Him and to help others see how great our God is! I pray that I will make the most of all the opportunities that He provides and not be timid in my faith.
God has provided me with everything I need. I am thankful for His love and protection and guidance in my life. I would be nothing without Him. I am thankful for the worst and best things in my life. I know that I am blessed.
