Thankful Thursday

Linking up with Dayle at Simple Pleasure

“Gratitude helps you grow and expand; gratitude brings joy and laughter into your life and into the lives of all those around you.” Eileen Caddy

This week we've been  away....up north...way up...in the mountains. It's true ...the hills really are alive with the sound of music and being out in them....you can hear their song everywhere you step. This week I'm thankful for

-Mountains.....we hiked. all over them....breathing in their power and awesomeness

-Dominique....someone we met who touched all of us.Her kindness to us made the trip even more special.

-Stones - we spent time fishing for stones in the lakes  - so many difference colored and shaped ones. A small thing but something that brought so much joy with each amazing find.

-Guidance -coming home we made a wrong turn and drove 5 hours before realizing we had no idea where we were. We finally found out that we were going in the wrong direction. We prayed and were led to an amazing hotel that was perfect.....the people were wonderful and it even had a waterpark for the kids.

-The beauty He provided  - He made all this...the mountains....the lakes...the variety of flowers and stones.....the animals...all of it for us to enjoy. I think He knew there would be times we would become discouraged....and going outside...in His creations renews faith and hope like nothing else could.

Thankful Thursday

Thanks Dayle...for hosting Simple Pleasures. Reflecting on what's really important is the best.

Gratitude is the best attitude.  ~Author Unknown

This week has been a struggle...and a bit frustrating. A few things didn't go quite right...and the weather....too cold. Yet....still....there's so much I'm thankful for....things like....

-Prayer - my youngest started to feel sick...feverish...wouldn't eat....head hurt - we prayed... next morning she bounced downstairs back to herself and ready for school. 
-Faith - my neighbour needed a job. She kept saying no one was hiring...and bills were mounting. I told her...trust, a door will open. She went to a job interview...came home excited. Not only did she get the position...she also got the income she hoped for. 
-God - some people say trusting in God is a crutch...only weak people depend on Him. For me He turned the lights on in the dark..He shone hope when nothing else could. I can't imagine not having Him in my corner.
-Words -funny how some words echo inside my head long after they're spoken or read and have the ability to infuse hope and faith. They challenge negative thoughts....and give me confidence that everything's gonna turn out alright.
-Writing...I won the short story contest through Tyndale College and World Vision. Writing feels like breathing and a found way for me to have my voice.

Thankful Thursday

I'm linking up with two awesome blogs...Greg at http://gregsgeneralstore.blogspot.com/and Dayle's Simple Pleasures at http://alittleofthisandthat2.blogspot.com/

"An attitude of gratitude can make a world of difference---even in the midst of life's worst tragedies." Carole Lewis
 
Some things happen....things I don't understand.....things that hurt. Friends who seemed so perfect....go away...and break your heart....Doors close to what was.....having to let go...say goodbye to people, places and things....bringing a sadness that lingers somewhere deep inside....

Yet for every door that closes...every person who leaves....He brings something new.... I'm grateful for:

-every lesson He teaches  - even those painful ones
-the hard stuff in life that deepens my resolve to be the best I can be. 
-New beginnings. New adventures.
-True Friends and Family that never leave....who prove over and over they're in for the long haul....
-The truth of His promises that have become my anchor to hang onto when there is nothing else.

Thankful Thursday

Every time we remember to say "thank you" we experience nothing less than heaven on earth.
-- Sarah Ban Breathnach

Saying thank you helps me remember how much I have been given. I never want to forget where I was....how empty life had been....how dark...and cold...and scary and lonely. I never want to forget because in remembering I am filled with overwhelming gratitute. Today....I'm thankful for;

- the house I live in....it's an amazing place where I feel safe and am surrounded by nature - waterfront....wooded trails....tons of wildlife and great neighbours. 
- my family - they're in my corner always and even love me on days I'm grumpy and no fun to be around. 
- a healthy body - considering all the damage I did to my body..I'm glad there's nothing physically wrong with me.
- being a fighter. I used to hate that I was a fighter...but now....I'm thankful I am b/c it's that fighter in me that's been my strength and has kept me in the game...
- blogging - has connected me with some pretty amazing people who I have come to really care about. You guys really are the best.....I am totally thankful for all of you.

I'm linking up with Greg's and Daryl's Thankful Thursday. Want to join in? Post and add your name at http://gregsgeneralstore.blogspot.com/
and http://alittleofthisandthat2.blogspot.com/2010/07/simple-pleasures-reading.html 

Thankful Thursday

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. Melonie Beattie
I'm so so so thankful this week. I keep thinking....me and God....we did it! We told the truth....And I wrote it down....and now...it's been validated. I'm so so so thankful for:
-Winning an award for  my book, In the Eye of Deception (www.gentlerecovery.webs.com)
-Getting an honorable mention for their highest award.
-Being heard
-Being validated for all those years struggling just to survive
-My writing - my book inspiring and helping others. How cool is that!!!!

Thankful Thursday

“Gratitude is when memory is stored in the heart and not in the mind.”  Lionel Hampton

I'm thankful for so much.  Sometimes it overwhelms me with how much I have been given. And when I think of the contrast of the darkness that I lived in to  where I am now....it blows me away. 
I never want to take anything for granted.....  I'm thankful for:

-finding my voice through writing and blogging
-finally being able to tell the truth about the things that happened
-knowing what I lived had purpose; so many who've read my story  told me it helped them.
-For Him not leaving me as He found me....full of hatred and anger...
-knowing I'll never fight alone ever again....

Thankful Thursday

"There is a calmness to a life lived in Gratitude, a quiet joy."  Ralph H. Blum

Saying thank-you helps me remember...helps me stay strong....helps me move forward. I never want to forget how far down He went to pull me out....I never want to forget just how much He's done for me. I'm grateful for:

Being given so much more than I could have ever imagined.  
Kindness from strangers who reached out to me when I had nothing to give back.
Hope to hold on no matter how dark things got.
The gift to write and express what I feel
Mostly though....for His love and the gift of life.

Thankful Thursday

Thankful Thursday is hosted by Sonya Lee. To join post five things you're thankful for and then add your name at http://truth4thejourney.blogspot.com/

I'm thankful for:
-God's love that never lets go...never gives up....and never changes.
-God's mercy that loves me in spite of who I am, what I do...or what I don't do. 
-God's grace that shines in those areas of my life where I fall short...where I think I don't measure up...and where I can't manage on my own. 
-God's goodness that provides so much 'stuff'...more than I need....more than I ever had.
-God's forgiveness that makes my heart sing....that fills me with hope...that gives me peace and amazing joy.

Thankful Thursday

I love T.T. because it gives me a chance to reflect on the good stuff in my life and there's soooo much of it. Thank you Sonya Lee for starting this and if anyone wants to participate click on the pic. 
Five I'm grateful for this week. 
1. My family - they're the absolute best and give me the security I didn't have growing up. This includes extended members as well.  We're Jewish and they still accept and love me in spite of my stand as a believer.
2. the amazing friends I have who accept me for who I am and who have been a constant in my life - having experieneced so many people coming and going I am so thankful for these people who are like awesome pillars helping me to stand strong and who have been steady constants in my life.
3. For this inner strength I discovered I have - a push to fight - an ability to stand strong regardless of what happens.  I'm so thankful God built that into me.
4.For all the material things - I have been given so much. Having lived on the streets, living hand to mouth - I am amazed at where God has brought me financially.
5. Most of all - my faith in the Creator - without Him - I would have nothing, be nothing - My connection to Him makes life worth living.