Thankful

On this the last night of our Thanksgiving weekend, I thought that I would take some time to reflect on what I am thankful for:

For my children who are funny and frustrating, beautiful and bewildering, and exhausting yet exhilerating.  We've had many difficult times over the past eight months, but I know that we are becoming a cohesive family.  It is slow and painful work, but when those sweet moments between Carlos and Maria happen every once in a while and they are belly-laughing together, it is all worth it.  I love them both very much and am so thankful to God for bringing them into our lives and creating this family of ours.

For my wonderful, kind-hearted, loving husband.  We're a good team.  Thank you God for opening our hearts to each other over ten years ago, and may You continue to work in and through us and our marriage!

For a God who loves me more than I will ever know, despite my failures and many, many short-comings.  I have felt very distant from Him ever since being in Colombia.  This distance isn't from Him though; I know that He is always near me.  It's me who has been distant from Him.  I haven't made time over these past months to just be still and pray and then listen to Him like I used to.  I do pray, actually quite often throughout the day, but my prayers are either quick and selfish or are incoherent ramblings as I'm trying to go to sleep at night but my mind keeps racing on about everything under the sun.  I know that He hears me and that He knows my heart and what I'm actually wanting to say or needing to say, but oh do I miss those times when I could feel Him near me and when I would be quiet long enough to hear Him.  I am so thankful that He will not give up on me though.  He is waiting with open arms for me to come close again.

For the way that God has provided for our financial needs over these past few difficult months.  One of those ways is through me getting a job at a local, independent children's store.  It's such a great fit for me and our family and I'm so thankful to be working there! 

For parents who are so supportive of us and so generous to us in so many ways.  We are very blessed to have two sets of wonderful parents!

For the friends that we've made at our new church home.  One family in particular lives so close to us that we can walk to their house.  We all enjoy spending time together; It feels like we've known them for years.  And that is a beautiful thing.

For old friends who even though we don't see them very often or even talk to them very often, whenever we do connect it feels like no time has passed.  Those friendships are so special and we are so thankful for them!

For our siblings who are beautiful, loving, awesome people!  We are so lucky to have them in our lives!  And for our neices and nephews who are just precious!

We have a lot to be thankful for!