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"Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations." - Psalm 100: 4-5

Thanksgiving is just around the corner and more often than not, we remember the turkey but forget all of the reasons we should be thankful. It is a common saying in our world today, but more true than none- "There is always, always, always something to be thankful for." I am aware of many of the blessings in my life, but I will admit that I do not stop to truly appreciate all of the blessings the Lord has bestowed upon my life. For today's post I want to take a minute to express my gratitude for a few of those blessings.

I was a bit late to jump on the "what I am thankful for" at the beginning of the month. Looking back, I wish I would have started each day and spoke up about something different. However, in response to this being Thanksgiving week I want to use this post to reflect and note a few things that I am most thankful for right now at this point in my life. I know that through the years these items have changed and I think it will be neat to look back on this particular post next year and see what changes.

First and foremost, I am thankful for the relationship I have with my Savior. I am thankful for my salvation, for redemption, mercy, love, faith, hope, grace, and the word of the Lord. Ultimately, He has provided me with all I need and has also given me the desires of my heart along the way through prayer and petition. The Lord has even blessed me with things, places, and people in my life that I could have never imagined encountering on my own, but I do not know what I would do without to this day. Without my Jesus my life would be hopeless and pursued without meaning or purpose. I would have no drive or direction. I can testify to the fact that without my relationship with my heavenly Father I would not be the person I am today. I would live a purposeless life without direction, meaning, hope, forgiveness or love.

Second, I am thankful for my precious husband, our families, siblings, friends, and furry friends. These are the very people who provide for me, guide and advise me, love me, instruct me, and make me laugh when I need it most. I am so blessed to be surrounded with the very best of the best. Moving home has allowed me to rekindle friendships with amazing lifelong friends. I have also developed stronger connections with my new family even though I am not close to my loved ones.

On a side note, I am especially thankful for my husband who allows me to pursue so many of my dreams through all that encompasses the role of being a wife. My husband is my rock, my biggest fan, best friend, supporter of all my dreams no matter how crazy them seem, my taste tester, shopping friend, jokester, study buddy-- He is my everything and more. Just the other day I was telling him how much I enjoy being a wife, how much it has changed my perspective on life, and how tiring it can be ha! I absolutely love attempting to perfect this role although I am not near the line of perfection. Best of all, I get to share each and every day with the perfect man of God the Lord created solely for me. We heard this multiple times and I was not sure it was true until now-- "Marriage is the best blessing the Lord created." If you are not married, you will not understand. If you are not happy in your marriage or it does not seem to be the best blessing of your life, then you are not experiencing it right. Being near Tony, family, and friends is truly, pure simplicity at its best.

Third, I am thankful to be living the American dream, embracing freedoms that so many cannot, serving with a church that is pursuing the Lord's will, having food to cook and eat for each meal, owning clothing to wear, making sacrifices when needed that teach me lessons, shelter for living out of the weather, a car to drive, running water, good health, money in my wallet, hard times/obligations/responsibility, laughter, patience, an education, pursuing professionalism, smiling children, things/places/people that make me content, material possessions that are worthless but consume so much of my day (like my phone and computer), helping others when they are in need, and many many other simple pleasures of daily life and routines that I am sure I experience often but am forgetting. These are the very things that I think I most often take for granted even through they are always experienced throughout my days. I feel as though if I would have stopped to take time and think more deeply about each one each day of the month these items would surpass. I think at times I get so caught up in routine that I forget to stop and be truly, deeply thankful for all that I have and that which I am pursuing.

I realize that times are tough for so many today. However, with all my heart I truly believe that there is a season for everything. Appreciation is the highest form of prayer, for it acknowledges the presence of good wherever you shine the light of your thankful thoughts. Being thankful puts things into proper perspective, and I trust that the Lord provides in every situation. In this season of thanks I cannot be more happy for all the Lord has bestowed upon my husband and me within the past few months of our marriage. We are blessed beyond belief and have every reason to be thankful for all that has been given or taken. Thank you, Jesus, for our opportunities and experiences during the first five months of our marriage! For we are grateful through it all.

"Thanksgiving Day comes by statue, once a year; to the honest man it comes as frequently as the heart of gratitude will allow."